Prayer
Today is the United Nations World Environment Day. The 2024 theme is land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. The Catholic Health Association USA has shared this prayer. I invite you to join in praying this prayer sometime today.
Action
The letters are ready! Would you like to write to a few citizens and encourage them to register to vote? The letter is mostly written, you just add two sentences about why you vote. This is non-partisan! There is no mention of a candidate or issue, only why you vote. If you are interested in writing a few letters, let me know. I’ll bring them to you. If you are not located in Cincinnati, you can sign up to write letters at www.voteforward.org
This Friday is National Gun Violence Awareness Day. This weekend many will “Wear Orange for Awareness.” If you have any orange clothing, I invite you to wear it this Friday! If you do, I’d love to come snap a photo and maybe post it to our social media! Let me know. This is a national movement to bring attention to gun violence. The goal is not to debate gun laws, but to bring attention to the many ways gun violence affects our communities. Nuns Against Gun Violence will host a webinar on June 18 at 7:00 PM (ET) titled Firearms and Faith. REGISTER.
Education
Happy Birthday Dorothy Stang! This Friday is Dorothy’s birthday. It is also the day we will “go live” with the 20th anniversary webpage of resources and planned events.
Don’t forget! In celebration of the United Nations World Environment Day, this year we are encouraged to become a member of Generation Restoration, and leave our Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z titles behind. TOMORROW, June 6, at 1:00 PM (ET) Join Catholic Climate Covenant in a conversation with Gopal Patel and Amy Echeverria (two internationally recognized faith-based environmental leaders). The panelists will go on an inner and outer journey of exploring the theme of “Restoration.” In the context of UN processes on land restoration, biodiversity, climate change, and more, they will weave together a holistic tapestry of spirituality and advocacy in action. REGISTER.
Democracy Watch
I will soon be inviting those of you in Cincinnati to join me in writing a few non-partisan letters to registered, but inactive, voters to encourage them to get out and vote. I hope you will join me in this effort.
Resources:
The USCCB has released new materials for Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. We are invited to read and share these materials, which guide our political responsibility as Catholics and faithful citizens. The information is available in English and Spanish.
New Introductory Note to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: English | Spanish.
The Role of the Church in American Political Life: English | Spanish.
The Dignity of the Human Person: English | Spanish.
The Common Good: English | Spanish.
Solidarity: English | Spanish.
Subsidiarity: English | Spanish.
“In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.” — Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, No. 13. The USCCB encourages us all to form our conscience and vote! It is a call of our faith.