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

Building bridges not barriers: Bishop Zinkula and deacon candidates go to the U.S.-Mexico border

By Barb Arland-Fye
The Catholic Messenger
November 11, 2021

(Editor’s note: This is the first in a series on a border immersion experience.)

Thirteen-hundred miles from home, a group from the Diocese of Davenport on a border immersion trip encountered a young woman with two kids and a car with a flat tire in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.  Read More...

 

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)
Journey to the border.
Thursday, December 2,  12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Early in November, Bishop Zinkula journeyed with five deacon candidates, Catholic Messenger editor, Barb Arland Fye, and Deacon Frank Agnoli to the border towns of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.  There they saw people who, led by bishops from both sides of the border, minister to very vulnerable people while speaking truth to power.  At our next Lunch and Learn on Thursday, December 2 from 12:00-1:00 PM CST, we’ll hear from some of these Diocesan travelers about their experience - what they learned, what they saw and what they felt.  We hope you are able to join us. To register, go to http://bit.ly/DioDavLunchLearn.

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.

College social action initiatives have ecumenical appeal

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

Young adults in the Diocese of Davenport say interest in social action is strong on college campuses, even among those who are not Catholic.

“There are a lot of students on campus who are willing to contribute and who want to contribute to justice for all,” said Allie Lauer, a St. Ambrose University-Davenport student and Catholic Campaign for Human Development intern.  Read more at the Catholic Messenger.

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.