Social Concerns Column for July 31, 2011

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.  They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.  - Isaiah 35:1-2

Pope on Church's Responsibility for Creation.  

"The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere." (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 2009, No. 51).

"In a word, concern for the environment calls for a broad global vision of the world; a responsible common effort to move beyond approaches based on selfish nationalistic interests towards a vision constantly open to the needs of all peoples." (Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 World Day of Peace Message, No. 11)

Read more Catholic teaching on the environment from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching

First Friday Fast for Food Security is a campaign by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The goal is to deepen our compassion for the hungry by cutting back to $3 per person for food on the First Friday of the month.  It is a real challenge to eat on $3, and you may go hungry: just like people on food stamps.  Learn the details on Facebook (First Fridays for Food Security) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

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! 

Would you like to pursue a social justice project? The St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry would like to help you to help others!  Call Joanne Angvick, 443-1422.

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