Lenten opportunities to live out your faith in action.
Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus

I nformation and Response NETWORK 
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Office for Social Concerns

Opportunities to live out your faith in action.
Lenten Journey for Families.  The diocesan offices for Social Concerns and Marriage and Family Life have teamed up to provide a Lenten journey for families: three ways to grow together – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
CRS Rice Bowl
Encounter Lent

CRS Rice Bowl   is a Lenten faith formation program to ensure that the Catholic community of the United States is present in over 100 countries worldwide, serving the poorest among us through Catholic Relief Services. Please use your CRS Rice Bowl during Lent and make a difference. For details, visit www.crsricebowl.org or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at 614-241-2540 or  socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org .  
40 Days for Life
March 6 to April 14, 2019  

40 Days for Life is March 6 to April 17. Faithful believers are praying that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America. This peaceful prayer vigil will take place at an abortion facility in Columbus. Participants are asked to volunteer for one-hour shifts and sign a statement of peace. For details and to sign up for a time, visit www.gcrtl.org/40-days-for-life.html or call 614-445-8508.
  
Need a retreat?

Lighten Your Load, Brighten Your Light Retreat
March 9, 2019 

A day of self-care and healing, Saturday, March 9, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Martin de Porres Center, Columbus. Grounded in gratitude and humility, this day seeks to return the patience, compassion and love you give out, back on yourself. As caregivers, first responders, crisis counselors and volunteers, and ministry leaders, taking the time for self-care is vitally important to your resiliency and renewal, which ultimately influences your capacity to serve and lead. We invite you to retreat and reignite through your passion, faith, and community. Free-will offering is appreciated; registration is required due limited space and lunch is provided. To Register, visit  www.tinyurl.com/DHTF-register . For more information contact Andrea Pannell, at 614.241.2550 or email at apannell@columbuscatholic.org . Sponsored by the diocesan Hope Task Force. 
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

All persons with disabilities have gifts to contribute to the whole Church. Embrace. Welcome. Participate. For resources available to individuals, families, and parishes to work towards the goal of full participation, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities   Flyer:   English Spanish


Sacraments for Persons with Disabilities
For Parents, Teachers, Parish Staff 
March 13, 2019 

Featuring Esther Garcia of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and Andrew Burson of the diocesan Office for Divine Worship. Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Church, 6077 Sharon Woods Blvd., Columbus. Join us for a conversation with parents, catechists, teachers, parish staff, and clergy about preparation and the celebration of the sacraments for persons with disabilities. Offered in English and Spanish. This is a free event but RSVP is appreciated. For details and to register visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities . For questions, contact lleister@columbuscatholic.org .   FLYER:   ENGLISH    |   SPANISH
  Sacraments for Persons with Disabilities
Day Session for Clergy and Parish Leaders
March 14, 2019  

Featuring Esther Garcia of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and Andrew Burson of the diocesan Office for Divine Worship. Thursday, March 14, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westerville, 313 N. State Street, Westerville. This event will focus on the practical application of sacramental preparation of persons with disabilities, networking, and group discussion on best practices. Spanish translation is available. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. For details and to register, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities . For questions, contact lleister@columbuscatholic.org .   FLYER:   ENGLISH  |   SPANISH    
Theology on Tap
The Church's Response to the Opiate Addiction Epidemic
March 14, 2019

Jerry Freewalt, director of the diocesan Office for Social Concerns will speak at Theology on Tap, Thursday, March 14, 2019, at 7 to 9 p.m., El Vauquero Mexican Restaurant, 3230 Olentangy River Road, Columbus. Learn about what the Catholic Diocese of Columbus has responded to this epidemic and ways you can be a part of fostering hope, prevention, and healing. For details visit TAP's Facebook Page.

LEAF Ministry
2nd Sundays each Month

LEAF (Listening, Encouraging and Assisting Families of the Incarcerated) is a resource and referral ministry that offers a community of compassion, caring, and support to families and loved ones of the incarcerated, irrespective of faith affiliation. Meetings are the 2nd Sunday of each month. Locations: St. John Neumann Church in Sunbury at 4 p.m. in the Faith & Family Center (classroom 9). Corpus Cristi Church in Columbus at 2 p.m. For details, visit https://www.svdpcolumbus.org/leaf_ministry .
Unplanned
In theaters March 29

The film Unplanned is now scheduled for release on Friday, March 29. The film tells the story of a Planned Parenthood abortion director and former Employee of the Year, Abby Johnson, who left Planned Parenthood to become a pro-life advocate. However widespread the film's distribution, it may create opportunities to highlight the proclamation of the Gospel of Life, as well as creating opportunities for dialogue and fruitful conversations. Viewers from a variety of walks of life may have varying responses to a film like Unplanned . Some viewers may be inspired to rededicate themselves even more to pro-life efforts, while some who have been involved in an abortion may respond by pushing their hurt further down, or potentially experiencing re-traumatization. Please know Lent is an important time for the message of forgiveness, hope, and healing for those involved in an abortion and there is help such as through Project Rachel and Bethesda Healing Ministry. Locally, Greater Columbus Right to Life is working on a showing of Unplanned on March 28. Details to come.
Bishop Robert J. Brennan

Pope Francis Appoints Robert J. Brennan as 12th Bishop of Columbus. Installation is Friday, March 29, 2019, at St. Joseph Cathedral, Columbus.

Good Friday Walking Stations of the Cross
April 19, 2019 

Many facets of faith and justice will be the focus of the annual Good Friday Walking Stations of the Cross. The walk begins with opening prayer at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St., Columbus, at 8 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2019. Hundreds of participants from across the diocese will process to locations throughout downtown Columbus to recognize Jesus Christ’s suffering and crucifixion as well as to reflect on current areas of social concern. Open to all ages. For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at (614) 241-2565. 

Autism Mythbusters
Autism Awareness Month
April 24, 2019 

Wednesday, April 24, 2019, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Martin de Porres Center, 2330 Airport Dr, Columbus, will be hosting an Autism Awareness Month program called “Autism Mythbusters”. ( https://www.facebook.com/events/368759150619582/ ) The program will help identify many misconceptions people have about Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the Autism Society of Central Ohio. It is part of the center’s month-long observation AAM19 along with some art shows ( https://www.facebook.com/events/543110186189385/ ) . 
Advocacy News
Put your faith into action.
You can make a difference.
A clean heart create for me, God:
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Psalm 51:12
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Jerry Freewalt
Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
197 E. Gay Street
Columbus, Ohio  43215
614-241-2540
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The Office for Social Concerns is the central diocesan resource for Catholic Social Teaching, reaching out through prayer, education, service, and advocacy.  
A clean heart create for me, God:
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Psalm 51:12