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“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism” is the recently approved formal statement on racism approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The Pastoral Letter addresses the evil of racism and addresses racism above all as a moral and theological problem that manifests institutionally and systematically.

I was introduced to Roma Downey’s Box of Butterflies by a dear friend who gently encouraged me to consider reading this book as a possible source of comfort following the recent death of my husband. I was willing to try any remedy that might restore hope and healing to my life after years of prolonged sadness while caring for my soulmate – knowing that he would eventually and inevitably succumb to the physical and emotional ravages of Alzheimer’s. What a blessing this book is! Page after page tenderly soothed my weary soul with the author’s favorite poems, insightful prayers and beautiful works of art. Each chapter formed a consoling tapestry offering grace-filled solace until one morning I discovered my tears had been replaced with a new and softened joy. This enlightened book is a powerful reminder that no matter what tragedy may be encountered in life’s journey – each and every person is infinitely beloved by a Creator who knows them intimately and will not permit them to suffer alone or in vain. Few books deserve to be referred to as a staple for all spiritual seekers – but Roma’s book does. It is a treasure that belongs on every family’s bookshelf and would be a welcome addition to anyone’s gift list for a friend or family member who may be struggling during one of life’s most difficult seasons. Many may recall first encountering Roma Downey years ago in her award-winning TV role as Monica in “Touched by an Angel.” It should come as no surprise that this

Congratulations to SC Ministry Foundation, featured in “Staying Connected: How Five Foundations Understand Those They Seek to Help” by the Center for Effective Grantmaking. The report is an excellent resource for members looking to enhance relationships with grantees.

The Catholic Impact Investing Collaborative (aka CIIC- pronounced “seek”) works to spread impact investing through building community, sharing experiences, and learning from each other. Visit the website for helpful resources on impact investing and sign up for updates.

A three-year collaborative effort called The National Dialogue was recently launched to support high level conversation about pastoral ministries to youth and young adults. The National Dialogue has emerged just before the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on “Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment” and the V Encuentro. It is a partnership between the USCCB, the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), the USCCB National Advisory Team on Young Adult Ministry, and the National Catholic Network de Pastoral Juvenil Hispana (LaRed).

GHR Foundation is featured in this Devex article by Catherine Cheney exploring the role of faith in innovation. Amy Rauenhorst Goldman, CEO and chair of the foundation, provides insight.  Related: Check out FADICA’s recently published Catholic Social Innovation in the Global Refugee Crisis

Congratulations to Incarnate Word Foundation on their 20th anniversary and the launch of their new initiative in St. Louis, Recon: Framing a New Public Discourse, a platform for learning and engaging in respectful discourse on race, religion, response to violence, evolving social structures, responsible use of social media, and other topics which have historically divided the St. Louis community.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Created in response to recent events of racism and violence, the committee will focus on addressing the sin of racism and the urgent need to come together to find solutions.

Relationships are at the heart of Incarnate Word Foundation’s mission and the charism of its founder, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. This focus on relationship and solidarity prompted Bridget McDermott Flood, executive director of the Foundation, to envision STL Youth Jobs, a program started in 2012 that employs disenfranchised youth ages 16-24 in summer jobs in St. Louis, where the Foundation is located. Serving as co-chair of a youth violence prevention task force for the mayor at the time, Bridget wanted to do something that had a direct, immediate benefit to St. Louis communities that have high rates of youth unemployment, poverty, juvenile crime, and low graduation rates – rather than producing a report that would “just sit on a bookshelf,” she explains.  In a short five weeks, Bridget and her team at the Incarnate Word Foundation started what would become STL Youth Jobs, placing 63 youth in jobs for an investment of $75,000 that first summer. Fast-forward to this summer, and the program has grown exponentially to 800 jobs, has an over $1.8 million budget (Incarnate Word Foundation still invests $75,000 – a testimony to how the Foundation’s leadership has leveraged other funders), and a record of helping thousands of young people connect to the mainstream economy.   STL Youth Jobs is one of the Incarnate Word Foundation’s most important projects, not only because of the program’s impressive outcomes. It also captures what Incarnate Word Foundation and Catholic foundations do best, explains Bridget. This includes the ability to leverage partnerships based on trust. “One

Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) turned two on June 18, just after the world celebrated World Environment Day on June 5. Watch Catholic Climate Covenant’s video series featuring Catholics’ reflections on how Laudato Si’ inspires them to care for creation and care for the poor. Watch the series.