Social Justice

How Can You Promote the Census During Time of “Stay at Home?”

Census Day was April 1, and the 2020 Census count continues through the Summer. Response is easy: on line, by phone or by mail is the best. It is still very important for all ministers to promote participation in the Census. In these days of “Stay at Home” due to COVID-19, here are some suggestions as to how and when you can promote participation in the Census. Remember items can be found and downloaded from https://archdiosf.org/census-2020-1 1. Distribute Census materials at Meal/Supply Distribution sites (if your church has them). Census 101 (bilingual) flyer can be found here: https://archdiosf. org/census-2020-1 2. Phone calls to encourage parishioners to respond online and over the phone using the following message: “It has never been easier to respond to the Census on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker. Visit 2020Census.gov to complete the Census online or call (844) 330-2020 to talk to a live Census employee who can help you fill out your form over the phone.” The number for Spanish-speakers is (844) 468- 2020. There are a total of 13 phone numbers for different languages. To see the list of numbers, visit https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/ responding-by-phone.html 3. Text messages using the wording above. 4. Social media posts encouraging people to participate. Suggested social media posts for your use are on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Census web page: https://archdiosf.org/census-2020-1 Archbishop Wester has filmed two great YouTube videos (in English and Spanish) you can use on your social media pages. Those can also be found on the Archdiocese of Santa Fe Census web page. 5. FB LIVE Masses and Prayers. Encourage people to complete the Census during your FB LIVE services Masses and prayers using the messaging above. Dr. Mercy Alarid, Senior Partnership Specialist with the Census Bureau, is available to speak during your services virtually if you need support. See her contact info below.

6. E-learning at Home: Teachers/Parents can use our Statistics in Schools materials with their students online. There are activities that do not need a classroom setting and you can access those lessons on Google Classroom by using the Google Classroom code: oqm32yo. To learn how to access Google Classroom, follow this link: https://youtu.be/nN4pHCsIgrE 7. Census Bureau Local Help. If you need to reach her, Dr. Mercy Alarid, Senior Partnership Specialist with the Census Bureau, is here to help if you need support. Office: (505) 715-3275, email: mercy.n.alarid@2020census.gov Let Dr. Alarid know if she can do anything to make some of this virtual outreach easier on you and your parishioners.

The Easter Story

By Carol Feeney, Project Rachel Coordinator

The Bible tells stories of heroic women who saved the day and even saved Israel. Among these brave women are Miriam the sister of Moses, Deborah the prophetess and judge of Israel, Queen Esther, Abigail, Jael and Rahab. The virgin Mary of the New Testament agreed to be the mother of the Savior of the world. In the Word of God, women are not left out of history.

Throughout Jesus’ ministry he recognized the dignity of women, and this was counter-cultural for his time. Jesus loved and associated with women, even those who were afflicted with sin or disease.

In all four gospels we read about Mary Magdalene, a friend and follower of Jesus. Mary had been possessed by seven demons, which Luke described as “evil spirits or diseases” (Luke 8:2). Jesus cast out the seven demons, and Mary’s devotion to Jesus because of this healing was very strong. She saw Jesus beaten and humiliated by the crowd. She was one of the women who stood near Jesus during the crucifixion, trying to comfort Him. She was the first witness to the resurrection, and she was the one Jesus commissioned to go and tell the good news to the others. She became known as the “apostle to the apostles.”

Mary Magdalene loved and believed in Jesus, but it took some time for her to truly understand the resurrection. ...she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” (John 20: 14-15)

Mary’s eyes were opened when she encountered the resurrected Jesus face to face.

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (John 20:16)

Mary must have suffered severely from psychological trauma for Jesus to have performed an exorcism. She journeyed with Jesus from a place of suffering and torment to a place of life-changing healing and faith.

Easter is about mercy and healing afflictions from illness, and restoration of dignity.

If you are suffering from grief after abortion, call the confidential Project Rachel message line at 505-831- 8235.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. (Luke 7:27)