At a ceremony in Washington, DC, the CIW was recognized for its work fighting farmworker poverty and modern-day slavery by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, with the 2008 Sister Margaret Cafferty Development of People Award. Shown here are Gerardo Reyes of the CIW, right, and CCHD Director Ralph McCloud, with the award.
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty and social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in the United States through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.
The award, named in memory of the late Presentation Sister who served as executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and a member of the Catholic Bishops' Committee for CCHD, honors an individual or group who exemplifies a commitment to the development of people and the elimination of poverty. Recipients of this award have made significant contributions to human development and have offered heroic responses to the needs of the economically disadvantaged. The award was established 20 years ago in 1987 and was called the Development of People Award until 1997, when it was renamed in Sister Margaret Cafferty's honor after her death.
The CIW is immensely honored to receive this recognition from CCHD and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, both of whom have been steadfast allies in our work since the very beginnings of the CIW. We look forward to making CCHD and the USCCB proud of their choice and honoring the memory of Sister Margaret Cafferty with our continued struggle to end modern-day slavery and sweatshop conditions in the fields.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21st – Dr. King and his dream of peace
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal figure for the Civil Rights Movement and one of the biggest supporters of non-violent social change of modern times. For thirteen years his speeches, movements, and marches brought significant change to American society. His selfless devotion inspired men, women, and children of every race and ethnicity. Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolent protest, direct action and his strategies for rational and non-destructive social change prompted means to achieve civil rights reform and awarded him the 1964 Nobel Prize for Peace.
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As part of one of Spiritan Campus Ministry’s cross/cultural experiences over spring break, a group of students and SCM staff spent their week helping in the recovery effort in New Orleans. 18 months after the storm has pasted the scar left by Katrina is still very real. Students spent the week gutting homes, which means taking everything out of the house until there are only the studs left. Students gutted four houses during the week, which in return helps four families take one step further to rebuilding their homes and their lives. Look for more information on the New Orleans experience to appear on SCM’s website in the near future.
“This trip has touched me in ways that words cannot describe. I do however, make sure to let those who ask about the trip know that we worked on HOMES not HOUSES. The stories of struggle, suffering, perseverance and hope that the people of New Orleans shared with us were both moving and deeply inspiring. Despite the destruction that is unfortunately still visible in neighborhoods, the city is very much alive. The city of New Orleans is beautiful and filled with such vibrant culture. I now know that Southern hospitality is a real thing and a wonderful gift!”
-Student Reflection by Bella Szewczak More information on Recovery Effort
Helpful Links:
Office of Disaster Response for the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
www.edola.org
Catholic Charities New Orleans
www.catholiccharities-no.org
News outlet
www.nola.com
Bishops ask McDonald's to up pay
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has become the latest religious
group to call on McDonald's to push for its tomato suppliers to pay
higher wages.
With most of McDonald's US tomatoes coming from Florida, the bishops
want the firm to broker a deal between the state's growers and main
pickers union.
The call comes after Yum! Brands, owner of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and
KFC, achieved a similar agreement last year.
Florida's tomato pickers are chiefly Hispanic, Haitian and Mayan
immigrants.
'Purchasing power'
The Catholic move comes after similar action from the Prebyterian
Church, United Church of Christ, and National Council of Churches.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, head of the Conference of Catholic Bishop's
Domestic Policy Committee, has sent an open letter to McDonald's to
put across its thoughts.
He told McDonald's that with "substantial purchasing power, you can
insist that your produce suppliers meet high ethical standards in how
they treat their workers".
McDonald's spokesman William Whitman said the company has required
suppliers to comply with its code of conduct on workers' health,
safety and legal rights since it was established in 1993.
"We believe that all employees, including those who work for our
business partners, should be treated with dignity and respect in every
aspect of the employment relationship, " he said.
Florida's immigrant farmworkers are represented by the Coalition of
Immokalee Workers.
This group boycotted Yum! Brands outlets for four years before an
increased pay deal was brokered last year.
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