Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
Upcoming Events
January 2010
January 1 - World Day of Peace
World Day of Peace is January 1, 2010. Pope Benedict XVI's World Day of Peace Message for 2010 titled "If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation." To read the Holy Father's World Day of Peace Message and other supplementary materials, please visit www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/worlddayofpeacewebsite.shtml or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concens at (614) 241-2540.
January is "Poverty in America Awareness Month"
Today, 39.8 million Americans are living below the poverty line. They live in families who are of necessity making hard choices between food, health care, heat and rent. To bring attention to this national crisis, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has designated January as "Poverty in America Awareness Month." During this special month of observance, we devote our efforts to heightening the nation's understanding of the breadth and depth of the problems of poverty. For information about Poverty in America Awareness Month, go to www.povertyusa.org or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
January 3 - Epiphany
The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child. This Christmas season, we also can give gifts to the Christ seen in the faces of the poor and homeless. Please consider collecting gasoline cards, gift cards, and/or personal care and toiletry items and donating them to your local homeless shelter, food pantries, or St. Vincent de Paul conference. Flier | Bulletin Announcement.
January 3 -9 -- National Migration Week
"Renewing Hope, Seeking Justice" is the theme for National Migration Week, January 3-9, 2010. Communities everywhere are called to treat migrants justly and provide a welcoming presence to all people on the move. During this week, please participate in the Justice for Immigrants Postcard Campaign which calls for comprehensive immigration reform. For online resources for parishes and schools, visit the U.S. Catholic Bishops' National Migration Week website at www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
January 22 - Respect Life Mass - Day of Penance and Prayer
At 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2010, Bishop Frederick Campbell will be the celebrant at Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad Street, Columbus, in observance of the "day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life." This day of penance and prayer falls on the anniversary of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540. For flier, click here.
January 22 - Rally for Life
The annual Rally for Life will be on Friday, January 22, 2010, from Noon to 1 p.m. at the Statehouse, corner of Broad and High Streets, Columbus. The rally is open to all ages. For more information, contact Columbus Right to Life at (614) 445-8508.
February 2010
February 7-10 - Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
The USCCB Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, to be held on February 7-10, 2010, in Washington, DC, is the annual meeting of social justice ministry leaders from national Catholic organizations and dioceses throughout the nation. The meeting includes inspiring prayer and worship, challenging speakers, and social ministry strategy sessions. In addition, participants receive detailed briefings on priority justice and peace issues. A highlight of the meeting is bringing a commom Catholic message of concern for the poor and vulnerable to out U.S. Senators and Representatives on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit the USCCB Catholic Social Ministry website at www.catholicsocialministrygathering.org. or call the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
February 13 - Passion for Compassion: Reflections Across the Ages
"Passion for Compassion: Reflections Across the Ages" will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Martin De Porres Center, 2330 Airport Drive, Columbus. This is a program to bring elders and young people into dialogue on the topic of living compassionately in today's complex world. The event includes presentations on compassion in the Old and New Testaments by Fr. Ron Atwood and Sr. Pat Twohill with time for reflective "table talk" by elders and youth following each presentation. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required by February 9. To register, call (614) 416-1910 or email martindeporres@oppeace.org. For a copy of the flier, click here.
February 16 - Access in Catholic Education: High Schools
On Tuesday, February 16, 2010, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability will host an online webinar "Access in Catholic Education: High Schools." Catholic educators with significant experience at both the school and diocesan levels will share strategies and resources that enable Catholic schools to become successful, inclusive communities. The webinar is from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to those in the Diocese of Columbus since the diocese is an affiliate member of NCPD. For more information go to www.ncpd.org/webinars or call (614) 529-2933.
Lent 2010 - Operation Rice Bowl
As part of our faith community's Lenten observance, many parishes participate in Catholic Relief Services' Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. For 36 years, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast, learn, and give to increase their understanding of our global community throughout our Lenten journey. Family Operation Rice Bowl calendars and "bowl banks" are sent directly to the parishes. Additonal materials may be obtained from the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540. You may also visit the Operation Rice Bowl website at http://orb.crs.org. All are encouraged to participate in Operation Rice Bowl at home with their families and loved ones. Weekly Operation Rice Bowl bulletin announcements are attached.
February 17 - 2nd Annual Diocesan Ash Wednesday Food Drive
This year's food drive will provide teachable moments to the larger community that reflects our desire to follow Christ's command to Peter to "feed my lambs" and "tend my sheep." Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or socmailbox@colsdioc.org.
February 17 - March 28 -- Forty Days for Life
This Spring, from February 17th - March 28th, the Greater Columbus community will be uniting with 200 cities from more than 38 states for the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in history - the nationwide 40 Days for Life campaign. Faithful believers across the country are praying that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America. This prayer vigil in Columbus will take place at "Complete Healthcare for Women", 5888 Cleveland Avenue between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the above dates. Participants are asked to volunteer for one-hour shifts and sign a statement of peace. We are encourage parishes to participate in 40 Days for Life. Please ask your pastor permission for your parish to participate in this event. Contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or socialmailbox@colsdioc.org for more information, flyer, sign-up sheets, and the statement of peace or click here.
March 2010
March is Developmental Disabilities Month
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD) facilitates the implementation of the Pastoral Statement of U.S. Catholic Bishops on People with Disabilities by calling for inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the church and the community. To view NCPD's website, go to www.ncpd.org. To obtain a copy of NCPD's "Opening Doors of Welcome and Justice to Parishioners with Disabilities: A Parish Resource Guide," contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
March 6 - Diocesan Respect Life Conference
The diocesan Respect Life Conference will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Avenue, Columbus. Rev. Tadeusz Pacholczyk, Ph.D., director of education and ethicist of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, will be the featured speaker. The conference begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Registration fee is $15 which includes lunch. To register, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or email socmailbox@colsdioc.org. For flier, click here.
March 13 & 14 - Catholic Relief Services Collection
The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) collection is March 13-14, 2010. CRS is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. To learn more about their global solidarity efforts, please visit the CRS website at http://www.crs.org or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
April 2010
April is Autism Awareness Month
April 2 - Good Friday - Downtown Walking Stations of the Cross
The many facets of faith and justice will be the focus of the annual Walking Stations of the Cross. The event is cosponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the Office for Social Concerns. The walk will begin with an opening prayer at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street, Columbus, at 8 a.m., Friday, April 2, 2010. Participants will stop at locations throughout downtown Columbus to recognize Jesus Christ's suffering and crucifixion as well as reflect on a current area of social concern. For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at (614) 241-2565.
May 2010
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability's mental illness council has produced educational and pastoral resources for parishes regarding mental illness. For more information, visit the NCPD website at www.ncpd.org or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
May 15 - Feast Day of St. Isidore the Farmer
Saturday, May 15, is the feast day of St. Isidore the Farmer. This is a day to recognize the call to stand in solidarity with farm families, agricultural laborers, and migrant farmworkers. We all eat. We all benefit from the fruits of their labor. Please pray for our farming community. For more information on Catholic rural life activities and resources, visit the National Catholic Rural Life Conference's website at www.ncrlc.com or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
June 2010
June is Central Ohio Foreclosure Prevention Month
The diocesan Office for Social Concerns has joined with the Columbus Housing Partnership and other faith communities in central Ohio to build awareness about our community's foreclosure crisis and to promote programs that help those in need of assistance. Foreclosure prevention materials including talking points, flyers and bulletin inserts are available from the Columbus Housing Partnerhip at www.chpcanhelp.org.
September 2010
September 6 - Labor Day
The 2009 Labor Day Statement by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Domestic Policy Committee is available online. The statement highlights the centrality of the worker in economic life and calls attention to principles of Catholic social teaching related to the issues of health care and immigration. To read the statement online, go to http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2009.pdf. For more information about the statement, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
October 2010
October is Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month and Sunday, October 3, 2010, is Respect Life Sunday. For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540. Visit the U.S. Catholic Bishops' website at www.usccb.org/prolife.
November 2010
November 2 - Election Day
"In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." (U.S. Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship). To read the statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States" go to their website at www.faithfulcitizenship.org. Also visit the Catholic Conference of Ohio's website at www.ohiocathconf.org.
November 21 - Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development Collection will be on November 21, 2010, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. For more information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, visit the CCHD website at www.usccb.org/cchd or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
November 25 - Thanksgiving Day
"O GOD, source and giver of all things, who manifests Your infinite majesty, power and goodness in the earth about us, we give you honor and glory. For the sun and rain, for the manifold fruits of our fields, for the increase of our herds and flocks, we than You. For the enrichment of our souls with divine grace, we are grateful. Supreme Lord of the harvest, graciously accept us and the fruits of our toil, in union with Christ Your Son, as atonement for our sins, for the growth of Your Church, for peace and charity in our homes, for salvation to all. Amen." This prayer and other resources for parishes are available online from the National Catholic Rural Life Conference at www.ncrlc.com.
December 2010
December 1 - World AIDS Day
December 8 - National Night of Prayer for Life, Feast of the Immaculate Conception
December 10 - Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 25 - Catholic Charities Collection
The annual collection for diocesan Catholic Charities will be taken up on Christmas Day, December 25. This collection allows the diocese to meet a variety of basic needs directly and through diocesan agencies and organizations including J.O.I.N., St. Stephen's Community House, Catholic Social Services, St. Lawrence Haven, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. You can help share in this important work by generously supporting the Catholic Charities collection this year.
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