Happy Advent!
It has been a tumultuous year, and it's not done yet. While Advent is not the start of the calendar new year, at least we've made it to the Church's new year. We don't know about you, but we can definitely use some hope and that's just what Advent is all about. :)
Obviously the pandemic continues to rage all around us - across the globe and in our communities. So many lives and families continued to be destroyed, and our medical and public health care systems (and the amazing people who work in them) are being pushed to the brink. One Ohio State doctor, Andy Thomas, suggests that "...we're just now heading into the most challenging three months of the pandemic."
Our prayers go out to all those affected by the coronavirus - the sick, the healthcare professionals, the public health workers, and the mourning - and...
We strongly encourage everyone to remain diligent: wear your mask, social distance, wash your hands, and avoid large groups.
We know it's challenging with the cold weather and holiday festivities, but we must all make sacrifices for the common good and especially the most vulnerable among us.
We must hold fast in our commitment to encounter, solidarity, and justice, and we pray that we can all be strengthened by the limitless love that comes from God.
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, 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 and safe Advent, Christmas, and New Year, 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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Advent Resource
The Catholic Telegraph has again produced a wonderful resource for folks to use during Advent. The Catholic Telegraph Advent Guide has music, crafts, prayers, recipes, events, background information, movie & gift suggestion, and more. Check it out!
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With Malice Towards None
***change of dates***
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.
The next step has two parts. First, we are bringing together those who are delighted by the results of the election, and we're bringing together those who are distressed by the results of the election. Since almost everyone is a mix of both delight and distress, we will - for simplicity's sake - base this on the presidential election results.
On Tuesday, 1/26, at 7:00pm, we will have the session for those delighted, and on Wednesday, 1/27, at 7:00pm, we will have the session for those distressed. Each of these sessions will take about one hour.
On Wed., 2/3, at 6:00pm, we will have the joint session. This session will take about three hours. We're hoping to have an equal number of delighted and distressed folks so if you're interested in participating and know someone from the other side of the proverbial aisle, please invite them to join w/ you.
If you have any questions, please contact Andrew.
(The events were re-scheduled from Dec. due to the uncertainty that still exists for some folks about the results of the presidential election. We therefore opted to hold the events after the inauguration - both so that there is clarity and so that people who are distressed have a bit more time to process.)
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Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Our annual CCHD collection weekend was Nov. 21-22. To all of those who gave, we offer our sincere thanks.
For those who weren't able to make a donation but would still like too, we would most certainly appreciate it. Simply click here to access our online giving portal.
Remember: CCHD is the U.S. bishops' primary method through which we fight domestic poverty, empowering those who are disadvantaged to take control of their lives and enjoy the blessings God intends for them. It is a hand up, not a hand out.
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Fratelli Tutti
Pope Francis' Love Letter to the World
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Here are some resources to help you delve deeper into Pope Francis' new encyclical:
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The Marianist Environmental Education Center invites you to join us in spirit for our 2020 Winter Solstice Sunrise Celebration & Prayers for Peace
Join virtually @ 7:30 am EST, Monday December 21st
RSVP: Email info@meec.center to receive the Zoom link to join the virtual prayer.
(Download the prayer service to use with the live-event or at a time you choose.)
For more than 25 years, the MEEC community has gathered at Mount St. John in Dayton to observe the longest night of the year with prayers for world peace and a time of candlelight reflection. This year we invite you to light a candle in your own place as we gather virtually for a half-hour of prayer, blessed by images of Mount St. John in winter and the bonfire. We’ll also reflect on the words of Pope Francis for the World Day of Peace.
Our prayer will be followed by an optional time of sharing. All are Welcome.
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World Day of Peace Mass
Friday | January 1, 2021 | 11:30am
Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains - in person and livestreamed
We invite everyone to join us on Friday, Jan. 1, for the annual World Day of Peace mass. Not only will we be celebrating the World Day of Peace, we'll also be celebrating the completion of our Pray a Minute initiative, and - of course - the Solemnity of Mary. Archbishop Schnurr will preside, and folks are welcome to attend in person (with proper social distancing and masks) or view the mass through the Archdiocese's YouTube page.
God knows we need peace in the upcoming year, and there's no better way to start the year than by praying for it on day 1.
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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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A Mask is a Sign of Solidarity |
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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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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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