NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE: Staff Announcements, Leadership and Community Organizing Training, Holiday Party, CSPL Launches Economic Justice Campaign & Hires New Organizer! We are thrilled to announce that after a process of prayer, discernment and discussion, CSPL's Board of Directors recently voted to form a third pillar of our campaign work, which will be focused on Economic Justice. Our work to address many of the most important issues of our time also requires a faith driven and radical commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty. By making Economic Justice a central part of our work alongside our efforts on Safety and Violence Prevention and Immigration, we will be able to focus on addressing poverty at a much deeper and more fundamental level by mobilizing the leadership of grassroots faith communities and the teachings of our Catholic faith. In light of this, CSPL has hired a full-time organizer to fill this position! We are thrilled to announce that Gabriel Lara will be joining us as a full-time staff member beginning Monday, November 4th. Gabriel is an extremely talented and faith-driven grassroots community organizer with over 12 years of experience mobilizing the skills, energy, and vision of community members impacted by injustice. He is driven to promote economic, social, and racial equity through co-developing sustainable community-driven solutions. Gabriel was instrumental in founding the Quinn Center as its first Executive Director and he was also vital in the founding of CSPL as our first Board President before transitioning off the board to accept this position. He was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico, and has lived in Chicago for over 25 years. He is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity (MDiv.) at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago as a Romero Scholar. We are thrilled that Gabriel will be joining our staff! Welcome him today by emailing him at [email protected] CSPL In The News CSPL is proud to have recieved considerable news coverage in the past few weeks due to the hard work of our Immigration Committee and our Safety and Violence Prevention Committee. Visit the Village Free Press to read about the success of Smart Routes to School, and visit Univision to see their coverage of our departure for El Paso. Committees Immigration Committee In the weeks following the pilgrimage to El Paso, our Immigration Committee has been diligently reflecting and discerning next steps. Join us on Tuesday, November 12 at 6pm to discuss sustained action towards immigration justice. Census Committee The Census Committee is devoted to ensuring every individual is counted in the 2020 Census. Attend our next meeting on Tuesday, November 5 at 6pm to discuss our plan moving forward. Pilgrimage to El Paso Participants in the El Paso Pilgrimage have spent the past few weeks reflecting on their journey and discerning how to fully convey all that we learned and experienced. In the following weeks we'll be hosting additional group reflections to process the pilgrimage and discuss how we can work towards sustained action for justice. More than 70 Catholic leaders and students from 9 Catholic Universities joined us and we were able to cover the trip costs for the majority of our leaders! This pilgrimage would not have been possible without the support of all of our members, but we still have about $5,000 to raise to fully cover the expenses. If you feel called, we invite you to make a donation today. A donation of any amount, whether it is $5, $25, or $100 will go a long way in helping us cover the remaining costs.
National Call to Action - The Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership Pilgrimage to El Paso10/11/2019 After beginning our pilgrimage Wednesday night, we have almost reached El Paso. We spent last night and this morning enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today we'll drive the final hours to El Paso where we will join with Catholic leaders from all across to country to for a teach-in and public action. In preparing for this journey, we heard from many of you who wanted to join us but could not for various reasons. We want you to know that we still need your support. We invite you to join us this Saturday, October 12 at 6pm CST to gather and pray in solidarity with migrants and protesters at the border as we demand immigration justice. At the same time our 70+ pilgrims are at the southern border, local leaders will be meeting in two places to speak out against unjust immigration policies: Chicago: outside of the ICE Detention Facility - 101 W Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60605 Maywood: outside St. Eulalia's - 1845 S 9th Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 For More Information and to Register It’s time for the Pumpkin Patch Parade! Join us on Saturday, October 12th at 9 AM on 5th Ave between Lake St. and Main St. in Maywood, IL for a day filled with fun! Volunteers needed! Contact Dr. Amy Luke [email protected] For more information, go to http://www.maywoodfinearts.org/?p=2926 A Letter From PP4H Member Anthony Williams
Dear family and friends, On Wednesday, October 9, 2019, Byron and I will begin a journey to the southern boarder to join hundreds of ordinary people in solidarity to peacefully protest our country’s immigration policies. We both serve as board members of an organization called the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL). CSPL advocates the spirit of the gospel being incorporated into the policy-making of country on all levels of government. In this cause, we will be joining hundreds of like-minded people from around the country in letting our leaders know that the current treatment of immigrants is inhumane and unacceptable. We will kick off our Chicago departure with a mass at Holy Name Cathedral at 5:15 pm on Wednesday, October 9th. The mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Cupich. Following the mass, we will have a blessing before departure. We invite you to join us at the mass and blessing. Parking is available at Moody Bible. If you are unable to join us in person, please pray for our safe travels. Most importantly, pray for all of those who seek refuge from across the world from living conditions that are reprehensible. Let us all get off the sidelines and advocate for social justice in all matters! God be with you all. Much love, Anthony and Byron |
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