Welcome to the April 1, 2020 edition of Just 3 Things, the weekly social action newsletter of the Office of Human Life & Dignity. As we face at least another month of 'shelter in place,' we draw consolation from Pope Francis who blessed the world with a special "Urbi et orbi" blessing from Rome, praying "together with Peter we cast all of our anxieties onto You because we know You care for us."
The Bay Area is seeing a potential flattening of the curve of COVID-19 cases, but no one is declaring victory as the Archdiocese of San Francisco joins with the rest of the state in continuing the shutdown for at least another month.
Here are a few of the important priorities, news and ideas of this week. If this email was forwarded to you and you'd like to receive it each week, click here to visit our website to subscribe. __________________________________________________________________
Undocumented immigrants, working under the radar, and without unemployment benefits and wary of accessing health care are among those hurt immediately by the COVID-19 shutdown of most of the economy. At the same time, undocumented immigrants are rarely eligible for any of the government's efforts to help.
Resources to help you through the economic fallout are offered in two articles by the Los Angeles Times this morning that detail an overview of options with links to resources you can access if you are out of work and if you are a renter or homeowner struggling to make payments. SF Curbed has an article "What to do if you can't pay next month's rent." Catholic Charities and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in your parish in San Francisco and by county in Marin and San Mateo can help with some needs. Finally--Facebook has launched an interactive tool to connect people who want to help with those who need assistance.
From livestream Masses to family go-to-meeting prayer groups, American Catholics are finding ways to be 'online together.' Livestream Masses are being offered by priests at most parishes, so please check your parish website or go to the sfarch.org/livestreams web page to find your parish. If you are interested in what is being offered in other parts of the country, here is a partial list. And, your parish is hurting financially since none of us are in church to donate. If you can, please mail a check, go online to donate at your parish website or access the new Archdiocese of San Francisco parish donation site. Finally, you don't need a computer--just a phone that dials to join our daily rosary organized by Restorative Justice coordinator Julio Escobar. Prayer leaders include community members, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, St. Francis of Assisi-East Palo Alto pastor Father Larry Goode, and many others. Check it out! Join us!