Lent 2012: Neighbors in Need (prior to Ash Wed, Feb 19)

Lent 2012:      Neighbors in Need

The headlines these days can be pretty sobering:

·  According to the Social Security Administration, 50% of American workers earned less than $26,364 last year

·  1/3 of all American workers (and 79% of low-wage workers ) do not get any paid sick days

·  In 2010 more people were recorded as living in poverty than in any of the previous 52 years for which rates have been published:  46.9 million (15% of the U.S. population)

·  About 17 million households were registered as food insecure, meaning they did not have consistent dependable access to enough food

·  According to a study by the MI League for Human Services:  Michigan recorded the nation’s 4^th highest increase in family poverty from 2006-2010.  We also had the nation’s 2^nd highest drop in median income

·  The State reduced the lifetime limit for cash welfare payments to 48 months.  Once a person reaches this limit, s/he cannot receive a cash payment after losing a job, being abandoned by a spouse, becoming seriously ill, or for any other reason

·  The State also reduced the time that citizens are eligible for unemployment assistance, and reduced workers’ compensation payments to those who are injured on the job

·  To fund business tax cuts, Michigan increased taxes on half of those who file a state personal income tax form.  The average tax increase varies depending on income – the poorest citizens will pay about $100 more and the highest-income earners will pay an extra $7 on average, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.  This is because the State eliminated several tax credits that only applied to low-income households.

·  Ten years ago, Michigan’s statutory revenue sharing for local governments was $900 million – it was only $215 million last year, which has resulted in steep cuts to human services at local levels

As more and more people are struggling, our state seems to have hardened its heart.  The limited assistance that used to be available is rapidly disappearing.  In the face of these hard realities, the Catholic Church continues to do its best to protect the poor and vulnerable.

While the Church does not have the resources to address all of the tremendous need that exists, Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW) provides desperately needed help to thousands of our neighbors.

During the Lenten season, we will highlight the stories of some of the people who have been helped by CSSW and describe some of the work that CSSW quietly does every day.  We will focus on their work with:

·  Senior citizens

·  Those who face housing insecurity

·  Those who face food insecurity

·  Women who are pregnant and imprisoned

·  People who have disabilities

In Mark 25:40, Jesus tells us that what we do for the least of His people, we do for Him.  The St. Francis Peace & Justice Committee hopes that this Lenten project will lead all of us to consider how we can use our time, talents, treasure, and prayers to serve Jesus when He appears among us as a neighbor in need.

This article was edited and organized by Kelly Gauthier, St. Francis Parish Peace & Justice Committee member

Neighbors in Need

Join us in support of our local neighbors

who are struggling for food, housing,

and care of poverty stricken elderly.

Our direct service partnership is with

Washtenaw Catholic Social Services.

Please return your cash and/or check contributions in the sack (attached in this FORUM) on Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012

Checks should be payable to: St. Francis of Assisi

Learn more at: stfrancisa2.org/lent