Annette McDermott, ssj

Monday Starter: Network announces new executive director Plus, the National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd responds to passing of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill.

“The sister-founded Catholic social justice lobby NETWORK said July 7 it has appointed a human rights lawyer with experience in helping unaccompanied migrant children as its next executive director.”
www.globalsistersreport.org/social-justi...

Such a great choice for these times.

Here's the proof: Republicans are only looking out for their millionaire and billionaire friends – and they're willing to gamble with your lives to pay them off.

It shouldn't get lost that just today, Senate Republicans have voted to close nursing homes, close rural hospitals, and cut food stamp benefits for children and veterans.

"The bishops are grateful that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes provisions that promote the dignity of human life and support parental choice in education. These are commendable provisions that are important priorities for the bishops. Still, Congress must be consistent in protecting human life and dignity and make drastic changes to the bill to protect those most in need. As Pope Leo XIV recently stated, it is the responsibility of politicians to promote and protect the common good, including by working to overcome great wealth inequality. This bill does not answer this call. It takes from the poor to give to the wealthy. It provides tax breaks for some while undermining the social safety net for others through major cuts to nutrition assistance and Medicaid. It fails to protect families and children by promoting an enforcement-only approach to immigration and eroding access to legal protections. It harms God's creation and future generations through cuts to clean energy incentives and environmental programs.

INBOX: Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is urging lawmakers to change the GOP-led “Big, Beautiful Bill” budget proposal, citing Pope Leo to argue that the bill “takes from the poor to give to the wealthy.”

It’s the strongest language USCCB has used yet

People in wheelchairs are getting arrested right now in the Russell Senate Office Building in DC. They showed up to tell Congress not to cut their Medicaid, because they cant afford health care without it. If you look closely you can see the zip ties on their hands. #WeWontGetOverLosingMedicaid

Thank you for your witness 🙏🏼

A Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget A public procession and vigil led by clergy and congregants, religious and lay leaders at the U.S. Capitol before a key Senate vote on a reconciliation package that…

🕊️ Happening now: Join us live from the U.S. Capitol for the Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget. Faith leaders and community members are lifting their voices to defend programs that serve the poor, sick, and hungry.

📺 Watch the livestream: vimeo.com/event/5189017

#MoralBudget #PentecostWitness

Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ betrays the poor. The church must oppose it. The church and the bishops of the United States should lead the way in speaking against this bill and calling on Catholics to work for its defeat, writes Archbishop John C. Wester of Sante Fe.

Abp Wester is a quiet leader at the Conference but he is a leader. We need this. We need more of this. Bravo.

www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...

The upside-down priorities of the House budget: Adding significantly to debt while reducing incomes for the bottom 40% As economists who have devoted our careers to researching how economies can grow and how the benefits of this growth can be translated into broadly shared prosperity and security, we have grave concer...

🚨NEW: 6 Nobel laureate economists signed an open letter opposing the House budget bill 🚨

The bill adds significantly to the national debt while reducing incomes for the bottom 40%, they say.

The most acute & immediate damage? Millions losing Medicaid & SNAP benefits:

www.epi.org/publication/...

Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” was just released. It would terminate health insurance for 14 MILLION Americans.

This is not a drill. We need to fight back.

Opinion | With Leo, there’s no going back from Francis Pope Leo XIV shares his predecessor’s commitment to social justice.

Initiative founder John Carr in @ejdionne.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com: “At the very beginning, he demonstrated commitment to Francis’ legacy, calling for peace, dialogue and justice. He chose Leo XIV to make clear commitment to Catholic social teaching.”
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

I shared that view. I had no idea about him, but his words made me feel hopeful and impressed. Wow.

I'm looking forward to your insights!

Great question and such a fascinating history! Thanks for sharing.

Cardinals are Catholic not Jewish — so why do they all wear yarmulkes? As Catholic cardinals gather for a conclave to elect the next pope, we must all ask: Why are they all wearing red yarmulkes?

Finally, someone asks the obvious:

Cardinals are Catholic not Jewish — so why do they all wear yarmulkes? forward.com/culture/7162...

Gun violence prevention research will be gravely jeopardized as President Trump cuts $18 billion from the National Institutes of Health.

We will be less safe for generations to come.

Racial and ethnic disparities in pediatric firearm deaths persist in 2022 and 2023 - Injury Epidemiology Background Firearms became the leading cause of death in the United States pediatric population in 2019 and have persisted as the leading cause through 2021, with widening racial and ethnic disparitie...

This should outrage everyone:
Guns are the #1 killer of teens and kids.

Black and Native youth are dying at the highest rates & firearm suicide is on the rise.

We need targeted prevention, now.

Kim Daniels @kdaniels8.bsky.social on @msnbc.com: “That’s what @PopeFrancis’ legacy will be: a Church that’s open to everyone without exception. Not a fortress, but a home.” archive.org/details/MSNB...

What Pope Francis meant to U.S. Catholics NPR speaks with Kim Daniels, director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown University, about what Pope Francis has meant to U.S. Catholics.

Initiative Director @kdaniels8.bsky.social spoke with @npr.org about what #PopeFrancis has meant to U.S. Catholics: “He energized our faith by orienting us, again, towards action, towards encounters, towards a church that is a field hospital that goes out to people.”
www.npr.org/transcripts/...

Pope Francis often criticized Trump. But he knew how to charm him, too. President Donald Trump had a complicated relationship with Pope Francis, whose funeral he plans to attend Saturday.

Founder John Carr in @washingtonpost.com on #PopeFrancis: “The Vatican has soft power. And in many ways, the U.S. is abandoning soft power. Will they recognize the importance of the soft power of the church and of the Pope? Or will they dismiss that too?”
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

The best recipe!

BREAKING: A court ruled that our case challenging Rümeysa Öztürk's unlawful detention should move forward in Vermont, instead of Louisiana, and that ICE must transfer her there.

Nobody should be shipped to a detention facility halfway across the country for writing an op-ed.

A light in this darkness.

Photo of Senator Chris Van Hollen with Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.

“It has become my habit to speak to you frankly…” — St. Eugene de Mazenod
True friendship is built on honesty, trust, and the courage to speak from the heart. May we always cherish those who love us enough to be real. #ThoughtForTheDay

Truth.

In my prayers. Thank you.

April 20th and the Insurrection Act: How to Be Prepared In a time when so many deeply disturbing and dangerous things are happening that threaten our democracy, it’s important to do our best to remain calm, alert and prepared to respond to new threats – an...

It would be the height of irony for Trump to declare martial law on the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, who in one of his essential teachings said, “the way you welcomed the stranger you welcomed me.”

-- What to know about the possible invocation of the Insurrection Act

My prayers are with you and your family. Simply despicable. 🙏🏼