Social Concerns Column for Sunday, October 2, 2011

He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. --Psalm 72:4

Fair Trade Gift Sale, Sunday, Oct 16, 8am - 1pm, courtyard.  
Why buy fairly traded crafts, chocolate, coffee and tea?  When you purchase products marked "Fair Trade", the artisan or farmer is guaranteed a living wage.

The Feast of St. Francis, October 4, 2011: Take the Pledge.  
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change (http://catholicclimatecovenant.org) challenges us to take their St. Francis Pledge to:

• PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.
• LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.
• ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.
• ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.
• ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.

Next English Language Tutor Training is October 29, 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.

Building Communities of Salt and Light: Developing Effective Pro-Life and Social Ministry (November 5th).
The Diocese of Oakland is hosting this event for Social Justice and Respect Life Ministers on Sat, Nov 5th, 9am – 3pm, Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center, Oakland.  For more information: John Watkins (jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, 510-267-8379).

What is Catholic Social Teaching?  
Catholic Social Teaching is a collection of teachings that are designed to reflect the Church’s social mission in response to the challenges of the day. The teachings are rooted in biblical values and reflections on Christian tradition.  This tradition calls all members of the Church, rich and poor alike, to work to eliminate the occurrence and effect of poverty, to speak out against injustice, and to shape a more caring society and a more peaceful world.  Learn more from the US Bishops (http://tinyurl.com/BishopsSocialTeaching) and the Vatican (http://tinyurl.com/CatholicSocialTeaching).



Helping Others
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