Greetings all. As a very crazy summer comes to a close and we come again to the beautiful season of fall, we thank God for all God has done for us and how God continues to love us through all the ups and downs of life.
For several places around the world, this past month has been downright awful. We hold in our prayers the people of Afghanistan, Haiti, and the Gulf Coast. If you're able, we encourage you to support the work of CRS as they seek to support the people of Haiti, Catholic Charities SW Ohio as they do their part to support the Afghan refugees coming to our area, and Catholic Charities USA as they work to support those affected by Hurricane Ida.
Tragically, the pandemic and the recent Delta variant surge is still very much with us, and we must continue to work together to protect ourselves, our friends and family, and the whole of humanity. We encourage you to keep up safety with masks and social distancing when appropriate and get vaccinated. We pray that we can continue with diligence on the path to healing and health, both here and around the world. We also especially pray for those who work in health care - nurses, doctors, maintenance workers, kitchen staffs, etc. - who everyday put their lives at risk for the good of our communities.
School is also back in session so we offer our prayers of thanksgiving and support for all those who work in schools, and we pray for our children as they seek for some sort of normalcy amongst all of the craziness swirling around them.
Once more, we encourage you to please do your part to protect health care workers, educators, the poor and vulnerable, and all people near and far - get vaccinated.
Please know that we continue to pray for 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 and Action Alerts encouraging everyone to bring their voice and power to bear on important issues.
We wish you a wonderful end of summer, Labor Day weekend, and start of fall, and - as always - we look forward to seeing you soon as we continue to stand up for justice, compassion, and equity.
Peace,
Sara, Tammie, Sr. Christine, Mickey, & Andrew

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Praying in Solidarity Remembering 9/11
This September 11th marks the 20th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. Much has changed in our world since then, but - unfortunately - there are still those within and outside our country who persist in committing egregious acts of violence.
To honor those who died on that horrendous day 20 years ago and those who continue today to work for peace, Catholic Charities Southwest Ohio is holding a prayer service on Fri. Sept. 10. It will be streamed on their Facebook page starting at 1:00pm EST. Please join us.
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Abolishing the Death Penalty
For many decades, the Catholic Church has strongly discouraged the use of the death penalty as a means to protect citizens. Sadly, despite multiple attempts to end its use in OH, it is still legal.
Thankfully, there is a real possibility that we can abolish the death penalty in OH this year. Two key pieces of legislation – SB 108 and HB 183 – have been introduced that would abolish the death penalty. The Ohio bishops collectively and Archbishop Schnurr individually have issued statements supporting this legislation, and their voices joining a growing state-wide coalition working to end the death penalty. We encourage all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to join in the effort to end this state-sanctioned violence and respect all life, from womb to tomb.
If you want to learn more about the death penalty in OH, check out the educational opportunity below!
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A Journey of Hope
Ohioans are questioning whether the death penalty works. Please join us to hear from those who have been directly impacted by the death penalty system and why they believe there is a better way to prevent crime and violence in our community.
Featuring:
- George White, murder victim family member and exoneree
- Rev. Dr. Crystal Walker, who tragically lost her son to murder
- Terri Steinberg, whose son was sentenced to death in Virginia despite his innocence
- Jennifer Pryor, director of organizing at Ohioans to Stop Executions
Moderated by Dr. Martha Henderson Hurley, Chair of the Dept. of Criminal Justice & Security Studies at the University of Dayton
Thursday, September 16, 2021, 7:00 pm
First Lutheran Church
138 W. First Street
Dayton, OH 45402
Sponsored by the Miami Valley chapter of Ohioans to Stop Executions.
Free and open to the public.
Please contact jane@otse.org with any questions or for more information.
Masks required, vaccines strongly encouraged.
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Ohio Faith Communities for Death Penalty Abolition Week
Friday, October 8th – Sunday, October 17th
We're asking all parishes and Catholic communities to join people of faith across Ohio to stand in solidarity for abolition of the death penalty. Recognizing the injustices in our criminal justice system, we are unwilling to participate in the cruel and inhumane practice of sentencing our fellow neighbors to death. We join together across religious traditions calling in one voice for the abolition of the death penalty.
Register your communities participation and get more information here.
There are several ways to participate:
· Yard sign or public display of support
· Bulletin insert or email to community
· Prayer service or vigil
· Inclusion in sermon/message during service
· Letter writing or phone banking party – write to our legislators
· Letter to the editor from faith leader or member
· October 19 Lobby day at the statehouse
· Sign onto the Ohio Faith Leader letter urging Ohio to repeal the death penalty
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Explore Pope Francis' encyclical
Fratelli Tutti
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio and the Archdiocesan Social Action Office invite you to delve into the riches of Pope Francis' newest Encylical and its implications for the faithful. This presentation offers a summary of the document and ways in which communities can put its teachings into practice. To learn more or to schedule a presentation contact Andrew Musgrave.
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A Mighty Steam
EquaSion, the parent organization of the Festival of Faiths, has launched a new interfaith educational and action initiative to address racism. It is called 'A Mighty Stream' and the Social Action has signed on as one of the initial partners. You can click here to learn more, and if your parish is interested in joining this wonderful effort, please let Andrew know.

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Laudato Si’ Action Platform
In May of this year the Vatican launched the 7-year Laudato Si’ Action Platform. This initiative’s aim is to have every Catholic institution, from the family to large organizations, become ecologically sustainable in seven years. Pope Francis’ goal is “to help lead the world’s Catholics along a journey of intensified action in caring for creation.” In his video message on May 24th, Pope Francis stated that “We need a new ecological approach that can transform our way of dwelling in the world, our styles of life, our relationship with the resources of the Earth and, in general, our way of looking at humanity and of living life.”
“Our selfishness, our indifference and our irresponsible ways are threatening the future of our children…I therefore renew my appeal: let us overcome the temptation of selfishness that makes us predators of resources; let us cultivate respect for the gifts of the Earth and creation, let us inaugurate a lifestyle and a society that is finally eco-sustainable,” said Francis in his video address.
In his encyclical Laudato Si’, published five years ago, Pope Francis identified the ecological crisis as “a summons to profound interior conversion; a reexamining of our relationships with the Creator, with creation, and with our sisters and brothers.” He also noted that “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue…and calls for a spiritual and cultural revolution to realize integral ecology.”
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform will focus on seven sectors: families, parishes, schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, and religious orders. It has seven goals: The pope explained that the action plan also has seven goals: the response to the cry of the earth, the response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of simple lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community involvement.
Following the Season of Creation (September 1st-October 4th), more specific steps will be released about how the various sectors can become active participants in working towards the action plan goals. To learn more about Laudato Si’ and the 7-year plan go to: www.catholicclimatecovenant.org .
“There is hope”, Pope Francis says, “We can all collaborate, each one with his own culture and experience, each one with her own initiatives and capacities, so that our mother Earth may be restored to her original beauty and creation may once again shine according to God’s plan.”
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Join our Social Action team!
We're looking for someone with a passion for justice, community, and the rural community to take over as our Northern Area Coordinator. To learn more about the position, check out the posting (applications accepted through 9/25) or reach out to Andrew. It's 21 hours/week, and we're looking for someone with a heart for justice and a love for our rural sisters and brothers.
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CCHD 50th anniversary
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the principle way the U.S. bishops and U.S. Catholic Church fight domestic poverty and see to create equity and justice in our communities.
Look out for some great promotional materials sharing the great work local CCHD-funded groups are doing or visit our CCHD website.
If you're in a position to financially support the work of CCHD, you can donate safely and securing through our online giving portal. Thanks in advance for your generosity!
Welcome back Mickey!
Mickey Townsend, our CCHD intern for the '20-'21 school year has returned! We are so blessed to have her back with us for another school year. She did great work with our CCHD Campaign and Anti-Racism Task Force last year, and this year she'll be adding work with the Office for Persons with Disabilities to her workload. We're so glad you're back!
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From the Respect Life Office
Continuing this month, the Respect Life Office – our sister office in the Department for Life, Human Dignity, and Charity – is sharing content from their office in order that we might further partner is our efforts to respect all life, from womb to tomb, and work for dignity and justice.

The Truth About the Equality Act
The Equality Act purports to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In reality, it exempts itself from the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and actually discriminates against those who hold traditional beliefs about marriage and gender. The USCCB and the Catholic Health Association and have both spoken out against it, and for good reason. Some of the harmful effects of The Equality Act would be: forcing faith-based charities that run gender-based shelters, or provide foster care or adoption services to close; expanding the definition of public space, closing parish halls unwilling to host events contrary to Catholic beliefs; allowing biological males to compete with girls and women in sports; forcing health care workers and related institutions to support gender transitioning ideology, even against parental wishes. It passed the House last April, but is currently stalled in the Senate, needing only 1 or 2 more votes to pass. Head to www.usccb.org/equality-act and contact your Senator to oppose it!
For more stories from the Office for Respect Life Ministries,
check out their Newsletter here.

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Supporting Returning Citizens
The HELP Program, based at St Francis DeSales Parish, is a CCHD-funded partner ministering to the imprisoned throughout the greater Cincinnati area when they are released - helping them overcome the numerous barriers to restoring a productive life for themselves and their families. Focusing primarily on employment, HELP also offers mentoring, basic needs aid, personal development planning, and - perhaps most important - a free ride to and from the job, restoration of driver's licenses, and assistance is getting a car. To learn more about the Transportation program and how you can help, please check out the attachments below.
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St. Martin Deanery Farm Mass September 17, 2021
CANCELLED
Due to the increase in COVID cases and out of an abundance of caution, this year’s farm mass has been cancelled. We regret having to make this decision, but we must first and foremost protect all life.
We look forward to celebrating with everyone next year.
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Celebrating 200 Years of Service in the
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
“Let Your Service Shine”
What: An Archdiocesan-wide Service Day
When: Saturday, October 9, 2021
Where: Across the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Who: As many people as possible across the Archdiocese - Young and old, families, parishes, schools, colleges and universities, young adults, youth groups, senior living centers, religious congregations, etc.
Why: Many religious congregations of women and men came to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 200 or more years ago to serve new immigrants, especially German, Italian, Irish, and others, through education, health care, and other social services. Partnering with and engaging people of all ages today in service across the Archdiocese is a fitting way to honor and extend the 200 years of service given by Sisters, Brothers and Priests.
How: Each organization is invited to chose one of the following options.
A. Choose a ready-made project. For example, donate to a Catholic Charities food pantry, or partner with the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center (IJPC) by writing letters for the World Day against the Death Penalty, which is October 10, with St. Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati or Dayton or with another organization.
B. Create your own project.
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Select a committee and a chair or coordinator for your 10.09.2021 project(s). Groups within a parish or small parishes could work together on the project(s).
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Create projects that will benefit those most in need and involve volunteers of all ages and capabilities.
- Invite the volunteers.
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By September 1, 2021, send your service plans to Cerb@sistersofmercy.org
- On your service day, take pictures.
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Send pictures, the number of volunteers who participated in your service projects, and a simple name or description of the service projects in each photo to Cerb@sistersofmercy.org
- Help us spread the good news of the number serving and the number of those being served.
- Celebrate with your volunteers the many ways that your group assisted others.
Go to www.Cincy200.com for updates, timelines, service ideas, contact information for agencies, etc.

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Stay up-to-date about Beacons of Light
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From the Office for Persons with Disabilities
ASL Mass and Reconciliation for the Deaf Community
Fr. Michael Depcik, OSFS, is among fewer than a handful of culturally Deaf priests worldwide. Fr. MD, as he is known, was ordained a priest in 2000 in the congregation of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He currently ministers to Deaf Catholics in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and is a graduate of St. Rita School for the Deaf in our very own Archdiocese. We are fortunate to welcome Fr. MD to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in September as he offers Mass and Reconciliation in ASL for the Deaf community. He will be at St. Michael Parish in Sharonville on Saturday, September 11 offering Reconciliation from
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm with Mass at 3:00 pm, and will then offer a Mass at 6:30 pm at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Centerville with Reconciliation to follow. Fr. Mike will return to the northern part of our Archdiocese on Saturday, September 25 to Immaculate Conception Church in Bradford to offer Reconciliation from 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm and Mass at 3:00 pm in that region. While these liturgies are being offered predominately for the Deaf Community, hearing people are also welcome to attend the Mass. There will be an interpreter available for the hearing at these liturgies. All are welcome!
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CREATING BELONGING
The Importance of Offering ASL Interpreting at Mass
Did you know that only 4% of the Deaf population attend church and that only 6% of churches in North America provide any services to reach out to Deaf Christians? As I reflect on these statistics, I am reminded of the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus left behind the 99 for the sake of the one who was missing. Like the image in this parable, we are missing a part of our parish community when there is not an opportunity for Deaf Catholics to participate, and it is our call as church to provide the necessary accommodations to welcome Deaf Catholics to the Lord’s table. A simple first step would be to begin offering consistent ASL Interpreting at Mass each weekend. While we do have a few parishes that offer ASL Interpreting weekly, it would be ideal for the Deaf Community to have at least one parish nearby where they could regularly attend Mass and be assured that they will be able to fully participate in their own language. If your parish is considering providing ASL at Mass and would like some support in these efforts, please CONTACT US for more information. There are also resources about interpreter services on our Resources Page. Through the simple effort of providing an ASL Interpreter during Mass, a parish can open the door to a new cultural perspective and an entire community of people.
The Office for Persons with Disabilities works to establish a culture of inclusion and meaningful participation for persons with disabilities and their families in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact our office at opd@catholicaoc.org.
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Follow us on social media!
Our office is now on multiple social media platforms. Please add us to your contacts, friends, or following list so we keep you up to date on what's going on.
Twitter: @AoCincinnatiCsa
Instagram: @aocincinnati_csa
YouTube: @CatholicSocialActionAOC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csacinci

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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
There have been questions about the current Covid-19 vaccines and any moral issues that Catholics might have with taking them. The Ohio Bishops and the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith have both issued statements that address and support the moral use of these vaccines to save lives by fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Andrew Musgrave - Cincinnati
Sara Seligmann - Dayton
Sr. Christine Pratt - Eastern Area
Tammie Mers - Administrative Assistant
Mickey Townsend - CCHD intern
Catholic Social Action Office
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
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100 East Eighth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-261-6690
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