The Work Has Just Begun

With the long-awaited Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs case, we find ourselves now needing to figure out how to much better address the critical needs of pregnant women, children, and new families.

From the Catholic Conference of Ohio’s recent statement:

Pope St. John Paul II noted in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) that challenges facing expectant mothers include lack of support from the father, financial strains, concerns about her own health and that of her child, and pressures from family and friends. The many social service ministries of and associated with the Catholic Church – including pregnancy care centers, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul conferences, Catholic healthcare systems, and Catholic parishes – stand ready to support expectant mothers in difficult circumstances, both during pregnancy and after their child is born. This commitment is consistent with Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) in which he calls for the Church to be an evangelizing community of encounter and accompaniment, “standing by people every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be” (EG 24).

[We must] (r)ecognize the sanctity and dignity of human life in all its phases through programs and/or legislative advocacy to assist refugees and overcome the death penalty, euthanasia, racism, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, climate change, and gun violence.

The time is now to dramatically improve access to prenatal care, paid maternal and paternal leave, childcare support, an expanded child tax credit, educational and transportation needs, and beyond.

We pray that God guides us to continue (and increase!) our work to care for all life, from the moment of conception until the last natural breath, caring especially for the poor, vulnerable, marginalized, and forgotten.

Breaking Open the Sin of Racism

Engage your community in dialogue

The 8-part video series and discussion guide were prepared for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for use by organizations in a 4-part workshop. The videos feature presentations by scholars and professionals at the University of Dayton. The series begins with a macro global and historical examination of race and racism, and progresses to a micro examination of the interpersonal impact of race and racism. Check out the Breaking Open the Sin of Racism site to see how your parish, school, or organization can host workshops.

Questions? Contact Sara Seligmann |  513-546-3143

Anti-Racism Certification Class

Greater Dayton Christian Connections is offering its' second Anti-Racism Congregant Certification class. Classes will begin on Monday, July 25th and end on Friday, September 9, 2022. Classes meet by Zoom on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 7pm-8pm. This class is designed to teach you how to be anti-racist and take your learnings to help change your community for the betterment of Dayton. Classes are $99.00 for the entire 7-week course and are limited to 10 people. Enroll today by emailing your interest to drcrystal1@yahoo.com. 

Laudato Si’ Action Platform

In May last year the Vatican launched the 7-year Laudato Si’ Action Platform (laudatosiactionplatform.org). Archbishop Schnurr has announced that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be joining the platform as an official partner.

As a reminder, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform focuses on seven sectors: families, parishes, schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, and religious orders. It has seven goals: the response to the cry of the earth, the response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of simple lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community involvement.

Our Care for Creation Task Force is looking for people to join the ad hoc committees we're forming (one for each of the seven constituencies: families, parishes, schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, and religious orders) to promulgate these ideas. If you're interested in joining this effort (or know someone who might be), please contact Andrew.



A Mighty Stream

EquaSion, the parent organization of the Festival of Faiths, has launched a new interfaith educational and action initiative to address racism. It is called 'A Mighty Stream' and the Social Action has signed on as one of the initial partners. You can click here to learn more, and if your parish is interested in joining this wonderful effort, please let Andrew know.



2022 Rural-Urban Farm Mass

This year's mass will be held at the farm of Tony & Tammy Heitbrink at 1090 Minster Egypt Pike near St. Joseph Church on Thursday July 21st at 7:00 PM. All are welcome. As part of the celebration, the St. Mary and Sidney Deaneries Catholic Rural Life Committee would like to recognize Catholic families who have farmed and nurtured the same land for 100 years or more. This recognition, the Century Farm Awards, has been proudly celebrated for many years, and we look forward to continuing the tradition. If you have any questions or nominations, please contact Sara Seligman. 

From the Respect Life Office

A Post-Roe State

With the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case, we find ourselves in a state where abortion is much more restricted than it has been for nearly 50 years. While, on the one hand, this is a day for which many of us have been praying for virtually all of our lives, it is also a day we may not be as prepared for as we thought. While legal abortion is thankfully much more difficult to obtain, the plight of women in difficult or crisis pregnancies continues. It is a critical time to show the world that we are pro-life not only in word but also in action. We must commit ourselves to be a society that cares for women, children, and families, such that no one ever feels like the life of one’s own child could become a necessary choice.

Here are some ideas on how we can help prepare for a post-Roe state:

• Keep abreast of current legislation in our state, such as the Human Life Protection Act. In addition, contact your local senator and representative to encourage them to vote for life, as well as other services that support families and those in need.
• Share the new websites created by the Archdiocese to share the many resources already available:
• To learn about the various resources already available through the Church and her partners, check out this website: https://catholicaoc.org/forlife.
• You can also find information about the wonderful, USCCB-led program, Walking with Moms in Need, at https://resources.catholicaoc.org/walkingwithmoms.
• Learn about where the existing service agencies nearest your parish are, including pregnancy care centers, maternity homes, and social service agencies so that you can quickly and easily refer someone in need. It isn’t always simply about helping a mom choose life, but helping them to continue to care for the children they already have
• Learn more about Project Rachel, our post-abortive healing ministry, and encourage widespread awareness through bulletin, pulpit, and social media announcements

For more on what the U.S. Bishops have to say about the matter, see their recently issued statement, Standing with Moms in Need, that helps give us more direction. May we all renew our commitment to creating a world where abortion is not just illegal, but unthinkable for all.  



From the Office for Persons with Disabilities

Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26 marks the 32nd anniversary of this landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. #ADA32 #ThanksToTheADA

To learn more about this celebration and how to continue this work, check out the anniversary website. 

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COVID-19 Vaccine Information

There have been questions about the current Covid-19 vaccines and any moral issues that Catholics might have with taking them. The Ohio Bishops and the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith have both issued statements that address and support the moral use of these vaccines to save lives by fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Addresses the Use of Anti-COVID-19 Vaccines

USCCB Document 1 | USSCB Document 2

Ohio Bishops Issue Letter on Vaccines

Vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer to combat COVID-19 may be taken without moral reservations, and some pro-life Catholic scholars have stated that all vaccines are morally acceptable.



Andrew Musgrave - Cincinnati, Director

Sara Seligmann - Dayton

Sr. Christine Pratt - Eastern Area

Regional Coordinator - (open)

Tammie Mers - Administrative Assistant

Catholic Social Action Office

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

csa@catholicaoc.org