Welcome to the Dec. 9, 2020 edition of
Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. Below are some of the social justice news items of the week. Plus, catch up on more news of the week, including a strong letter in support of the right to worship from St. Pius pastor Father Tom Martin, by clicking on the Human Life & Dignity blog at the end of this email. If this email was forwarded to you, and you'd like to receive it each week, please
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A special year dedicated to St. Joseph is underway! The Year of St. Joseph was announced Dec. 8 by Pope Francis -- extending until Dec. 8, 2021. Pope Francis announced the special year yesterday, Dec. 8, on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The date was also the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church by Blessed Pope Pius IX. The year will bring many opportunities for plenary indulgences. Above is the stamp for this special year. In his apostolic letter Pope Francis wrote: “Each of us can discover in Joseph...an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble."
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Health and Human Services secretary. This nomination would need to be approved by the U.S. Senate. Becerra was part of a
successful multi-state challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court of the Trump Administration's efforts to abolish the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. However on most issues, Becerra has been on the opposing side of Catholic leaders and bishops, and is viewed by pro-life leaders as an "aggressively pro-abortion pick."
Sister Hope to the rescue! Depression and anxiety are hard to handle alone -- and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. The Archdiocese of San Francisco Mental Health Ministry is offering a new resource that offers immediate help. “Sister Hope ” is a “chatbot,” an AI-driven (Artificial Intelligence) response to text messages around issues of mental health. Its secular version is already in use by millions. The archdiocesan religious version responds to text messages from someone with anxiety or depression, and offers suggestions and positive feedback. Sister Hope is
accessible in both English and Spanish, and free, to anyone in the archdiocese. This is ideal for people who don’t need a professional counselor, but might need some support.