March 2021
In this issue:
Worker recovers stolen wages
New study guide for Fratelli Tutti
Walking with Moms in Need Moves Beyond Initial Year
Recommended Reading / Viewing
Lunch and Learn
Expand Your Horizons
Learn Something New
Call to Action
Upcoming Events
For a complete list of upcoming events see the Social Action Calendar.
- March 12 - Social Justice Film Fest, Starved: Our Food Insecurity Crisis, 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. More information here.
- March 13 - Catholic Rural Life Conference, Salina Diocese (online or in-person). Click here for more information and to register.
March 14 - Conversation with Interfaith Power & Light President, Susan Hendershot, 3pm using Zoom. Click here for more information and to register.
- March 24 - CRS Family Prayer Evening. Bring Lent to life at home. Click here for more information and registration.
- April 1 - Lunch and Learn: Celebrating 50 years of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, 12:00-1:00. More info here.
May 14-15 - CCHD 50th anniversary virtual celebration. More info here.
May 15 - CCHD and CRS Rice Bowl grant applications due in the Social Action Office by 4:00 PM. More info here.
When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God. — Leviticus 19:33-34
Worker Recovers Stolen Wages
(Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers)
From the Iowa City Catholic Worker House 2/16/21: A front-line refugee worker left her local restaurant job at the end of December for a better employment opportunity, but her previous boss refused to pay her $370.00 for the hours she worked during her last pay period.
After meeting with the worker and deciding on a course of action, we accompanied her to the boss' office yesterday afternoon with a letter asking for the with-held wages to be paid. After a tense back-and-forth meeting, we left with a commitment from the boss to pay back within 24 hours what the worker was rightfully owed.
Earlier today, the withheld wages were paid in full - thanks be to God, community organizing, and Catholic Action! Hasta la Victoria - Emily, David, and the Catholic Worker House team
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New Study Guide for Fratelli Tutti
(Solidarity)
From Justice, Peace and Human Development: Pope Francis’ newest encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti, is an invitation to renewed social friendship and universal solidarity. Fratelli Tutti provides a starting point for renewing our commitment to caring for our neighbor and a global society built on justice and the common good.
The USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development has released a Study Guide (English | Español) for groups or individuals that includes six sessions with prayers, chapter summaries, discussion questions, and suggestions for action and further study.
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Walking with Moms in Need Moves Beyond Initial Year
(Life and Dignity of the Human Person)
From the Pro-Life Secretariat, USCCB: The pandemic has reaffirmed the need for the Church to come alongside and accompany pregnant and parenting mothers facing difficulties, especially in these trying times. To reflect our response to this ongoing obligation, Walking with Moms in Need is no longer using the tagline “A Year of Service” and has an updated logo available on our website. You are asked to use the new logo and the updated title in communications and promotions. Updated resources are coming soon and should be available by March 25. We will continue to provide support and resources to help you better serve mothers in need in your local area.
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Recommended Reading / Viewing
(Option for the poor and vulnerable)
From Growing Hope Globally: Rural communities and churches have had more than their share of challenges over the last few decades. Read how one congregation is finding renewal by sharing the harvest in Renewing Rural Churches.
In the video below, a Growing Hope Globally growing project from Michigan shows how farmers and members of a local church partner to provide funding for agriculture programs in Kenya and Guatamala. Three dairies agree to contribute the milk from two cows to the program. and community members help with support for the six cows.
From the Franciscan Peace Center: On Friday, March 12, the Social Justice Film Fest will screen Starved: Our Food Insecurity Crisis. This documentary examines food insecurity as a societal problem, identifying the causes and exploring the many ways in which the government, non-profits, farmers, and individuals are working to bring nutritious meals to the tables of those who need them. View a downloadable poster here and click here to register. The 30-minute film will begin at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom, followed by group discussion.
From Human Rights Watch and Iowa City Catholic Worker: A new video documents the struggles and hopes of a young family from El Salvador, separated at the border when they sought asylum. Juliza and infant son Anderson live at Iowa City Catholic Worker and are supported by community members. One of the most powerful images of the video shows volunteers praying with Juliza before an ICE check in. Alejandro remains in danger at the U.S.- Mexico border, having been kidnapped, abused and released once, hoping a new policy for asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants by the current administration will allow him to rejoin his family. He has only seen his infant son once for 15 minutes. Anderson was born after they arrived at the border two years ago. Click the image below to view this compelling story.
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Lunch and Learn
(Call to family, community and participation)
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)—that’s 50 years supporting initiatives that empower individuals to become active participants in their communities. Ahead of a May 14 and 15 celebration, learn about our diocesan CCHD history and meet many of your neighbors who have shaped and been shaped by its work. Join us for the next Lunch and Learn, Celebrating 50 years of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, on Thursday, April 1, 12:00-1:00 PM CST. To register, go to http://bit.ly/DioDavLunchLearn.
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Expand Your Horizons
(Call to family, community and participation)
From the Congregation of the Humility of Mary in Davenport : A recently announced monthly, yearlong, live-streamed conversation series on the leading social justice issues of our time begins March 10. Titled "Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate," each month will focus on a different social issue. Three panelists from different walks of life, including Catholic Sisters, will bring unique perspectives to each session.
The live session will be at a 3pm CST the second Wednesday of each month. You can watch on Zoom or YouTube. If you are unable to join them at that time, you have the option to listen to it via their podcast or watch the recording on YouTube later. For more about this series, a complete list of episodes and topics, and to register click here.
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Learn Something New
(Life and Dignity of the Human Person)
From Bread for the World and NETWORK: The Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation is an interactive tool that helps people understand the connections among racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. It is a good first step for people unaware of structural inequality. In the simulation, participants learn how federal policies created structural inequalities and how these policies increase hunger and poverty in communities of color. To learn more about the simulation, click the video below. If you are interested in participating in or organizing a simulation and would like some assistance, email Amy Kersten at kerstena@diodav.org.
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Call to Action
(Option for the Poor and Vulnerable)
From Bread for the World: As Christians, we are called to seek justice, care for those experiencing hunger and poverty, and embrace our Creator’s vision of hope, love, and peace. The 2021 Offering of Letters is one tool for you to advocate in solidarity with those impacted by the inequities that drive hunger and poverty. The newly redesigned Offering of Letters website (English | Spanish) includes flexible tools and resources and will enable groups to focus and write letters and emails on a range of relevant legislative priorities that may develop throughout the year.
Affordable Housing in Iowa: Please reach out to your state senator to ask for support of Senate File 295 – the Governor’s Housing Proposal. Part of the package provides additional funds for Iowa’s Local Housing Trust Funds (LHTFs) so they can support rehabilitation of existing affordable housing or development of new. Every county in Iowa is covered by an LHTF, so there may be projects that received funding in your community. You can find contact information for all of your state legislators here.
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