Upcoming events and current issues
- The Winds of Economic Change - Fifth Annual Distinguished Speaker Series
- The Church's Teaching on Health Care
- Election Day Resources
- Foreclosure: The Crisis Next Door
- Salt and Light Faith Formation Program
- Interfaith Prayer Service for Immigration Reform
- Fair Trade Sale and CRS Conference
- Catholic Climate Covenant Events
- CRS and CCHD Parish Promoters
- Operation Rice Bowl
- Human Life
The Winds of Economic Change: Lessons from Katrina about Poverty and Justice
- What: The Winds of Economic Change: Lessons from Katrina about Poverty and Justice will be the focus of Sister Jamie Phelps’ presentation in the Fifth Annual Distinguished Speaker Series Tuesday, Nov. 10.
- Where: St. Charles Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering.
- Who: Sister Jamie, an Adrian Dominican sister, is the Director of the Institute of Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She personally experienced the tragedies of Hurricane Katrina.
- Why: “Those winds of change that we saw devastate the New Orleans area are not unlike the winds of change that many families face in the economy today with unemployment and home foreclosures,” said Nympha Clark, Director of the Mission Services Office. “Building on that image, Sister Jamie will share her passion for justice for the poor and vulnerable,” she said.
- Flyer: download here.
- Evening’s agenda:
- Cajun Dinner served at St. Charles School at 4500 Ackerman Blvd, beginning at 5:30 p.m.The meal is $10 per person.
- Choral and dance presentations will begin at 6:15 in the church.
- Sister Jamie’s presentation, which is free, begins at 7 p.m. A question and answer period will follow her conversation.
- A dessert reception will end the evening.
- Benefit for: Local families in need who are assisted by the Mission Services Department of Catholic Social Services.
- Sponsors: The event is co-sponsored by Catholic Social Services and the Catholic Social Action Office with support from the Weavers of Justice Collaborative.
- Groups, parishes or individuals are invited to become sponsors by calling 1-800-300-2937 ext. 1136 or email clarkn@cssmv.org.
The Church’s Teaching on Health Care: Access for All; Respect for Life.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have created a new website to inform Catholics about the Church's position in the current health care debate: www.usccb.org/healthcare. In addition, Archbishop Pilarczyk has also issued a local reflection by the Catholic Social Action and Family Life offices reiterating the U.S. bishops' points on this issue. Download reflection....
November 3rd Election Day Resources
The bishops of Ohio have released statements on the three statewide ballot issues as well as some reflection questions to help individual voters discern their own positions in light of their faith. For our consideration, the Catholic Bishops of Ohio have chosen to take the following public positions:
Issue 1 (Ohio Bonus Pay for Veterans): Not Opposed
Issue 2 (Livestock Care Standards Board): Support
Issue 3 (Casino Gambling): Opposed
Please visit the Catholic Conference of Ohio’s E-focus page to download the full statements, reflection questions and bulletin inserts/handouts on these issues:
Foreclosure: The Crisis Next Door!
Building on past success in addressing the foreclosure issue, the Catholic Social Action Office of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, representing a network of 25 parishes, and the non-profit agency Working in Neighborhoods are sponsoring two more foreclosure forums in October.
The forums will explain the causes behind the foreclosure crisis, inform homeowners behind on their mortgages where they can turn for help, and provide members of churches and community organizations information about what they can do to respond to address the crisis and support their neighbors in need.
Dates:
- Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30pm at St. Agnes Church – Bond Hill, 1619 California Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45237
- Tuesday, October 27 at 7pm at Our Lady of Lourdes, 2832 Rosebud Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45238
For more info....
- Download The Crisis Next Door: Foreclosure Information Packet here!
- Help distribute the flyer for the foreclosure forums!
- View the Housing Update from the Catholic Conference of Ohio regarding three legislative proposals pending in the Ohio General Assembly
Salt and Light Faith Formation Program
Salt and Light is a program designed adult Catholics to facilitate the integration of the Church's social mission into the life of the parish. The program, consisting of five two and a half hour sessions, focuses on Catholic social teaching, prayer, and skill development for social justice ministry. Click here to view a list of dates and locations for this program!
Interfaith Prayer Service for Immigration Reform
- Sunday, November 15 at 2pm
- Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park 1101 Eastern Avenue
- Downtown Cincinnati near the Montgomery Inn - Meet at the International Plaza featuring flags
- For more info download flyer
CARING FOR THE EARTH, CARING FOR THE POOR: AN ORIENTATION ON THE CATHOLIC CLIMATE COVENANT
The Archdiocesan Climate Change Task Force is hosting an orientation for Catholics to learn about the Catholic Climate Covenant: The St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. Participants will learn about some of the science regarding global climate change, Catholic Social Teaching’s response, what local parishes are already doing, and what resources and strategies are available to help families and institutions make a difference!
- Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009
- Time: Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Program is from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Good Shepherd (8815 E. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249)
- Pre-registration requested. Contact the Catholic Social Action Office
- Please see the attached flyer.
- September Climate Change Overview
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)/Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Parish Promoters
Parishioners from at least 45 parishes throughout the Archdiocese have volunteered to serve as promoters for these two wonderful programs of the U.S. Catholic Church! If your parish does not currently have a CRS/CCHD “parish promoter”, please contact Catholic Social Action to learn more about how CRS and CCHD operate in our Archdiocese and how you can help them achieve their missions to alleviate poverty locally and globally!
Operation Rice Bowl
Congratulations to the 2009 ORB Challenge Grant winners!.
- St. Martin of Tours
- St. Mary, Hyde Park
- St. Monica-St. George
All three parishes were recognized for their enhanced efforts to promote Operation Rice Bowl. The grants support projects that promote Catholic Social Teaching, Justice and Global Solidarity at the parish/school.
Human Life
Human life has been under attack through several recent policy changes from the Administration and legislative proposals in Congress. Read the U.S. Church’s response:
- Oppose Destructive Stem Cell Research
- Reversal of Mexico City Policy Prohibiting U.S. Funding to Organizations Performing and Promoting Abortion in Developing Nations
- For more information on Archdiocesan Respect Life efforts
Death Penalty
Before the end of 2009, Ohio has 6 executions scheduled. Our advocacy to Governor Strickland’s office will be needed as each one approaches. To learn more about these executions and to access resources and statements on Catholic Social Teaching and the death penalty, please visit: http://www.ohiocathconf.org/I/DP/deathpenalty.htm.
The Catholic Social Action office is committed to empowering Archdiocesan parishes, schools, Rural Life conferences, and other faith communities within the diocese to bring forth the gospel call of peace and justice. We offer a wide range of workshops, training, and resources to empower the church to live out Catholic social teaching.