In The Voice… Reflection on the Holy Father's Visit Bishop Peña to Give Border Wall Testimony Revised Guidelines for Pastors and Parishes on Political Participation Cover the Uninsured Week: April 27-May 3 Upcoming Events Parish Management Seminar World's Largest Coffee Break Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Training Solidarity in an Election Year: 5th Annual Rev. William Young Social Justice Summer Conference 2nd Annual Harvest of Justice More events Pope Benedict Addresses Educators: Reflections on the Holy Father's Visit TCC Director of Education Margaret McGettrick, along with several Diocesan  Superintendents from around the state. Pope Benedict XVI began his first pastoral visit to the United States as pope on April 15. TCC's Director of Education, Margaret McGettrick, was able to attend the Pope's Meeting with Catholic Educators at Catholic University, and shares her thoughts on how Pope Benedict's words hit home in Texas. "When he entered the room to a roaring applause the short figure of Benedict XVI exuded the energy of a man much younger than his eighty one years. His healthy bronze coloring and friendly eyes against the backdrop of his white robes enhanced his unique presence in the room. The content and tone of his message was delivered in a manner befitting the intellectual and caring person he is. It was well received by the audience."..click here to read more... Bishop Peña to Give Border Wall Testimony Most Reverend Raymundo J. Peña, Bishop of the Diocese of Brownsville, will testify on the impacts of constructing a border wall--both to the human community and to the environment--this Monday, April 28 before the subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans. "The 'Wall' has been discussed very frequently and thoroughly in this part of Texas, because our community is a border community. For many Americans the emphasis is on the word “border” but for those families that have lived in this area for generations, the reality is that the community comes first and our community has existed long before the border was ever drawn."..click here to read the testimony...  Back to top Revised Guidelines for Pastors and Parishes on Advocacy and Political Participation The Bishops of Texas have revised the Guidelines for Pastors and Parishes on Advocacy and Political Participation. These guidelines detail how parishes and other institutions can engage in issue-oriented activities and advocacy, and provide examples of acceptable and unacceptable activities. Click here to view the revised Guidelines. Back to top Cover the Uninsured Week April 27-May 3 is national Cover the Uninsured Week. Cover the Uninsured, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance. During this week, Enrollment events will be held throughout the nation to enroll eligible uninsured families in public health coverage programs. Enrollment events will be held throughout Texas. You can find an event near you by visiting www.CoverTheUninsured.org. Click here to read this month's Capitol Comments on Children's health care. Back to top World's Largest Coffee Break This year, on May 10 at 3 pm EST and noon PST, thousands of people across North America and Canada will join together to enjoy a Fair Trade Coffee Break at the same time. The Guinness Book of World Records reports that the current record for the World’s Largest Coffee Break consisted of 3,000 people enjoying the same break...click here to read more... Click here to learn more about Fair Trade Coffee. Back to top Poverty and Racism: Through the Lens of Homelessness, Health, and Child Welfare The Texas Catholic Conference is hosting the 22nd Annual Catholic Charities and Parish Social Ministry Gathering from April 28-30 in San Antonio, Texas. The theme for this year’s annual gathering is based on the Catholic Charities USA policy paper, “Poverty and Racism: Overlapping Threats to the Common Good.” It is a continuation of our focus from 2007, when as providers of social services in agencies and parishes across the state, we gathered as advocates to carry a strong anti-poverty message to Texas Legislators. Click here  for more information, including an agenda, registration form, and flyer for the conference. Back to top

Parish Management Seminar The Texas Catholic Conference is hosting the Parish Management Seminar from May 12-16, 2008.Topics covered at the Seminar include Pastoral Planning and the Role of Management, Organization of Parish Volunteers, Stewardship, Conflict Resolution, Recognizing Diversity in the Faith Dimensions of the Parish Community, and more. This seminar is directed toward parish priests as well as parish secretaries and other administrative staff. Click here  for more information, including a detailed agenda and registration form. Back to top

Fair Trade Training May 16-17, 2007, San Antonio, TX The training, hosted by Catholic Relief Services, will cover topics such as the Guiding Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the Fair Trade movement, and how Catholics can make the economy work for the poorest of the poor in even the poorest countries through the implementation of Fair Trade. For a flier with more information, click here  or contact Juan Molina at jmolina@crs.org. Back to top

Solidarity in an Election Year: 5th Annual Rev. William J. Young Social Justice Summer Conference The University of St. Thomas will host the 5th Annual Rev. William J. Young Social Justice Summer Conference on June 4-6, 2008. This year's theme is “Solidarity in an Election Year.” The conference will focus on the principle of solidarity, in the context of immigration and globalization issues, as well as Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship from the USCCB and the issue of the Catholic vote in the 2008 recent elections. Click here for more information, including how to register. Back to top