Social Concerns Column for Sunday, September 25, 2011

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. --Micah 6:8

Save the Date: Fair Trade Gift Sale, Sunday, Oct 16, 8am - 1pm, courtyard.  
Back by popular demand, we will be selling fairly traded craft items suitable for Christmas gifts or any occasion.  "Fair Trade" means that the artisans receive a living wage for themselves, and that Catholic Relief Services is on the ground, assisting the artisans, their families and their communities to work themselves up and out of poverty.  These craft items are of high quality and the price is low: this is a win-win situation for all.  The Social Concerns Ministry is selling these gift items at cost: our goals are to raise awareness, to help the artisans and to provide you with affordable gift items.

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

Feast of St. Francis, Tuesday, Oct 4th: Take the Pledge.  
The US Bishops' initiative, "the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change", encourages everyone to take their "Saint Francis Pledge" to pray, to learn about environmental issues, and to take action to care for God's Creation.  Learn more at: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/the-st-francis-pledge

Pope Benedict on the Environment: 
“The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.”  -- Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate (48)

Building Communities of Salt and Light: Developing Effective Pro-Life and Social Ministry (November 5th).
The Diocese of Oakland’s Office for Life and Justice will be hosting a special training for Social Justice and Respect Life Ministers.  Tom Ulrich, Director for Parish Outreach at Catholic Relief Service, will lead a discussion around how to develop thriving parish social ministry.  Sat, Nov 5th, 9am – 3pm, Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center, Oakland.  For more information: John Watkins (jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, 510-267-8379).

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.

But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream. -- Amos 5:24 

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, September 18, 2011

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. --Psalm 82:3

Please Contact Your Congressperson to Defend the Unborn and Healthcare Workers.  
You, the Catholic voter, are the one to make a difference: joined with millions of Catholics across America, you have a voice in Washington, D.C.  As of this writing, the National Committee for a Human Life Ammendment (NCHLA) lists the following Action Alerts.  It will take a few mouse clicks and 5 minutes of your time.  Sign-up on the NCHLA website to receive Action Alerts directly: http://www.nchla.org

• Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179)
• Support ban on funding elective abortion in the District of Columbia (Public Law 112-10)
• Support the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 361)
• Support the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 3)
• Support the Protect Life Act (H.R. 358, S. 877) 

Cathedral of Christ the Light

Building Communities of Salt and Light: Developing Effective Pro-Life and Social Ministry (November 5th).
The Diocese of Oakland's Office for Life and Justice will be hosting a special training for Social Justice and Respect Life Ministers.  Tom Ulrich, Director for Parish Outreach at Catholic Relief Service, will lead a discussion around how to develop thriving parish social ministry.  Sat, Nov 5th, 9am - 3pm, Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center, Oakland.  For more information: John Watkins (jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, 510-267-8379).

Pope Calls for Clean Energy.  
"We must adopt a lifestyle that respects the environment and support research and the exploitation of clean energy sources, respectful of the heritage of creation and harmless to humans, these must be our political and economic priorities."  -- Courtesy of Catholic News Agendy, http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-benedict-calls-for-clean-energy/


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, 443-1422.

Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. --Deuteronomy 24:17

Social Concerns Column for September 11, 2011

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? -- Luke 18:7

Building Communities of Salt and Light: Developing Effective Social Ministry (November 5th).  
If you are a looking to make your parish’s Social Justice or Respect Life Ministry more effective this conference is for you.  The Diocese of Oakland’s Office for Life and Justice in partnership with Catholic Relief Service and JustFaith Ministries will be hosting a special training for Social Justice and Respect Life Ministers at Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center in Oakland .  Tom Ulrich, Direct for Parish Outreach at Catholic Relief Service and author of Strategies for Success: Parish Social Ministry will lead a discussion around how to develop thriving parish social ministry.  Saturday, November 5th, 2011 (9:00 – 3:00 PM), Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center, for more information: John Watkins (jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, 510-267-8379).

US Bishops in Solidarity with the Church in Africa.  

"Responding to the call of the Church in Africa, as pastors in the United States we recognize the mutual bonds of solidarity that unite us -- bonds that have been forged through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We stand in solidarity with the Church and the peoples of Africa, to recognize and support their courageous commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation . As we do this, we are reminded of the words of the Holy Father: 'Africa is not destined for death, but for life!' "  (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Call to Solidarity with Africa, 2001).  For more information, visit the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://old.usccb.org/churchinafrica/

Torture is a Moral Issue: Study Guide from US Bishops. 
Waterboarding? Electric Shocks? What does the Church have to say about torture? This four chapter study guide offers reflections on torture as a moral issue. Get a group together to discuss this timely issue and what you can do to stop torture.  Actions include fasting for justice and peace, praying for enemies, overcoming evil with goodness, and advocating for the abolition of torture.  We, as Catholic voters, have a voice with our Congresspersons.  For detailed information, search for "stop torture" on the home page of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, or go to: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/war/torture/torture-is-a-moral-issue.cfm

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, 443-1422.

He does execute justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, in giving him food and clothing. --Deuteronomy 10:18