Social Concerns Column for Sunday, October 16, 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

Fair Trade Gift Sale, Sunday, Oct 16, 8am - 1pm, courtyard.  
Miss the sale?  You can order Fair Trade Gifts any time of the year at www.crsfairtrade.org.  Fairly traded chocolate, coffee and tea are available year round in groceries stores in Livermore.  Just look for the Fair Trade logo.

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.  By helping an adult become fluent in English, you will equip them to prosper in our society.  The time commitment is about two hours per week.  You do NOT have to be bilingual.  Interested?  Call Joanne, 443-1422.

One Human Family.  
"Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's and to God the things that are God's." (Mt 22:15-22)  What belongs to God?  Everything belongs to God -- creation itself, the goods of the earth, the allegiance of the human heart, the destiny of our world.  The fundamental obligation to share the vital goods of the earth with our brothers and sisters is founded in this teaching of Jesus.  -- Rev. Donald Senior, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.

Today is World Food Day.  
WFD is a worldwide event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed,  year-around action to alleviate hunger.  Learn more at: http://www.worldfooddayusa.org

Workers in the Vineyard: Developing Effective Respect Life and Social Justice 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 on Sat, Nov 5th, 9am - 3pm, Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center, Oakland.  For more information: John Watkins (jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, 510-267-8379, http://www.oakdiocese.org/ministries/social-justice).  For carpooling from St. Michael, call Joanne, 443.1422.

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. 

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. -- Proverbs 21:3