Census critical to underserved communities . . .
As the nation gears up for the 2020 U.S. Census, a process that unfolds in most states in mid-March and continues through this July, the stakes are high for all to participate. Church leaders remind the faithful that crucial decisions about government-funded programs and representation are made based on updated census data.
James King, interim director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference, emphasized that in addition to ensuring proper funding amounts for services, census information also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used to redraw congressional and state legislative districts. After the 2010 census, he pointed out, New Jersey lost a seat in the House of Representatives.
The loss of representation and the loss of funding negatively affects citizens, especially those from underserved and vulnerable populations, stressed Brenda Rascher, diocesan executive director of Catholic Social Services.
“We need people to understand that the state has lost funding in the past because of the census. So if we don’t get it right, it will be 10 years before we can fix it,” she said.
For news and video coverage on the critical importance that the U.S. Census holds for low-income and marginalized communities served within the Diocese of Trenton, click here.
Contest highlights youngsters’ respect for life . . .
Through colorful poster drawings, compelling essays and creatively designed memes, youngsters from around the Diocese had an opportunity to artfully express their respect for life in all its stages in the works they submitted for the annual diocesan Respect Life Contest.
Participating in the contest were students who hail from all corners of the Diocese and attend Catholic schools and parish religious education programs, as well as those who are involved in parish youth groups. The theme of the contest was “Christ Our Hope In Every Season of Life.”
For full coverage of the contest, list of the winners and display of the selected entries, go to Respect Life contest.
