Welcome to the March 18, 2020 edition of Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. As Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone writes in his letter this week to the People of God: "We are living in extraordinary times, unprecedented in the lives of most of us."
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone instituted extraordinary measures in response to COVID-19 concerns, including
halting public Masses to comply with the "shelter in place" orders in the six Bay Area counties intended to contain the virus. In his letter to the faithful, published on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, he writes: "It is of the utmost importance that we all do our part to comply with this order, so that we might 'flatten the curve,' that is, extend the period of time in which people will get sick, so that our health care institutions will not be overwhelmed."
Archbishop writes a second special letter to all of us: "Keeping the Lord's Day Holy at Home" with a pastoral message, suggestions, prayers and links to other resources particularly helpful during this time.
Material help for those in need continues from many Catholic agencies. Info on what St. Anthony Foundation is doing
here. In San Mateo County, Padua Dining Room at St. Anthony Parish in Menlo Park continues to provide daily meals as explained
here. A phone in rosary is offered by the archdiocesan Restorative Justice Ministry with info
here. Jobless benefits will be available immediately according to Gov. Gavin Newsom as explained
here. Keeping up with the news on COVID-19 is free online from the
San Francisco Chronicle and the
San Jose Mercury News as a public service. Catholic San Francisco's staff is working overtime to keep you informed on Catholic San Francisco's frequently updated website linked below.