Social Concerns Column for July 24, 2011

God of my fathers, LORD of mercy. you who have made all things by your word and in your wisdom have established man to rule the creatures produced by you, to govern the world in holiness and justice, and to render judgment in integrity of heart.  - Wisdom 9:1-3

Life and Dignity of the Human Person 
(from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching). 

• "The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself, and vice versa." (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 2009, No. 51)
• "How can we separate, or even set at odds, the protection of the environment and the protection of human life, including the life of the unborn?" (Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 Address to the Diplomatic Corps)
• "Our tradition calls us to protect the life and dignity of the human person, and it is increasingly clear that this task cannot be separated from the care and defense of all of creation." (USCCB, Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on the Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, 1991)

Open Heart Kitchen Needs Volunteers. 
OHK needs many willing hands to chop veggies, ladle soup, clean up: they serve thousands every week here in the Tri-Valley.  Please call the Operations Director at 925-580-6793 to be assigned to a time slot with an existing team. You have a variety of choices for day of the week, and number of times per month to serve.  The kitchen is run by paid staff who are experienced in directing volunteers; many hands make light work! 

Next English Language Tutor Training is July 30, 9am-4pm.  

We have partnered with the Livermore Public Library's excellent and popular program to help adults improve their English skills.  If you speak English, you have all the skills you need to tutor a fellow St. Michael parishioner.  The time commitment is about two hours per week.  Interested?  Call Joanne Angvick, 443-1422

How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. -- Psalm 41:1