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

I nformation and Response NETWORK 
Latest Updates
Office for Social Concerns

Opportunities to live out your faith in action.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The diocese developed a bulletin insert with a message calling on Catholics to bring hope and comfort to those struggling with mental illness, and includes statistics, resources, and a prayer.  For resources, visit  www.columbuscatholic.org/mental-health .   Information Flyer:   English  |  Spanish


The Pro-Life Doc
Greater Columbus Right to Life
June 10, 2019

Greater Columbus Right to Life will hold a benefit on Monday, June 10, 2019, at Villa Milano, Columbus. Featured speaker is Dr. William Lile, known as the Pro-Life Doc. Dr. Lile has always had a passion for educating the church about the personhood of the unborn. His expertise in the medical filed couple with his bold faith has informed his entire career. For details and registration, CLICK HERE.


Diocesan Senior Citizens Celebration
June 18, 2019

Diocesan Senior Citizens Celebration is Tuesday, June 18, 2019, at St. Mary Church, 61 S. Paint Street, Chillicothe.  Bishop Robert J. Brennan will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. Mass will be followed by a luncheon. This annual event is a great opportunity of prayer, food, and fellowship with senior citizens from the 23-county Catholic Diocese of Columbus. Registration for the celebration is $15. To register, please send a check payable to the Office for Social Concerns, Catholic Diocese of Columbus, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. For more information, call 614-241-2540 or email us at socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org .    Registrations are requested by June 13.   Flyer/Bulletin Insert


Equipping the Church:
An Introduction to Trauma Informed Care
Saturday, June 22, 2019
 
Mt. Carmel Church Partnerships is hosting a training on Trauma Informed Care which can help in the response to addiction and mental health issues. Please equip your family and parish community with this knowledge. Sponsored by Mount Carmel Church Partnerships. June 22 Training Flyer
 


LEAF
Listening, Encouraging and Assisting Families of the Incarcerated

LEAF is a ministry supporting families and loved ones of the incarcerated, irrespective of faith affiliation. Meetings are the 2nd Sunday of each month. Locations: St. John Neumann Church, 9633 E, OH-37, Sunbury at 4 p.m. in the Faith & Family Center (classroom 9). Corpus Christi Church, 1111 Stewart Ave, Columbus at 2 p.m. For details, visit www.svdpcolumbus.org/leaf_ministry .   If your parish is interested in starting a LEAF ministry, please contact the Office for Social Concerns at 614-241-2540 or socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org .

 
Death Penalty Speakers

Ohioans to Stop Executions is offering speakers for parish presentations. Speakers include exonerated death row inmates, murder victim family members opposed to the death penalty, and OTSE staff. A connection to Catholic teaching on the death penalty is part of the program. If interested, please contact Jerry Freewalt of the Office for Social Concerns at 614-241-2540 or jfreewalt@columbuscatholic.org .  


Building a Culture of Life Conference
Save the Date
October 19, 2019

Save the date for our upcoming Building a Culture of Life Conference to be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019, at St. John Neumann Church, Sunbury. We are lining up great speakers including our new bishop, Bishop Robert Brennan! Schedule and registrations information will come out in the summer. Hope you can join us for this life-affirming and inspirational day.
CRS Rice Bowl
Local Funds Grants

25% percent of CRS Rice Bowl funds collected by the diocese can be applied for local programs for smaller soup kitchens and pantries that are supported by our diocesan Catholic community. Grant requests should be $200 to $2,000 range. Grant applications for due Monday, June 17. For a grant application, see below or contact Erin Cordle, diocesan CRS director, at 614-241-2540 or socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org.
Advocacy News
Put your faith into action.
You can make a difference.
Catholic Conference of Ohio
Addresses Numerous Legislative Issues

Seeks to Protect and Enhance the Dignity and Rights of All People
from Conception through Natural Death

In the Ohio General Assembly, the Catholic Conference of Ohio is addressing issues related to:

  • Life
  • Human Trafficking
  • Criminal Justice
  • Immigration
  • Gun Violence
  • Education
  • Care for Creation

Contact your State Representative and Senator today. See the CCO Legislative Issues Backgrounder for details.

Ohio Budget Advocacy

The Ohio House Passed budget bill received strong bipartisan support but there is still work to do. Your advocacy is very important right now. Please contact your Ohio Senator today and voice our concerns today!

Support Families of Multi-System Youth

Multi-System Youth are children and youth with complex behavioral, physical and developmental needs that cannot be met by a single government or community agency or siloed system of care. We support House language that calls for an action plan to implement the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Multi-System Youth. In addition, we support establishing a dedicated fund within the Family and Children First Council of $6 M/$12 M over the biennium. This will provide the flexible funding needed to implement the recommendations of the Legislative Committee.

Loving parents are advocating that child custody relinquishment in order to access necessary services for their child is breaking the family bond. There has to be a better way to access funding for the necessary treatment for their children. 
Immigration Reform
USCCB


President of U.S. Bishops and Chairman of Migration Issue Statement on President's Proposed Immigration Reform Plan. The Bishops oppose proposals that seek to curtail family-based immigration and create a largely "merit-based" immigration system.

Also, the Several of the Dominican Sisters of Peace spent time in El Paso working with the immigrants there recently. They would be very happy to share our experiences. If you know of any groups who would be interested, please contact Sr. Barbara Kane, O.P. at 614-416-1047. Catholic Social Services has also spent time working with immigrants at the border as well and are willing to share their story. If interested contact 614-221-5891.
USCCB also issued a letter in support of the DREAM Act of 2019, the American Promise Act of 2019, and the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019. Please contact your members of Congress today and echo the Church's concern to welcome the stranger.
Advocacy, Upcoming Events, Resources

For online resources, visit our website at

Sent by
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