August 2021
In this issue:
Deacon Immersed in Social Justice Experience
Recommended Reading
Learn Something New
Call to Action
Lunch and Learn
The Pope Video - Church on the way
Expand Your Horizons
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of upcoming events see the Social Action Calendar.
... enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit ... to spread and defend the faith by word and deed. - Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1285
Deacon Immersed in Social Justice Experience
(Rights and Responsibilities)
Deacon Dale Mallory, a Diocese of Davenport seminarian, has engaged with the Center for Worker Justice and the Iowa City Catholic Worker House as part of an immersive experience. He spent time learning what each organization does and how they serve their communities. The opportunity has given him insight into both charitable and community organizing aspects of the Two Feet of Social Justice.
Kent Ferris, Diocesan Social Action Director, recently interviewed Deacon Dale and offers the video below for those who would like to hear from Deacon Dale himself what the experience has meant and some of what he has learned. At one point, he addresses the concern that organizations such as these work solely through a "political lens" rather than a spiritual one. As he tells us, "the work of God is being done through a lot of these organizations." He also encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to move us to action. To listen to the interview yourself, click the image below.
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Recommended Reading
(Solidarity)
 A blog entry, Community Solidarity During Pandemic from Growing Hope Globally, chronicles the success of one family in Mexico and their small family farm. Hope grows as the family shares information and resources to help their neighbors and strengthen their community. You can read the story of Doña Guadalupe, her family and neighbors by clicking here.
Learn Something New
(Life and Dignity of the Human Person)
As we approach National Migration Week (Sept. 20-26) and the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (Sept. 26), the following resources from Justice for Immigrants can help us better understand the similarities and differences between refugees and asylum seekers. We can learn what our Church has to say about our responsibilities to both groups as Catholics. Other resources, including a toolkit for National Migration Week, are available here.
- National Migration Week Spotlight: Refugees
- National Migration Week Spotlight: Asylum
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Call to Action
(Solidarity)
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: The U.S. is a leading producer of vaccines, and we have a moral responsibility to help end the pandemic by sharing vaccines with our brothers and sisters around the world. In order to end the pandemic here, we must end it everywhere. Ask Congress to support ending the pandemic through vaccine equity. Click here to take action now!
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Lunch and Learn
(Option for the Poor and Vulnerable)
We took two months off this summer, but the Diocesan Social Action Office is gearing up for a new season of Lunch and Learn sessions. Join us via Zoom on the first Thursday of most months at noon. Bishop Thomas Zinkula will lead us off this year as our guest speaker on Thursday, September 2, 12:00-1:00 PM CST and will speak about Going to the Peripheries. To register, go to http://bit.ly/DioDavLunchLearn.
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Church on the Way
The Pope Video - August 2021
Allowing the Holy Spirit, the gift of God in our hearts, [to] remind us what Jesus taught and help us put it into practice. - Pope Francis, August 2021
Expand Your Horizons
(Option for the Poor and Vulnerable)
From Catholic Charities USA: For over 20 years, JustFaith Ministries has been crafting small group formation programs emphasizing the linkage between faith and compassion/justice. Join us for a conversation with Jack Jezreel, the founder and originator, about how the tools of JustFaith might benefit your work. Changing Hearts & Minds: JustFaith as a Tool for Expanding Social Mission will be offered via Zoom on August 18, 2021 at 2:00 PM CST. Register here.
Catholic Charities agencies have used JustFaith programs for staff formation or with parish social ministries. Current JustFaith programs focus on discipleship, Catholic Social Teaching, faith and poverty, racial justice, eco-justice, youth, advocacy, spirituality, food insecurity, migration, and peace and non-violence.
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