To learn more about this movement please see video below and click here.

A call for farmers to invest in relationships with partners in Africa

 

By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger

Connecting Catholic farmers in the Davenport Diocese with priests, sisters and brothers who manage agricultural property in sub-Saharan Africa will cultivate Christ-centered relationships and sustainable farming, organizers of a new diocesan project say.

The blueprint for the initiative already exists in the Diocese of Salina, Kansas, with a pilot project created in cooperation with Missio Invest, which serves as a vehicle to strengthen a network of crucial services in sub-Saharan Africa. These services include church-run schools and health facilities attached to farmable land, much of it underutilized because of lack of funds and commercial experience.  Read more ...

 

How to get involved

Catholic farmers interested in participating in the Missio Invest Farmer Mentor project may contact Deacon Dan Freeman at freeman@davenportdiocese.org and
Diocese of Davenport Social Action Director Kent Ferris at
ferris@davenportdiocese.org

Welcome to the Official Website for the Office of Social Action of the Diocese of Davenport.
 

Mission Statement

To support communities of faith in our Diocese in acting upon Catholic Social Teaching Principles.

History of the Two Feet of Social Justice.
The Two Feet of Social Justice logo was the inspiration of Msgr. Marvin Mottet, the first director of  the Social Action Department in the Diocese of Davenport.  

• Two Feet - English

• Two Feet - Spanish                                 

• Social Action Brochure - English - 2019

• Social Action Brochure - Spanish - 2019

• Social Action Newsletter

Social Action Monthly Lunch and Learn is held the First Thursday of the month at noon.  To view or register for our next session click here.  

Lunch and Learn Session (To Register Click Here)
Faith in the future: Young adults and Catholic Social Teaching
Thursday, November 4,  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join us for our next Lunch and Learn, Thursday, November 4, 12:00-1:00 PM CST. Our presenters will speak about the engagement of young adult Catholics in Catholic Social Teaching: how they live their faith through CST and what it can mean for the future of our Church. To register, go to  http://bit.ly/DioDavLunchLearn.

The Social Action Office offers “Lunch and Learn” conversations through Zoom video conferencing. You can call in by phone or connect on your computer, tablet or smart phone. Zoom is a free app and you do not need to set up an account to participate.

To view prevous session please visit YouTube playlist on the Diocesan YouTube Channel. 

The Diocesan Social Action Office has a variety of tools to keep you informed of relevant issues and activities.

One of these is our Two Feet Newsletter which is distributed monthly via email.  If you would like to read previous issues you will find those at http://bit.ly/TwoFeetNewsletter.  You can subscribe from that page if you choose or you can contact Amy Kersten at kerstena@diodav.org  who will add you to our list of subscribers.

Google Groups:

• Social Action Advocacy: Addressing legislative advocacy on social issues of concern to the Catholic Church and encouraging faithful citizenship.

• Parish Social Action: Provide resources, ideas and opportunities for parishioners to live out their faith working for charity and justice.

• NEW Voices for Rural Life: Educate, share concerns and suggest advocacy opportunities related to life in rural Iowa.

For more information please contact Amy Kersten at  kerstena@diodav.org or call 563-888-4210.

Deacon Dale Mallory, a Diocese of Davenport seminarian, has engaged with the Center for Worker Justice and the Iowa City Catholic Worker House as part of an immersive experience. He spent time learning what each organization does and how they serve their communities. The opportunity has given him insight into both charitable and community organizing aspects of the Two Feet of Social Justice.

Kent Ferris, Diocesan Social Action Director, recently interviewed Deacon Dale and offers the video below for those who would like to hear from Deacon Dale himself what the experience has meant and some of what he has learned. At one point, he addresses the concern that organizations such as these work solely through a "political lens" rather than a spiritual one. As he tells us, "the work of God is being done through a lot of these organizations." He also encourages us to allow the Holy Spirit to move us to action.  To listen to the interview yourself, click the image below.

Making justice their aim
 

By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger

Team members from the Davenport Diocese’s Social Action Office were among 1,000 participants from 120 dioceses participating in a virtual conference to address domestic and global challenges affecting the most vulnerable people at home and abroad.

During the three-day Catholic Social Ministry Gathering (Feb. 6-9), the participants listened to leading voices in the Catholic Church and society, attended workshops with policy experts and grassroots community leaders, shared best practices and tapped into Catholic social ministry resources. After honing their skills in workshops and lectures, the participants engaged in virtual advocacy visits with their members of Congress or their staffs.  Read more...

Accompanying refugees: advice from people who walk with them

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

Upon arrival, refugees to the United States face a number of obstacles. “Simple things like using a can opener” can be challenging for people who have never seen one before, said Nicky Gant, who with her parish, St. Paul the Apostle in Davenport, assists World Relief Quad Cities in making refugees feel more at home.

The Diocese of Davenport’s Social Action Office hosted a lunch and learn, “Refugee Resettlement in our Diocese,” Feb. 4 on Zoom. Representatives from several area organizations that help refugees offered perspectives about refugee resettlement, the challenges that refugees face, and ways for parishes and individuals to offer assistance.

Laura Fontaine and Habie Timbo from World Relief Quad Cities (WRQC) spoke about their experiences working with refugees, immigrants and secondary migrants (people who initially settled elsewhere in the United States).  More...

For latest news please visit the Catholic Messenger.