Catholic Social Action Office
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
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Greetings all!
As summer moves to a close, we reflect back on the challenges we've faced and very much continue to face.
The struggle continues for racial justice and equity, the global pandemic and economic troubles rage on, school and work remain uncertain, and it's an election year! The work is indeed plentiful, and mercifully we march on towards justice together. Please know that we continue to pray and support you, and we humbly ask that you continue to pray for us too.
If there's anything that we can do to support the work happening in your community, please let us know. We're trying to be more present to deaneries, parishes, schools, and neighborhoods, and we'd love to (re)connect w/ you and work to build up God's kingdom of peace, justice, and kinship.
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We will continue to send out
Regional Updates
with time-sensitive reminders as well as
Action Alerts
encouraging everyone to bring their voice and power to bear on important issues and COVID-19 Information as it becomes available.
We wish you a wonderful start to August. And - as always - we look forward to seeing you soon as we continue to stand up for justice, compassion, and equity.
Peace,
Becky, Sara, Tammie, Sr. Christine, & Andrew
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Your Prayer Can Change the World
Now, more than ever, the world needs Christians united in prayer. What might happen if every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati would pray just one minute more than they already do, every day, for the specific intention of peace, justice, and goodwill? There's no better time to start this life-changing habit.
August 1 (Feast of St. Peter in Chains) through January 1 (World Day of Peace)
450K Catholics | 1 minute of Daily Prayer | 1 million Hours of Prayer
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Open Wide Our Hearts
Listening Sessions on Race in the Church
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Anti-Racism Task Force invites you to join us for a listening session. We will have two people - one a person of color and one a white person - share their testimonials, and there will be facilitated time for reflection after each. There are limited spots so we encourage you to sign up soon.
There will be two sessions offered in August. Please only sign up for one so that others can also participate.
Aug 11, 2020 07:00 PM EST
Register in advance for this meeting:
Aug 16, 2020 02:00 PM EST
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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On a related note, to view a recent OpEd our Anti-Racism Task Force penned, please
click here.
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For this election season, we are offering a seven-week discernment toolkit for parishes and families leading up to election day. We'll delve into one of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching each week and help root you in a useful stance to sort out your questions and sift through the noise swirling around. We'll explore how we can use the themes to form our consciences and determine for whom and what we will vote. This is not voting Democratic or Replublican...this is voting Catholic!
This initiative will begin on September 13th. The website will launch on August 10.
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Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate
As Catholics, we have a long tradition of engagement in the political process as a means of putting our faith into action. We are called to bring the best of ourselves and our faith to the public square.
When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins. As Catholics, we must model a better way. We invite you to join the Civilize It campaign to promote civility, love our neighbors, and build community.
Civilize It
is about making room in your heart for those with whom you disagree. We are called to recognize that each one of us is a beloved child of God and to respond in love to that reality. Civilize It is a non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even when we disagree, and to put faith in action by bearing witness to a better way forward.
Check out the website here.
If you'd like to schedule a presentation (virtual or in-person) for your parish, school, or community, contact
Andrew Musgrave
. Presentations can also include a discussion on Forming Consciences on Faithful Citizenship, a presentation by the League of Women Voters on how to vote, or some work on dialogue before and after the election.
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A Mask is a Sign of Solidarity
Please know - we VERY STRONGLY encourage you to follow the guidelines set out by the
CDC, the
Archdiocese
, and
state public health officials. We also encourage to think about those who are less privileged and more vulnerable and consider how you can be in solidarity with them, treating them as your sisters and brothers in Christ.
Wearing a face mask is an act of solidarity. In doing so we protect those around us.
Support ongoing work of the Ignatian Solidarity Network to mobilize the Ignatian family to work for justice, with the purchase of a mask.
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The Dismas Journey
The Dismas Task Force strives to support returning citizens and journey with them as they return successfully to society. In order to tell their stories, we have created the Dismas Journey
which shares both the challenges faced by returning citizen and the joy that comes from building bridges of solidarity between returning citizens and the community through service and advocacy.
We invite parish and community leaders to bring the full presentation to your parish, school, organization, or community.
To set up a presentation or ask any questions, please contact Andrew Musgrave.
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Laudato Si' Communities
2020 Recognition Event
On Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2:00pm we will gather virtually to celebrate the newest Laudato Si' Communities. As we did in 2018 and 2019, we gather to honor the Catholic parishes, schools, and communities who have made the wonderful effort to commit their properties and their constituents to caring for all of God's creation in meaningful, impactful, and long-term ways.
All are welcome to join - we will pray, sing, and celebrate, and we will highlight the exciting initiatives of these Catholic institutions.
Here is the
link for the Zoom meeting, and look for more information in next month's newsletter.
Praise be to you, God!
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United States Census 2020
Help the state of Ohio for the next 10 years - right from the comfort of your couch! Respond to the Census online, by mail or over the phone today!
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Praying in Solidarity
Join us
Mondays
at
11:00 AM for our Praying in Solidarity weekly prayer. This is a joint effort with Catholic Charities of SW Ohio, and it will be hosted on their
Facebook page. You will hear prayer intentions delivered by CSA and CCSWOH staff for those whom we serve and empower and with whom we fight for justice. If you'd like to add a prayer intention, please
click here or send an email to
[email protected]. We'd love to pray with and for you.
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Resources, Ideas, and online events
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Advocacy
Dreamer Advocacy Next Steps
To advocate for a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers, Justice for Immigrants has launched an action alert to encourage Senators to co-sponsor and support S. 874, the DREAM Act, and asking Senators to introduce and co-sponsor a companion bill to H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act. Please sign the
action alert today!
CRS: Lead the Way to Help Children Thrive
Our faith tells us nothing is impossible with God-including ending global poverty, hunger, displacement and injustice. Our faith tells us that everyone - man, woman and child - deserves the opportunity to not just survive, but thrive. Our faith tells us that when we take action and work together in God's name, we're able to create real and lasting results.
What is your faith telling you? Will you take action and
lead the way to a more just and peaceful world?
End the Federal Death Penalty
Rep. Ayanna Pressley has introduced
H.R. 4052
, legislation to abolish the federal death penalty. (
Read more here
.) Please join us in asking congress to support the bill by signing this petition and encouraging Congress to speak out against the upcoming federal executions in July and August of 2020.
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Andrew Musgrave - Cincinnati
Sara Seligmann - Dayton
Becky Kunkler - Northern Area
Sr. Christine Pratt - Eastern Area
Tammie Mers - Administrative Assistant
Catholic Social Action Office
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
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