A time to remember and give thanks
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Greetings folks. We hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the full arrival of fall.
November is rich with celebrations: All Saints Day, All Souls Day, Dia de Los Muertos, Black Catholic History Month, Thanksgiving, the beginning of Advent and Hanukkah, and St. Andrew's Day (my santo!). With so many people and communities to honor and remember, it'll be hard to find time to enjoy the changing leaves and eat apple and pumpkin pie. ;)
Joking aside, we hope you take time this month to remember all of those who have gone before us and paved the way for our lives (whether canonized saints or saints to us), as well as to honor the rich history of Black people in the U.S. Catholic Church and the great generosity of native peoples in this land.
Our office serves as the archdiocesan home for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development ( CCHD) and Catholic Relief Services ( CRS). Nov. 20/21 is the national collection for CCHD, and we've got our annual Fair Trade sale going Nov. 8-22. See below for how you can support these two great causes!
Please know that we continue to pray for 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.
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We will continue to send out Regional Updates with time-sensitive reminders and Action Alerts encouraging everyone to bring their voice and power to bear on important issues.
We wish you a wonderful and grateful month, and - as always - we look forward to seeing you soon as we continue to stand up for justice, compassion, and equity.
Peace,
Sara, Tammie, Sr. Christine, Mickey, & Andrew
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This year's sale will be open Nov. 8-22. 20% of the sales through SERRV will be donated to Catholic Relief Services and there's free shipping on orders over $50. We’ll have other vendors as well!
Please check out the website for the necessary information, spread the word, and shop early and often! This is a great way to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the globe.
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CCHD 50th Anniversary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the principle way the U.S. bishops and U.S. Catholic Church fight domestic poverty and seek to create equity and justice in our communities.
CCHD Collection Weekend is Nov. 20/21
(always the weekend before Thanksgiving)
If you're in a position to financially support the work of CCHD, please give through your parish or you can donate safely and securing through our online giving portal. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
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Black Catholic History Month
Did you know that there has never been a U.S. Black Catholic saint? And did you know that there are currently six Black Catholics in the process for canonization? You can see their pictures below and learn more about them here.
Take some time month (and beyond!) to learn about and pray with these holy men and women.
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Abolishing the Death Penalty
For many decades, the Catholic Church has strongly discouraged the use of the death penalty as a means to protect citizens. Sadly, despite multiple attempts to end its use in OH, it is still legal.
Thankfully, there is a real possibility that we can abolish the death penalty in OH this year. Two key pieces of legislation – SB 108 and HB 183 – have been introduced that would abolish the death penalty. 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.
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Laudato Si’ Action Platform
As you may have seen in our last couple of newsletter, the Vatican has launched a new, global initiative to address the existential threat of climate change. (For more info, click here.)
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.
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MARCC is one of the key partners in our interfaith work. We've partnered with them on several projects, including the MARCC ID and advocacy on multiple justice issues.
Many of our current representatives have worked on this initiative for several years, and we're now looking for a couple new folks to represent the Archdiocese with this group. If this might be of interest to you, please let Andrew know.
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A Mighty Steam
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.
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From the Respect Life Office
Have you heard of the upcoming Supreme Court case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health? Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act was signed into law in March of 2018. In doing so, the people of Mississippi sought to better protect not only the life and dignity of unborn children, but also the health and wellbeing of pregnant mothers whose health is even more at risk with late-term abortions. Mississippi’s law recognizes the medical reality that by 15 weeks, a baby has a heartbeat, can move and kick, can sense movement outside the mother’s womb, has eyes and eyelids that are beginning to open, can hiccup, and can hear her or his mother’s heartbeat. Shortly after Mississippi’s law was enacted in 2018, the only abortion clinic in Mississippi challenged the law. Last May, the Supreme Court granted review of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The specific question the Court will answer is whether a state may enact limits on abortion before viability. Many believe this case would require the Court to decide if Roe v. Wade or Planned Parenthood v. Casey ought to be overturned.
What can we do? Pray and fast! Invite your entire parish to join Christians praying for the end to abortion and for the outcome of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, an online event, Thursday, Nov. 18, at 8PM at prayfordobbs.com. Also, consider attending the 5:15 Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains led by Archbishop Schnurr on the eve of the oral arguments, Tuesday, November 30, followed by exposition as we pray in a special way for the dignity of all human life. Finally, check out this link here for other resources you can use to encourage your pastor to have a Mass, Holy Hour or a parish-wide Rosary for Life on December 1st and regularly from now until the decision is reached, which is expected next summer. With God, all things are possible. Let us continue to hope and pray for the unborn and their mothers, to end the tragedy of abortion in this country.
For more stories from the Office for Respect Life Ministries,
check out their Newsletter here.
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Explore Pope Francis' encyclical
Fratelli Tutti
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and the Archdiocesan Social Action Office invite you to delve into the riches of Pope Francis' newest Encylical and its implications for the faithful. This presentation offers a summary of the document and ways in which communities can put its teachings into practice. To learn more or to schedule a presentation contact Andrew.
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Supporting Returning Citizens
Last month, we invited you to support The HELP Program, a local organization (and national CCHD grantee) that ministers to returning citizens. One of the key issues on which they work with folks is transportation, and - thanks to people's generosity - HELP was able to both purchase a new-to-them van and build a fund to provide for other transportation needs. To learn more about the Transportation program and how you can still help, please check out the attachments below.
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Wilson Willard, Executive Director of the HELP program taking delivery of the van that will take returning citizens to and from their jobs.
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Celebrating 200 Years of Service in the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
On behalf of the women and men religious of our Archdiocese, thank you for all you did to make the Archdiocesan Day of Service so beneficial to so many people across the far reaches of our Archdiocese. Truly so many Radiated Christ as they “Let Their Service Shine.”
Just a few reminders… If you have not done so, please send the following to Sister Cheryl Erb at cerb@sistersofmercy.org:
- The description of your Service Project, the approximate number of people who participated in your project, and the approximate number of those served.
- A few pictures that you took of those preparing for or engaged in the project. Be sure to include captions that identify your group and location.
- Your suggestions or comments on this project.
If you would like to see some photos from service groups, go to www.cincy200.com. Click on Service Day at the top of the page and scroll down to see the Photo Gallery. Enjoy!
Thank you again for your assistance!
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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
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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.
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Andrew Musgrave - Cincinnati, Director
Sara Seligmann - Dayton
Sr. Christine Pratt - Eastern Area
Tammie Mers - Administrative Assistant
Mickey Townsend - CCHD intern
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100 East Eighth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-261-6690
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