2019

Michigan Catholic Conference offers print copies of Focus free-of-charge in any amount. To order, please email Karah May or call (517) 372-9310.

    Advocacy on Behalf of Those in Need

    Front cover of FOCUS essay “Advocacy on Behalf of Those in Need”

    MCC’s advocacy agenda places a heavy emphasis on supporting policies that positively impact vulnerable persons and others in need. From protecting the Children’s Clothing Allowance to expanding Medicaid coverage, to weatherization assistance and prioritizing marriage in state assistance programs, MCC is an advocate for the poor and vulnerable. This edition of FOCUS touches on these subjects while highlighting the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers.

    Catholic Charities—Uniting Children with Loving Families

    Front page of MCC's Focus Essay for August 2019: Catholic Charities—Uniting Children with Loving Families

    For decades, Catholic agencies have partnered with the State of Michigan to place children in loving homes. Despite their exemplary work in this area, governments and other hostile organizations have sought to push Catholic adoption and foster care programs—in Michigan and across the country—out of the public realm. MCC’s latest FOCUS publication delves into current religious freedom challenges for these agencies and ways the Catholic Church is responding.

    Clean and Affordable Water for All

    Front cover of FOCUS for May 2019: Clean and Affordable Water for All

    Water is an essential resource within the Great Lakes State, impacting so many aspects of life: cleaning, growing and cooking food, transportation, entertainment, and especially, nourishment. The latest FOCUS publication, “Clean and Affordable Water for All,” details the importance of water safety, affordability, and accessibility for each Michigander, as well as the Church’s insights from the Gospel teaching to “give drink to the thirsty.”

    A Blueprint for the Common Good: 2019–2020 Advocacy Principles

    Front cover of FOCUS for January 2019: A Blueprint for the Common Good

    The Catholic Church calls for engagement in society, including in politics, to create a better world. At the state level, MCC actively engages in the public policy process on behalf of the Church, seeking policies that recognize the inherent value of every person and promote the common good. In its January FOCUS, MCC outlines the ten guiding principles that will guide staff advocacy throughout the 2019–2020 Michigan legislative session.