Media Alert
Worth Noting in May 2004
The U.S. Administration on Aging designates the month of May Older Americans Month. "With over 33 million Americans over age 65, we are just beginning to deal with the social, economic, and spiritual implications of an aging population," says Sheila Garcia, Assistant Director, USCCB Secretariat for Family, Laity, Woman and Youth. The growing numbers of older Americans prompted the U.S. bishops to write Blessings of Age: A Pastoral Message on Growing Older Within the Faith Community. The statement emphasizes generational interdependence as a true gospel value. "It encourages us to see older persons as active participants who contribute to the life of the church," says Garcia, "just as Older Americans Month recognizes our older citizens in our families and the life of society."
Sheila Garcia is available at 202/541-3041 or sgarcia@usccb.org.
In March, 2004, the Bishops' Committee on Vocations adopted A Future Full of Hope, A National Strategy for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in the Dioceses and Archdioceses of the United States. This effort fosters a positive image of priesthood and consecrated life through prayer, research, promotion and public awareness efforts. May 2, 2004 will mark the celebration of the 41st World Day of Prayer for Vocations. For this, the Pope calls us to "allow for a meaningful moment in …an on-going prayer." "The Holy Father instructs us to pray for a calling to vocations at the fourth Sunday of Easter," says Rev. Edward Burns, Executive Director, USCCB Priestly Life and Vocations. "We are most receceptive to the awe and reverence a priestly calling inspires when we engage in thoughtful prayer."
Father Edward Burns is available at 202/541-3303 or eburns@usccb.org.
The Catholic Communications Campaign of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the release/availability of its 2004 public service announcements, "It All Starts With Faith." The campaign profiles individual Catholics and Catholic organizations in four television spots as well as a website, www.startswithfaith.org. Spoken in their own words, the people the videos use their own words to describe what they do, and how it relates to faith. The spots were filmed on location and capture both rural and inner city America. "We reached out to individual Catholics - both laity and clergy – this year," said Pat Ryan Garcia, Director of Distribution, USCCB Catholic Communication Campaign. "There are 60 million Catholics in the U.S., and we wanted to put faces to some of the most inspiring examples." The series will include television and Internet-based media.
Pat Ryan Garcia is available at 202/541-3404 or pgarcia@usccb.org.
The U.S. Administration on Aging designates the month of May Older Americans Month. "With over 33 million Americans over age 65, we are just beginning to deal with the social, economic, and spiritual implications of an aging population," says Sheila Garcia, Assistant Director, USCCB Secretariat for Family, Laity, Woman and Youth. The growing numbers of older Americans prompted the U.S. bishops to write Blessings of Age: A Pastoral Message on Growing Older Within the Faith Community. The statement emphasizes generational interdependence as a true Gospel value. "It encourages us to see older persons as active participants who contribute to the life of the church," says Garcia, "just as Older Americans Month recognizes our older citizens in our families and the life of society."
Sheila Garcia> is available at 202/541-3041 or sgarcia@usccb.org.