Focus Text: Isaiah 55:10-13

For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Pastoral Reflection: “This Land is Home to Me” by the Catholic Committee on Appalachia

It's strange, for instance, that despite earlier reforms, a country which took such richness from Appalachia left so little for the people.  Great fortunes were built on the exploitation of Appalachian workers and Appalachian resources; yet the land was left without revenues to care for its social needs, like education, welfare, old age, and illness.

Key Fact

The NC General Assembly considers 23 of the 25 Western NC counties to be rural counties.  Rural counties in NC have a child poverty rate of 18.5%, and 11.3% of individuals in rural counties receive food stamps.  32% of people in rural counties have a high school diploma, and only 15% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.