Social Concerns Column for Sunday, January 22, 2012

Concern for the poor: Happy those concerned for the lowly and poor; when misfortune strikes, the LORD delivers them.  The LORD keeps and preserves them, makes them happy in the land, and does not betray them to their enemies. --Psalm 41:1-3

Book Review: “Exodus from Hunger”.
In the new book, “Exodus from Hunger: We Are Called to Change the Politics of Hunger,” author David Beckmann argues that we can end world hunger in our lifetime.  Ordinary citizens, especially people of faith, can achieve this by mustering the political will of nations. David combines an optimism born from faith and a down-in-the trenches approach to ending hunger. David is Lutheran pastor, economist, and head of Bread for the World, a Christian organization dedicated to ending hunger.  Learn more at: http://www.exodusfromhunger.org

Catholic Social Teaching: Focus on the Poor and Vulnerable. 
“In teaching us charity, the Gospel instructs us in the preferential respect due to the poor and the special situation they have in society: the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods more generously at the service of others.”   --#23,  Octogesima Adveniens (A Call to Action) , Pope Paul VI, 1971

Tri-Valley Charities Need Your Time! 
Do you have a New Year’s resolution to do something for the needy of our community?  The following charities need your helping hands:

(1) St. Vincent de Paul: work at food locker or help desk (Rich Mueller, richmca@hotmail.com),

(2) Livermore Homeless Refuge: clean up, set up, drive, staff a shift (Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167),

(3) Open Heart Kitchen: prepare and serve hot meals once a month (925-580-6793).

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is Blogging.
Our bishops have a blog, and you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  Hear what our bishops have to say on immigration reform, hunger, unemployment, sexual abuse and all the tough issues of our time: http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com

Pray for Life Today

Today marks the 39th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Roe v. Wade, legalizing abortion in our country.  Pope John Paul II's encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) from which this prayer comes, addresses the life issues.  It can be read in full  at www.vatican.va.  In all the Dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 shall be observed as a  particular day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal  guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion.


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.

Show compassion toward each other: Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgment, and show kindness and compassion toward each other. Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the alien or the poor; do not plot evil against one another in your hearts. --Zechariah 7:9-10