Social Concerns Column for July 3, 2011

Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." --Genesis 1:26

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org) was launched in 2006 to help the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic community address issues such as: What are the moral implications of climate change? Who is most impacted? What should the Catholic community do?  Our bishops say: “We … call for a civil dialogue and prudent and constructive action to protect God’s precious gift of the earth’s atmosphere with a sense of genuine solidarity and justice for all God’s children.”

The Catholic Principles and Teachings applied to the issue of global climate change are (1) Prudence: thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned action, (2) Poverty: concern for those least able to bear the burden, and (3) the Common Good: promotion of solidarity over self-interest. (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org)

Save the Date: Thursday, July 14, 7-9pm, The Moral Implications of Climate Change
Guest Speakers: Dr. Anthony Strawa, NASA scientist and Chair of the Diocese of San Jose's Climate Change Initiative, and Dr. Curt Covey, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.  This program will be held in the St. Michael Parish Large Hall.  For more information: http://stm-scm.blogspot.com/p/moral-implications-of-climate-change.html

Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good is the title of a statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The statement begins: “As people of faith, we are convinced that ‘the earth is the Lord's and all it holds’ (Ps 24:1). Our Creator has given us the gift of creation: the air we breathe, the water that sustains life, the fruits of the land that nourish us, and the entire web of life without which human life cannot flourish. All of this God created and found ‘very good.’ We believe our response to global climate change should be a sign of our respect for God's creation.”  Read the entire statement at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/globalclimate.shtml

The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there. – Psalm 24:1

Social Concerns Column for June 26, 2011

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'  -- Matthew 25:35-36

Livermore Homeless Refuge Clothing Collection, This Weekend, June 25-26
Please place your donations in the boxes at the entrances to the church.

Men’s and women’s gently used summer clothing:
shirts, shorts, jeans, shoes, hats

Men’s and women’s undergarments:
socks, underwear, T-shirts, bras

Personal hygiene items:
soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes

Bob and Donna McKenzie, Livermore Homeless Refuge Supply Coordinators, serve at the shower facilities for Livermore’s homeless at Vineyard Church and Asbury Church.  They see a need for gently used summer clothing, undergarments and personal hygiene items.  Both men and women are homeless.  Just think how nice it will be for our homeless to have clean clothes after a shower.  For next winter, we need gently used sleeping bags.  For more information, contact the McKenzies at 443-7398 or cell 895-4167.

Out of Town?  Missed the Clothing Drive?  

No Problem!  Volunteers will come to you!  

Contact the McKenzies at 443-7398 or cell 895-4167.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.  The LORD sets prisoners free.  -- Psalm 146:7

Social Concerns Column for June 19, 2011

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.  The LORD sets prisoners free.  -- Psalm 146:7

Collection on June 25-26 for Summer Clothing and Undergarments for Homeless. 
Bob and Donna McKenzie, Livermore Homeless Refuge Supply Coordinators, serve at the shower facilities for Livermore’s homeless at Vineyard Church and Asbury Church.  They see a need for gently used summer clothing (shirts, shorts, jeans, shoes), undergarments (socks, underwear, T-shirts, bras) and personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes).  Both men and women are homeless.  Just think how nice it will be for our homeless to have clean clothes after a shower.  For next winter, we need gently used sleeping bags.  For more information, contact the McKenzies at 443-7398 or cell 895-4167.

US Bishops Challenge: First Fridays for Food Security.  

On every first Friday for a year, eat meals that cost only as much as is allotted for a family of your size who would be on food stamps.  You will probably discover a big gap between the actual cost of your normal meals and the budget available using food stamps.  Your efforts may require a partial fast, and be a spiritual sacrifice.  Participating in this First Friday fast can help you be open to the Holy Spirit and walk in solidarity with all those for whom access to adequate, nutritious food is difficult.  Learn the details on Facebook (First Fridays for Food Security) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

Why Do Catholics Fast? 
“Voluntary fasting from food creates in us a greater openness to God's Spirit and deepens our compassion for those who are forced to go without food. The discomfort brought about by fasting unites us to the sufferings of Christ. Fasting should bring to mind the sufferings of all those for whom Christ suffered.”   -- United States Catholic Bishops, Penitential Practices for Today’s Catholics, 2000

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'  -- Matthew 25:35-36

Social Concerns Column for June 12, 2011

Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. – Proverbs 22:2

Livermore Homeless Refuge Thanks St. Michael Parish.  

On behalf of the Livermore Homeless Refuge, we wish St. Michael Parishioners a sincere thank you!  The Refuge has completed its second winter season, giving each guest a safe and warm place to stay during cold or wet nights.  Food was served from Open Heart Kitchen and other volunteers.  The guests watched videos in a relaxed environment.  They were helpful and considerate and volunteers encountered few problems.  This program could not work without the generosity of St. Michael's parishioners!  All of you have had a huge impact on the lives of people you probably do not know, people having little to no voice in our community.

Livermore Homeless Refuge Houses One Thousand During Winter 2010-2011.  
You may be surprised at the extent of the homeless population living here in Livermore.  Between November 1, 2010, and March 27, 2011, the Refuge was open 64 nights with a total of 1,026 guests.  The average number of guests per night was 16.  The Refuge served 108 different individuals, 22 of whom are women, and 6 of whom are employed but cannot afford housing.  Volunteers at the Refuge came to know many of these people personally.  Learn more at: http://www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org/

Collection June 25-26 for Summer Clothing and Undergarments. 

Bob and Donna McKenzie, LHR Supply Coordinators, serve at the shower facilities for Livermore’s homeless at Vineyard Church and Asbury Church, and see a need for gently used summer clothing (shirts, shorts, jeans, shoes), undergarments (socks, underwear, T-shirts, bras) and personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes).  Both men and women are homeless.  Just think how nice it will be for our homeless to have clean clothes.  For next winter, we are also collecting gently used sleeping bags.  Watch this space for the date of the collection, or contact the McKenzies at 443-7398 or cell 895-4167.

Would you like to pursue a social justice project or learn what the Chursh is doing, but don’t know how to get started?  The St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry would like to help you to help others!  Call Joanne, 443-1422.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. – Matthew 5:7