Social Justice

African American Catholic Community Fr. Rollins Lambert Scholarship Announcement Applications for School Year 2020-2021 New Children’s Book about Racism: Help Children Recognize the Value of Our Differences 22 P EOPLE of G OD february2020

The African American Catholic Community (AACC) announces that Fr. Rollins Lambert Scholarship application packets are now available in Archdiocese of Santa Fe (ASF) Catholic elementary schools. Applicants must be African American, Catholic or non-Catholic, in grades kindergarten to eight; enrolled or will be enrolled in one of the ASF Catholic elementary schools for the 2020-2021 academic school year. Parents must describe a verified level of need and unique circumstances through the Grant & Aid Assessment in FACTS at each Catholic school. Application packets must be completed and postmarked before or on Friday, March 6, 2020. Join us on Sunday, April 26, 2020 at noon for the AACC 28 th Anniversary Mass and Fr. Rollins Lambert scholarship awards at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St. Joseph’s Dr. NW, Albuquerque 87120. For more information, contact the Office of Social Justice and Respect Life, 505.831.8205 or Gerry Harge, 505.831.0800.

The Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development and Loyola Press have published a new children’s book—which is perfect for opening a conversation with children about the evil of racism. Additionally, you can find activity sheets to accompany this story of Ray Ikanga, a young boy whose family came to the United States as refugees. As Ray begins making new friends, his excitement is interrupted and the community is shocked when Ray’s family receives a hurtful message. This and other resources are perfect for use by Catholic communities as we celebrate Black History Month in February. Open Wide Our Hearts, the U.S. Bishops’ recent statement against racism released in November 2018, can help Catholics learn more about how to work together to dismantle racism in our hearts, families and communities. Additionally, our friends at Catholic Mobilizing Network created a helpful, short video with the Top 5 Lessons from the Pastoral Letter Against Racism. Order now here: https://bit.ly/316stJJ

In 2020, our nation will conduct the once-a-decade Census with the goal to count every person living in the United States once, only once, and in the right place. Everyone matters and responding to the Census helps communities get their fair share of federal funding. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in funding gets distributed to states and communities each year and helps communities create jobs, provide housing, prepare for emergencies, and build schools, roads and hospitals. The Census also helps determine how many seats a state receives in Congress and state and local governments use the data to redraw boundaries for congressional districts, state legislative districts and school districts, adapting to population shifts.

The 2020 Census is easy, safe and important. Responding is easier than ever since for the first time, people will be able to respond to the Census online. It asks just a few questions and takes a few minutes to respond. Your responses are safe, secure, confidential and protected by law. If you respond online, your answers are encrypted to protect your privacy and are safe from hacking and other cyber threats. If you don’t have Internet access, people can respond by phone or by mail.

The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep your information confidential. Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home or your business, even to law enforcement agencies. The law ensures that your private data is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. Census Bureau employees are sworn for life to protect personal information and we have strong security measures in place to safeguard against cyberthreats. By law, your responses can only be used to produce statistics and the Census Bureau takes extraordinary steps to protect the confidentiality of your responses.

Conducting the Census is a massive undertaking and requires years of planning with the support of thousands of people. As the 2020 Census approaches, our success will rely on everyone’s participation in every community. The Census Bureau is hiring hundreds of thousands of people to help ensure a complete and accurate count across the U.S. and in every community. Watch for these jobs as they become available on 2020census.gov/ jobs. Applicants for temporary field and office positions can complete the entire application process online.

Census outreach also consists of building relationships in the community where Area Census Offices are located. For the past several months, the Census has garnered support from local communities, governments and school districts throughout the state.

To obtain more information about the upcoming 2020 Census and how you can become involved, please visit www.2020census.gov. The 2020 Census: Why It Matters february2020 P EOPLE of G OD 23

Civilize It! Campaign in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe 24 P EOPLE of G OD february2020

With another election cycle in full swing, we are faced with the difficult question of what it means to love our neighbors in the midst of such a divisive climate. We are called to bring the best of ourselves and our faith to the public square— and yet today, many shy away from such involvement because our national and local conversations are filled with anger and harsh language, often directed at people themselves.

When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins. This kind of attack, no matter the reason, only serves to further divide our communities. As Catholics, we must model a better way. In response to this need, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a year-long campaign calling for civility throughout this election year. Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate invites Catholics to pledge civility, clarity and compassion in the public square and to call on others to do the same.

Archbishop John C. Wester is challenging Catholics in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to model love for neighbor through respect, and compassion during the 2020 election cycle and beyond. Put your faith into action and make room in your heart for those with whom you disagree. Pledge dignity beyond the debate today at CivilizeIt.org! Take the pledge below as an individual, family, or community. Anyone and everyone can commit together to honoring human dignity through civil conversation.

I pledge:

• Civility To recognize the human dignity of those with whom I disagree, treat others with respect, and rise above attacks when directed at me.

• Clarity To root my political viewpoints in the Gospel and a well formed conscience, which involves prayer, conversation, study and listening. I will stand up for my convictions and speak out when I witness language that disparages others’ dignity, while also listening and seeking to understand others’ experiences.

• Compassion To encounter others with a tone and posture which affirms that I honor the dignity of others and invites others to do the same. I will presume others’ best intentions and listen to their stories with empathy. I will strive to understand before seeking to be understood.

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Now Enrolling for the 2020-2021 School Year Please contact us for more information 505-753-4644 or www.hccatholicschool.org 1331 State Rd. 76, Santa Cruz, NM 87567

To advertise in People of God, THE MAGAZINE contact Leslie M. Radigan at 505-831-8162 or email lradigan@archdiosf.org

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