We wish you peace and all good things through these winter days in Ordinary Time.
Thank you to all who baked delicious goods for our January coffee table, greeted parish members, and spread the word about the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation ministry.
With your work and prayer, and with God’s help, the Good Shepherd community will become a more powerful witness to the kingdom of God changing the world.
Please save the dates of
Monday, February 5, when we have our next monthly meeting.
Sunday, March 11, when we hold our housing advocacy workshop.
Here is a short update on activities and projects.
Immigration
We held an immigrant accompaniment training on Dec. 17. The
New Sanctuary Coalition trained 30 people to accompany undocumented men and women to their hearings at immigration court and ICE check-ins. Now we are fighting to stop the deportation of Ravi Ragbir, executive director of New Sanctuary Coalition, and release him from detention.
Click here to help secure his release and halt his deportation. We will be forming a working group to protect all our immigrant neighbors and keep their families together.
Housing and Homelessness
We had a beautiful day of street outreach to the homeless on Jan. 20. About 30 volunteers handed out 60 care packages of food and clothing and social services information to needy neighbors in Central Harlem. The weather was warm, and our hearts were warmed even more by the love and respect we gave and received on the streets. Many thanks to Alba Fresco for coordinating this day of outreach. And we are grateful to Michele Marotta and the
JoyJ Initiative for donating the gifts of food and new clothing.
We are holding an advocacy workshop on Sunday, March 11. The
Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing will lead the presentation. This group will highlight current important campaigns to reduce homelessness across New York City and to prevent displacement of persons into homelessness. We will review recent advocacy victories and give an introduction to effective faith-rooted advocacy strategies. We especially invite volunteers at Good Shepherd Shelter and JoyJ Initiative volunteers to attend. We will form a working group here, too, to carry forward advocacy with periodic days of service.
Care for Creation
On Feb. 8, we will begin a study group to read and reflect on Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical letter on ecology. Classes will be held every other Thursday at 7 p.m., from Feb. 8 to May 31. There will be nine sessions in all. There is a $15 fee to purchase the encyclical. We will cap enrollment at 20 adults. One of our aims by the end of this class is to form a working group to design parish ecology projects. Join us!
Rezoning and Library
Thanks to all who are engaged with the city rezoning plan and community efforts to preserve affordable housing in Inwood. The review process of the rezoning plan has begun. We will form a working group to educate and mobilize the parish at key moments of the review process.
We have some big ideas for the spring and summer to bring our parish and community together. We will keep you informed!