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.
April 23 - J.O.I.N. BiblioBenefit VI
J.O.I.N. BiblioBenefit VI is Friday, April 23, 2010 at St. Andrew Church, Nugent Hall, 1899 McCoy Road, Columbus. The Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs’ annual BiblioBenefit fundraising event helps support their mission to provide emergency aid to the poor with food, clothing, prescriptions, transportation, utilities, and referral information. This year’s BiblioBenefit theme is St. George’s Feast. At the event participants will have an opportunity to browse a display from the Cathedral Book Shop. Registration is $40 per person. Reservations due April 13. Mail reservations to J.O.I.N. c/o BiblioBenefit VI, 578 East Main St., Columbus, OH 43215. BiblioBenefit Flyer
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.
June 9 - Senior Citizens Day Celebration
The annual diocesan Senior Citizens Day Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Seton Parish, 600 Hill Road North, Pickerington. Bishop Campbell will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. Mass will be followed by a luncheon. Registration for lunch is $15. To register, please send a check payable to the Office for Social Concerns, Catholic Diocese of Columbus, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or call (614) 241-2540. Registrations are requested by June 2. For flyer, click here.
June 10 - Webinar on Mental Illness in Youth and Young Adults
The National Catholic Partnership on Disability will sponsor an online webinar on Mental Illness in Youth and Young Adults on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 1 p.m. The webinar will cover topics such as symptoms and responses; support for individuals, families and parishioners, and Catholic teaching. To register, visit www.ncpd.org or call NCPD at (202) 529-2933.
July
July 21 - Ohio Interfaith Rally for Immigration Reform
Ohio Faith Rally for Immigration Reform on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. A statewide interfaith rally calling for comprehensive immigration reform will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 6:30 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus. Please join with other people of faith in this prayerful witness. For more information about the rally, please contact the diocesan Catholic Latino Ministry office at (614) 262-7992 or the Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540. To learn more about the Church’s teaching on immigration, please visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org.
September 2010
September 6 - Labor Day
The 2010 Labor Day Statement by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Domestic Policy Committee is available online. To read the statement online, go to http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/labor_day_2010.pdf. For more information about the statement, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
September 17 - Catholic Social Services Breakfast with the Bishop
Catholic Social Services Annual Breakfast with the Bishop will be held on Friday, September 17, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency, 350 N. High Street, Columbus. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. Speakers for the event are Bishop Frederick F. Campbell and Fr. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA. All proceeds from the breakfast will support the vital programs and services of Catholic Social Services. Individual tickets are available for $40. To inquire about purchasing tickets or event sponsorship, please contact Merry Ralston at (614) 857-1254 or mralston@colscss.org.
September 25 - Friends of the Poor Walk
Friends of the Poor Walk by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be held on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at Whitehall Community Park, 402 N. Hamilton Road, Whitehall, at 9:30 a.m. Registration starts at 8:45 a.m. Walk or sponsor a walker to raise money for those who need it. To register, visit www.svdpusa.org and click on Friends of teh Poor Walk or contact Dennis Hanzel at (614) 475-6674.
September 26 - Catholic Charities Sunday
Catholic Charities Sunday is September 26, 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates 100 years. Catholic Charities Sunday, and CCUSA’s Centennial, is a time to recommit ourselves to the mission to assist those in need and reduce poverty in America. To take part in the celebration, visit the CCUSA Centennial webpage to download Centennial liturgical resources including homily ideas, daily reflections, and bulletin inserts at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/centennial. For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.
September 30 - Retreat for those who are Unemployed
Retreat for those who are unemployed at St. Therese's Retreat Center, 5277 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, September 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In these difficult economic times, many individuals and families are struggling to deal with layoffs and unemployment. This retreat is intended to provide a space for people who have recently lost their jobs or suffer from the current economic crisis. The retreat offers an opportunity for people to come together and feel God's loving presence and hear about practical strategies for new employment and linkages that can be of assistance to them. There is no cost for the retreat and simple lunch that will be served. To register, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or email at socmailbox@colsdioc.org. Registrations are requested by September 27. Co-sponsored by St. Theres's Retreat Center and the diocesan Office for Social Concerns. For flyer - click here
October 2010
October is Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month and Sunday, October 3, 2010, is Respect Life Sunday. "The Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure" is the theme of the 2010-2011 Respect Life Program. Celebrate the gift of life in all its stages. 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.
October 5 - Webinar on Prenatal Diagnosis and Disability
On Tuesday, October 5, 2010, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability in collaboration with the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities will host an online webinar "Poor Prenatal Diagnosis of Lethal or Non-lethal Conditions & Disability. This webinar will feature medical personnel, bioethicists, religious, and service providers. The webinar is from 1-2:30 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 NCPD at (202) 529-2933.
October 15 - Gathering of Prison and Jail Ministers
Gathering of prison chaplains and volunteeres of the Diocese of Columbus will take place on Friday, October 15, 2010, at St. Patrick Church, 61 South Union Street, London, Ohio. Bishop Frederick F. Campbell will celebrate Mass at 6 p.m. Dinner and a meeting will follow. The meeting will be an opportunity to share information about prison ministry efforts throughout the diocese. Please RSVP by Monday, October 11, to the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or email at socmailbox@colsdioc.org.
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. |