Five Things to Remember August 2

1. Pope Francis wrote to the world's Muslims at end of Ramadan, their month-long fast, as a sign of his "esteem and friendship." His message, released Aug. 2, focused on the need for Catholics and Muslims to promote respect for one another, especially through the way they educate their youth. Catholics and Muslims must respect "the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values," he said. "Particular respect is due to religious leaders and to places of worship. How painful are attacks on one or other of these!" Most Muslims around the world will begin their Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of their 30-day fast Aug. 7 or 8.

2. Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, Chairman, Chair of the U.S. bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, will address the rising economic inequality in the soon to be released annual Labor Day statement. "The pain of the poor and those becoming poor in the rising economic inequality of our society is mounting," the statement noted. "Therefore, on this Labor Day 2013, let us renew our commitment to promote the dignity of the human person through work that is honorable, pays just wages, and recognizes the God-given dignity of the working person."

3. The long lasting effects of student debt are highlighted in a study from Demos. "The $1 trillion in debt that faces an entire generation of students means a drag on the economy and an obstacle on what remains the surest path to the middle class. But what is the long term effect of student debt?" Demos, a public policy organization, asks. Demos Policy Analyst Robert Hiltonsmith's projects that "a household with the current average student debt burden will lose nearly $208,000 over a lifetime, two-thirds from lack of retirement savings and one-third from a decrease in home equity. As a result, the $1 trillion total student debt currently outstanding will yield $4 trillion in lost assets overall."

4. Archivist Alert. Catholic Archives in the Digital Age: A Conference for Reporters, Archivists, and Scholars will be held October 9, The Catholic University of America. The event is being sponsored by CUA's Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies, the University of Notre Dame: Office of the President, Hesburgh Libraries and University Archives; and CUA's Department of Library and Information Science. Bishop John C. Wester, chair of the USCCB Committee on Communications, will deliver the luncheon keynote address. No charge for the event, but registration closes on September 20. Registration and more information is online at the conference website. The event also will be live-streamed. Further info on the conference website.  http://iprcua.com

5. God loves you.