Orlando Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) at n/a, Orlando, FL 32802 US - INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS COMMISSION

The basic aim of the International Concerns Commission is to awaken in all Christians a con­viction of their responsibilities for international society and to create through this conviction a brotherhood of all peoples. Its program of study and action is concerned with peace education for international understanding, international relief and development, hospitality to foreign students and visitors, and participation in meetings of an international nature.

 

The concern of the Bishops of the world for the involvement of the laity in international affairs is set forth in the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, Chapter III, and the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Chapters IV and V.

 

These sections of both documents leave no doubt about the effort which is expected of mature Christians today to assure the human dignity of every creature through equal opportunity, and hopefully to secure the peace.

 

Specifically called for in the above documents are: Peace, education for international under­standing, relief, and development, international contacts, and participation in international meetings.

 

Our Diocesan program for this commission covers aid to the needy at home and around the world.  We can respond through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to the special needs of children for prompt protection and relief in times of disaster.

 

For practical and immediate action, let us use the WORKS OF PEACE program:

 

• HELP-A-CHILD
• MADONNA PLAN
• CHILD-IN-NEED
• WATER FOR LIFE
• REFUGEE WOMEN EMERGENCY FUND

 Choose a specific area which you wish to help, such as India, Korea, Vietnam, Biafra, our Sister Diocese, or a country in Latin America.

 

Many foreign college and university students attend schools in the Diocese.  Plan a program of hospitality for foreign students. Obtain names of such students from the Foreign Student Advisor or Newman Club Chaplain.  Located in the Diocese are

 

• Florida Southern College at Lakeland;
• Rollins College, Winter Park;
• Stetson University, Deland;
• Webber College, Babson Park;
• University of Central Florida, Orlando;
• FIT, Melbourne;
• Bethune-Cookman, Daytona Beach
• Various local Junior Colleges.

 

Peace and Human Rights are closely connected.  Encourage study groups to stimulate interest in solving the problems of our day, to bring their best efforts to a world which, more than ever before, needs the loving and intelligent service of each human being.

 

The opportunities of the International Concerns Commission are great, and the creation of the brotherhood of man is urgent.  It is the responsibility of all Christians to meet the need.

 

International Concerns Commission Team:

Helen Sambuca, Chair, rsambuca@cfl.rr.com

Valerie Callan, queeny64@aol.com

Dale Glotzbach, kdaleglo@juno.com

Winkie LeFils, dmlefils@bellsouth.net

Gail Smith, gsmith044@earthlink.net

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