“Don’t be afraid to get involved, we have a responsibility to speak up for our brothers and sisters.”
–Molly C. Sheahan, California Catholic Conference
By Jerry Sharp
The California Catholic Conference’s Molly Sheahan called upon young adults to bring their Catholic faith into action—and met a receptive audience at St. James Parish Hall in Noe Valley.
Sheahan, associate director for Healthy Families, was the keynote speaker July 7 at the second in a continuing series on Catholic Social Teaching organized by Catholic Leaders in Action.
“Some people think politics is a dirty word,” Sheahan told the group of about 50. “Politics is the art of the possible and if we have a vision of a civilization of love, then our job is to make that possible–and so through small changes we are able to make that possible.”
The evening event was titled “Rights and Responsibilities: Advancing the Common Good,” one of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching as articulated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. For seven consecutive monthly meetings, Catholic Leaders in Action will hear from speakers about each individual theme of Catholic Social Teaching.
For every fundamental human right we claim, there is a corresponding, inescapable responsibility to our families, our neighbors, and the broader society, Sheahan noted.
Molly Sheahan, California Catholic Conference
After Sheahan’s keynote address, Saul Perez, social action and digital media coordinator for the Archdiocese of San Francisco Office of Human Life & Dignity moderated a short panel discussion with Melanie Salazar, executive director of Pro-Life San Francisco, and Franco Aurelio Fernandez, Catholic content creator.
“All of them had drastically different experience, but they all were incredible young adult leaders,” said attendee Megan Sauter of the panelists, adding “delightfully unexpected was the vulnerable honesty of all of them, that they are just humans who are deciding to say yes despite their fear, God had a call for them and they were stepping up into it.”
“I think we’re in a time where a lot of young adults are on fire for their faith, but there’s a disconnect because many don’t know how to unite or move something forward,” said another attendee, Catherine Dombrowsky. “I enjoyed meeting new people, learning new things, and connecting with people who are passionate about putting their faith into action.”
Catholic content creator Franco Aurelio Fernandez (center) with some attendees.
The next Catholic Leaders in Action event, “Called to Serve: Option for the Poor & Vulnerable,” will be Aug. 5 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Keynote speaker will be the St. Anthony Foundation’s Sister Marilú Ibarra, FdCC. Catholic Charities of San Francisco Director of Development Bridget Mahoney will moderate the panel which will feature Order of Malta Development/Communications Manager Lorna Baggott and Miguel Ramirez Lacayo, housing specialist at Catholic Charities.
To RSVP for the next CLA event go here.
—Jerry Sharp III is a co-founder of Catholic Leaders in Action
