St Isidore the Farmer Social Justice has chosen the Catholic Worker House for our next “Feed the Hungry” project and we will provide the Easter meal for 2023 on April 9. There will be a sign up in the Gathering Space in March–items can be brought to Mass the last weekend of March of April 1st and will be delivered April 4th. We will provide the items on the list, the residents at Catholic Worker house will prepare the meal. We’re planning a ham dinner with all the fixens and hopefully left overs to provide a large pot of bean n ham soup.
Thank you from Tanager Place:
Birthright Newsletter New Year 2023
Another option will be offered at St. Matthews in Cedar Rapids-details on this flyer:
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn Children
Although the Supreme Court’s Dobbs vs. Jackson ruling in June 2022 overturned Roe vs. Wade, the Church’s advocacy for life remains as vital as ever, especially as our country remains staunchly divided on the issue of abortion. This January 23rd, we’re asked to turn our hearts towards prayer and penance on the “Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn Children.” This day is typically observed on the 22nd, but because this year it falls on a Sunday, the recognition will be Monday the 23rd. There are many resources available from the USCCB to utilize in recognition of this date at usccb.org/resources/
The plastic bag collection to make matts for the homeless has resumed and they appreciate your contritubtion!The committee from St. Patrick’s in Anamosa is asking for help to gather plastic grocery bags for a project to make sleeping mats for the homeless. It takes between 600 and 800 bags to make one mat, woven or crocheted. We will have a box in the Gathering space to collect these in the next few weeks. Please be sure your bag is free of debris.
Contact any member of the Social Justice Commission for information regarding our hand crosses and Rosary CD
DACA Court Ruling
A court ruling on July 16th, 2021 ruled that the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) policy “is illegal” and will not be accepting applications from first-time applicants. The judge ruled DACA is unlawful but he is letting current DACA remain in place for current recipients. Current DACA recipients continue to have DACA and can renew and should renew. Click HERE for more information on the court ruling.
Click HERE to tell your senator that a permanent solution for Dreamers is needed.
We encourage you to contact our Immigration Legal Services to request a FREE consultation if you have any questions regarding DACA or your immigration status. You can reach us at 319-364-7121
Social Justice ce Commission members for 2022-2023 are Council members Mike Courtney and John Kellerman and then volunteer members are John Roberts, Elaine Jacobson, Connie Sjostrom and Julie Meyer.
* Should a Catholic use Iowa’s Living Will?
Catholic Charities-Did you know that Catholic Charities offers a diverse array of programs and services throughout the Archdiocese of Dubuque, including Mental Health Counseling, Crisis Pregnancy and Post Abortion Counseling, Affordable Housing, Refugee Resettlement, Immigration Legal Services, Jail & Prison Ministry, mentoring and support for single parents and Disaster Services? Support these services with your gift to the Catholic Charities Annual Appeal. Learn more at www.CatholicCharitiesDubuque.org.
SANSI (Springville Area Neighborhood Services and Information) falls under Social Justice as the three area churches work together to handle the challenges of the needs in the community. We have 3 parish members (John Roberts, Al Meyer and Yvette Moravec) who sit on the board of SANSI and represent us in those community projects including the Backpack program and the annual Ecumenical service.
Several sub-committees fall under Social Justice—annual food drive (handled by the RE classes)Angel Tags for Tanager (handled by Julie Meyer)
We have sponsored children chosen by previous Social Justice commission members. World Vision is Oscar Simzawa and Unbound is Jesus Alexandro (previous Christian Children)
We organize the RESPECT Life programs in October and in January we plan the prayer service on the Anniversary of Roe V Wade.
Throughout the year we respond to needs brought to us by Catholic Charities—whether financial or bringing awareness of volunteer opportunities and needs around the Archdiocese. Fortnight for Freedom is a great example of this—with information provided in the bulletin during the month of June.
We are tasked with determining the recipients of our tithing (the amount is set by Finance Council) and select various local charities.