2021 June Newsletter

FROM THE OFFICE DIRECTOR

History Lessens
the pain of the present,
Offers a perspective
Incites gratitude:
we've been here before,
we've overcome the odds.
It inspires hope:
We see God's hand,
more visible then,
veiled now,
Still a sure guide and a promise:
I am with you always.
It is His story,
Written by human lives
Woven together by the yeses we raise
each day, given in faith.

The journey continues.
With a glance to the past,
My steps are more secure.
He is faithful, I am quite sure!

written for the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 19, is a historic day in the history of the Catholic Church in Western and Southwestern Ohio. On that day in 1821, Pope Pius VII created the Diocese (later Archdiocese) of Cincinnati. My heart is filled with gratitude to each one of you for your yes to the LORD which has furthered the legacy begun by those men and women who came here two hundred years ago to offer their yes in response to His invitation! Congratulations! May our songs of praise and thanksgiving bring down abundant blessings on the whole Church here, for those near and far away! Maria

YEAR AT A GLANCE

June

6.18.21 Solemn Vespers for consecrated men and women at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains at 4:30 pm
6.19.21 Family Concert at Fountain Square with Marian Consecration
6.19.21 Bicentennial Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati

Upcoming

7.12-14.21 The Religious Brothers Conference is holding its 50th Assembly, this year online. The theme is "Brotherhood in the 21st Century: Brothers as Prophetic Witness." Information is available at www.todaysbrother.com
7.13-15.21 Laudato Si Virtual Conference. Register here.
8.11-13.21 LCWR Assembly, Virtual
9.14-15.21 Eldercare Summit. Learn more and register here.

Fall

10.9.21 Let Your Service Shine - Bicentennial Event organized by Religious
10.23.21 TBC Jubilee Celebration for 2020 and 2021 at the Bergamo Center
10.26-29.21 RCRI National Conference, Orlando, FL
11.4-7. 21 Religious Formation Conference: National Congress, Chicago, IL
11.10.21 TBC Major and Local Superiors meet with Archbishop

Fr. Steve Dos Santos, C.PP.S.

I am a priest and a Missionary of the Precious Blood. I was first incorporated into the Missionaries in 2002, and ordained a priest in 2006. I served in a largely Hispanic parish in Los Angeles until moving to Dayton in 2011. In Los Angeles, I was asked by the pastor to oversee youth and young adult ministry. Since coming to Dayton I have worked in administration for the congregation, but when I knew that the position of Vocation Director was coming open I asked if they would consider me for the position. I began vocations ministry in 2016 for the eastern US, and in 2019 became the Director the whole country.

Originally from California, people often ask me how I ended up in Dayton. My usual answer is "Obedience." The community had a need, asked me to fill it, and I said yes. My family is all still back in California. I usually manage to get home to see them every year around the holidays.

Having managed restaurants before formation, cooking was something I loved. Back in the fall of 2019, a friend gave me some of her wild yeast starter, which I have kept alive. During the lock down phase of Covid, I have learned some of the tricks of baking. Of course I make sourdough bread, but I hate throwing away the discard, so I’ve found a bunch of other recipes that use the starter. The chocolate chip cookies are pretty tasty.

One of the perks of being a Vocations Director is all the youth and young adult events I get to attend. As a priest that often means hearing Confessions, which are such graced moments. It is truly a highlight of my ministry.

I have especially valued working with the other vocation directors in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and through NRVC. I think it is important that we give witness to the joy of religious life. One way we show that is through the fun we have working together.

Virtual Come & See Event for Vocation Directors

Labouré Society is holding a virtual event for vocation directors to learn more about how the organization helps vocation directors accept debt-free candidates, how graduates from the Labouré program enter formation with valuable skills that can help your community thrive, and how funds previously earmarked for student loan debt resolution can be repurposed for other institutional needs.

Student loan debt blocks thousands each year from entering religious formation. Chances are, you have a candidate with student loan debt, or if you don't, you will soon. Get familiar with the program now. The dates are July 22, 12:30-4:30 p.m. CT, and July 24, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. CT. Register here.

LET YOUR SERVICE SHINE!

Join the women and men of religious congregations who are commemorating their role in the history of the Archdiocese by facilitating a Day of Service. Visit www.Cincy200.com for ideas, resources, partners, flyers, etc. to create a service day plan. For questions, please contact Sr. Cheryl Erb, RSM at 513.504.0842 or Sr. Rita Sturwold, SNDdeN at 513.503.4822. By September 1, send a brief description of your plan for the day to Sister Cheryl Erb cerb@sistersofmercy.org.

Sponsored by Creighton University and Catholic Climate Covenant

"Laudato Si’ and the U.S. Catholic Church: A Conference Series on Our Common Home" is a biennial conference series to convene, equip, and inspire Catholics who can more deeply integrate Laudato Si’ and its climate change teaching into the U.S. Church.

The first convening was held at Creighton in June 2019 and the presentations were published in the Journal of Moral Theology. The second gathering will be held virtually July 13-15, 2021. In partnership with Creighton, the 2021 conference expresses Catholic Climate Covenant’s leading role coordinating U.S. Catholic enactment of the Vatican "Laudato Si’ Action Platform." The 2021 virtual gathering will be free and open to the public but registration is required. At the time of registration, attendees are encouraged to make a freewill donation to help offset conference costs that include Spanish language translations.

For more information see this article. To learn how some parishes are tackling this, see here.

VATICAN NEWS

Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has issued a decree, establishing term limits for the internal government of international associations of the faithful. Read the document here.

Pope Francis has named a new prefect for the Congregation for the Clergy, Bishop Lazarus You Heung-ski, who has been bishop of Daejeon, Korea.

CICLSAL releases instruction for elections The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has released a circular letter authorizing "telematic means for the remote connection of members of collegiate or similar bodies," for assemblies that will be held by the end of 2022. The election of the supreme moderator and council during chapter must be done via mailed ballot.

LAST MILE FOOD RESCUE IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE HUNGRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR CITY - Did you know that 35% of food goes to waste while 20% of Cincinnati’s population struggles with food insecurity? Last Mile uses the power of technology to connect volunteer drivers to good food in need of rescue. Our simple app takes you every step of the way – from picking up food to dropping off at local non-profits. Would you donate an hour of your time to help us rescue good food and deliver it to those who need it most? To date, Last Mile has rescued 500,000 pounds of food in just seven months. Our goal is to hit one million pounds of food rescued by the end of 2021. Join us in the movement to #endfoodwaste and become a food rescue hero today! Get started by downloading the app! www.lastmilefood.org/our-app

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES NEEDS YOUR HELP – Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio is recruiting volunteers to serve as mentors to refugee youth ages 15-24. Work with refugee youth to promote social and civic engagement and support academic and vocational advancement. Volunteers must be 18 or older and commit 2 hours a week. No foreign language skills required. Contact Donald Foley at 513.672.3824 or dfoley@ccswoh.org for more information. Affordable housing needed for refugees resettling in the Greater Cincinnati area. For more information, contact Annie Scheid at 513.672.3784 or ascheid@ccswoh.org.