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. . . we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed . . . . - Pope Francis
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The Two Feet Newsletter
 
COVID-19 Resources
(Call to Family, Community and Participation)
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to publish The Two Feet Newsletter a week early, feeling it was important to get sources for news and other resources to your in box. Not knowing what will change in the coming weeks and how important the need to distribute information will be, we may again publish early. For information throughout, we suggest the following:
  • Diocese of Davenport. Links to Iowa Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and a Q& A section. Also provides a link to prayer and support resources, including Holy Week and Triduum liturgies available via streaming.
  • The Catholic Messenger. News, information on parishes live streaming Masses, messages from Bishop Zinkula, columns by Messenger staff, Diocesan clergy and parishioners about their experiences.
  • United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Prayer and ministry resources.
  • Catholic Relief Services. Fast facts, an FAQ, and how CRS is responding
  • Catholic Charities USA. Advocacy information and work being done by local agencies.
Call to Action
(Rights and Responsibilities)
From the Diocese of Davenport Social Action Office: If you are willing to write an email, make a phone call or participate in other forms of advocacy for an issue, sign up here for one or more of our Diocesan Advocacy Groups.  The Social Action Office will provide learning resources and background information to help you form your message.

From the Diocese of Davenport Social Action Office: In light of delayed primaries this past month, the Natural Disaster and Emergency Ballot Act (NDEBA) has been introduced in the Senate. This bill would ensure 20 days of early voting in all states, require that all mail-in ballots submitted in the 21 days up to an election be counted, and guarantee all voters have the option to request an absentee ballot. While we always hope and pray for the best outcome in a crisis, we can prepare for any outcome by supporting this bill.

Please let our senators know we need to ensure every American can vote, regardless of their ability to visit a polling place this fall.


Senator Grassley 
https://www.grassley.senate.gov/constituents/questions-and-comments
(515) 288-1145
Senator Ernst
https://www.ernst.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
(563) 322-0677


To join the Diocesan advocacy group for this issue, sign up at this form and choose “Voting Rights” as a topic of interest.

Learn Something New
(Rights and Responsibilities)
From the Diocese of Davenport Social Action Office: New this month, the Social Action Office will offer “Lunch and Learn” sessions through Zoom videoconferencing. Our first offering on Thursday, April 16 at 12:00 PM CST will cover forms of advocacy, reliable sources of information on issues and the new Advocacy Groups established in the Diocese. If you would like to participate in this session, please register here.

Zoom is a free app, which you can to download to your computer, tablet or smart phone. You do not need to set up an account to participate in these sessions. We invite you to join us for a virtual lunch while we all learn something new!
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Rice Bowl Reminder: We know the need for food assistance is greater than ever as schools, usually serving breakfast and lunch to so many children, are closed in our nation and others. As the program ends on Easter, and if you are still able to contribute, please send your Rice Bowl offering to your parish office. Thank you for supporting CRS Rice Bowl.

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Upcoming Events
For a complete list of upcoming events see the Social Action Calendar.
  • April 1 - Census Day.
  • April 16 - Social Action Office Lunch and Learn - Advocacy. 12:00-12:40 PM via Zoom. More info here.
  • April 17-26 - Faith Climate Action Week. Click here.
  • May 15 - Rice Bowl and CCHD Grant Deadlines. All grants must be in the Social Action Office by 4:00 PM.
 
In this storm, the façade of those stereotypes with which we camouflaged our egos, always worrying about our image, has fallen away, uncovering once more that (blessed) common belonging, of which we cannot be deprived: our belonging as brothers and sisters. 
- Pope Francis


Recommended Reading - Pope Francis Urbi et Orbi
(Solidarity)
From Glenn Leach - America magazine article: Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi address on coronavirus and Jesus calming the storm at America Magazine provides the text of the Holy Father's papal address and apostolic blessing for an end to the pandemic. Focused on our times and the Gospel of Mark, this is a reflection on faith. Pope Francis asks us to step back from all the news, the social media chatte. He offers both solace and challenge, asking us to consider what our role is in this time of trial and to seek the faith to live it out. For a sense of the solemnity of the moment, click the image below to view the Vatican's In one minute video.
Pope Francis stood in an empty St Peter's Square for the Urbi et Orbi blessing for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

Census 2020 Has Begun 
(Call to Family, Community and Participation)
The Census impacts resources and representation for our communities over the next 10 years, and every household should participate. Please complete your census information online, by phone or on paper. Responses are secure and protected by federal law, and there is no citizenship question. Make sure to count children. Your response helps achieve an accurate count and prevents the need for a visit by a census taker. Thank you for making sure everyone counts!

How to Respond: The 2020 Census will ask a few simple questions about you and everyone who was living with you on April 1, 2020. You can choose to complete the census online, by phone, or by mail. Find out more about each of these methods below.
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Census Response Rates: Let's Go Iowa!
(Call to Family, Community and Participation)
After all of the encouragement to complete Census 2020 for your household, are you curious how we are doing? You can find state, city and even census tract return rates using this interactive map.
  

Care for Creation Activities Go Virtual
(Care for God's Creation)
From Catholic Climate Covenant - We now offer you a REVISED Earth Day 2020 program, “Earth Day at 50/Laudato Si’ at 5: An Urgent Appeal for Action!" The revised version is designed for use by individuals, families, and online groups, and offers prayers, readings, a short video, reflection questions, and suggested actions.

From Interfaith Power and Light: Join Faith Climate Action Week, April 17-26, by creatively using your digital networks and the Faith Climate Action Week resources to make your love visible. The kit includes a Sacred Activism guide on the importance of people of faith taking part in civic engagement, suggestions for activism challenges, and a Sacred Activism Art Guide to create eye-catching banners and placards with faith-based messaging.

 
Copyright © 2020 Office of Social Action and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Davenport, All rights reserved.


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