Editorial

Even though they live in a land of plenty, 33 million Americans know the powerlessness and despair of being poor, living in the shadow of wealth but beyond their reach.

Who are the poor in our country? They are one in every six children. One in every 10 families. One out of every eight individuals.

We may not realize it, but we know some of these poor people. They live in our neighborhoods. They worship at our churches. They might be members of our families.

Trapped in cycle of poverty. Many of these people are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Their parents or grandparents may also have struggled to make ends meet. They tried to better themselves through education and work, but perhaps they encountered racism, lack of opportunity, or limitations of access, health, money, or transportation.

So, how can we overcome these barriers and help people break the cycle of poverty?

Searching for solutions. Thirty-two years ago the Catholic bishops of the United States established the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to partner with poor and low-income people to search for lasting solutions to the problems of poverty in our country.

The CCHD has made a difference in many communities. People of all faiths and economic levels have joined with the Catholic Church to empower people and change the structures that cause poverty. CCHD is creating long-term solutions to eliminate poverty.

This past year alone, CCHD offered more than $10 million to 339 local projects in 49 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. CCHD also sponsors an education component to help people of all faiths understand the causes and effects of poverty.

One example. One example of CCHD's work is happening in Wisconsin, where the farm crisis has hit families especially hard. Family Farm Defenders (FFD) received funds from the CCHD in its efforts to use cheese to help keep family-owned businesses in operation. FFD has organized farmers and established a cooperative system to bring cheese and other food to market at fair prices.

FFD has developed the Family Farmer Cheese label. This pays farmers a more equitable price for their milk and offers consumers a product made without bovine growth hormones. Made by Cedar Grove Cheese near Madison, the cheese is distributed through restaurants and supermarkets as well as at conferences and events. FFD is working to bring other FFD-developed healthy foods into classrooms and school cafeterias.

How you can help. This is just one way the CCHD is empowering local people to make a difference. All Catholics can assist the CCHD by contributing to the annual appeal held in parishes throughout the Diocese of Madison this coming weekend, Nov. 22 and 23 (combined with the annual collection to assist church communications).

For more information on CCHD, call the diocesan Office for Justice and Peace, 608-821-3086, or check out the CCHD Web site: www.usccb.org/cchd

Mary C. Uhler, editor

Mailbag

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To the editor:

I would like to thank the woman who was shown repeatedly on the morning news recently regarding her shocked reaction to the pictures of what really happens to a baby as a result of an abortion. The pictures are indeed difficult to look at - and her point was that her children shouldn't have to be in the car as the parents drove by those signs.

I agree - NO ONE should have to look at this, as it shouldn't be happening in the first place. I just think that she hasn't quite connected the dots yet, because also she is absolutely right, they surely are terrible pictures. But they portray what is REAL and LEGAL - and this inhumane procedure is being done on children younger than hers. THOSE are the children we are trying to protect.

There are good alternatives to abortion available. Please, dear lady, educate yourself about this as well as ALL stages of abortion's reality, the KILLING of a baby at any preborn stage, and I suspect you will begin to indeed have an even stronger opinion.

Irene Winkler, RN, Madison

To the editor:

By celebrating his 25th anniversary as pope, Pope John Paul II cinched his placement as the fourth longest reigning pontiff in history. St. Peter holds his first place with 34 years. Pope Pius IX with his 31 years, seven months, 21 days is in second place. Pope Leo XIII is in third place with 25 years, five months.

In five more months Pope John Paul II can move into third place while Pope Leo XIII drops to fourth place. Pope Leo XIII died at age 93. Until his last breath Pope Leo XIII's mind was clear as a bell.

Charles J. Sippel, Waterloo

To the editor:

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the Catholic Herald. I do subscribe and have for a while. I appreciate the excellent local and national coverage. My particular favorites are Frs. Dietzen and Catoir. I always learn something from their writings.

Mary Uhler does a fine job with the editorials. They are thought provoking and timely.

Thank you for an excellent Catholic publication. My week wouldn't be complete without this excellent newspaper.

Mary Lee Rossmaessler, Madison

To the editor:

By now you probably have received a number of messages calling attention to the mistake in the article: "What is the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem?"

Pope Pius IX (not Pius XI) reigned in 1847. It was the second year of his pontificate.

Bill Rock, Madison