"Accompanying on its own is not enough. It is not enough to offer someone a sandwich unless it is accompanied by the possibility of learning how to stand on one’s own two feet. Charity that leaves the poor person as he is, is not sufficient. True mercy, the mercy God gives to us and teaches us, demands justice, it demands that the poor find the way to be poor no longer. It asks us, the Church, to ensure that no one ever again stand in need of a soup-kitchen, of makeshiftlodgings, of a service of legal assistance in order to have his legitimate right recognized to live and to work, to be fully a person." -- Pope Francis, Sept. 10, 2013

Respecting life is about more than working to end abortion.  It also requires us to be in solidarity with and continue to support women and men who choose life after their child is born.  To that end, the Social Justice committee is once again collecting items for Birthright of Cedar Rapids to give to parents who need the extra help.  Items will be collected  throughout the month of October.  Each parish will have a crib or play pen at the main entrance of the church where donations can be placed.

 Birthright has identified the following as the items they most need:
© Summer clothing for boys - size 9 months (check the clearance racks!)
© Clothing for girls and boys - newborn to 3 months
© Baby wipes and other toiletries such as baby shampoo and soap

 Other items that they can always use to distribute to families in need include:
© Disposable diapers - size 1 or 2
© Onesies and outfits - size 3 to 12 months
© Pajamas - size 3 to 12 months
© Baby towels and wash cloths
© Receiving blankets or quilts (handmade are great!)
© Spring/fall lightweight jackets, including zippered sweatshirts
© Socks and shoes
© Winter outerwear - coats, hats, gloves/mittens
© NEW baby bottles
© Infant toys

 Items must be new or gently used, clean, unstained and in good condition. 

Birthright creates a network of support through friendship and free resources for pregnant women and their families. They offer free pregnancy tests, maternity clothing vouchers, newborn baby baskets, referrals and much more. Birthright is not involved in any political activities or lobbying. Birthright’s focus is on loving the mother, reminding her that there is hope and ensuring that she is not alone.   Learn more at https://birthright.org/cedarrapids/

 Birthright of Cedar Rapids is located at 375 Collins Rd, NE, Suite 107.  Their phone number is 319-393-3251.

On Care for Our Common Home (Laudato Si') is the new appeal from Pope Francis addressed to "every person living on this planet" for an inclusive dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. Pope Francis calls the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new path. This encyclical is written with both hope and resolve, looking to our common future with candor and humility.

You can read the encyclical here.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has unveiled a new project to help Catholics respond to Jesus' call in Matthew's gospel to be "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." Learn more here.