Students create paper chain of peace April 11, 2013
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The Catholic Spirit
Celebrating 20 years
Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
News with a Catholic heart
13-18 TheCatholicSpirit.com
Season of
Light
Helena Costanzo of Nativity of Our Lord in St. Paul enjoys Mass by candlelight during the Easter Vigil March 31. She was there with her siblings and parents, Dan and Christine. Turn to page 19 to learn more about the 50-day Easter season. Dave Hrbacek / The Catholic Spirit
Catholic, Lutheran bishops urge state lawmakers to protect poor The Catholic Spirit As state lawmakers work to craft a budget to address a struggling economy, revenue shortages and emerging needs, Minnesota’s Catholic and Lutheran bishops are urging them to ensure there is a “circle of protection” around programs serving the poor. “In our churches, we are committed to addressing not only the spiritual poverty that afflicts our communities, but also the many manifestations we see of material poverty,” the bishops said in an open letter this week to members of the Minnesota House and Senate as well as Gov. Mark Dayton. “Therefore, we ask both parties to work together toward a budget that alleviates poverty and works to build a hopeful future for all Minnesotans,” they said.
Ensuring dignity Minnesota’s Catholic bishops, including Archbishop John Nienstedt and Bishop Lee Piché, and the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America signed the letter. Attached was a copy
“In our churches, we are committed to
addressing not only the spiritual poverty that afflicts our communities, but also the many manifestations we see of material poverty.
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MINNESOTA CATHOLIC AND LUTHERAN (ELCA) BISHOPS
of a national “circle of protection” letter signed by faith leaders around the country and sent to federal lawmakers as they grapple with difficult budget decisions. “As leaders of the state’s two largest faith communities, comprising PLEASE TURN TO MINNESOTA ON PAGE 9