How much of a role does faith play in your life? Does it guide your decisions and morals? On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Sacred Heart University (SHU) invited Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro as part of the colloquia series to discuss how her Catholic faith plays a role in her occupational decisions.
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D) speaks at Sacred Heart University about her Catholic faiths role in her life.
| Alex De La Taja, Staff Writer and Photographer |
DeLauro represents Connecticut’s Third Congressional District in Connecticut, from the New Haven area to Waterbury. She said her early life was surrounded by both faith and politics.
“I was raised by immigrant parents in the heart of the Italian-American community. I watched my parents use the church’s teachings to guide their community work,” said DeLauro. “My mother was the longest-serving member of the city council in New Haven.”
One of the most formative parts of her childhood was getting a Catholic education. DeLauro attended Our Lady of Mercy Laurelton Hall and Marymount College.
This gave her a strong sense of community and how she would approach the rest of her life, and she was motivated to succeed by a specific moment with the principal of Laurelton Hall.
“I will never forget Sister Natalie. We were all talking about college and what we were going to try to do, and she said, ‘Rosa, I don’t think you’re ever going to go to college, and I don’t know that you will amount to much,’” said DeLauro. “I think her saying that to me was the impetus for me to say, ‘Not on your life, not true. I am going to succeed.’”
As a Congresswoman, DeLauro stresses that her faith has led her to stand up for the lowly in society. “My Catholic faith is guaranteed, as I have fought for the working class and the vulnerable,” said DeLauro. “I have tried to center the moral principles of Catholic social teaching and the belief that government must serve the common good.”
According to her official website, delauro.house.gov, “We, Catholic Democrats, believe the Church as a community is called to be in the vanguard of creating a more just America and world. The fundamental tenets of our Catholic faith—social justice, conscience and religious freedom—compel us to defend a woman’s right to access abortion.”
Dr. Elizabeth Luoma is the Executive Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning. She attended DeLauro’s talk and found it important for students to hear.
“It goes without saying that we are living in a time of polarized political discourse and divisive rhetoric,” said Luoma. “Across our identities and political parties here at Sacred Heart, we can ask ourselves the same question. How do our religious traditions or values inform how we speak, act and advocate?”
Senior political science major Jack Marzi expressed the importance of engaging with lawmakers in an opportunity like this.
“There is something valuable from learning about why they do what they do, their motivation to serve others and the lessons they can teach us,” said Marzi. “It takes civil discourse and an open mind to fully grasp the issues that affect our communities daily.”
DeLauro’s talk even drew in religious faculty from Sacred Heart. Sr. Joan Mahoney is a part-time Catholic chaplain on campus, who found her story inspiring.
“I was inspired by her living the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church so concretely in her work as a U.S. Congresswoman,” said Mahoney. “She puts the needs of those
struggling with the cost of living, with putting food on the table, immigrants fearing being picked up by ICE front and center in her seeking legislative justice for our country.”
DeLauro continues to represent Connecticut with one common goal in mind: the common good for Americans.
“It is our view that the government and society have a moral obligation to help individuals and families meet basic human needs, provide economic opportunities and level the playing field,” said DeLauro. “As for Catholic Democrats, we want an economy that works for all Americans and helps people get ahead.”
