Welcome to the April 14, 2021 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. 

Valerie Schmalz

Director

Office of Human Life & Dignity

Archdiocese of San Francisco

In light of the state of California lifting all capacity limits on worship services, and noting that caution is still called for as society starts to open up from Covid-19 restrictions, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone instructed the priests of the Archdiocese to continue to adhere to the current safety protocols of the Archdiocese, with a single exception: instead of determining worship capacity on an absolute number or percentage, a priest may use the “six foot rule,” with attendance that allows six feet distance between households. At the same time, the Archbishop will also be consulting with experts in the field and the appropriate leaders in the Archdiocese to determine when and how to make appropriate updates to these protocols; and he reminds parishioners to continue to follow recommended practices such as wearing masks, frequent handwashing, social distancing, and becoming vaccinated. Learn more about the Archdiocesan protocols at sfarch.org/health-alerts. (Photo shows Archbishop at peace prayer service Sunday. Credit to Dennis Callahan/Archdiocese of San Francisco)

The Vatican is hosting a major conference on the Theology of the Priesthood next February. Topics will include increasing vocations, the relationship between laypeople and priests, and ensuring that service, not power, motivates the request for ordination. (Photo of Archdiocesan Chrism Mass March 30. Credit to Dennis Callahan/Archdiocese of San Francisco)

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone prayed for an end to abortion on Saturday at Planned Parenthood in San Mateo and then prayed for peace and against racism, at a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption. In both locations -- in San Mateo at Planned Parenthood after a Mass for Life at St. Gregory Church and at the cathedral -- the Archbishop prayed the rosary. To read his homily "How to Be Inoculated Against the Virus of Racism"  at the cathedral service, click the button below. (Photo by Dennis Callahan/Archdiocese of San Francisco)