Greetings all!
Greetings during this 2nd week of Lent!

We've come through the worst of winter (fingers crossed!), and now we're rounding the corner to spring and fully into our Lenten journey.

If you haven't checked it out yet, head over to the CT's website where you can find daily reflections from AOC staff, pastors, and friends. And it's not too late to use the great resources in their Ultimate Guide to Lent.

Of course, the pandemic is still very much still a thing (and we have to keep being safe with masks and social distancing!), but with infection and death rates dropping and the number of vaccines going on, there's hope on the horizon.

Our prayers continue go out to all those affected by the coronavirus - the sick, the healthcare professionals, the public health workers, and the mourning.

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 with you and work to build up God's kingdom of peace, justice, and kinship.
We will continue to send out Regional Updates with time-sensitive reminders, 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 March, 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

Follow us on social media!

Our office is now on multiple social media platforms. Please add us to your contacts, friends, or following list so we keep you up to date on what's going on.

Twitter: @AoCincinnatiCsa

Instagram: @aocincinnati_csa

YouTube: @CatholicSocialActionAOC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csacinci
Friday, March 12 – VIRTUAL POTLUCK 
 
At 6:00 p.m. we encourage folks to gather together on ZOOM to eat dinner together and see RICE BOWL recipes deliciously
cooked. Participants can go to www.crsricebowl.org, click on the Lenten Recipes at the top menu and pick out a recipe or two of meatless dishes to prepare. We ask you to share how they look online from the comfort of your home on zoom. Or you may just tune in and see what recipes you would like to try at home. St. Julie Billiart home cooks will let you know the ins and outs of cooking the recipes, what they will do differently the next time they cook it and most importantly: how they taste! Ask your friends to join in online too! Join in on the fun and learn a few new tricks in the kitchen! Contact Pam Long, or 513-260-9406; Mary Pat Austing or 863-1040, ext. 815 for more information. 
March 12 ZOOM MEETING ID: : 810 1172 2497 passcode: 657688
GREATER DAYTON CHRISTIAN CONNECTION
2021 VIRTUAL BREAKFAST


Tuesday, March 16, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Zoom link to follow

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan
Executive Director
Ohio Council of Churches

Topic: Allyship
The Intersection of Policy Change, Social Justice and the Church

Suggested donation: $25.00
Breakfast coupon will be provided - one per registrant
Multiple registrants - please register separately

Closed Caption and ASL Interpreting in the Parish


In our work to bring the Gospel to all of God’s people, Deaf Catholics are frequently overlooked. Well-intentioned assumptions are made that we are meeting the needs of the Deaf Community if we provide transcripts, books, workbooks, or written lesson plans; however, these options are often not the best solution. American Sign Language (ASL) is a recognized language with its own grammar, syntax, and sentence structure. It is very different from the spoken English language, and many times there is a huge gap in translation. For Deaf persons, following along with Closed Caption during a video or reading a text would be similar to providing people who have learned Spanish as a second language with Spanish subtitles and text books. It is not an impossible option, but it is more difficult than learning in one’s own language. Closed Captioning is still a wonderful tool for people who have hearing loss or auditory processing issues, it is just not the best solution for the Deaf Community.
 
The good news is that there are a number of fantastic resources that are being developed for Deaf Catholics. Hands of Grace: The Catholic Sacraments in American Sign Language is an innovative program created by Ascension Press that features video presentations by Father Sean Loomis teaching in ASL, as well as a workbook that is specifically designed with a visual emphasis to provide a better, dynamic learning experience for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The National Catholic Office of the Deaf has also created the YouCat in ASL and we have a number of ASL Sacraments & Prayer videos uploaded to the Office for Persons with Disabilities resource pages. Please feel free to reach out to our office if you have any other questions about how to better minister to Deaf Catholics. We will be offering some workshops on this topic in the near future.

A Lenten Journey through Black History in Rural Ohio

The Catholic Rural Life Conferences and Anti-Racism Task Force of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Social Action Office invite you to join us for a series of three presentations looking at three unique aspects of African American history in southwestern Ohio.
The talks will operate independently so attendees can join for the whole series or simply the one or two that work for their schedules. All talks will take place over Zoom.



Thursday, March 11, 7:00pm
Gist Communities—Settlements of Freed Slaves - How They Worked and Continue Today
Presenters: Neil Snarr, Professor Emeritus at Wilmington College, & Peggy Mills Warner, 6th generation descendent of the Gist Community in Brown County

If you have any questions, please let us know. All are welcome, and we'd appreciate you spreading the word. This series can provide a great Lenten reflection series for parishes and other faith groups.

MARIAN FORUM

Save the date for our virtual forum and discussion on the
Marian Feast of the Annunciation

March 25, 2021

Annunciation and Contemporary Challenges
Be Not Afraid (Luke 1:30)

Interdisciplinary panels of UD scholars and students will meet to discuss our present moment and what me might learn from Mary. All our welcome to this free event.


for more information, to view the Mass livestream or to register to attend the free forum panels.
Migration Awareness


Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio welcomes immigrants and refugees to our community. They extend hospitality and acceptance through our refugee resettlement, immigration legal, and Su Casa Hispanic Center services. 

Each year at this time, Catholic Charities has a tradition to raise awareness about the lives of local migrants. They would like to introduce you to two inspiring examples. One story shares Catholic Charities’ partnership with the Sisters of Charity in winning asylum for Samuel and his family. The second vignette shares how refugee youth stood side by side with other volunteers to feed hungry families in a rural community. 
CRS RICE BOWL DURING A PANDEMIC

In times of upheaval our faith is an anchor. During Lent, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving strengthen us for the challenges ahead and bring us closer to God.  Please remember that CRS Rice Bowl offers online prayers and reflections that families, schools, and parishes can use to support Lenten spirituality and reflection in the home. As always, your involvement in CRS Rice Bowl this Lenten season provides for those in great need and your compassion is very much appreciated. Please find ideas for online giving and activities here https://resources.catholicaoc.org/offices/catholic-social-action/task-forces-committees/crs.
Blessings to you all! Contact Sara Seligmann with questions or concerns.
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. 


Ohio Bishops Issue Letter on Vaccines. Vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer to combat COVID-19 may be taken without moral reservations. 

SOLARIZE CINCY 2020

Ever wonder if rooftop solar panels could help you save on your energy bills? Signing up to join the Solarize Cincy 2021 co-op could help answer that. Throughout the spring of 2021 the City of Cincinnati is partnering with Solar United Neighbors to launch Solarize Cincy, a residential solar campaign bringing Greater Cincinnati residents together to purchase solar at a group discount. Joining the co-op is FREE and gets you access to expert support to help you understand if solar is a good fit for you and your home. Learn more and sign up today!

"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers..."

The annual HELP breakfast will be virtual this year on March 6. Join us from the comfort of your home to learn how the HELP program lives Christ's message of forgiveness and redemption. Hear directly from those who have served their time in prison and turned their lives around. For details, check out the flyer. You can register here.


Dismas Task Force

On a related note, our Dismas Task Force, the collaborative group (of which HELP is a key partner) that works to serve and support those re-entering the community after incarceration, is hosting a Lenten virtual Dismas Journey which is a great chance to hear directly from folks who work on the front lines with folks re-entering as well as folks who are themselves re-entering.
The journey will take place on Wednesday, March 17, at 6:30pm over Zoom. You can join the meeting by clicking here. If you have any questions, please let Andrew know. All are welcome, and we'd love to have you share the word and invite folks from your parish, neighborhood, business, or community group.
If that time doesn't work and/or you'd like to have a session specially scheduled for your group, we can do that too. Contact Andrew to schedule.

Fratelli Tutti
Pope Francis' Love Letter to the World
UTILITY ASSISTANCE INFORMATION

Many utility providers, including Duke Energy, have resumed utility disconnections for non-payment. There are options for clients who are behind on their utility bills and/or have received a disconnection notice. There is real concern about individuals and families who are behind in paying their gas and/or electric bill. Duke energy has already sent notices of disconnecting utilities and will be sending more notices of planned disconnections. There may be options available and we need your help in getting this information to individuals and to families. The loss of electricity means students cannot charge their computers. Households (either renters or homeowners) will not have a working refrigerator. Households cannot heat their home without gas or electric power.



Programs begin in October and November respectively.

If there are questions please call Legal Aid at 513-241-9400.
A Mask is a Sign of Solidarity
Praying in Solidarity
Make sure to join Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese Catholic Social Action Office every Monday at 11:00 AM for our Praying in Solidarity weekly prayer. It takes place LIVE on Catholic Charities' Facebook page and you will hear prayer intentions delivered by our staff for those whom we serve and empower.

To request prayer intentions for our Praying in Solidarity Facebook Live events, please visit: https://ccswoh.org/prayers.
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