Welcome to the June 8, 2022 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 don't forget to sign up for tomorrow's webinar "We Were Born Ready: A New Vision for Post-Roe California" hosted by the California Catholic Conference.

Melissa Vlach
Social Action and Digital Media Coordinator
Office of Human Life & Dignity
Archdiocese of San Francisco

Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone was one of four chairmen of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) committees who sent a joint letter to Congress calling them to take action to address gun violence. In it they call for specific actions including a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks, and a change to the minimum age of gun ownership.

Following the recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo, Laguna Woods, and Tulsa, the bishops write, "We urge all members of Congress to reflect on the compassion all of you undoubtedly feel in light of these tragic events and be moved to action because of it. There is something deeply wrong with a culture where these acts of violence are increasingly common." Individuals can add their voices to this cause by contacting their members of Congress. (Photo of Sacred Heart Church pastor Rev. Eduardo Morales in front of memorials of those who died in Uvalde, Texas school massacre from church Facebook page.) 

"Please do not use wheat, a staple food, as a weapon of war!" urged Pope Francis at last week's General Audience. His plea comes as blockades of Black Sea ports are threatening to increase hunger throughout the world.

This week the U.S. government accused Russia of stealing grain and selling it to other countries. Russia and Ukraine normally produce 30 percent of the world's grain supply and 67 percent of the world's sunflower oil, so the conflict is having widespread effects on the global food supply.

Catholic Relief Services is launching a new campaign focused on climate change and its effects on people around the world. The campaign's website is up now, with resources, stories and prayers available.

The campaign will officially launch on October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Everyone is invited to take part, as individuals or as part of a chapter.