Social Concerns Column for Sunday, August 28, 2011

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. --Psalm 106:3

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. Many hands make light work! 

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: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110978892320508) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

Please Contact Your US Senators to Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.  

The 2010 comprehensive health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), poses new risks to religious freedom and rights of conscience. To correct these problems, Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK) introduced the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions".  Please contact your U.S. Senators: (1) Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or (2) send an e-mail through NCHLA's Action Center: http://www.nchla.org, or (3) find contact info at: www.senate.gov.

KEEPING THE FAITH:  Surviving with Grace for the Long Haul for Justice and Peace, September 16 or 17.  

Megan McKenna and Bishop Gabino Zavala (President of Pax Christi USA)

Guest speaker Megan McKenna is an Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi. She has lived in North and South America, Europe and islands throughout the world.  She works with Indigenous groups, justice and peace groups, and parishes, dioceses and religious communities. RSVP to Meg Bowerman (LMJTBOW@pacbell.net).  Free will donation.  Friday, September 16, 2011 7pm-9pm, St. Mary Magdalen Parish Hall, 2005 Berryman Street , Berkeley, OR, Saturday, September 17, 2011 10am-1pm, St. Perpetua Church 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette.

The St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry would like to help you to help others!  Call Joanne, 443-1422.

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