The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) announced January 19 the awarding of more than half a million dollars in special grants to groups assisting low-income victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on rebuilding their lives and communities. Disbursal of the $515,000 follows a separate allocation of $150,000 provided in late September in hurricane relief by the 35-year-old CCHD, one of America's largest private funders of anti-poverty programs controlled by the poor themselves. The half-million-plus allocation likewise comes atop the nearly $9 million CCHD awarded, also in September, as part of its annual grant cycle assisting local projects that attack the root causes of poverty. The newest CCHD grants were announced by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, N.Y., chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on CCHD. The poor "need a place at the table as the Gulf Coast plans to rebuild," Bishop Hubbard stated. "There is much work to be done and we need to listen carefully to their voices and see clearly their needs."

“Bringing Good News to a Broken World,” the 2006 Catholic Social Ministry Gathering will be held February 10-15 in Washington, DC. This annual gathering brings together social justice ministry leadership from national Catholic organizations and offices, dioceses, and parishes throughout the nation. Held in the nation’s capital, the meeting includes inspiring prayer, celebrations, challenging speakers, and social ministry strategy sessions. In addition, participants receive detailed briefings on priority peace and justice issues especially as they affect the poor and vulnerable. Social mission leaders come together to carry a common Catholic message to Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill.

Chronicles of the life and challenges of Mother Angelica, founder of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) is now available in book form. The book is entitled: “Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles.” Author, Raymond Arroyo, anchorman of the EWTN news program “The World Over,” invites the reader to admire Mother Angelica’s unfailing store of humor, feistiness and faith in the power of God. The biography has been reviewed as being inspiring, entertaining, and a fast read that is difficult to put down.