Dear Friend:
Each day the news media portrays an increasingly dismal picture of the human suffering resulting from the continuing spew of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Persons whose lives have been disrupted by past hurricanes and devastating damages now face new levels of extraordinarily complex stress.
During these summer months that provide relaxation and joy for the many of us who enjoy the privilege of economic security, I hope that you will remember the plight of the millions who are less fortunate, including those in need along the Gulf Coast. Please contribute today.
Our Catholic Charities agencies are there to help – help in this situation like they do on a daily basis, providing help and creating hope for more than 9.25 million people all across America.

People who are hungry, homeless, victims of domestic violence, trying to become financially literate, seeking ways to improve their job skills, desperately looking for work – they seek help from Catholic Charities and our local agencies respond with loving care and respect.

Catholic Charities USA works to bolster and support this work of over 65,000 Catholic Charities employees who daily embrace those in need. We reach out to the media to help tell their story. We take their messages to the halls of Congress and carry their voices to the Administration.

Our goal is to reduce poverty in this country by 50% by the year 2020. We will not be deterred in this strategic work even as we experience drastically increased numbers of those in need as a result of our country’s economic depression.

While we reach out to those in need today, we call on our brothers and sisters to help us convince our country that we must join together to really reduce poverty. It is a moral imperative that we do this. We have no choice.

Thank you for your generosity. May the Lord who provides bless you and bless all those who are in need.

Sincerely,

Fr. Larry Snyder
President, Catholic Charities USA

Best Wishes to each one of them as they lead the Archdiocese membership in the spirit of Saints Vincent and Louise. Through their leadership and example we pray that they continue to serve our brothers and sisters here in the nation’s capital.

Left to Right: Maryann Rooney, President; Father Carl F. Dianda, Spiritual Moderator; Dr. Rita L. Robinson; First Vice President; Judy Cabos, Secretary; Margaret Callaghan, Treasurer.

As Ladies of Charity USA, we know that women both in our country and throughout the world suffer from violence and exploitation. What should be our response to such suffering?

Violence against women is an issue that affects both men and women and is one that has local and global perspectives. It encompasses a wide range of abuses including: feticide, infanticide, domestic violence, hate crimes, honor killings and trafficking of women and girls domestically and internationally. It is an epidemic that affects women in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Those in poverty are generally the ones most severely affected.

Internationally, it is estimated that one-third of women are victimized by violence at some point in their lives. Nationally, it is thought that a quarter of women will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.

Violence against women is a systemic pattern of dominance and control. It can result in physical injury, psychological trauma and even death. The consequences of this violence can cross generations and last throughout the lifetimes of both perpetrators and victims.

The “Clothesline Project” at St. John’s University was just one recent example of how a Ladies of Charity can respond to the issue of violence against women.

The Clothesline Project is a national, grassroots project “bearing witness to violence against women.” A clothesline is hung with T-shirts decorated to honor a particular woman’s experience and to have it acknowledged in a public space. Events were held on campus from April 13th to the 16th to raise awareness of violence against women and girls and to reinforce a message of healing and the need for social justice.

While in recent years the Bishops of the United States have promoted many ways we can prevent the abuse of children, their statement of 1992, reissued in 2002 “When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence” is a good starting point to consider how an Association can begin to address the comparable concern of gender based violence. In addition to explaining the pastoral approach, this resource also provides practical suggestions for action and resources for further information on the web, in film and in print. [http://www.usccb.org/laity/help.shtml.orig]

The Ladies of Charity USA hopes to become a voice to alleviate gender based violence in our homes, communities and the world. What can you do to help?

For more information or to get help go to www. http://www.ladiesofcharity.us/ and click on Advocacy.

Websites

Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence: www.cpsdv.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.ndvh.org

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org

Family Violence Prevention Fund: www.endabuse.org

The Clothesline Project www.clotheslineproject.org/

Videos

When You Preach, Remember Me, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, No. 680-8; phone ordering: 800-235-8722

Broken Vows: Religious Perspectives on Domestic Violence, Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence; phone: 206-634-1903; fax: 206-634-0115; e-mail: cpsdv@cpsdv.org

Wings Like a Dove: Healing for the Abused Christian Woman, Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence

Publications

Walk in the Light: A Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, No. 5-000; phone ordering: 800-235-8722.; phone ordering: 800-235-8722.

On the Dignity and Vocation of Women (Mulieris Dignitatem), Pope John Paul II. Available on the Vatican’s website at www.vatican.va

The Gospel of Life, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, No. 244-6; phone ordering: 800-235-8722.

Pope John Paul II on the Genius of Women, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, No. 5-113.; phone ordering: 800-235-8722.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, No. 511-9.; phone ordering: 800-235-8722.
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Domestic Violence Committee of the Commission on Women

When You Are Called For Help: A Guide for Clergy on Responding to Domestic Violence Situations. Available from the Commission on Women, 328 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102; phone:. 651-291-4495.

Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, CSB, Diocese of Las Cruces

Speaking the Unspeakable: A Pastoral Letter on Domestic Violence., Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, CSB. Available from the diocesesan Pastoral Center, 1280 Med Park Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005; phone:. 505-523-7577;. www.dioceseoflascruces.org.

Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christian Women Facing Abuse (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1995).

 Rev. Marie M. Fortune & Rev. Al Miles

Domestic Violence: What Every Pastor Needs to Know (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 2000).

Woman-Battering (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1994). Carol J. Adams

When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women was developed by the Committee on Women in Society and in the Church and the Committee on Marriage and Family of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), approved for publication by the Administrative Committee in September 1992, and affirmed by the full body of U.S. Catholic bishops at its November 1992 General Meeting. This revised tenth anniversary edition was approved by the full body of U.S. Catholic bishops at its November 2002 General Meeting and has been authorized for publication by the undersigned.
Msgr. William P. Fay
General Secretary, USCCB

Phone Numbers

- THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE at 1-800-799-7233

- THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE at 1-800-656-4673

- THE NATIONAL TEEN DATING ABUSE HOTLINE at 1-866-331-9474

Committee members give the “Thumbs Up” after a great event. From left to right: LOC Treasurer and event Chair Katie Fitzpatrick, Silent Auction Co-Chairs Linda Neault & Debbie Ponce, immediate past president Donna Perry and set up organizer Pat Beseda.

Ladies of Charity Harker Heights located in Central Texas on the door step of Fort Hood, the largest Military Installation in the free world, recently held their third annual Spring Luncheon, Style Show and Silent Auction on April 24, 2010 to help support the local Food Care Center. This year’s theme was “American Beauties.”

The event raised $4,840.00 and all the proceeds were donated to the Killeen Food Care Center. This year’s donation made 145,000 meals possible! The Executive Director of the Killeen Food Care Center, Dr. Ann Farris and Chairman of the Board,Dr. Shawn Isdale and several Ladies of Charity and their husbands were among the models in the fashion show. Fashions were provided by Dillards. Father Peter Shin, Associate Pastor St. Paul Chong Hasang Church, gave the invocation. There were even fabulous door prizes!

Pat Beseda models one of the stunning outfits from Dillards at the LOC Spring event.

The Publicity committee produced flyers for the event; the Decorating committee arranged the centerpieces and the Silent Auction committee collected items throughout the year for the big event. All members helped to sell tickets, which were $20 each, and worked tables in the church foyer selling tickets after the Masses. The event was a big success and a great time was had by all.

Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed.

Click to view.

We invite our members and friends to visit the sites below to celebrate this woman of great faith and devotion to the poor. We thank famvin.org for the many resources they have provided and invite you to visit the site for more resources.

St. Louise: Her Life

St. Louise as Social Worker Prayer St Louise De Marillac Feast

Litany of St. Louise

Sr. Louise Sullivan, DC speaks on St. Louise de Marillac and friendship

Louise de Marillac – A women in the fullest sense

Click to read Fr. Gregory Gay’s Anniversary Lent letter.
Click to read prayer service for the Feast of St. Louise de Marillac.

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul, British Province