Public Policy weekend February 12-13

Here in our Diocese, parishes participate in the annual Public Policy Weekend every February, when parishioners speak out with one voice on an issue related to Catholic Social Teaching. 



Do you know that nearly 1 in 5 children ages 0-4 in New York live in poverty? Do you know that children ages 0-4 are not covered in the Empire State Child Credit?   Modest increases in income to low-income families can yield tremendous benefits for children and their families, including improved physical, emotional and behavioral health, and higher educational achievement.  The benefits are particularly significant – and most acutely needed – in families with young children.   Families with young children face poverty at greater rates than other families. In fact, the birth of a child is the leading trigger of “poverty spells” experienced by families.   In addition, stress and hunger can impair brain development, which is most rapid when children are very young, and can lead to lifelong deficits. Strengthening family economic security improves the lives not only for the current generation of children, but the next, because poor children are much more likely to grow up to be poor adults.  Our Diocesan Public Policy Committee is encouraging everyone to sign the petition calling for an Equitable and Just NYS Budget on February 12/13 – Diocesan Public Policy Advocacy Weekend.  You can sign the petition online at https://www.dor.org/petition/ or sign the copy that will be in your bulletin on February 5/6.   Bring it to mass on February 12/13.   Thank you for caring about babies and toddlers.