CHA Position Available:
The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA) is s seeking an innovative, bold and mission-driven executive to serve as its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). CHA represents many of the people and organizations that carry out the Church’s health ministry in the United States. The President and CEO will be responsible for leading the organization and its efforts to promote the future of the Catholic health ministry in the United States. For more information about the position or the procedure to apply, please click here.
Making time for a heart-healthy lifestyle can seem overwhelming. But the good news is that making a few small simple lifestyle changes can lead to heart-healthy habits that require little thought or effort.
Get creative and work heart-healthy habits into your family’s life and daily schedule. Whether you’re a single parent or married, a stay-at-home parent or working, here are ways to make more time for the whole family to be more heart healthy:
1. Identify free times for activity.
Keep track of each family member’s daily activities for one week. You’ll get a snapshot of when you might be able to get the family together for physical activity. It can also help you see which activities you can cut back on. Read more...
St. Josephine Bakhita: a Saint's story
On February 8, the Church commemorates the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Sudan.
Josephine Bakhita was born in 1869, in a small village in the Darfur region of Sudan. She was kidnapped while working in the fields with her family and subsequently sold into slavery. Her captors asked for her name but she was too terrified to remember so they named her “Bakhita,” which means “fortunate” in Arabic.
Retrospectively, Bakhita was very fortunate, but the first years of her life do not necessarily attest to it. She was tortured by her various owners who branded her, beat and cut her. In her biography she notes one particularly terrifying moment when one of her masters cut her 114 times and poured salt in her wounds to ensure that the scars remained. “I felt I was going to die any moment, especially when they rubbed me in with the salt,” Bakhita wrote. Read more...
Pope Francis' prayer intention for February 2019 is for victims of Human Trafficking
A recent article from Mast Media, titled "Reckoning with the issue of human trafficking", identifies several statistics on this issue:
"The issue of human trafficking ruins the lives of millions of youth around the world every day, especially vulnerable young runaways... For instance, as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children states, 1 in every 7 runaways, the majority of whom come from foster care or social services, have fallen prey to sex trafficking.
Human trafficking, often described as “modern-day slavery,” involves the exploitation and intimidation of individuals to commit forced acts of labor and/or sex. According to 2017 data from the International Labor Organization, ILO, “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by forced labor, accounting for 99% of victims in the commercial sex industry.” Read article here.
HOW TO USE YOUR MOBILE PHONE FOR RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
by Christy Matte
Mobile phones and the Internet are at our fingertips these days, allowing us to easily engage with loved ones and giving us a way to spread kindness to those beyond our friend and family circles.
If you’re looking for a few ways to bring some good to the world, these apps, websites, and creative ideas offer inexpensive and free ways to use the Internet to send joy to others. Read more...
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February 2019
Fabruary 2019 Issue
Click button below to view the entire newsletter:
Pope Francis Outlines Key Priorities for February Sex-Abuse Summit
Holy Father said he wants world’s bishops to receive a ‘catechesis’ on the suffering of abuse survivors, understand better the urgent reality of combating sexual abuse.
Courtney Grogan/CNA
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis said Monday that he sensed “inflated expectation” surrounding the Vatican’s February sex-abuse summit and outlined his specific aims for the meeting. Read more...
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Pastoral Plans of Action from Past Congresses
These instruments, issued shortly after each Congress, provide action steps for addressing the topics of concern presented during the Congress events. To download copies of the different Pastoral Plans, click button below.
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Content Available through the website is provided as-is: You acknowledge that the NBCC does not make any representations or warranties about the material, data, and information, such as data files, text, computer software, code, music, audio files or other sounds, photographs, videos, or other images (collectively, the “Content”) which you may have access to. Under no circumstances is the NBCC liable in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to: any infringing Content, any errors or omissions in Content, or for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content posted, transmitted, linked from, or otherwise accessible through or made available via the website. You agree that you are solely responsible for your reuse of Content made available through the website, including providing proper attribution.
Nation’s first black priest from Quincy moving closer
to sainthood
By Tamara Browning
Staff Writer
"Tolton, who escaped slavery in Missouri during the Civil War and later lived and ministered in Quincy, is moving closer to being canonized."
The Rev. Augustus Tolton escaped from slavery as a child and went on to become the nation’s first black Catholic priest.
His life shows students how they can also live a life of purpose, actor Jim Coleman told students of local Catholic schools during a recent presentation about Tolton’s life. Read more...
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Date: February 5, 2019
Position: Title IX Investigator
Position Reports to: Director of Campus Safety and Compliance
Schedule: Full-time, Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-4:30pm (Occasional weekends
& evenings)
Please apply online: Franciscan University Staff Positions
POSITION SUMMARY
The Investigator assists in resolving complaints related to the University’s Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct. The Investigator will conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations of complaints and grievances filed by students, staff, and faculty and issue a detailed report regarding the findings of such investigations.
Ascension is hiring!
We are a company built around the call to help people enrich their lives through the fullness of the Catholic Faith. We’re passionate, mission-driven professionals and we’re looking for talented people to join our team.
Our four current openings:
General Manager / Marketing Manager / Product Manager / Accounts Payable Clerk
promote student success, retention, and graduation. For more information about the position or to apply, please click here.
Assistant Dean of Students/Director of the Center for Student Diversity-
Mount St. Mary’s University is eager to serve an increasingly diverse student body and to better articulate the value of diversity as rooted in our mission as a Catholic, liberal arts university. To that end, the University is searching for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to serve as Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Center for Student Diversity. For more information about the position or to apply, please click here.
Gilmour is seeking a collaborative and innovative Religion teacher
for the 2019-2020 school year. Respectful, inclusive faith development is integral
to how Gilmour teaches the whole child. We seek an experienced educator, with
Upper school classroom experience, who embodies Gilmour’s mission and vision. Responsibilities include teaching students in grades 9-12 and collaborating with members of the department to plan and facilitate grade level retreats. The successful candidate connects with students, families, and colleagues across disciplines and divisions, is committed to implementing the diocesan curriculum as guided by our Holy Cross identity, demonstrates the capacity to grow professionally, and will be equipped to stretch all students on their individual faith journeys. Candidates should be eager to support co-curricular initiatives, facilitate learning beyond the classroom, and participate enthusiastically in the life of the school.
VATICAN CITY — No one should be afraid to turn to God with prayer, especially in times of great doubt, suffering and need, Pope Francis said.
Jesus does not want people to become numb to life's problems and "extinguish" those things that make them human when they pray, the pope said Dec. 12 during his weekly general audience in the Paul VI audience hall.
"He does not want us to smother our questions and requests, learning to put up with everything. Instead, he wants every pain, every apprehension to rise up to heaven and become a dialogue" with God, the father, he said. Read more...
"Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to meditate upon than the example of this Holy Family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues."
-- His Holiness Pope Leo XIII
A lot of people don’t believe me. Can’t say I blame them.
But it’s true.
There actually does come a point in time when a person learns how to focus on God in a way that transcends everything else…and I mean everything.
They’ve discovered the secret to the spiritual life. Read more...
Racism and Racial Justice Resources for Catholics
February is American Heart Month
To learn more about these openings, click here.
Feel free to pass this email on to anyone who might be interested!
Pope Francis and Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti aboard the papal plane Jan. 28. (Mercedes De La Torre via CNA)
Cultural Diversity in the Catholic Church in the United States
The Cara Report created for the USCCB contains statistical information about the different minorities in the Catholic Church.
Click image below to download.
Domestic Violence and Mental Health Resources
NBCC Winter 2018-2019 Newsletter
Global encounter of WYD challenges nationalism, walls, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The joyous harmony of people coming together from so many different nations for World Youth Day stands in sharp contrast to today's "sad" situation of confrontational nationalist feelings, Pope Francis said. Read more...
We hold ourselves accountable
to our baptismal commitment to
witness and proclaim the Good News
of Jesus Christ.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
www.ndvh.org
National Dating Abuse Helpline
1-866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org
Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
International Toll-Free (24/7)
1-866-USWOMEN (879-6636)
www.866uswomen.org
National Child Abuse Hotline/Childhelp
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
www.childhelp.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)
www.rainn.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Black Catholic News
$29.95 SKU: R681DF
March 2019
Friday, Mar. 15 - Sunday, Mar. 17
National African American Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry Network Spring Meeting
National African American Catholic Youth and Young Adult Ministry Network Spring Meeting, March 15-17, 2019 in Memphis, TN - begins with an evening reception and includes in-service for continued professional development. Cost is $125 Members/$175 non-members. Contact Jesse Johnson at jvj6965@gmail.com or call (901) 634-0037.
Sat Mar 16th 8:00am - 5:30pm
Day of Reflection
Bishop Joseph N. Perry,
Main Celebrant & Homilist
Focus: Six Black Catholic
Sainthood Candidates:
Pierre Toussaint, Mother
Mary Lange, Mother Henriette
Delille, Julia Greeley,
Fr. Augustus Tolton, and
Sister Thea Bowman
To register by email:
tolton@outlook.com
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-800-537-2238
www.nrcdv.org and www.vawnet.org
Futures Without Violence: The National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence
1-888-792-2873
www.futureswithoutviolence.org
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health
1-312-726-7020 ext. 2011
www.nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019
Afrocentric Mass
Join us for Mass as we celebrate our African American heritage, ancestors, and family. Included in the Mass will be African drummers, a wonderful choir, and beautiful praise dancers.
Holy Name of Mary Church
1401 W 112th Pl
Chicago, IL 60643
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019
4:30 PM
Tolton Annual Lecture
I, too, am America? Race, Religion and Politics in the Age of Trump
Catholic Theological Union
5416 South Cornell Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60615
For information or to register, click here.
From the American Heart Association
We all know how the “newness” and fresh feeling of a new calendar year can quickly be forgotten. That new year enthusiasm, manifested in resolutions to do better in this or that area of one’s life, soon gives way to the doldrums of this midwinter month. In some ways, our world seems to want to move quickly back into the mundane, as we take down lights and festive decorations even while the long nights still cast a gloom on the earth. We who just celebrated the birth of the Light of the World fall back into a kind of darkness. For some it’s a time of serious struggle with melancholy and even depression; for me it is always the most challenging time of the year. Read more...
Order your exclusive NBCC Black Madonna and Child Rosary
Available
now from
The Secret to Permanent Focus on God
by Matthew Leonard
Most Reverend William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, issued a statement for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The full text can be downloaded by clicking the image to the right.
Sr. Thea Bowman: on the path to Sainthood
A self-proclaimed, “old folks child,” Thea Bowman, named at birth, Bertha Elizabeth Bowman, the daughter of middle-aged parents, Dr. Theon Bowman, a physician and Mary Esther Bowman, a teacher. She was born in 1937 and reared in Canton, Mississippi. As a child she converted to Catholicism by the influence of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity who were her teachers and nurtured her faith. Growing up, Thea listened and learned from the wit and wisdom of the elders. Ever precocious, she would ask questions and seek new insights on how her elders lived, thrived and survived. She learned from family members and those in the community coping mechanisms and survival skills. She was exposed to the richness of the African-American culture: the history, the stories, the music, the songs, the rituals, the prayers, the symbols, the foods, the customs and traditions. Moreover, she was cognizant that God was indeed the God of the poor and oppressed. Her community instructed her, “If you get, give—if you learn, teach.” She developed a deep and abiding love and faith in a God who would make “a way out of no way!” Read more...
Calendar of Events
Date: February 5, 2019
Position: Advocate (Two Positions)
Position Reports to: Director of Campus Safety and Compliance
Schedule: Part-time (18 hours/week, occasional weekends & evenings)
Please apply online: Franciscan University Staff Positions
POSITION SUMMARY
The Advocate provides and coordinates advocacy for persons who report being victims of harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct (complainants) as well as those individuals alleged to have perpetrated such acts (respondents). Provides crisis response and individual and community based intervention services to the University.
Employment Opportunities
USCCB Pastoral Letter on Racism was approved on November 14, 2018. The full text of the letter can be downloaded by clicking on the image to the right.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2019
Black Migrations
Each year beginning on February 1, an entire month of events are planned
nationwide honoring the contributions of African Americans. The theme
for Black History Month in 2019 is "Black Migrations" tracking the
continuous movement of blacks from the American South to the
industrialized North and beyond.
Beginning in the early 20th century, a growing number of black industrial
leaders and black entrepreneurs emerged as families relocated from farms
to cities, and from the South to the more industrialized Northeast and Midwest.
Along with the emergence of new music genres -- like ragtime, blues, and
jazz -- the Harlem Renaissance in New York Citry also signaled a blossoming
of the visual and literary arts. Read more...
The theme for Black History Month 2019 follows "Black Migrations" honoring African Americans in motion -- as they moved from the farm to the cities, and from poverty to the national stage in business, politics, literature and the arts.
© Provided by Best Life 33 Simple Health Tweaks That Will Add Years to Your Life
Prayers for February
Month of the Holy Family
by ThoughtCo
The National Black Catholic Congress | 320 Cathedral St. Baltimore, MD 21201 | 410-547-8496
© 2018 The National Black Catholic Congress, All Rights Reserved
6 Simple Steps for the Whole Family to be Heart Healthy
In January, the Catholic Church celebrated the Month of the Holy Name of Jesus; and in February, we turn to the entire Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
In sending His Son to earth as a Baby, born into a family, God elevated the family beyond a mere natural institution. Our own family life reflects that lived by Christ, in obedience to His mother and foster father. Both as children and as parents, we can take comfort in the fact that we have the perfect model of the family before us in the Holy Family. Read more...
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Prayer of the Month
from ThoughtCo
Consecration to the Holy Family
O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home in Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou defend us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true peace, and concord in Christian love: in order that, by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Thy family, we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.
Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by thy kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.
O Saint Joseph, most holy guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and thee, for all eternity.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (three times each).
Prayer for a Happy Death
Grant unto us, Lord Jesus, ever to follow the example of Thy holy Family, that in the hour of our death Thy glorious Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be worthily received by Thee into everlasting dwellings: Who lives and reigns world without end. Amen — Roman Missal
Today is my day to surrender anything that stands
Between the sacredness of my humanity and my divinity.
May I be drenched in my Holiness
And engulfed by Your love.
May all else melt away.
And so it is
MOUNT ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY
Positions Available:
Dean of Students - The dean of students coordinates the administration of the Dean of Students Office, serves as an advocate for students, and shares
shares information with students, colleagues, and other interested parties that
40 Ways Your Marriage Changes After 40
Alexander Breindel
Understanding Our Faith
When you and your spouse first tied the knot, you probably considered how your life might play out: What your kids would look like, where you’d buy your first house, which breed of dog you’d adopt—maybe even how it would feel to rock side by side in matching chairs once you turned old and gray.
But you might not have considered what it would take to see your union through your 40s. And that’s a shame, because it turns out these transformative years can alter your relationship more than you might think. From dealing with aging parents to coping with mismatched sex drives, a lot can happen between 40 and 50.
With that in mind, here’s a collection of the new realities you’re most likely to face as you and your spouse round the corner toward middle age. While some are more desirable than others, each contributes to what may hopefully be a joyous, lifelong bond. For more on that, learn the 40 Secrets of Couples Who’ve Been Married 40 Years. Read more...
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-202-467-8700
www.victimsofcrime.org
National Human Trafficking Resource Center/Polaris Project
Call: 1-888-373-7888 | Text: HELP to BeFree (233733)
www.polarisproject.org
Catholic Prayer to End Trafficking
Loving Father,
We seek your divine protection for all who are exploited and enslaved. For those forced into labor, trafficked into sexual slavery, and denied freedom. We beseech you to release them from their chains. Grant them protection, safety, and empowerment. Restore their dignity and provide them a new beginning. Show us how we might end exploitation by addressing its causes. Help us reach out in support of victims and survivors of human trafficking. Make us instruments of your spirit for their liberation. For this we pray through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
(From USCCB handout for World Day of Peace 2015)
Trending Catholic News
FEBRUARY IS
Black History Month
The story of Black History Month begins in Chicago during the late summer of 1915. An alumnus of the University of Chicago with many friends in the city, Carter G. Woodson traveled from Washington, D.C. to participate in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation sponsored by the state of Illinois. Thousands of African Americans traveled from across the country to see exhibits highlighting the progress their people had made since the destruction of slavery. Awarded a doctorate in Harvard three years earlier, Woodson joined the other exhibitors with a black history display. Despite being held at the Coliseum, the site of the 1912 Republican convention, an overflow crowd of six to twelve thousand waited outside for their turn to view the exhibits. Inspired by the three-week celebration, Woodson decided to form an organization to promote the scientific study of black life and history before leaving town. On September 9th, Woodson met at the Wabash YMCA with A. L. Jackson and three others and formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).Read more...