Sister Catherine Pinkerton at the DNC

Sister Catherine Pinkerton, CSJ, delivered a Benediction at the Democratic National Convention. Sister Catherine is a lobbyist for NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, and a member of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. Here's Sister Catherine:

Catholic Health Association Joins "Harry and Louise" Ad Campaign

Following the resolution of the Catholic Health Assocation (CHA) board to partner with others to advance health care reform, CHA hasjoined with AHA (American Health Association), the American CancerSociety Action Network, Families USA, and the National Federation ofIndependent Business to announce an ad campaign featuring the return of"Harry and Louise" (ads during First Lady Hillary Clinton's campaign to reform health care), this time to promote health care reform as the top domestic priority for the next president and Congress. The ad will be featured on the Sunday network talk shows and national cable networks throughout the two-week period of the national party conventions, and onTV news programs in Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Go to "Harry and Louise return" for more information.

Common Good Platform Signers Needed

One of the goals of the Conventionfor the Common Good held in Philadelphia July 11-13 (a very successfulevent in itself) was to have 10,000 signers to the Platform in time forthe Democratic Convention. To date, there are approximately 5000 signers. Please spread the word and encourage people to sign as soon as possible: www.votethecommongood.com.

A Million Doors for Peace

From Pax Christi USA:

Yesterday, Pax Christi USA helped to launch what promises to be the single most extraordinary effort this Fall to end the war in Iraq. We are working with USAction/True Majority, United for Peace and Justice, Win Without War, Catholics United and others to make Saturday, September 20 a national day of outreach to identify and organize the massive anti-war, pro-peace constituency in our country. This day -- Saturday, September 20 -- thousands of volunteers in every state will knock on a Million Doors for Peace.

This action, which promises to be the largest anti-war mobilization this Fall, is truly one of the most ambitious and innovative anti-war activities to date. And it has the added power of expanding the organized grassroots base of our movement at a time when we can make the issue of the war highly visible in the midst of the 2008 elections. So instead of gathering together en masse in Washington, D.C. or some other location, we are urging each one of you to help put thousands of people out into the streets in thousands of communities throughout the nation! Click here to become part of this effort now.

"Reverse Trick or Treating" for Fair Trade

What a novel idea! The Second Annual Reverse Trick-or-Treating will be held this Halloween. Sponsored by Global Exchange, this event seeks to raise awareness of poverty and child-labor problems in the cocoa industry and to introduce people to Fair Trade products. Go to the Global Exchange web site for more information. Thanks to Sister Joann Marie for alerting us to this possibility.

Stop Trafficking Newsletter

Click here for the August 2008 issue of the Stop Trafficking Newsletter. Notice the SCC statement on human trafficking on page 9.

Another Issue Facing Healthcare in the US

What do you do if you are an acute care hospital with a patient who is an undocumented immigrant? How about when he or she requires long-term care and no other facility will accept him or her? Out of desperation, some hospitals are choosing to send these patients back to their home countries, where the care is poor or non-existent. Check out this thought-provoking NY Times article, "Immigrants Facing Deportation by U.S. Hospitals," for more information.