Anti-Death Penalty Phone Bank

May 5

Ohio's repeal effort is drawing significant attention!! The news is that the House Bill (HB 183) looks like it will get a Committee vote after the primary and the Senate Bill (SB 103) looks like it will have another Committee hearing in the Fall.

Lobbying individual legislators is a vital part of strategy. You are invited to a phone banking session on May 5 at 6:00 p.m.

The script for the phone banking session is short and to the point, asking you to call your state rep, and ask him or her to support the repeal bill, and telling them they would be getting an email with details. In other words the point of the phone banking is to stimulate others to call their legislator.

We are making progress toward the finish line...let's keep pressing!!

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The Ohio bishops collectively and Archbishop Schnurr individually have issued statements supporting this legislation, and their voices joining a growing state-wide coalition working to end the death penalty. We encourage all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to join in the effort to end this state-sanctioned violence and respect all life, from womb to tomb.

Can “We the People” Talk With Each Other?

Join us for a Catholic Version of Braver Angels

Red / Blue Workshop

Purpose:

This workshop is hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Archdiocese. Join us for this two-part online workshop that brings together conservative leaning (red) and liberal leaning (blue) citizens for structured discussions. This workshop also provides guidance within the framework of our Catholic values.

A Braver Angels Red / Blue workshop takes a small, evenly balanced group of “reds” and “blues” through a series of exercises designed to help participants reduce stereotyped thinking, discover common values, and have respective, structured conversations.

Registering automatically includes you in both Part 1 and 2 of the workshops. This workshop is conducted on two separate evenings for three hours each session. It is important to be available and committed to both sessions. Part 2 builds on Part 1 and the group must remain throughout.

Independents (purple) are welcome to attend this workshop and need to identify as leaning red / blue or attend as an observer. Two trained Braver Angels moderators lead the sessions ensuring ground rules are followed and discussion is respectful.

When:  June 2^nd from 6 to 9 pm for Session 1.

June 9^th from 6 to 9 pm for Session 2.

Where:  via Zoom which will be provided at registration

Workshop Goals:

· Better understand experiences and beliefs of those on the other side of the political divide.

· Acknowledge, work to understand & respect differences. Seek areas of common ground.

· Gain insights to help heal the polarization in our local community and our nation.

To register, click here.

Process:

Workshop opens with prayer and introductions. The workshop’s discussion ground rules are reviewed. Attendees participate in each exercise and discussion: stereotypes / fishbowl / ask each other / what I am taking away. Workshop closes in prayer.

Feast of St. Isidore

May 15

Sunday, May 15th is the feast of St. Isidore the patron of farmers and farmworkers. Since our archdiocese has a large agricultural geographic area and all of us benefit from the labors of our farm community, we offer these prayers for use at Mass on the 15th.

Click here for prayers.

BREAKING OPEN THE SIN OF RACISM

Check out this 8-part video series. The video series and discussion guide are prepared for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for use by faith-organizations in a 4-part workshop. The videos feature presentations by scholars and professionals at the University of Dayton, a Catholic Marianist university, and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, Ohio. 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.

Don’t miss Warmup Days!

Join other parish leaders – clergy and staff – to get warmed up for pastoral planning. We’ll check in on how Phase 0 is going, provide an orientation to the Pastoral Planning Pathway and the online platform for planning resources, and make sure you are up to speed before Phase 1 of Beacons of Light.

We’ll also focus on the importance of good leadership in the pastoral planning process and developing essential leadership skills. It will also be a great opportunity to meet parish leaders from other Families. Click here for more information and to register: https://pathway.catholicaoc.org/phase-0-prepare/warmup-day

***If you couldn't make it to the Cincinnati-area day, we'd strongly encourage you to attend the Dayton session. It's definitely worth your time!***



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.



From the Respect Life Office

The Time is Now to Prepare for a Post-Roe State

In just a few months, depending on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Dobbs case, it is quite possible we will find ourselves in a state where abortion is much more restricted than it has been for nearly 50 years. While, on the one hand, that 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 realize. While legal abortion may thankfully at least become much more difficult to obtain, the plight of women in difficult or crisis pregnancies will only continue. 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 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:

• Continue to pray and fast for a positive outcome in the Dobbs case. To that end, continue to make your parish aware of the resources available at www.prayfordobbs.com.
• 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
• 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

Mental Health Awareness Month

Did you know that one in five adults suffer from mental illness? That number may seem high, but like many other disabilities, mental illness is referred to as an “invisible disorder.” Often people suffer silently due to the stigma that is affiliated with a mental health diagnosis. Mental illness is not often addressed by the Catholic Church, but we are called by Jesus to recognize those who are suffering in our midst and to accompany them on their journey. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this provides us with a wonderful opportunity to shed some light on Mental Illness and to work towards eliminating stigma that prevents people from feeling fully welcomed into their faith communities. To promote awareness in your parish, please consider using these resources:

Mental Health Awareness Bulletin Insert

Prayers of the Faithful for Mental Health Awareness | NCPD - National Catholic Partnership on Disability

Pastoral Response to Persons with Mental Illness |NCPD- National Catholic Partnership on Disability 

Follow the Office for Persons with Disabilities on Social Media and share some of our upcoming posts to raise awareness here in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The first step towards eliminating stigma is to provide opportunities for awareness and understanding. Let us work together to help our Church become a place of accompaniment for those who suffer silently from Mental Illness.

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



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

Mickey Townsend - CCHD intern

Catholic Social Action Office

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

csa@catholicaoc.org