Summer Institute- Ending Detention of Immigrant Families

Summer Institute - Registration is now open! "Cherishing Creation - Called To The Common Good" is the theme of the 29th Annual Social Action Summer Institute (SASI) that offers first-time participants and returning enthusiasts grounding in Catholic social teaching, biblical theology, the spirituality of social justice and practical parish skills. SASI will take place at the University of Portland, Sunday, July 19 - Thursday, July 23. Among the things offered is a workshop in skill building that includes:

* Building Capacity
* Advocating for Ecological Concerns
* Advocating From Your Parish
* Tools for Building Parish Ministries: Communities of Salt and Light
* Integrating Social Media into Your Communications Strategy

Participants will leave MOTIVATED, with a CATHOLIC-BASED SENSE of MISSION, KNOWLEDGEABLE, with new TOOLS. SASI is sponsored by Roundtable (the national association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors), Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Just Faith Ministries, and the Archdiocese of Portland. To Register, Click Here.

Bishops Call for End to Detaining Immigrant Families - Last Friday, several bishops, including Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, participated in a tour of the Dilley, TX, facility where the US government detains immigrant families. Bishop Elizondo, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, said: "The detention of families serves no purpose and undermines due process. It especially harms children, who experience emotional and psychological harm from detention." Information on the USCCB position on family detention can be found here.

Wishing you a blessed Triduum,
Jim