Iowa Catholic Conference Newsletter, Nov. 15, 2024

What’s new

• Following their meeting last week, the Catholic bishops of the United States issued a statement in solidarity with migrants as well as a video on the USCCB’s YouTube page from Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso entitled, “We have become a great nation because we have welcomed immigrants.”

• The board of the Iowa Catholic Conference met recently and approved its list of legislative concerns for 2025. There are not too many changes from last year. Among the topics of discussions with legislators this fall have been preschool funding, advocating for just treatment of immigrants, perinatal mental health services and abortion pill regulation.

• Several ecumenical leaders wrote an opinion piece about their Oct. 5 “Building Bridges” seminar held in Perry, Iowa, saying “As statewide faith leaders, we are committed to accompanying our people and leading the way in building bridges among us.” You can find it on our website.

Commemorating the World Day of the Poor

Pope Francis encouraged us to turn our prayer into action as we marked yesterday’s World Day of the Poor. He reminds us to “make the prayer of the poor our own” and work to concretely support those most in need. As we reflect on God’s closeness to the poor, we are called to express solidarity with our sisters and brothers, working and praying for solutions to end poverty.

Funding from the U.S. bishops’ Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) helps communities to address the root causes of poverty and is supported through a second collection each year on the World Day of the Poor.