Latest news with #CatholicCharitiesof
Perth Now
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Matthew McConaughey implores fans to 'lend a helping hand' after catastrophic Texas floods
Matthew McConaughey has urged fans to "lend a helping hand" following the devastating floods in Texas. At least 78 people have died and dozens more are missing following flash floods in Kerr County on Friday (04.07.25) and the Dallas Buyers Club star reflected on the "shock" of the catastrophe in his home state. Matthew, 55, penned on social media site X: "At least 70 lives have been lost, many more are unaccounted for, and countless Texans are hurting - inside and out. "If you're able, please lend a helping hand where and how you can. It's gonna be a long road ahead, but right now the shock, the pain and the chaos need to steady hand of a neighbour." The Oscar-winning actor, who was born in the city of Uvalde, added: "Texans are some of the most resilient and generous people on the planet." McConaughey is one of a number of stars to have spoken out following the Texas floodings after actress Jennifer Garner wrote a message of support on her Instagram Story. The 53-year-old star - who was born in Houston - wrote: "Texas. God, be near." Meanwhile, pop star Shakira pledged to donate some of the proceeds from her concert in San Antonio on Saturday (05.07.25) to Catholic Charities in the city helping with the relief effort following the floods. She posted on X: "Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted. "If you would like to join me in donating, please click on the link below. Your help is important and appreciated." Matthew returned to live in Texas in 2014 with his wife Camila Alves and their three children - Levi, 17, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12, - and previously spoke of his love for the routines and traditions they have established there. In a joint interview with Southern Living magazine last year, Camila said: "In Texas, we were going to the church that we like to attend every Sunday. Sports became a stronger tradition for the kids.." Her spouse interjected: "Ritual! Ritual came back, whether that was Sunday church, sports, dinner together as a family every night, or staying up after that telling stories in the kitchen, sitting at the island pouring drinks and nibbling while retelling them all in different ways than we told them before."
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican AGs ask federal appeals panel to overturn Michigan's conversion therapy ban
LGBTQ+ flags fly outside the state Senate building during Michigan Pride in Lansing on June 26, 2022. | Photo by Laina G. Stebbins The Republican attorneys general for Iowa and South Carolina are leading a coalition of 11 states in seeking to overturn Michigan's ban on conversion therapy for minors. Contending that the law censors therapists' speech, the coalition filed a brief Friday in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals requesting a reversal of a decision issued in January by U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering. Beckering, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, found the Michigan law does not govern free expression of religion or speech, but instead professional conduct, which she said the state has a 'legitimate interest' in regulating. Passed in 2023 by Michigan's then Democratic-led Legislature, the law prohibits mental health professionals from seeking to alter a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity, a practice known as conversion therapy, or risk facing disciplinary action that could result in the loss of their professional licenses. However, the group of Republican attorneys general says the ruling sets up a 'censorship regime' that forces mental health professionals to 'choose between making a living in a licensed profession and retaining their right to speak freely.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The case stems from a lawsuit filed in July 2024 by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties on behalf of Emily McJones, a licensed therapist from Lansing, whose practice, Little Flower Counseling, provides 'evidenced-based treatments from a perspective that is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, while loving and caring for each client.' However, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has determined that not only do conversion therapies 'lack scientific credibility and clinical utility,' there is 'evidence that such interventions are harmful.' That stance is shared by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists. Regardless, the Republican attorneys general argue Michigan's ban risks tainting medicine with politics. In addition to the attorneys general in Iowa and South Carolina, the brief is signed on by AGs in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, and North Dakota. 'Free speech should protect the medical field from political pressure seeking to stifle scientific advancements. And it is far from clear that the ideological partisan bent embodied in Michigan's law is 'settled' in any meaningful sense,' the brief said. A similar law in Colorado is set to be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court later this fall.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Catholic leaders in Michigan address immigration debate
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Catholic Charities of Inhgam, Eaton, and Clinton Counties took to to post 'A Pastoral Note to Migrants from the ' to outline their thoughts on migrants who may be experiencing fear over mass deportation. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,We, the Roman Catholic Bishops in Michigan, write to offer our continued pastoral and prayerful support for mi- grant individuals and families who over the course of time have entered the country and today are making a living in this state. Our fraternal closeness to you and other immigrants, refugees, and those seeking humanitarian asylum is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, where we find 'I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me… Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me' (Matthew 25:35,40).We hear and empathize with families across the state who express anxiety and fear over mass deportations and harmful rhetoric that broadly demeans our immigrant brothers and sisters. As shepherds of our flocks, we pledge amid such uncertainty to promote through the Michigan Catholic Conference and in our respective dioceses un- yielding support and respect for the human dignity of all migrant people in our urge our elected officials to support policies that keep immigrant and undocumented families safe and unit- ed, and to protect those who arrived as children. We call on the Michigan congressional delegation to work for a humane immigration system that welcomes refugees and immigrants by providing a fair pathway to citizenship; one that also keeps borders safe and secure from criminal activity, including human trafficking and the smuggling of illegal of the dire conditions from which many travel, oftentimes with children through great difficulty and despair, we encourage you, our migrant brothers and sisters, to be strengthened by our Lord's words 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid' (John 14:27). Never fail to keep your faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, who promises a divine kingdom that we strive to inherit and together call our true abundant love and trust, we ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to hear the cries of the suffering and offer to her maternal compassion and protection all who seek her heavenly intercession. Catholic Bishops in Michigan The Trump administration promised mass deportations during his first week back in office. According to DC News Now, the , and as of Monday, 1,179 arrests have been made. They report the average for the fiscal year 2024 was 310 arrests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Impact of a potential freeze on federal funding for non-profits in Central New York
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR) — Leaders for the City of Syracuse and non-profit organizations in Onondaga County have sounded the alarm after President Trump pushed to freeze federal funding across the country. Impact of a potential freeze on federal funding for non-profits in Central New York Snow is back but will things improve for AM commute? Why February's Supplemental Security Income checks are coming early Comedian Kevin Hart stopping in Syracuse on tour Caroline Kennedy tells senators: RFK Jr. is a 'predator' Many are expressing concern over an array of programs that could be on the chopping block in Central New York. Federal funding helps different grant programs for housing, public safety operations, infrastructure, education and more. 'We get so much federal money…in the hundreds of millions…that come to the city and the school district alone,' Alexander Marion, City of Syracuse auditor, said. 'Plus…billions…once you factor in money that goes to other people in the community every day.' Onondaga County Comptroller Martin Masterpole said the county received $946 million in federal funding in 2023. He also predicted that the total will be even higher for this past year, emphasizing the importance of aid from the federal government. 'There could be terrible consequences, right…especially the smaller, non-profit, the harder it's going to hit,' said Masterpole. Federal funding also helps non-profit organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, feed seniors who are part of a lower income tax bracket. Many of them are also homebound. 'As a result of that funding…we grew from a mom-and-pop Meals on Wheels program to what we are now and that is…feeding almost 800 people 240,000 meals,' Mason Kaufman, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels for Syracuse, said. If the ban goes into effect and becomes long-term, non-profits could be hit hard. 'We're talking about older folks here,' Kaufman said. 'My mom gets Meals on Wheels…she's in another area but she's 97 years old. What's she going to do if she can't get that kind of food? What are other people going to do who can relate to that?' A statement from Catholic Charities of Onondaga County on the potential funding freeze can be seen below: 'Here is what we can say for sure: A temporary freeze of federal funding, while unwelcomed, is something we can plan around for the short term. If this temporary freeze becomes a permanent loss of federal funding for programs that serve the most vulnerable members of our community, then this is a much larger issue not only for Catholic Charities, but our community and the nation. It seems that February 10th will prove to be a critical moment for every individual who receives some form of service funded by the federal government.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
