Social Justice

You'll recall that last fall, as part of our observance of the Year of Faith, I wrote a series of articles based on the Apostles' Creed. In Lent, I reflected on the sacraments. During the next two months, I'd like to offer practical reflections on what has come to be known as Catholic social teaching.

Following an outline recommended by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I'll organize my articles based on the following themes:

WASHINGTON -- Human trafficking is so widespread that congregations of women religious are uniting in a nationwide effort to limit its reach.

The effort will focus on broader education about sex and labor trafficking, legislative advocacy for stricter laws and penalties for traffickers and wider support for victims through much-needed social services and employment.

A Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon has written a children's book that she hopes will help people understand the complex topic of microfinancing.

Sister Antoinette "Toni" Temporiti has published "One Potato Two," the story of Mumbi, a young African girl whose mother is able to feed the family thanks to a potato-selling business that was begun through a microfinancing loan.

In 2006, Sister Toni founded Microfinancing Partners in Africa, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization that provides assistance to strengthen and expand microfinancing programs in Africa.

A bill before the Missouri legislature represents the best hope for any movement on Medicaid reform this year, according to the Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC).

The MCC is asking people to contact their representatives to seek support for House Bill 700, sponsored by Rep. Jim Barnes, R-Jefferson City. According to the MCC, public policy agency of the state's Catholic bishops, the bill:

• Includes pro-life protections and prohibits funding of abortions;

• Establishes the Show-Me Healthy Babies Program, enabling women to have access to prenatal care;

Sister Carol Schumer believes in giving people a hand up, not a hand out. But she also knows that one does not have to go it alone when facing the struggles of life.

For 15 years, the Daughter of Charity has served as a parenting skills specialist with the Fathers' Support Center in north St. Louis. The center's core program is The Family Formation -- a six-week "boot camp" -- that gives fathers a chance to develop their personal and parenting skills. The program also helps them to develop spiritually and emotionally to become stronger fathers.

For many years, Sister Antona Ebo has been hailed for her contributions to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The Franciscan Sister of Mary, who was among those who went to Selma, Ala., in March of 1965 to march for voting rights for African Americans, still shares her story today. But her story is not just a recounting of the historical events from Selma almost 50 years ago — it's also about how faith has shaped the person she is.