The Diocese of Davenport’s Social Action Office has an internship opportunity for the summer of 2022 and the academic year, ’22-’23. The Laudato Si’ Intern will assist with the development of a seven year diocesan action plan working towards greater energy sustainability. Besides being a practicing Catholic, the intern needs to possess an appreciation of care for God’s creation, an element of Catholic Social Teaching so beautifully expressed in the encyclical, Laudato Si’. Strong interpersonal and writing skills, a commitment to collaborative work is essential. Familiarity with communicating via social media is also sought in this position. 40 hours/week for 10 weeks in the summer. 12 hours/week during the ’22-’23 academic year. For more information regarding the application process, please contact Kent Ferris, Director of Social Action, [email protected]

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

 

Together in the journey: Davenport Diocese praised for its approach to synod and other initiatives
 

By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger

Three Chancery staffers described a dilemma that the Diocese of Davenport faced: the overlapping of three major initiatives of the Catholic Church, each meriting equal attention. The diocese took a synergetic approach that earned the praise of participants in the Catholic Climate Covenant’s webinar “Together in the Journey: The Synod, the Laudato Si Action Platform, and the Eucharistic Revival.”

Webinar organizers invited diocesan staffers, Kent Ferris, director of Social Action; Patrick Schmadeke, director of Evangelization; and Deacon Frank Agnoli, director of Liturgy and of Deacon Formation, to present the Davenport Dio­cese’s approach during the Feb. 10 webinar. They joined three other distinguished presenters — two who work directly on the Synod and a third who leads an organization collaborating with the U.S. bishops and the Vatican on the Synod. The webinar drew 468 participants “in person,” mostly from the U.S. and Canada.

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.  For those not available at that particular time, the session will be recorded and available on the Diocesan YouTube channel.  In addition, Barb Arland-Fye will publish a series of articles on the experience beginning with the November 11 issue of The Catholic Messenger. 

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

Lunch and Learn Session (To Register Click Here)

During the May  Social Action Office Lunch and Learn, Local “experts” from around the Diocese shared resources they find helpful in their particular area of social justice work.  You can watch the video recording for Share and Tell or read through the list of resources that were discussed at this page.

The Social Action Office Lunch and Learn series will take a summer break in June. Watch the June newsletter for information on our next offering.

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 [email protected]  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  [email protected] 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.