Resources

“One person is of more value than the whole world.”
– Sr. Mary Euphrasia
​Searching for ways to reach out to your congressman or senator and explain the importance of voting for justice and compassion? Not sure what to say? 

Want to get your co-workers, friends, family or other religious sisters involved in speaking out so as to empower and lift up those on the margin? 

Look no further as we develop this webpage to make advocacy and activism easy to do. There’s no time to waste.

Advocacy Tools & Grassroots Issue Toolkits

Find tips and tools for individuals and parishes or organizations on how to persuade members of Congress to vote for justice and compassion for those living on the margin.

Analysis for Action

Learn how to identify the issues at stake in any action and how best to identify an appropriate position and course of action.

You DO Make a Difference

Prayer for those in Poverty
In 2004, the Congressional Management Foundation surveyed Senate and House staff.  Their findings showed that if a member of Congress has not arrived at a decision on an issue:
​
  • 99% of staffers surveyed said that in person visits from constituents have “some” or “a lot” of influence over the member’s decision.
  • 96% of staffers said that contact from a person who represents many constituents (eg. organization leader) has “some” or “a lot” of influence over the member’s decision.
  • 92% of staffers said that a lobbyist’s visit has “some” or “a lot” of influence on a member’s decision.
  • 88% of staffers said that phone calls have “some” or “a lot” of influence on a member’s decision.
  • 83% of staffers said that individualized postal letters have “some or “a lot” of influence over a member’s decision.
  • In general, the staffers surveyed agree that personalized letters and emails are more effective than form letters or emails.

(Survey results from www.cmfweb.org)
Catholic Social Teaching on Civil Disobedience
Sometimes we are asked to give witness through civil disobedience.
If you are discerning a call to civil disobedience, read this brochure, A Call to Conscience, for a Catholic foundation on civil disobedience and for questions to ask yourself and share with others.
By: Education for Justice, Center of Concern
 
God of justice and compassion,
 
We ask forgiveness for the widening gulf between rich and poor,
For the use of money as a measure of all things,
For the culture of self-gratification,
For the continuing disparities between those that have so much and those who have so little.
And for the suffering of those people who are excluded from the table of abundance.
 
Forgive us for our focus on material goods,
And our part in the worship of economic growth
In a world where resources are limited
and where we are already using more than our fair share.
 
Forgive us for going along with what is easy,
For failing to come to grips with the problems of change
And to engage in the complexity of social issues.
 
Fill us with a living faith that we may become lively seeds of your kingdom,
Continually growing in your way of love,
Instruments of personal and social reconciliation,
Vehicles for a new dawn when those in poverty
Are welcomed to the table where compassion and justice meet.
 
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our Prayer.
 
Based on a prayer by Alan Litherland
 
 "None of us can think we are exempt from concerns for the poor and for social justice." -Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel