Tag: Poverty
Peter Claver vs. Immanuel Kant
One of the greatest heroes of the social justice wing of the Church is, quite rightly, the 17th-century “slave of the slaves,” St. Peter Claver. Born in Barcelona, Claver joined the Society of Jesus and was known, even as a young man, as a person of deep intelligence and piety.
The blessed poor
Jeremiah is homeless. He is a slight man and slanted to the right. Some days he has a pronounced limp — arthritis in the knee. He’s lost most of his teeth. I first met Jeremiah some time ago on my way into work at my highway exit where he stands and holds a cardboard sign at the stoplight: “Homeless, hungry.” One day I rolled down my window, asked his name and offered him a few dollars that he accepted with a two-tooth grin. He asked my name and we shook hands. He thanked me and blessed me and the light turned green.
Poverty, inequality in Latin America at unthinkable levels, pope says
Latin America’s traditional social values of cooperation and solidarity must prevail over the societal ills that threaten the livelihood of the region’s inhabitants, Pope Francis said.
Poverty requires action, not empty words, pope says
People cannot sit back and be indifferent or unresponsive to growing poverty in the world as a privileged minority accumulates “ostentatious wealth,” Pope Francis said.
Poverty has a name
The story went something like this: A group of MBAs from a prestigious university (that shall remain unnamed) determined that through applying their business acumen they could make Mother Teresa and her Missionaries of Charity more effective. They traveled to Kolkata, India, requested a meeting and were received by the saint herself. They pulled out their flow charts and spreadsheets filled with graphs and data, and she sat listening, quietly, politely.
Don’t worry how it’s spent, always give homeless a handout, pope says
People who don’t give money to the homeless because they think it will be spent on alcohol and not food should ask themselves what guilty pleasures they are secretly spending money on, Pope Francis said.
Advocates explore link between mass incarceration, intergenerational poverty
Ellis and her colleagues hope to have captured the energy and passion of the approximately 100 people who attended the assembly. They heard from Artika Tyner, associate vice president of diversity and inclusion at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and civil rights attorney. Also on the program docket were Brandt Williams, senior reporter at Minnesota Public Radio, and Butch Blauert, a 25-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department.
Lawyer puts passion to work as new interfaith advocacy leader
As a Twin Cities lawyer for 30 years, Anne Krisnik channeled her passion for social justice issues into her volunteer activities, among them, two decades of cooking once a month at the Catholic Charities Family Service Center in Maplewood. She planned upon retirement to devote more time to fight systemic poverty, which she hasn’t been able to do with a full-time job.
McDonald’s near Vatican to give free meals to the poor
While the controversial opening of a McDonald’s near the Vatican may not have all local residents singing, “I’m lovin’ it,” the popular fast food chain is trying to do its part in the neighborhood by helping the poor and the hungry.
Legislature faces decisions on health care, school choice, family poverty
After a contentious U.S. presidential campaign that highlighted the nation’s deep political divisions, the Minnesota Catholic Conference is hoping that state Republicans and Democrats can rise above partisan differences to pass legislation consistent with the conference’s 2017 public policy priorities.
St. Joseph Workers make spirits bright while honing leadership skills
St. Joseph Worker Program participant Kiki Sykes knows by name the children she serves at the nonprofit Jeremiah Program, and she also knows that the ones experiencing poverty might not receive what they’re wishing for this Christmas.
Society’s chef stays cool as cucumber turning out 4,500 meals daily
Chris Hoffman is cooking for 4,500 guests this holiday season, yet he’s cool as a cucumber.
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