Not sure what you need to know to vote? Here's your one-stop shop for information - vote411.org. This non-partisan site is operated by the League of Women Voters and has everything you need to make sure you vote. You can find all of the races and initiatives that will be on your ballot and find responses to key questions posed to all candidates (if the candidate responded).

On a related note and in the spirit of Faithful Citizenship, here is one practical way folks in the Cincinnati community are working to insure that everyone can vote: provide free rides to voters without access to transportation or spreading the word to disenfranchised voters that they can receive a ride.

If you know someone who might need a ride, please let them know they can request a ride to the polls by simply doing one of the following:

• Complete this form: Cincinnati Rides to the Polls
• Call (513) 204-9743 to request a ride
• Text RIDECINCY to 513-281-9955 to receive the form above via text 

Ready for Holiday Conversations?

Join us for a Family & Politics workshop!

This workshop receives great reviews - it's helpful, timely, and even fun!!!

Held online via Zoom

Wednesday, November 30th

6:30 – 9:00 PM

Why attend?

Family relationships are becoming casualties of our toxic political environment. Family members are having nasty political arguments, avoiding each other, or even cutting off lifetime relationships. Although the focus is on family, you can use strategies in this workshop with any loved one.

Who should attend?

Anyone who wants to preserve important family bonds while still being true to your values and political beliefs. 

Click here to register.

And don't forget to invite a friend!

If you're wondering how your family of parishes might go about engaging in the Love in Action principle, we encourage you to check out the Love in Action page on the Pathways platform - https://pathway.catholicaoc.org/love-in-action. There you'll find a great introductory video, as well as further explanation of the breadth of the principle. Over time, you'll find more resources and support, and of course you know you can always reach out to our office for support. If you're looking for the first tool we created - the parish inventory - you can find it here (along with the inventories from the other principles) - https://pathway.catholicaoc.org/pathway-tools. If you work for a parish or are involved in parish leadership, we'd love to talk with you through the Forums. Don't hesitate to reach out! 

TAKE THE PLEDGE: HELP END THE DEATH PENALTY IN OHIO

TAKE THE PLEDGE!

Once you sign the pledge, we’ll provide you with everything you need to be an effective criminal justice advocate during our Mobilization Week. We’ll make it easy to send an email to your legislator, make a phone call, and more. 

Our Mobilization Week is your last chance to help push these bills through before Ohio’s 2 year legislative session comes to a close. We're so close, we hope we can count on your help!

Postcards, letters, postcards, letters. We want to flood the legislature that week! Add postcard signing to meetings you already have, have postcard stations at events or faith gatherings, or host your own letter writing party using this tool.

If you get postcards written and signed mail them to Bekky Baker (IJPC, 215 East 14th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202), and she will get them all stamped and sent out. If you want postcards let Sara know asap.

Electronic alternative

Here is the electronic letter you can ask people to sign at your online meetings or in emails: nodeathpenaltyoh.com/act-now/

Handwritten letters hold more power, but electronic letters are still worth our time!

Homily help

Here is the Catholic Mobilizing Network homily resource: 

https://catholicsmobilizing.org/resource/tips-preaching-about-death-penalty-1



ACTION ALERT

The bishops of Ohio have issued an Action Alert to further mobilize Catholics in our state around abolishing the death penalty in our state.

Click here to send a message to your representatives! 



Urge Your Senators to Pass Bipartisan Anti-Trafficking Legislation

On July 26, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6552, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, with a vote of 401 to 20. Three months have passed, but the Senate has so far failed to act on this bipartisan bill. 

H.R. 6552 would do a number of things to combat the scourge of human trafficking, including: 

• Reauthorize various programs under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 through Fiscal Year 2026 (which lapsed September 30, 2021), with more than $1.1 billion in funding;
• Reauthorize the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking through Fiscal Year 2031;
• Authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to prevent the re-exploitation of eligible individuals with services that help them to attain life skills, employment, and education necessary to achieve self-sufficiency;
• Authorize grants for programs that prevent and detect trafficking of school-age children in a “linguistically accessible, culturally responsive, age-appropriate, and trauma-informed fashion”; and
• Require the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to encourage integration of activities to counter human trafficking into broader programs. 

As Bishop Mario Dorsonville, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, said in a letter with other Catholic leaders last month, “this legislation is critical for continuing and bolstering our nation’s efforts to eradicate human trafficking and assist human trafficking survivors.”

Stand with survivors of human trafficking by completing this action alert in support of H.R. 6552.

Click this link to log in and send your message.

Tell Congress to prioritize policies that support women, children, and families.

As Catholics in a post-Roe world, we continue to respond to our call to build a culture of life that supports the dignity of every person at every stage. We call on our lawmakers to do the same. Encourage your members of Congress to pass legislation that advances the health, safety, and flourishing of women, children, and families. Passage of bills such as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act and support for the Child Tax Credit, paid family leave, pregnancy resource centers, child care and pre-kindergarten programs, housing, nutrition, maternal and child health, adoption, healthy relationships, environmental protections, inclusion of immigrant families in social programs, and the end of marriage penalties will help build an authentically life-affirming society.

We encourage you to add your own personal story about why more policies that support women, children, and families are needed.

You can read a recent USCCB letter calling for the passage of life-affirming policies that prioritize families here.

Take Action Now!



Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection 

November 19 and 20, 2022

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the Catholic Church’s effort to end the cycle of poverty in the United States. By donating, you are helping local organizations help others help themselves.

“Through the grants we make to well-vetted organizations, CCHD uniquely empowers those in poverty to identify their own needs and to become their own agents of positive change.” -Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, 2021 Appeal Letter

The collection this year will be November 19 and 20 with appeal weekend November 12 and 13. If you would like to have someone from one of our local funded organizations come speak to your parish on appeal weekend, please contact Tammie or 513-263-6690.

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

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 our efforts to bring the LSAP to our Archdiocese. If you're interested in joining this effort (or know someone who might be), please contact Andrew.



Taking Action for the Climate

The impacts of climate change can be overwhelming, but individuals and communities can make a difference. The public is invited to a presentation about climate change impacts, how faith communities are responding, and actions anyone can take to have positive impacts. Climate change ecologist and Marianist Sister Leanne Jablonski FMI, PhD will present at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Saint John's Church in West Chester. 

Sister Leanne brings a unique perspective on Climate Change as a scientist, educator and pastoral minister. She has led climate science, faith, and justice initiatives at regional, state, national and international levels. She directs the Marianist Environmental Education Center in Dayton https://meec.center and also serves as a faculty scholar for faith and environment at University of Dayton’s Hanley Sustainability Institute and coordinates the Sustainability Energy Environment Learning-Living Community. Dr. Jablonski’s degrees include an MA in Pastoral Ministry from UD focusing on faith, science and spirituality concerns and a PhD in plant physiological ecology/global climate change from McGill.  

The evening will include an overview of climate change and justice; bridging the faith and scientific communities; the recent Vatican Laudato si Action Platform initiative; and steps we can all take to better care for the earth, the disadvantaged, and future generations. There will be time for reflection, questions, comments, and discussion.

The presentation will be held in the pavilion on the campus of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 9080 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester Township, OH 45069. The event is free and all are welcome to attend. It is sponsored by the St. John Peace & Justice Commission. For more information contact Tony Klimek at tonyklimek3@gmail.com.

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.



Harvest Prayer 2022

The 2022 global growing season has presented challenges and losses to many farmers, farmworkers and others who derive a living from the land. Floods, droughts, fires, and wars have left the land and its people in dire situations for years to come. Close to home we have experienced excessive rain. We know that the costs of production have increased affecting the prices and the outcomes farmers depend on for their families and those who work with them. All who work on the land to provide food for all are in need of our prayers, support and participation in assuring that they and the land may be cared for and continue that all may eat.

Prayer for the Harvest

 God of all creation with unending love you brought forth the earth and shared your breath with all creatures. You sustain us and nurture us with your own hand. Bless the men and women (farmers, shepherds, ranchers, fishers, vintners) who work with you to feed and nourish your people. May all of us, growers and consumers, be faithful stewards of your creation. Keep harvesters safe and healthy as they perform their tasks. May they receive a just recompense for their work and know the respect of the human community. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Suggested Intercessions

For all who work the land, that they may be safe in their harvesting and may derive a just livelihood for themselves and their families, we pray…

God has made humans stewards of creation. That all may work to protect what God has made-land, water, forests, -for generations to come. We pray…



From the Respect Life Office

Hopefully by now, you have heard of the USCCB program Walking with Moms in Need. With Roe and Casey overturned and abortion now illegal in Ohio at the detection of a heartbeat, it is more important than ever to be as ready as we can to support women in need who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy.

As your parish heads more fully into the Beacons process, one of the things that we will all need to do is form a Love in Action core team for your Family of Parishes. Each family will have different starting points and work at different speeds, but part of each Love in Action team should be a person or subgroup that works on Respect Life issues. That makes this the perfect time to get the USCCB Walking With Moms program up and running at the parish level. The more parishes in your family, the more likely it is that your family will need to take more time to get this Love in Action core team up and running. Taking time with that process can be a good and necessary thing. But the work of Walking With Moms in Need at the parish level does not need to wait.

First, check out the page we put together at www.catholicaoc.org/walkingwithmoms. There, you will find the Resources for Moms page we put together on local resources for women in need. Underneath that you will find the  Resources for Parishes link we made to help you navigate the Walking with Moms initiative. Thankfully, you will find that most of the work in the inventory or local resources page is already done for you, listed at the l0cal resources link for moms already mentioned.

As we have mentioned before, this isn’t about turning your parish into a crisis pregnancy center. This is about learning what resources are out there to help women in need, making a plan on how the parish might support these agencies, communicating that to everyone in your parish, and enlisting everyone’s help to work together to aid these agencies in appropriate ways in their charitable work. As Pope Francis reminded us in a 2015 address, “…our parishes and communities [should] become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference.” With many hands come light work, and we can really make a difference in not only helping women, but helping the culture understand that Catholics are not only for saving the lives of the unborn, but also equipping mothers with what they need to make better choices for themselves and their babies. Let us change the false narrative that being pro-life is exclusively about the unborn, and show the world that we have always also been about offering real help for women in need.



From the Office for Persons with Disabilities

The month of October was busy for the Office for Persons with Disabilities as they joined the Center for the New Evangelization XLT Tour for three stops. OPD was able to offer a sensory room during the tour for those who needed a break from the noise, smell of incense, music, or space. For the event at St. Mary of the Assumption, Springboro an ASL interpreter was present. It was a blessing to have Reagan sign the message from Joel Stepanek from Life Teen, the music during adoration, and prayer during benediction. It was an inclusive environment for all those embracing the opportunity to spend time with Jesus!

Please spread the word about this beautiful ministry as it continues to grow and serve the special needs community throughout the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Please contact me for more information laverion@catholicaoc.org.

Follow us on social media!

Twitter: @AoCincinnatiCsa

Instagram: @aocincinnati_csa

YouTube: @CatholicSocialActionAOC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csacinci



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