Catholic Relief Services Briefing October 2019

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CRS BRIEFING October 2019 Our Monthly Prayer Your Work in All Works We ask our Lord to establish the work of our hands for His glory. And so we pray ...   PRAY WITH US >   Share this prayer on social media. SHARE TWEET  PIN  Building Sustainability Kenya Coffee Farm Becomes Haven for Vulnerable Women By introducing best practices, CRS helped Assumption Sisters of Nairobi start a sustainable business and offered valuable skills to disadvantaged women.   LEARN MORE > Gift Catalog CRS Gift Catalog A Gift of Hope represents an inspirational way for you to make a life-changing difference for families and communities around the world.    SHOP NOW > CRS MINISTRY RESOURCE CENTER Find lesson plans, reflections and prayers for use in your home, parish, school or university in the CRS Ministry Resource Center.   NEW THIS MONTH >

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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The CRS Briefing is a monthly service to our supporters. We aspire to keep you informed of our progress and up-to-date on issues that affect the people we serve in more than 100 countries around the world. Catholic Relief Services 228 West Lexington Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3443 Phone: 877-435-7277 Email: community@crs.org Catholic Relief Services eases suffering and provides assistance to people in need, without regard to race, religion or nationality. Catholic Relief Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to CRS are tax deductible to the full extent allowable under the law.

California is first in US for new laws on Uber, NCAA, police | The Sacramento Bee

California is first in US for new laws on Uber, NCAA, police | The Sacramento Bee: Governor Gavin Newsom signs first-in-America laws in California on NCAA athlete pay, employment rights for Uber and Lyft drivers, health care for undocumented immigrants, use of force by police and fur trapping.

The Long Game in Iraq

The Long Game in Iraq: Iran knows how to play the long game in Iraq. To be successful, the United States must learn to play it, too.

No refugees need apply - The Boston Globe

No refugees need apply - The Boston Globe: The Trump administration announced it would decrease its acceptance of refugees by 40 percent — from 30,000 per year to just 18,000.

Climate activists are furious over Kennedy’s challenge to Markey - The Boston Globe

Climate activists are furious over Kennedy’s challenge to Markey - The Boston Globe: Young and old, in Massachusetts and around the country, environmentalists view Senator Edward J. Markey as a steadfast champion — the steadfast champion — of the most urgent issue facing not just the country but all humanity.

Pope: When a people considers the old and the young as treasures, God is there

Pope: When a people considers the old and the young as treasures, God is there: Pope Francis says that a sure sign of the presence of God is seeing a people that treasures both the elderly and children. He said this in reflecting on the First Reading of today’s Mass, whi…

The Blind Leading the Sighted - The Catholic Thing

The Blind Leading the Sighted - The Catholic Thing: Here is a type of person we recognize among Catholics and Christians generally: someone who in an “earlier life” went...

Pope Francis Institutes Sunday to Promote Knowledge and Love of Scripture

Pope Francis Institutes Sunday to Promote Knowledge and Love of Scripture: Holy Father instituted the special day for celebrating the word of God in the Church through his apostolic letter Aperuit Illis.

Steve Bannon: Hillary Clinton 'is running' again and 'trying to decide how to fit her way in'

Steve Bannon: Hillary Clinton 'is running' again and 'trying to decide how to fit her way in': Steve Bannon said Hillary Clinton will run for president in 2020.

Unbound - The feedback loop of faith

The feedback loop of faith Every week we offer a prayerful reflection from a member of the Unbound community. This week our reflection is from contributing writer and sponsor Maureen Lunn.

Autumn has arrived in the United States. Soon the trees will turn colors followed by leaves browning and dying, paving the way for new life in the Spring. Where I live in New Mexico, this cycle is particularly striking to me as the aspen trees paint the mountainside in solid bright yellow, making the unmistakable change from green to gold to the eventual brown of winter. In the science world, the seasonal rhythm of trees creates what’s called a feedback loop, where vital phases put positive input into the system — oxygen in growth, minerals in death and a lot of natural cyclical processes in between. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses a horticultural image to describe the reciprocal relationship that exists between the divine and humanity: “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).” Jesus is describing the feedback loop of faith. He believes in us, we believe in him, and this cycle perpetuates in every aspect of our lives. It helps us to believe in ourselves and in others. When I believe in myself, I have more capacity to see the potential in others, and the cycle begins again. The Unbound community is full of these feedback loops. My sponsored friend writes me a letter and it compels me to write her back. An Unbound mother invests her family’s sponsorship funds to create a greater return. An Unbound family that finds success inspires another family in similar circumstances to follow their own path. These are the cycles of inspiration, the feedback loops of potential. As we look for the autumn leaves soon to change, may we also look for the potential in ourselves and others to input more positive change into the world. Please pray God of all seasons, thank you for remaining in us and believing in us. Help us and our sponsored friends to see potential everywhere we look and bear fruit to better your world. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, amen. Blessings, Unbound Prayer Team P.S. We welcome you to submit your prayer requests to us. These prayers are offered in the chapel at Unbound’s headquarters in Kansas City and are not shared publicly. Submit a prayer request. Unbound is an international nonprofit founded by lay Catholics and grounded in the Gospel call to put the needs of the marginalized and vulnerable first. We build relationships of mutual respect and support that bridge cultural, religious and economic divides. We invite all people of goodwill to join us.

Faith Reflections

‘Heartbroken’ Pelosi Fast-Tracks Impeachment – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website

‘Heartbroken’ Pelosi Fast-Tracks Impeachment – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website: For three years, the media-deep state axis has sought to overturn the election of 2016 and bring down Trump, starting with Russia-gate. Now it appears to have tailored and weaponized the impeachment process... This is what the deep state does to outsiders Middle America sends to Washington to challenge or dispossess it. "This is a…

Avoiding War in the Middle East Could Begin in Lebanon: A Scenario

Avoiding War in the Middle East Could Begin in Lebanon: A Scenario: Hezbollah's pretext for keeping its arsenal is to liberate Lebanese territory. An Israeli withdrawal from Shebaa Farms would force Hezbollah to prove its intent if nothing else.

The U.S. Navy Isn’t Ready to Take On Iran – Foreign Policy

The U.S. Navy Isn’t Ready to Take On Iran – Foreign Policy: That’s why, for now, tough talk may remain just that.

On Contact - War with Iran? Stephen Kinzer

On Contact - War with Iran? Stephen Kinzer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz_7ZUmmTzQ&t=5s

Emails Suggest UAE and Saudi Arabia Funded U.S.-Based Anti-Iran Pressure Group – LobeLog

Emails Suggest UAE and Saudi Arabia Funded U.S.-Based Anti-Iran Pressure Group – LobeLog: by Eli Clifton For the second year in a row, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo chose an unusual venue in which to present new escalations in the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy agai…

How Joe Dunford Quietly Changed the Joint Chiefs’ Role in Preparing for War | National News | US News

How Joe Dunford Quietly Changed the Joint Chiefs’ Role in Preparing for War | National News | US News: As a new chairman takes over, the military’s outgoing top officer has ‘transformed’ the way the Joint Chiefs influence top leaders’ decisions.

The White-Collar Job Apocalypse That Didn’t Happen - The New York Times

The White-Collar Job Apocalypse That Didn’t Happen - The New York Times: Economists once warned that office jobs in the United States would soon follow factory jobs in moving overseas. New research suggests that jobs may be moving to other parts of the country instead.

America’s Perilous Path Of Wealth Distribution | Global Macro Monitor

America’s Perilous Path Of Wealth Distribution | Global Macro Monitor: Summary We illustrate the stark contrast in the growth of household wealth between the different percentile groups since Q1 2000 The top 1% of households now hold more wealth than the bottom 90% Th…

U.S. Inequality Reached Highest Level in 50 Years: Census | Time

U.S. Inequality Reached Highest Level in 50 Years: Census | Time: The gap between the haves and have-nots in the U.S. grew last year to its highest level in more than 50 years of tracking income inequality

N.C.A.A. Athletes Could Be Paid Under New California Law - The New York Times

N.C.A.A. Athletes Could Be Paid Under New California Law - The New York Times

WeWork shows why some venture capitalists are in a world of make-believe - Schumpeter

WeWork shows why some venture capitalists are in a world of make-believe - Schumpeter

The Failed Political Promise of Silicon Valley | The New Republic

The Failed Political Promise of Silicon Valley | The New Republic: Tech was meant to help us transcend our most intractable problems. What went wrong?

Joe Biden’s Digital Ads Are Disappearing. Not a Good Sign, Strategists Say. - The New York Times

Joe Biden’s Digital Ads Are Disappearing. Not a Good Sign, Strategists Say. - The New York Times

Is William Barr Going After Trump’s ‘Deep State’ Enemies?

Is William Barr Going After Trump’s ‘Deep State’ Enemies?: Attorney General William Barr has met with officials in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Italy as part of the counter-investigation of the FBI that President Trump has been demanding. There are signs it will be a partisan hit job.

Who Actually Wants The Hillary Clinton Comeback Tour ?

Who Actually Wants The Hillary Clinton Comeback Tour ?: Hillary Clinton has a new book to sell, and some pearls of wisdom to share with her despairing country.

The Ukraine Scandal Might Be a Bad Gambit for Democrats | The Nation

The Ukraine Scandal Might Be a Bad Gambit for Democrats | The Nation: Aaron Maté argues that impeachment is political, not legal—and that the transcript the White House released doesn’t, in itself, implicate the president.

Whistleblower Complaint: Now Trump Talks of Civil War and Treason - Bloomberg

Whistleblower Complaint: Now Trump Talks of Civil War and Treason - Bloomberg: It’s not just the president’s phone calls to Ukraine that are a problem. Now there’s more.

GOP lawmaker blasts Trump for quoting pastor warning of civil war over impeachment | TheHill

GOP lawmaker blasts Trump for quoting pastor warning of civil war over impeachment | TheHill: Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) on Sunday criticized President Trump for quoting a pastor saying impeachment could trigger a "Civil War like fracture" in the country.

Trump Threatens “Civil War” If He’s Impeached | Vanity Fair

Trump Threatens “Civil War” If He’s Impeached | Vanity Fair: Presumably the president will be on the side of the secessionists.

ICIG Statement on Processing of Whistleblower Complaints.pdf

ICIG Statement on Processing of Whistleblower Complaints.pdf

Trump Knew Ukraine Conspiracy Theory Had Been Debunked – Rolling Stone

Trump Knew Ukraine Conspiracy Theory Had Been Debunked – Rolling Stone: Music, Film, TV and Political News Coverage

Border Crisis: Arizona Desert Crossing Has Claimed Thousands of Lives – Rolling Stone

Border Crisis: Arizona Desert Crossing Has Claimed Thousands of Lives – Rolling Stone: Music, Film, TV and Political News Coverage

315 billion-tonne iceberg breaks off Antarctica - BBC News

315 billion-tonne iceberg breaks off Antarctica - BBC News: The Amery Ice Shelf in Antarctica produces its largest iceberg in more than 50 years.

Rural Hospital Closings Reach Crisis Stage, Leaving Millions Without Nearby Health Care | naked capitalism

Rural Hospital Closings Reach Crisis Stage, Leaving Millions Without Nearby Health Care | naked capitalism: How rural hospital closures have serious knock-on effects.

America’s Final Patriots: An Interview + Book Review of Crisis of Conscience: Whistleblowing in an Age of Fraud by Tom Mueller (Riverhead Books, 2019)

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/09/americas-final-patriots-an-interview-book-review-of-crisis-of-conscience-whistleblowing-in-an-age-of-fraud-by-tom-mueller-riverhead-books-2019.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

Matt Stoller: The Great Turn Is Beginning | naked capitalism

Matt Stoller: The Great Turn Is Beginning | naked capitalism: Stoller's fundraiser theme is cracks among the elites are getting serious.

Tomgram: Rajan Menon, The Hypersonic Race to Hell | TomDispatch

Tomgram: Rajan Menon, The Hypersonic Race to Hell | TomDispatch: null

Russia on Syria - Media Stakeout (30 September 2019) - YouTube

Russia on Syria - Media Stakeout (30 September 2019) - YouTube

John Bolton slams Trump’s North Korea policy in major speech - Vox

John Bolton slams Trump’s North Korea policy in major speech - Vox: Bolton slams Trump in his first public remarks since leaving the White House.

Diplomacy in the crossfire of Donald Trump’s impeachment battle - Collateral damage

Diplomacy in the crossfire of Donald Trump’s impeachment battle - Collateral damage: The fall-out from the Ukraine debacle goes beyond the peril to the president himself

Honest Government Ad | My Police State! - YouTube

Honest Government Ad | My Police State! - YouTube

America First? | Center for Strategic and International Studies

America First? | Center for Strategic and International Studies: A lot happened last week, but most of it had little to do with trade. There were, however, three noteworthy developments: announcement of an agreement with Japan, resolution of the U.S.-initiated Universal Postal Union (UPU) rate controversy, and the president’s speech at the UN.

Whistling in the Dark on RT International 30 09 19 YouTube

Whistling in the Dark on RT International 30 09 19

YouTube

China/US trade war: weaponising Wall Street

https://www.ft.com/content/8c62ca67-1aac-3793-a886-77bcb20a2fd6?desktop=true&segmentId=7c8f09b9-9b61-4fbb-9430-9208a9e233c8#myft:notification:daily-email:content

A lukewarm heart

Francis, the comic strip

by Pat Marrin

Francis, the comic strip: Mother Nature is sending a message.

Pope's quotes: A lukewarm heart

by NCR Staff

Pope's quotes: "The lukewarm person lives to satisfy his or her own convenience, which is never enough, and in that way is never satisfied; gradually such a Christian ends up being content with a mediocre life."

Christians have 'moral duty' to help migrants, refugees, pope says

by Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News Service

Christians have a moral obligation to show God's care for all those who are marginalized, especially migrants and refugees, Pope Francis said.

Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection October 1, 2019

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Luke 9:51-56

Friends, in today’s Gospel Jesus rebukes James and John for their desire for vengeance. We are walking with Jesus and his disciples as they make their way to Jerusalem. As they pass through Samaria, they are refused hospitality, for their destination is Jerusalem and this annoys the Samaritans. Bothersome? Stupid? Racist? Sure, all of those things. As a result, James and John (the sons of thunder) cry out: "Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" Can you hear echoes of this cry up and down the ages? Whenever people have been unjustly treated, excluded, looked down upon, they experience, naturally enough, feelings of hatred and a desire to get back. Correctly enough, they will say that their family or their race or their country was offended, and so they, with justification, react. But Jesus turns only to rebuke them. Why? Because following him and his way of nonviolence is more important than race or country or ethnic group. Our feelings for him have to go beyond even our justified feelings for these good things.  Memorial of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Lectionary: 456 Reading 1 Zec 8:20-23 Thus says the LORD of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, "Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD"; and, "I too will go to seek the LORD." Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the LORD. Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." Gospel Lk 9:51-56 When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.