Social Concerns Column for 29 April 2012

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The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.  With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.  There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.  -- Acts 4:32-35

The Livermore Homeless Refuge Needs Socks . . . 
and underwear for men and women, as well as summer clothing.  Next collection for supplies is April 28-29; drop off supplies in the boxes at the entrances to the church at all Masses.  For more information: Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167, http://www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org/

Celebrate Earth Day the Catholic Way: 
Care for God’s Creation and poor people by reducing your carbon footprint: Reduce use of disposable products by using reusable containers; if you must buy disposable, buy paper or glass products instead of plastic.  Bring reusable cloth bags when shopping instead of disposable plastic bags.  Buy local, and/or organic food, and purchase recycled products whenever possible.  Learn more: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org

US Bishops Issue Call to Action for All Catholics.  
The U.S. bishops have issued a strong call to action for all Catholics to defend religious liberty in the 13-page proclamation “Our First, Most Cherished Freedom,” released April 12, 2012. The bishops call for “A Fortnight for Freedom,” the two-week period from June 21 to July 4—where “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” are focused on prayer, study, catechesis, public action and special events revolving around Religious Liberty. Contact Trish Spindler tspindler@cacatholic.org for more information.  Read the proclamation at: http://tinyurl.com/ActForReligiousLiberty

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 April 22, 2012

Facebook: “St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry”

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

The Livermore Homeless Refuge Needs Socks . . .
and underwear for men and women, as well as summer clothing.  Next collection for supplies is April 28-29.  For more information: Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167, http://www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org/

Earth Day the Catholic Way:
Care for God’s Creation and poor people by reducing your carbon footprint
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org
Ride a bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation whenever possible.  Use biodegradable soap and shampoos.  Visit Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade website where you can buy, support and even fundraise with products like the Equal Exchange coffee, tea, and chocolate; fair trade farmers care for Creation and are given a living wage to support their families and communities: www.crsfairtrade.org

Catholic Social Teaching: Stewardship of Creation:
Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. The goods of the earth are gifts from God, intended for the benefit of all.  We humans are not the ultimate owners of these goods, but rather, the temporary stewards. We are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these gifts and preserving them for future generations.  -- Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice, http://www.osjspm.org/

California Interfaith Power & Light: Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Responsibility. 
This interfaith group is recommended by the Diocese of Oakland’s Office for Life and Justice and has many resources for environmental justice.  Read about congregations across the nation becoming green at: http://interfaithpower.org

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 will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. --Isaiah 11:3-4

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, April 15, 2012: Divine Mercy Sunday

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/StMichaelParishSocialConcernsMinistry

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

Training for English Language Tutors: Saturday, April 21. 
St. Michael parish has partnered with the Livermore Public Library’s excellent and popular program to help adult parishioners 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.

The Livermore Homeless Refuge Needs Socks . . . .
and underwear for men and women, as well as summer clothing.  Next collection for supplies is April 28-29.  For more information: Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167, http://www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org/

Water for Life.
Did you know that a child dies every 15 seconds due to inaccessibility of clean drinking water?  Join with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Diocese of Oakland to provide clean water to the people of Ethiopia by supporting water projects.  Your donation will build wells to bring life-sustaining water to families and their livestock.  Make checks payable to Catholic Relief Services: Water4Life, 2121 Harrison St., Oakland, CA, 94621.  For more information: John Watkins, 510-267-8379, jwatkins@oakdiocese.org

Care for God’s Creation and poor people by reducing your carbon footprint
(http://catholicclimatecovenant.org)
Turn off lights and unplug appliances when you leave the room.  Unplug your cell phone as soon as it is charged.  Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs.  Turn off water when shaving, brushing your teeth and take shorter showering.

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 has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.  He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly.  The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.  -- Luke 1:51-55

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, April 8, 2012: Easter!

You have been told what is good and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. --Micah 6:8

JustFaith Introductory Workshop with Jack Jezreel (April 14th). 
You are invited to hear Jack Jezreel, the popular national speaker, justice educator and founder of JustFaith Ministries.  Jack will discuss biblical justice and JustFaith ministries.  Catholic Community of Pleasanton. Saturday April 14th, 1 to 4 pm. RSVP to Meg Bowerman (LMJTBOW@pacbell.net)

Training for English Language Tutors (Saturday, April 21). 
St. Michael parish has partnered with the Livermore Public Library’s excellent and popular program to help adult parishioners 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.

US Bishops Ask Voters to Urge Congress to Hear the Cry of the Poor. 
Please ask your Congresspersons to strengthen international poverty-focused humanitarian and development assistance as they consider the upcoming federal budget for fiscal year 2013. While our nation’s fiscal challenges are significant, the current economic crisis disproportionately impacts the world’s poorest people.  Find an easy to use form letter at: http://actioncenter.crs.org

Bay Area Hunger Walk (April 28, 9am, Cathedral of Christ the Light, 2121 Harrison, Oakland). 
This three mile walk around Lake Merritt, starting and ending on the Cathedral plaza, funds hunger programs locally and around the world. Contact Joan Suflita (510-205-8856, dixsuff@sbcglobal.net). Register at: www.BayAreaHungerWalk.org

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.

But the LORD’S kindness is forever, toward the faithful from age to age. He favors the children’s children of those who keep his covenant, who take care to fulfill its precepts.
-- Psalm 103:6-18

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Lord protects the stranger… -- Psalm 146:2a

Training for English Language Tutors: Saturday, April 21. 
St. Michael parish has partnered with the Livermore Public Library’s excellent and popular program to help adult parishioners 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.  You do NOT have to be bilingual.  Interested?  Call Joanne, 443-1422.

First Friday Fast for Food Security
is a campaign by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  It is a real challenge to eat on $3, and you may go hungry: just like people on food stamps.  The next First Friday is Good Friday, April 6.  More on Facebook (“First Fridays for Food Security”) or http://tinyurl.com/FirstFridayFast2012

Fighting Poverty with Faith. 
Bread for the World (http://www.bread.org) has published “Advocacy 101: Citizen Action Guide” with practical advice for using our citizenship to fight hunger.  As people of faith and conscience, we should remind leaders of their responsibilities to their people and offer constructive alternatives for public policy.  Recommendations for us include prayer and writing letters to Congress.  Our bishops frequently ask all citizens to write to Congress on legislation with moral implications – join the Catholic Legislative Network (http://www.cacatholic.org) to receive our bishops’ alerts.

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 
Station 8 Jesus Comforts the Women.  In India, more than 40% of children under the age of five are underweight. Children who suffer from malnutrition at a young age are at greater risk to suffer illness or death.  CRS, in cooperation with the government of India, trains health workers to educate mothers about good nutrition and immunizations for themselves and their children.   
Catholic Social Teaching: Option for the Poor.  As a community of faith, we have the obligation to reach out to those most in need.  The Gospel specifically calls us to take action on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society.    – Courtesy of CRS, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

Would you like act on social justice?
The St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry would like to help you to help others!  Call Joanne 443-1422.

All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. – Acts 2:45