Welcome to the June 16, 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. And just a reminder -- Father's Day is Sunday!

Valerie Schmalz

Director

Office of Human Life & Dignity

Archdiocese of San Francisco

Today the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will convene virtually in their spring General Assembly -- and a big topic will be the Eucharist. The USCCB meeting, June 16-18, has been particularly of interest because of controversy surrounding whether the conference will approve a framework for writing a document on 'Eucharistic coherence': teachings on the meaning of the Eucharist and its role in the life of the Church.  "The document — should the bishops vote to write one — would most certainly make mention of the fact that politicians and other public figures who take positions at odds with doctrine should not receive Holy Communion," notes The Pillar Catholic. If the document is written, it would be presented for a vote by the bishops at their next meeting, in person, in Baltimore. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone specifically addressed the issue in his pastoral letter and has been at the forefront of advocating for the document. (Photo courtesy of Catholic News Service)

Pope Francis often reminds us of the importance of global solidarity. One way to live this message is through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Chapters. These chapters are made up of small groups of dedicated, caring individuals who take a leadership role in advocating for global issues and fighting poverty and hunger, all without leaving our local communities. The Archdiocese of San Francisco is supporting CRS's initiative and we are looking for individuals in our local parishes who would like to form chapters. The first step is an informational session to gain more information, and all subsequent training will be provided. If you’d like to join this network and support vulnerable communities throughout the world, we’d love to hear from you.

Thirty years ago Ann Russell Miller, a wealthy San Francisco socialite, widow and mother of 10 children threw herself a farewell party for 800 and left to enter a Carmelite cloister in the Midwest. Joan Frawley Desmond, a San Francisco Bay Area-based writer for the National Catholic Register, grew up in the company of this remarkable woman and she has published a reflection about Sister Mary Joseph of the Trinity. The Discalced Carmelite's funeral was June 9.