Society of St.

Vincent de Paul WESTERN REGION Information from

Voice of the Poor

MAY 2013
VOICE OF THE POOR Voice of the Poor does not take positions for or against a political party or individual candidates. However, Voice of the Poor is interested in working with those elected officials, whether Republicans or Democrats, who support initiatives that will benefit the poor, children, elderly, immigrants (documented or not), and all of those served by SVdP.

INDEX

PROPHETS OF A FUTURE NOT OUR OWN

Page TRANSFORMING LIVES, COMMUNITIES AND THE SOCIETY Page SEQUESTRATION AND THE CIRCLE OF PROTECTION Page MEDICAID EXPANSION Page IMMIGRATION REFORM: SPEAK UP NOW! Page IMMIGRATION URGENT CALL TO VINCENTIANS AND ALL CATHOLICS Page NO TIME LIKE NOW! Page WESTERN REGION EVENTS Page

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PROPHETS OF A FUTURE NOT OUR OWN

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. The kingdom [of God] is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is Gods work Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing this. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the Lords grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.

Prayer by Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw, MI reflecting on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Bishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador

TRANSFORMING LIVES, COMMUNITIES, AND THE SOCIETY

(By Jack Murphy, National Voice of the Poor Chair, Giulio Grecchi, Western Region Voice of the Poor) In Louisville, Kentucky, at the corner of what is now 4th and West Muhammad Ali Boulevard, stands a unique plaque. It doesnt commemorate the birth of a political leader or the site of a famous battle. The plaque records the spiritual transformation of an individual. Author and Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, describes the event in his book Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander: I was suddenly overwhelmed with the realization that I loved all these people, that they were mine and I theirs, that we could not be alien to one another even though we were total strangers. It was like waking from a dream of separateness...I have the immense joy of being man, a member of a race in which God Himself became incarnate..."

Each of us may have had a similar personal transformation in our work as Vincentians, perhaps, not as dramatic as Mertons epiphany. However, when you are in the presence of someone in need, someone who has opened their heart and their home, with humility and embarrassment, and asks us for help, it is difficult to not be changed. We are changed because, at that moment, we are offered the opportunity to see the face of Jesus, in the person in front of us. What an amazing opportunity for our own transformation. We are then afforded the opportunity to help the individual and family also realize a transformation. It may be walking them through a credit card bill to point out that the interest charged each month is bigger than the minimum payment, so they are 3

getting deeper in the hole even if they dont use the card. Or helping them find an alternative to a car title loan that carries a huge interest rate and puts at risk the only means they have to get to their job. We help change their lives when we patiently listen to their story, even though we have other places to be. And we change them when we offer to pray with them. These are simple steps that every Vincentian does on a regular basis, almost as second nature, in the day to day work of our ministry. As Voice of the Poor Vincentians, we use the stories of those we serve to help transform a wider audience. Sometimes the transformation takes place at an individual level. During a recent visit with a state senator we told him the story of a single mother who had just started a minimum wage job and was proud that she could provide for her daughter and see a path to eventually getting off of public assistance. We pointed out that, if the senators bill to require drug testing for recipients of public aid were to prevail, this woman might lose her new job, taking a day to travel by bus to a crowded clinic to do a drug test. The senator was genuinely surprised to hear the story. He had lumped all welfare recipients into one image of drug abusers and freeloaders. He was transformed by hearing the real story of a person in need. Transformation also takes place in communities when we collaborate with other organizations, in the continuum of system change. In Tucson, Arizona, Casa Maria, a soup kitchen organized by The Catholic Workers, located a few block south of the Diocesan Council office serves about 800 meals a day to poor families in need.

They are very good at organizing the people they serve and engage these people when political decisions threaten them further. Last summer the city of Tucson was about to raise the bus fares. Many of these people travel to Casa Maria by bus to get their meals. By bringing a large number of people to the City Council meeting where the decision was to be taken and having some of them make their case in front of the City Council, they were able to transform the decision and stop the fare increase. 4

Now, our Society is being transformed by the challenge to understand and tackle all of the systemic contributors to poverty in our communities. We are moving from a one-time transaction with a family to truly understanding the decisions that they made or the circumstances that led them to poverty. We need to better understand the resources that are available to help people. We need to collaborate with others to fill in gaps in communities where services are insufficient to meet the needs. And we need to work to change laws and policies that are roadblocks to self-sufficiency.

SEQUESTRATION AND THE CIRCLE OF PROTECTION (By Giulio Grecchi, Western Region Voice of the Poor) With the March 2013 sequestration, federal expenses are reduced through automatic, across-the-board spending cuts. The origin of sequestration goes back to August 2, 2011, when U.S. Congress was within hours of letting the government default on its $14.3 trillion debt. At the last moment, lawmakers passed a compromise bill that raised the debt ceiling, against cuts in federal spending by at least $2.2 trillion over the next decade. The compromise bill used the threat of sequestration to encourage Congress to find sensible solutions on achieving the first tranche of the mandated deficit reduction of $1.2 trillion, by the end of 2012. It was also agreed that if lawmakers failed to do so, the law would trigger automatic, across-the-board, budget cuts to achieve the same level of expense reduction, which is in fact what has happened, since. That the nation needs to substantially reduce the deficit over time is undeniable. No-one can continue to borrow indefinitely. Timing and manner of reduction, however, are a matter of choice. After all, a deficit or a surplus are simply the result of how much income is received and how many expenses are incurred, and these are decided by Congress. Choices by Congress, as all other choices, can either be good choices or bad choices; in fact, they are moral choices.

As Christians and Catholics, our faith principles are the standard that we use to evaluate our own choices and the choices of the Government that represent us. We believe in the common good and in respecting life and dignity of the human person in all of its aspects - we expect our government to do the same. Thus, taxation should proportionally reflect the ability of each individual, family, corporation to contribute to the common good; business enterprises should accept responsibility for improving the environment that they impact and the infrastructure that they extensively use. Spending cuts should not hurt economic growth, nor increase poverty, nor affect the structure of those programs that have traditionally helped the weakest in our society (Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security). Public money should not be wasted to favor one industry or another, unless there is an overwhelming social purpose for doing so. Defense spending, which absorbs a disproportionate part of the federal budget, should be questioned as to their size and real necessity. The U.S. Catholic Bishops have multiple times expressed their concern about federal budget choices and have joined in the Circle of Protection, an ecumenical initiative to protect those who are poor and vulnerable at home and abroad, during the ongoing budget process, building a common voice within the Christian community on the moral principle that the poor have priority. Working together with the larger Church, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul issued through Voice of the Poor action alerts to the same effect for the most recent, see: http://capwiz.com/svdpusa/issues/alert/?alertid=62442781&queueid=9296380211 CIRCLE OF PROTECTION KEY PRINCIPLES 1. 2. The nation needs to substantially reduce future deficits, but not at the expense of hungry and poor people. Funding focused on reducing poverty should not be cut. It should be made as effective as possible, but not cut. 6

3. 4. 5.

We urge our leaders to protect and improve poverty-focused development and humanitarian assistance to promote a better, safer world. National leaders must review and consider tax revenues, military spending, and entitlements in the search for ways to share sacrifice and cut deficits. A fundamental task is to create jobs and spur economic growth. Decent jobs at decent wages are the best path out of poverty, and restoring growth is a powerful way to reduce deficits. The budget debate has a central moral dimension. Christians are asking how we protect the least of these. What would Jesus cut? How do we share sacrifice? As believers, we turn to God with prayer and fasting, to ask for guidance as our nation makes decisions about our priorities as a people. God continues to shower our nation and the world with blessings. As Christians, we are rooted in the love of God in Jesus Christ. Our task is to share these blessings with love and justice and with a special priority for those who are poor. Budgets are moral documents, and how we reduce future deficits are historic and defining moral choices. As Christian leaders, we urge Congress and the administration to give moral priority to programs that protect the life and dignity of poor and vulnerable people in these difficult times, our broken economy, and our wounded world. It is the vocation and obligation of the church to speak and act on behalf of those Jesus called the least of these. This is our calling and we will strive to be faithful in carrying out this mission.

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MEDICAID EXPANSION (By Giulio Grecchi, Western Region Voice of the Poor) A key provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated that all States expand eligibility of Medicaid coverage to all individuals with income up to 133% of the poverty line (about $29,000 for a family of 4), effective January 1, 2014. On June 28, 2012 the Supreme Court, while upholding the constitutionality of ACA, ruled that the federal government cannot require states to expand Medicaid and that each state can opt in or out. This option has caused intense debates in many States whether to expand Medicaid. Unfortunately, in many cases the discussion has been influenced more by political considerations, than a concern for the weakest member of society. In the Western Region, some States have already opted to expand Medicaid benefits: California, Washington, Hawaii, and Nevada. In Montana, while a thin legislative majority would have approved the expansion, a voting error caused its rejection, just before the legislature adjourned for two years. In Oregon, the issue is still being debated. In Idaho, Utah and Alaska, currently, there is no political will to go ahead with the expansion, in spite of strong support shown by the population. In Arizona, Governor Brewer embraced Medicaid expansion, but the majority of the Legislature is adamantly against it, not even allowing a bill to get to the floor. The issue has created a sharp division between the Governor and her own party. Some moderate members of the majority, who have announced their support for the expansion, are now under extreme pressure to change their position, including threats by their party to withhold future electoral support.

The legislative majority is against Medicaid expansion for purely ideological reasons, ignoring the need of their constituents and the economic realities. In Arizona, the implementation of Medicaid expansion will have the following economic benefits: provide medical insurance coverage to an additional 250/300,000 people bring to AZ Federal funds of $1.6 billion, annually create an estimated 21,000 jobs in the Healthcare industry save hospitals (especially rural hospital) from bankruptcy

In addition, if no action is taken, 63,000 low income Arizonans will lose their current healthcare coverage on January 1, 2014, including cancer patients and those with serious mental illness. The Governor is still trying to work with the legislature on this issue. As an alternative, she might get Medicaid expansion approved as part of the State budget process. If that also fails, Medicaid expansion might become the object of a referendum initiative in the future. Through our home visits, we hear how serious medical problems can push people further into poverty and how lack of preventive medical attention makes mild medical conditions spiral out of control, until they find their way to hospital emergency rooms. With Medicaid decision impacting so many of the people served by SVdP, Voice of the Poor members from Phoenix and Tucson wrote and visited their legislators multiple times in support of the expansion. In addition, Voice of the Poor is coordinating nationwide its advocacy efforts towards Medicaid expansion with Network, the National Catholic Social Justice lobby (nuns on the bus). This issue is key to SVdP in every State, due to the high number of people in poverty affected. We, Vincentians must commit to advocate decisively and incessantly and to dedicate to it all our efforts, until a favorable decision is made in each state.

IMMIGRATION REFORM: SPEAK UP NOW!

(From Bishop Gerald Kicanas Monday Memo of April 23, 2013) Below is a copy of an Op-Ed article the bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference, wrote and sent to the major newspapers in Arizona and Gallup, New Mexico last week: Comprehensive immigration reform, so needed, has remained elusive for years now. The pattern of past debates is clear. Immediately, sides form and positions harden. Emotions flare and disagreements persist; gridlock sets in. Politicians lose their nerve, become cautious and step back. We have been there several times already since President Reagan signed a legalization bill in 1986. Simple, easy answers fall short of addressing the complexities of the issues surrounding immigration reform. Formulating legislation that can guide the nation through the intricate maze of issues remains daunting and can become paralyzing. When can we become sure the border is secure? What is a fair and reasonable way to allow migrants living in the shadows to attain legal status? How can we provide needed workers, including low skilled workers, with legal access to work while protecting their rights? How can we unite families long-separated from one another? What kind of benefits should immigrants receive? What should happen for undocumented immigrants who came to our country as children and have only known life in the United States? Despite the challenges, despite the complexities, despite the controversy, and despite the failures of the past, the nation must act now. Now is the time for a bi-partisan solution that can repair a broken system. We cannot wait to put an end to the separation of families, the exploitation of workers, and the death of hundreds of human beings in the desert every year. This suffering must end. The "gang of eight" senators, including two from our State of Arizona, have worked hard to craft a bill to move the nation forward. Their efforts give the nation a chance to address a long standing impasse. I commend their leadership and courage. Surely some will shout that this proposal goes too far. It rewards those who violated the law. Others will demand that the draft leaves families divided, sets unreasonable conditions for a pathway to citizenship and expands Operation Streamline. So the discussion and debate begin again. In the effort at comprehensive immigration policy reform in 2007, angry, strident voices captured the moment and the legislation failed. This time far more balanced voices need to speak up. No legislation is perfect but we cannot be stymied by expecting the perfect. The proposed legislation needs careful attention and modification which can occur through the engagement, the advocacy and the commitment of all to get involved in the debate. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has long called for comprehensive immigration policy reform since this is an issue that affects human dignity, impinges on our communities, and has a moral dimension that needs to be 10

considered. The bishops will work to improve the legislation where needed, but in a constructive, not destructive, manner. Now it is critical to communicate with legislators and to speak up about the legislation and how it can be amended to most effectively address the wide range of issues it seeks to resolve. We believe most Americans understand that our immigration system is broken. Here is our chance to fix it.

IMMIGRATION URGENT CALL TO VINCENTIANS AND ALL CATHOLICS As the Arizona Bishops are saying, the time to act is now! The Society has been at the forefront in promoting Immigration Reform. Action Alerts have been issued over time, the most recent just last March, with the following strong words by Sheila Gilbert, the National SVdP President: Let me be clear: Those of us who support reasonable and overdue changes to our broken immigration system will lose this fight unless Catholics and other supporters of immigrants step up NOW and call, email and write their Senators and Congressional representatives to urge them to support reform. Even if you have already responded to the Action Alert, please resend the message to your legislators, every week or two, to remind them that we want this issue resolved. Just click on the following link and you'll see a simple, direct message that you can send to your elected representatives. (Please include any personal stories regarding immigrants whom you've helped): http://capwiz.com/svdpusa/issues/alert/?alertid=62460901&queueid=9322918431 It is our moral responsibility not to let this opportunity for immigrants slip away once again. In 2006, messages sent to legislators against Immigration Reform were ten times greater than those in favor. A summary of bill S. 744, The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act the bill is available from Sen. Rubios office. For specific provisions, please see: http://www.immigrationforum.org/images/uploads/2013/S_744_Summary.pdf

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.NO TIME LIKE NOW!

That the time to act is now was already evident to Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Do not miss: The challenge and witness of Frederic Ozanam. http://vimeo.com/couchmode/user11614493/videos/sort:date/63596731 It is a powerful video on the life and work of our founder, and on the historical events and social conditions of his time. It was made available to celebrate the bicentennial of his birth. He was born on April 23, 1813, in Milan, Italy, where his parents had moved temporarily from France. The national web-site offers also other resources for celebrating this important anniversary. See: http://www.svdpusa.org/Resources/OzanamCelebrationResources.aspx

THIS IS THE TIME! This is Gods Time and Gods Plan! Vincentians, you and I, are being called to lead the response of the Holy Spirit. We have taken on a vision, which it is considered impossible by many on all practical fronts: to end poverty through systemic change. God does not want any child, any person to live in misery! In the United States, we are the hands and feet of God, at this time. We need to fit ourselves to truly be Gods instruments and pray in gratitude that, for another day, we can do what He wants us to do. (From notes taken at Sheila Gilberts talk at the Parish Social Ministry Conference in Tucson, AZ in March 2013) 12

For Want of a Nail

For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the message was lost. For want of a message the battle was lost. For want of a battle the war was lost. Let it not be said that for the want of our voice the battle for the expansion of medical care for the poor was lost. Let it not be said that for the want of our voice the battle for reasonable solution for the problem of immigration was lost. Speak now, contact your representatives in state and national government. Invite others to also make their voices heard. Lets not hesitate. Speak Now! (Dan Torrington, Tucson Diocesan Council President)

WESTERN REGION EVENTS

Parish Social Ministry Regional Gathering in Boise: Charity and Change - May 17-18, 2013
St. Marks Catholic Community - 7960 Northview Street, Boise, ID 83704 Parish Social Ministry Regional Training in Boise is sponsored by the Dioceses of Boise, ID; Spokane, WA; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT and by the SVdP Society of Boise, ID. National Keynote Speakers and Workshop Presenters Include: Jack Jezreel, JustFaith Ministries,

Sheila Gilbert, St. Vincent de Paul, Rachel Lustig, Catholic Charities USA, Lucreda Cobbs, Catholic Charities USA, Kathy Saile, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Registration - $50.00 (Includes Friday Evening Reception, Saturday Cont. Breakfast and Lunch) On-site registration and limited scholarship assistance is available. Register on-line at: https://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50868/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=69412

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2013 SVdP Western Regional Meeting - Reno, NV Date:

Check in:

Friday, May 31, June 1, 2013

Thursday May 30, 2013 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM [Type a quote from the 300 John Ascuagas Nugget 1100 Nugget Avenue Sparks, NV. 85340 800-648-1177 http://www.janugget.com/

Registration Cost: $50 per person. Send check (only) to: Society of St Vincent de Paul SVDP - Western Region Event , c/o Steve Jenkins - 1501 W. Amelia , Suite #102 - Phoenix, AZ 85015 Hotel: $79 per night (Deadline May 13) at Hotel website or phone number above; mention SVdP

Your Name : ________________________________Spouse (if accompanying):_______________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Phone Number:__________________________ E Mail_________________________________ I plan to attend the Optional Ozanam Formation Workshop: English________ Spanish_______ I plan on attending the Western Region Strategic Goal Workshop ________________ Questions: Steve Jenkins sjenklink@aol.com phone: 602-266-0526 Ext 22 Nn N

NewPage

ugget Avenue Sparks, NV. 85340 800-648-1177

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Social Action Summer Institute June 16 19 Tucson, AZ

Giulio Grecchi Tucson Diocesan Council Western Region Voice of the Poor Representative

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