Sylvia Nicolas' light-filled creations bring many closer to God.
A fourth generation of master stained glass artists, Sylvia Nicolas develops paintings, sculptures, mosaics and stained glass that are meant to refresh and renew one's image of God. St. Anselm's College in New Hampshire recently sponsored a show of this beloved, internationally renowned, local artist. During this Lenten season, her work serves as a catalyst for reflection--what is our image of and relationship with God, and how do we express it in our lives?

 

Manchester Diocese Creates Job Program
Start with a dedication to help people become self-sufficient. Add a skilled chef and a community garden. Simmer with nutritional education classes and a new industrial kitchen built with the support of donors and local businesses - and you’ve got a Recipe for Success!

 

Stephanie Garza working on behalf of immigrants
Stephanie Garza, recipient of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)'s 2008 Cardinal Bernardin Award, works with the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) to empower parents as advocates for their families, schools, and communities. Also a leader in the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform in Chicago, Stephanie is inspired by her faith to ensure that the dignity of all people, including immigrants, is respected.

Discussion questions to use with this video

For more information on CCHD, go to: www.usccb.org/cchd

 

Young Leader Receives Cardinal Bernardin Award

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is a national anti-poverty program of the United States Catholic Bishops. CCHD puts the gospel and our Catholic social teaching into action by supporting low-income, community-based projects to address the root causes of poverty and through transformative education of the non-poor. Each year, CCHD awards the Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award to one young adult Catholic who exemplifies leadership, energy, faith, and a commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty in his or her community. Stephanie Garza, the recipient of CCHD's 2008 Cardinal Bernardin Award, works with the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) to empower parents as advocates for their families, schools, and communities.

For more information on CCHD, go to www.usccb.org/cchd
For more information on SWOP, go to swopchicago.org

 

California
Catholic Lobby Day
Each year California Catholics gather in Sacramento to speak with their elected officials about issues of concern to the Church. This effort is an excellent example of faith in action, of faithful citizenship.

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Community in Action
In East L.A., playing outside can be dangerous. In this week's "Faith Works" story, we learn how neighborhood moms organized to safeguard their children so that they play freely and walk to school in safety. This activity is part of the work of Comunidad en Movimento, which received a grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

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Garage Grandma
Some grandparents open up their hearts to family members in need. Others help out at the soup kitchen serving the homeless. Still others open up their arms to give a loving hug in troubled times. Grandma Marge Larsen does all of the above when she opens up her garage.

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Homeboy Industries
With its motto, "Nothing Stops a Bullet like a Job," Homeboy Industries in East L.A. surely gets your attention. Founder Jesuit priest Greg Boyle also gets your attention. Click and see why young men and women are risking there lives to leave their gangs to come and work for "Fr. G."

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Winds of Change
On South Dakota's Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, where 75 percent of the residents are poor, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has been hard at work providing crucial start-up money to the Four Bands Community Fund to help them to spur entrepreneurship among the Lakota people. Through micro-loans as small as $1,000, and small business training for residents, the locally run loan fund is sowing the seeds of economic stability and self-sufficiency that will one day reverse the cycle of poverty on the reservation.

View Video      For more information on CCHD, go to: www.usccb.org/cchd

 

Weaving the Future Together
Co-sponsored by the Bishops' Committee on Hispanic Affairs, Weaving the Future Together, the First National Encuentro for Hispanic Youth and Young Adult Ministry brought together young people from across the country to develop a common vision and pastoral principles that will guide ministry to, with and from Hispanic youth and young adults on the parish, diocesan and organizational levels.

View Video      Go to Cultural Diversity Web site: www.usccb.org/scdc