Welcome to the Dec. 16, 2020 edition of Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. If this email was forwarded to you, and you'd like to receive it each week, please click here.    

Prominent Catholics causing scandal: San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said in a statement this week that "It is a cause of no little scandal" when "Catholics who are prominent in public life" champion causes that directly violate the inherent dignity of human life. The statement was made in support of a recent essay in First Things by Philadelphia Archbishop-emeritus Charles J. Chaput entitled "Mr. Biden and the Matter of Scandal." On Dec. 14 the Electoral College voted to confirm former Vice President Joseph Biden as president-elect. Archbishop Cordileone has recently made a series of statements regarding core Catholic teachings, religious liberty and life. They can be found on the archdiocesan website. (CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters) 

Human Trafficking Prevention Initiative: Each year, an estimated 17,000 vulnerable men, women and children are trafficked across U.S. borders and then forced into slavery. To kick off its new human trafficking prevention initiative, the Respect Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of San Francisco is sponsoring a great series of Zoom talks and actions beginning in January, which is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The first talk will be by an advocate with Through God's Grace Ministry and the author of "How You Can Fight Human Trafficking, Over 100 Ways to Make a Difference." 

Helping Homeless People: The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption is opening its event space for the San Francisco Interfaith Winter Shelter. While the shelter is usually rotated between several houses of worship, this year, due to the pandemic restrictions, the cathedral will be the sole site.