Welcome to the March 4, 2020 edition of Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. Here are a few of the important priorities, news and ideas of the week.
What we are watching: The ACLU and the
California Catholic Conference are both backing AB 732, legislation to change the California penal code to require better conditions for pregnant women in county jails and in state prisons. While a 2012 state law prohibits shackling during labor and delivery, this legislation would require pregnant women not be tasered, that they receive prenatal vitamins and be placed on lower bunks, among other requirements. The legislation passed the Assembly last year and is before the California Senate this year. Interested in following more state legislation from a Catholic standpoint? Check out this web page:
https://www.cacatholic.org and go to the Issues drop down menu.
Looking for that little cardboard Rice Bowl and can't find it at your parish? There is still time to pick up the Lenten perennial, the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl. Contact Martin Ford at
fordm@sfarch.org and he can expedite sending your parish the Rice Bowl boxes that raise consciousness and funds for the U.S. bishops overseas relief service.
Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service launches officially on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation (nine months before Christmas!) of Our Lord to the Blessed Mother by the Angel Gabriel. It is also the 25th anniversary of the publication of St. John Paul's
Gospel of Life. Please consider
signing up for the email list as a prayer partner and to keep informed. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone has sent a letter to all pastors, noting "No matter what lawmakers and courts decide in the coming years, we as Catholic Christians must continue to focus on the needs of pregnant and parenting moms in our parishes and neighborhoods."
Projects envisioned for the year include inventorying resources in our neighborhoods, publicizing our resources and of course--prayer. More information forthcoming!