Social Concerns Column for Sunday, July 17, 2011

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

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

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! 

Catholic Social Teaching 
(http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching). 
The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of our society. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) outlines Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: (1) Life and Dignity of the Human Person, (2) Call to Family, Community, and Participation, (3) Rights and Responsibilities, (4) Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, (5) The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, (6) Solidarity, (7) Care for God's Creation.

"[W]e cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations." (Blessed Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, No. 6)

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

The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. - Genesis 2:15