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Cedar Valley Social Action Calendar

- Spiritual Growth

Index
Local Opportunities
Regional and National Opportunities
Take Action--What You Can Do
Local Opportunities

Public Demonstration in Support of Immigrants. Fridays. 12:00noon to 12:30pm. in front of the Waterloo Post Office. These weekly demonstrations are designed to call attention to the vulnerable position of our brothers and sisters, both documented and undocumented, in the current political climate in Iowa and the nation.
• Contact: Lawrence Stumme at: lstumme245@gmail.com
• Read the Iowa Catholic bishops' letter to immigrants at: https://tinyurl.com/mmzjpfk

Penitential Rosary for Immigrants. Inperson and Livestream. Dec. 3-11. 7:00pm. Queen of Peace Church, Waterloo. These evening prayers on the seven days preceding the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe seek the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of Mary on behalf of immigrants who may now face the danger of family separations, arrest and mass deportations. The evening prayer services will include reflection and music in both English and Spanish and are open to the public. The prayer services will be live-streamed on the parish Facebook and YouTube pages.
• Read an explanation for the purpose of the prayer services by Fr. Nils Hernandez at: https://tinyurl.com/penitential-rosary

NEW -- International Human Rights Day Observance. Inperson. Tuesday, December 10. 10:00am-3:00pm. Best Western Plus, Waterloo. Speakers from the Department of Justice, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Waterloo Housing Commission will keynote this program marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sponsored by the Waterloo Human Rights Commission.
• For information and registration contact the Human Rights Commission at: 319-291-4441
• Learn more about International Human Rights Day at: https://bit.ly/3Vl0hjK
• Learn more about the 1964 Civil Rights Act at: https://bit.ly/3ODWDO7

Homeless Persons Memorial Service. Inperson. Saturday, Dec. 21. 6:00pm. Lincoln Park, Waterloo. December 21 is a national day of remembrance for homeless persons who have passed away during the past year. Gather at Lincoln Park for the local memorial service. Bring coats, hats, scarves, mittens and gloves to hang on trees in the park for the homeless. Join us for a light meal afterward at the Cedar Valley Warming Center. Sponsored by the Cedar Valley Hospitality House and Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation.
• For information contact Joni Hansen at: boscoebell@hotmail.com
• Learn more about the National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day at:
http://nationalhomeless.org/about-us/projects/memorial-day/

Sacred Ground Discussion Series. Monday evenings, Jan. 6 - March 10. 6:30-8:00pm. St. Luke Episcopal Church, Cedar Falls. This ten-part series uses videos and readings to help participants explore various chapters in America's history of race and racism. The process, created by the Episcopal Church, examines family story, economic class, political and regional identity. Hosted by St. Luke Episcopal Church; facilitated by Ruth Ratliff.
• Learn more at: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/sacred-ground/
• Contact Ruth at: ruthratliff52@gmail.com

Screening of From Inquisition to Religious Freedom. Sunday, January 12. 2:00pm. First Congregational Church, Waterloo. This film documents how religious liberty, enshrined in the Bill of Rights, was influenced by Sephardic Jews whose families had suffered from the persecution of the Inquisition. The film will be followed by an online discussion with the creator, Dr. Issac Amon, Director of Academic Research and Program Development at the Jewish Heritage Alliance. Sponsored by Sons of Jacob Synagogue, Cedar Valley Interfaith Council and Women of Faith of the Cedar Valley. Free and open to the public.
• Learn more about Jews and the Inquisition at: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-inquisition

NEW -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet. Inperson. Sunday, January 19. Waterloo Convention Center. 5:30pm Social. 6:30pm. Dinner. "Achieving the Dream Against All Odds" is the theme for this year's banquet, held annually on or near King's birth date and national holiday. This year's keynote speaker is ReShonda Young, an entrepreneur and social activist from Waterloo, who is founder of Jabez Bank and Popcorn Heaven, a gourmet popcorn chain with locations across the U.S. Tickets: $50.00/person. Sponsored by Social Action Inc.
• Learn more and register at: 319-214-3434.

Designing Safe Neighborhoods. Read this report from the Public Science Collaborative on policy recommendations to create safe neighborhoods in Waterloo.
• Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3P38JQJ
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Regional and National Opportunities
Advent Simplicity Challenge. Online. Starts December 1. This series of daily reminders and background information is designed as an antidote to a season of consuming for people of faith who wish to explore ways to live simply in preparation of Christmas and the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth. Sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network.
• Learn more and register at: https://ignatiansolidarity.net/advent-simplicity-challenge

Iowa Summit on Justice and Disparities. Inperson. Dec. 17. 8:00am-5:00pm. Ankeny, Iowa. This annual event brings together advocates, justice professionals, policymakers, and concerned citizens to collaborate on ensuring a fair and equitable justice system in the state of Iowa. This year's keynote speakers are Dr. Thaddeus Johnson and Dr. Natasha Johnson, criminologists and professors from Georgia State University. Workshops and presentations cover crucial topics, including juvenile justice reform, reentry strategies, jury diversity, racial profiling, community/law enforcement relationships, victim support, mental health in justice, and legislative reforms. Sponsored by the Des Moines Chapter of the NAACP and various other civic organizations.
• Learn more and register at: https://www.iowajusticesummit.org/
Broken at the Border. Inperson. Sunday, March 2. 2:00pm. Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University. Des Moines. Bishop Mark J. Seitz, Catholic bishop of El Paso, Texas, will be the featured speaker at this event, one in a series of "Faith In Action for the Common Good" events sponsored by St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and Student Center. The program is free and open to the public.
• Learn more at: https://stcatherinedrake.org/dialogue-series.

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Take Action--What You Can Do...
Click here for current opportunities.
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Submit Events for the Calendar
Email information for this calendar to: dbqwcaf@dbqarch.org

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Related Links
> Catholic Social Principles (U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Learn More
> Discover the Importance of Small Daily Acts of Solidarity

Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation provides this information for individuals and organizations who are interested in and committed to study, prayer and action for social justice. Information provided here does not constitute agreement or endorsement by the Catholic Parishes in Waterloo or the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

[Last Update: 12.05.24]

Cedar Valley Social Action Calendar

Local Opportunities

Regional and National Opportunities

Take Action--What You Can Do...

Submit Events for the Calendar