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