January 2018

NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK January 7-13, 2018

For nearly a half century, the Catholic Church in the United States has celebrated National Migration Week, which is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking. The theme for National Migration Week 2018, “Many Journeys, One Family,” draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past. Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.

Unfortunately, in our contemporary culture we often fail to encounter migrants as persons, and instead look at them as unknown others, if we even notice them at all. We do not take the time to engage migrants in a meaningful way, as fellow children of God, but remain aloof to their presence and suspicious or fearful of them. During this National Migration Week, let us all take the opportunity to engage migrants as community members, neighbors, and friends.
What Can I Do?

• Become informed. https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week/
• Send a postcard or letter to your legislator. (see below)
• More on Migration
• Post on Facebook.
• Pray for immigrants and refugees.

 
Dear Senator/Representative:
As a Catholic, I believe in the human dignity of all immigrants and refugees. With more than 65 million people displaced from their homes and over 22 million displaced outside their countries as refugees, we are currently witnessing the worst forced displacement crisis since World War II.
I ask that you, as an elected official:
•             take this opportunity to meet an immigrant or refugee family in your community;
•             initiate and support legislation that affirms the dignity of all migrants; and
•             recognize the contributions of immigrants and refugees in your community.
Thank you for your concern for our brothers and sisters.
Sincerely,
 (name)
(address)
 
SPECIAL ELECTION MEASURE 101   January 23, 2018
This January, voters in Oregon will receive a ballot with a single, densely worded measure on it. Measure 101 could impact insurance coverage and premiums for hundreds of thousands of Oregon residents. It is very important to become informed about the impact of this measure. Supporting funding for Medicaid is critical to ensuring the health care for the one in four Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Measure 101 will cover almost 50% of Oregon’s children, as well as seniors and people with disabilities. It will also save middle-class families buying their own health insurance an average of $300 a month in premiums. What does Measure 101 do? A yes vote supports the legislature’s decision to fund Medicaid through an assessment on health care organizations. When hospitals and health plans pay a local assessment (as they do in 49 states), the federal government adds billions in matching funds to the Oregon Health Plan. Those funds are the foundation for OHP. As Catholics, we are called to support our brothers and sisters who may not have the resources that we have. We need to consider how a “no” vote on this measure will hurt many Oregonians, even though it may be a small saving for those of us who have more. You have the opportunity to speak with your vote through this measure. Call to mind the words of Jesus in Mt 25: “Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’” Read the  voters' pamphlet.
More information at:   KGW, BALLOTPEDIA and  OPB

CLEAN ENERGY JOBS bill
Renew Oregon is supporting a bill in the legislature this spring, that will  cap climate pollution;  price greenhouse gas emission pollution and  invest the proceeds in renewable energy solutions and jobs. For more information see:   RenewOregon and  ClimateSolutions. Once the bill is introduced formally, we will advocate by contacting our legislators.