News Insights
Image and build hapiness
We do not know if this is the end of history or just the end of this history. Today, it seems that the “no future” stories that underpinned—especially in the 1960s—the emergence of postmodernity have come true because humanity is living through a moment of convulsions, uncertainty, and changes. We still do not know if we live in an era of change or a change of era.
Giving thanks challenges us all
Every year at this time, the men and women who live in this Nation and the Americans living outside these borders prepare for the celebration of THANKSGIVING DAY. Thanksgiving is a national and family holiday that commemorates and traces its historical roots to the meeting that took place, in Plymouth (Massachusetts) around 1621, between the first pilgrims or colonists to come to these landsfrom England and the original natives of this Nation, the Wampanoag, in which they shared food and gave thanks for their crops. Today, four hundred years later, we continue to celebrate this meeting, joining together to give thanks for all the good fortune we have received during the year. Around our tables, we share a family banquet that has turkey as the main dish.
República Dominicana: Iglesia presenta documental sobre Ramón Pané
Como miembro de la Iglesia Católica, como laico comprometido con las causas por la misión de la Iglesia en el Mundo y como discípulo convencido de Jesús de Nazaret, estoy muy contento de poder apoyar iniciativas que contribuyan a los esfuerzos de la tarea evangelizadora de la Iglesia, especialmente en América Latina, siempre en la búsqueda de la construcción de un mundo más justo, más humano, según lo valores del Evangelio.
Me inspira, me seduce y me compromete, de manera especial, el Jesús que los evangelios presentan curando, sanando, liberando, salvando y conduciendo a los seres humanos a la felicidad, a la vida plena y abundante, mediante el mandamiento nuevo del amor, en el reconocimiento de que todos somos hermanos, hijos del mismo Padre.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every October, we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Excluding skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. It is estimated that in 2020, approximately 30% of all new women cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States as well as many countries paused their breast cancer screening programs, it is crucial that all women who would have been screened during the pandemic, do not miss out as it is still not too late.
National childhood obesity awareness month
SOMOS Community Care works with parents and community-based organizations, so every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and active. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, which is a good moment to remember that childhood obesity is a serious public health problem that about one in five children (19%) in the U.S. faces.
Obesity puts kids at a higher risk of having many serious health conditions, including asthma, sleep apnea, bone, and joint problems, and type 2 diabetes. Obese children may also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, putting them at risk for heart disease. In addition to these issues, overweight children may face bullying, which can lead to social isolation, depression, and lower self-esteem.
Brothers and sisters all: Let's build hope!
On October 3, 2020, on the eve of the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi and in the eighth year of his Pontificate, Pope Francis presented, to the Catholic faithful of the entire world and all men and women of good will, his third Encyclical Letter on FRATERNITY AND SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP, with the title “FRATELLI TUTTI” (Brothers and Sisters All), words so often spoken by the "Poverello" of Assisi.
With these two words, the title of the encyclical, Pope Francis, like Francis of Assisi, calls for a “fraternal openness that allows us to acknowledge, appreciate and love each person, regardless of physical proximity, regardless of where he or she was born or lives.” (1)
On the power of scripture in the healing of trauma
THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE is the most common trauma suffered by Americans, followed by the betrayal by a trusted person, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse, a new study commissioned by the American Bible Society (ABS) found. Add to this the society-wide coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing crisis sparked by racial inequality; and, not to forget, unemployment and poverty, all in the run-up to a bitterly contested election. The country is traumatized, as is the whole world, of course.
Hoping for better times
Annually since 1968, by the proclamation of the United States government and in recognition of the massive and rich presence of Hispanic/Latino men and women coming to—and living in—the United States, we celebrate HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH during this time of year.
This is a celebration that commemorates, coincides, and integrates with the dates when Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile won their independence.
Vatican body calls for an ethical, moral transformation in the battle against COVID-19
FUNDAMENTALLY, every document produced by the Vatican is addressed to all of humanity, but in matters of faith, of course, Catholics are the prime audience. A new set of reflections on the coronavirus, however, published by the Pontifical Academy for Life, targets explicitly all members of the global human family, the humana communitas.
In praise of the ‘Hispanic Paradox’
IT IS CALLED the “Hispanic Paradox” or the “Epidemiological Paradox”—the findings that show that Hispanics, despite greater poverty, discrimination, and lack of education, live longer than non-Hispanic Whites or African Americans. Hispanic life expectancy stands at 81.8 years, compared to 78.5 years for white Americans and 74.9 years for blacks. There also is evidence that Hispanics are less likely to commit suicide or die from drug overdoses. Hispanics do better than whites when it comes to lung cancer mortality, childhood asthma development, and breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cancer in general.
A single race
These days, the people of the United States continue their march amidst the headlines, the tension, and the protests surrounding the murder by asphyxiation —as determined by the autopsy— of George Floyd, an African-American man, at the hands of four police officers led by Derek Chauvin. This tragedy has even overshadowed news of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has already infected and killed thousands of people across this nation.