Social Justice

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.

Twenty-six Catholic high school students and seven parish representatives are the 2013 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Model of Justice award recipients.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson presented the awards after celebrating the Jan. 20 Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, celebrated on the holiday weekend commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The award ceremony was held in nearby Boland Hall.

Cynthia Marquez worked as a waitress at a restaurant in Memphis, paid only customer tips and some days making just $60 after working 11 hours.

Her case is publicized by the Workers Interfaith Network of Memphis in an effort to prevent what it calls "wage theft."

MANASQUAN, N.J. -- A Manasquan family's desire to bring new life to their hurricane-stricken shore town has prompted scores of like-minded individuals to join them in their mission of compassion.

Melissa and Chip Dayton, along with seven of their eight children, have volunteered tirelessly with the SquanStrong movement since Sandy's landfall Oct. 29 to revitalize the town and share their faith-filled surplus of compassion in time of need.