Welcome to the March 17, 2021 edition of Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. Happy St. Patrick's Day! And please don't forget St. Joseph, who is honored on March 19. If this email was forwarded to you, and you'd like to receive it each week, please click here.
Valerie Schmalz
Director
Office of Human Life & Dignity
Archdiocese of San Francisco
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Sunday was the Archdiocesan Respect Life Essay Contest Awards Mass and ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Mass was socially distanced in the cathedral with the awards distributed outside on a cathedral plaza. Despite the chilly, windy weather, all were in joyous spirits. Each child had his or her photo taken with the Archbishop. Archbishop Cordileone in his homily told the youngsters: "We are grateful to you for what you do to build up the culture of life especially among your peers. We are proud of you. You give us real hope." (Photo by Dennis Callahan/Archdiocese of San Francisco)
Are you wondering what you can do to help as the U.S. experiences a record number of minors at the U.S.-Mexico border? The Washington Post recently reported that over 8,500 unaccompanied migrant teens and children are now in shelters under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services, waiting for relatives or sponsors living in the U.S. to claim them. The newspaper also reported that more than 3,500 — also a record number — are at U.S. Border Patrol stations waiting for space to open at shelters. The U.S. is now deploying the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to help “safely receive, shelter, and transfer unaccompanied children who make the dangerous journey to the U.S. southwest border.” Catholic News Service reports here. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a web page with information on directly helping a refugee child. (Photo by Catholic News Service)
March 16 was the one-year anniversary of the telephone rosary rally that Restorative Justice coordinator Julio Escobar initiated as the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine hit. A group that fluctuates from 30 to 50 prays the rosary every evening Monday - Friday at 7 p.m. From March to October, the group prayer was all seven days, including Saturday and Sunday. The rosary group prays for each other, for families, for those incarcerated and victims of violence. "We have been there for each other," Julio said, as family members have died, or fallen ill. Members of the group have given of their hearts and their charity to the RJ-sponsored Thanksgiving meal for jail inmates, to a new scholarship fund for those leaving incarceration, and more. In honor of the anniversary, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone will join the group to pray the rosary with them on March 18. (Photo illustration by Catholic News Service)
What's coming up:
- March 23 _ 7 p.m. Salutations of the Holy Cross Prayer Service @ Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, Belmont. Metropolitan Gerasimos presiding and Archbishop Cordileone to deliver homily.
- Feb. 17 - March 28 _ 40 Days for Life campaigns. Sign up at 40daysforlife.com
- April 4 _ Easter
- April 10 _ San Mateo Pro-Life Mass at St. Gregory celebrated by Archbishop, followed by prayer outside Planned Parenthood.
- April 17 _ Retreat for healing after abortion. Go to sfarch.org/rachel or call 415-614-5567.