Greetings and apologies.
The date for the first 'With Malice Towards None' event was incorrect. It is on Tues. Oct. 13th at 7:00pm.
Pace e bene.
Greetings all!
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Welcome to fall! It's a beautiful season of change, and there is SO MUCH going on.
This past week has been intense, but we rest firm in our commitment to encounter, presence, empathy, justice, and compassion.
We are now less than a month away from the election. If you haven't registered to vote, do so NOW. Today is the last day!! And once you make sure you're registered, have a plan (and a back-up plan) to make sure your vote is counted.
Speaking of the election, we've got several presentations coming up on Faithful Citizenship, Civilize It, and Catholic Social Teaching. See below for the different options. With vitriol and violence surrounding us, we MUST step up with compassion, civility, and clarity.
We also continue the fight to end the sin of racism. If you're interested in hosting something in your parish, school, or community, let us know.
Our prayers go out to all those affected by the coronavirus - the sick, the healthcare professionals, the public health workers, the poor and marginalized, the mourning, and the scientists working towards a vaccine.
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.
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We will continue to send out Regional Updates with time-sensitive reminders as well as 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 start to fall, 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
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We live in divided times, and our faith calls us to rise above the vitriol and harsh language and be people of compassion and healing. To aid us in this work, we are partnering with Braver Angels and their With Malice Towards None program to train before the election and then engage in the work after.
On Tues., 10/13, at 7:00pm Marcus Mescher, Associate Prof. of Christian Ethics at XU, will present. To register, click here.
How can we be sources of hope and healing in the midst of so much distrust and division today? Join us for a conversation about how Scripture and church teaching can inform an approach to encounter people across differences. After highlighting several key virtues as guideposts for practicing solidarity, we will discuss the kinds of habits that can help us navigate a fragile and fragmented social context through honest communication, mutually respectful and responsible relationships, and shared rituals that foster inclusion and interdependence. This talk will also reference the newly released encyclical, Fratelli Tutti.
On Tues., 10/20, at 7:00pm David Lapp will lead us through the first pre-election session of With Malice Towards None on building the skills of speaking & listening with compassion. To register, click here.
Between 10/20 and early November, folks will be encouraged to complete a second session (online) on their own on depolarizing within.
In mid-November, after the election results are finalized, we will have two sessions, one tailored for each group (the delighted and the distressed), that are customized w/ Catholic music and readings.
A week after those sessions, we will have a session that brings the two groups together.
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Civilize It and Faithful Citizenship |
St John West Chester and the Social Action office are hosting a Faithful Citizenship presentation on Tues. 10/6 at 7:00 p.m. With another election cycle in full swing, we are faced with the challenges of living our faith, loving our neighbors, and being good citizens in a divisive political climate. This presentation will explain why Catholics must be engaged in the political process and provide guidance on how to do it faithfully and with civility. Click here to join.
Our country is deeply divided, and we – as people of faith – are struggling to find ways to both live out our beliefs and find tools to heal the wounds.
On Wednesday, October 21, at 7:15 p.m., the Community of the Good Shepherd invites to you come and learn some ways to accomplish these goals. The US bishops have a document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, which offers guidance on how we can live out our call to be engaged in our community, participate in the political process not from a partisan perspective but led by our faith, and thereby help build up the kingdom on earth. We’ll look at the tools we have to guide both the formation of our consciences and how we interact with our brothers and sisters with civility, clarity, and compassion. This event will be in person (at Good Shepherd and online. ( Click here for the link.) All are welcome.
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For this election season, we are offering a seven-week discernment toolkit for parishes and families leading up to election day. We'll delve into one of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching each week and help root you in a useful stance to sort out your questions and sift through the noise swirling around. We'll explore how we can use the themes to form our consciences and determine for whom and what we will vote. This is not voting Democratic or Republican...this is voting Catholic!
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Our director, Andrew, was interviewed for the Being Pro-Life podcast (from our Respect Life Office) about iVoteCatholic. You can listen to it here.
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Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative
Our office has partnered with this great non-partisan effort that came together to coordinate state level, grassroots organizations, and voter resources for the 2020 general election to amplify non-partisan, safe, civically responsible voter engagement and advocacy efforts to citizens of Greater Cincinnati.
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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.
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Your Prayer Can Change the World |
Now, more than ever, the world needs Christians united in prayer. What might happen if every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati would pray just one minute more than they already do, every day, for the specific intention of peace, justice, and goodwill? There's no better time to start this life-changing habit. |
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August 1 (Feast of St. Peter in Chains) through January 1 (World Day of Peace)
450K Catholics | 1 minute of Daily Prayer | 1 million Hours of Prayer
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Celebrating National Black Catholic History Month
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The Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Offices of African American Ministries and Social Action are collaborating with the Archdiocese of Washington D.C., the United Conference of Catholic Bishops – African American Affairs; and the Tolton Ambassadors to present, “ Celebrating A Cloud of Witnesses: Race, Resilience & Renewal.
Please join us for an in-depth educational experience as we strive to inspire the Christian faithful through the witness of Catholic candidates for sainthood. We promise to have a focused dialogue in the areas of Racism, Sexism, Ageism, Poverty, Authentic Worship, and more. We will celebrate how they triumphed over tragedies and learn how we can do the same. The Event is scheduled for three consecutive Saturdays [November 7, November 14 and November 21]. Two of the candidates will be highlighted at each event.
In Preparation to Celebrate Black Catholic History, please join us in Praying A Novena: A Journey Toward Holiness, from October 24 – November 1, 2020.
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Register to Virtually Attend the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice |
Register to virtually attend the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice
The events of this year emphasize the need to gather as members of a community committed to social justice for continued education and action. From October 19-26, take a stand as part of the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the United States. This year’s theme is Prophetic Resilience and will feature a few different tracks to suit your needs including a professional development track and a high school classroom track and others. Register here
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Voting early reduces lines on election day and ensures that Americans do not have to choose between their public health and their civic duty. That’s why we’re promoting Vote Early Day to make sure we all know about our options to vote early.
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A Mask is a Sign of Solidarity |
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United States Census 2020 |
If you haven't completed the census, do so now! |
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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.
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The Trump Administration is currently preparing to set the goal for the number of refugees that will be allowed to be admitted to the United States for the coming fiscal year (FY). This process is called the "Presidential Determination" (PD). Before setting the new refugee Presidential Determination, the President is required by federal law to consult with House and Senate Judiciary Committees.
Nearly two hundred organizations, including USCCB and many JFI member organizations, already sent a letter to President Trump urging him to build back the U.S. resettlement program by setting a goal of 95,000 refugees.
As Catholics, we recognize the inherent dignity of each person, and hear the call of Jesus, who was part of a refugee family, to welcome immigrants and refugees. Refugees contribute greatly to the United States in ordinary times and have continued to contribute as essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis, including 176,000 refugees serving in the healthcare field and 175,000 laboring as part of the food supply chain. Resettlement will continue to be done safely as all refugees must and do undergo medical checks for COVID-like symptoms prior to entering the United States and are required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
TAKE ACTION
Join us by contacting your Members of Congress to ensure the Trump Administration honors its legal obligation to meaningfully consult with Congress about this year's refugee admissions level before September 30th.
Ask your Members to urge the Administration to build back the refugee resettlement program by setting the goal at the historic average of 95,000 refugees allowed to be admitted this year.
Click here to send a message to your Senators, and reach out to Rep. Jim Jordan, (OH-04), Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee: (202) 225-2676 / @Jim_Jordan.
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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
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100 East Eighth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202 USA
513-421-3131
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