Indoctrinated

Several anti-trafficking organizations in the San Diego area have collaborated to create a documentary entitled "Indoctrinated: The Grooming of Our Children into Prostitution."  It has been used for educational purposes at all levels.  Some folks have even sent copies of the DVD to the office of the Attorney General in their states.  Click here to learn more about the film. 

Earth Day 2013 Video Reflection

Here is a video reflection on Earth Day by NASA:

(E-mail subscribers:  Click here to go to YouTube to view the video.)

What Will You Do For Earth Day?

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day.  Click here to learn more about Earth Day,  here to access a copy of an Evening Prayer to commemorate Earth Day and here to pledge an "Act of Green." 

Are you familiar with Watsi?

Click here to read a New York Times article about a crowdfunding site called Watsi.  Its founder, 26-year-old Chase Adams, "thought it would be really cool" if there were a Kiva for health care.  (Kiva is a crowdfunding site that allows donors to give microloans to recipients in developing nations.)  Watsi allows people to give as little as $5 toward medical treatment for patients in developing nations who otherwise cannot afford it. 

For more information go to the Watsi website.

Catholics Confront Global Poverty

From Catholic Relief Services:
Global hunger, disease and illness, illiteracy, powerlessness, violence and war all contribute to an endless cycle of poverty that assaults human dignity and robs people of their human potential.  In a world where an estimated 1.4 billion people live in extreme poverty, on less than $1.25 per day, the message of the Church is clear: as Catholics, we are called to help our brothers and sisters in need.  Global poverty is a disease with a cure and -- together as Catholics -- we can and will confront this challenge.  As Catholics it is our calling.  It is our duty.

To meet this challenge, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are recommitting to the nationwide Catholics Confront Global Poverty initiative that calls on one million Catholics to confront global poverty by defending life and dignity of people living in poverty throughout the world, and to urge our nation to act in response to the many faces of poverty through advocacy and action.

How can we support this initiative?

Pray for people throughout the world seeking to rise from the indignities of poverty, for U.S. policies that can make it happen and for all who stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters overseas.

Learn about Catholic social teaching, what the Church is doing to confront global poverty, U.S. international and economic policies, and their impact on poor people throughout the world.

Act and advocate by contacting your elected officials to promote policies that promote justice, peace and prosperity for impoverished people.

Give to the Church's mission overseas that helps people lift themselves out of poverty.

Join Catholics Confront Global Poverty today:  Go to www.crs.org/ccgp to sign up.

Autism Speaks: "Light it up Blue"

Today is World Autism Day, dedicated to raising awareness of autism and to kicking off Autism Awareness Month.  "Light it up Blue" refers to the many public and private venues and historic sites -- including the Empire State Building -- that will be lit blue today.  How much do you know about the autism spectrum, which is estimated to affect 1 in 88 children (1 in 54 boys)?  Perhaps this month you could learn more about it.  Click here to go to the Autism Speaks page.