Social Concerns Column for January 4, 2013

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 

US Bishops' National Migration Week, January 6-12, 2013.  

The theme for 2013 is “We are Strangers No Longer: Our Journey of Hope Continues” to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the historic joint pastoral letter of the United States and Mexico bishops conferences, "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope." This theme reminds us of our responsibility as Catholics to help newcomers integrate in ways that are respectful, culturally sensitive and responsive to social needs, and of the ongoing need for comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform.  Learn more at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website: http://tinyurl.com/National-Migration-Week

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, January 11, 2013.  

Human trafficking is “modern day slavery” because it uses force, fraud or coercion to make people do things they don’t want to do. Women, children and men are all affected by this crime. They are enslaved throughout the world through forced labor and/or commercial sex. Many times they are right in our own communities.  For more information 

(1) Oakland Diocese Office of Social Justice (www.oak4life.org)

(2) the Campaign to Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking (www.afc.hhs.gov/trafficking)

(3) the State of California (www.safestate.org/trafficking)

(4) monthly e-newsletter, Stop Trafficking! (www.StopEnslavement.org)

Walk for Life West Coast, Saturday, January 26, San Francisco.  

St. Michael parishioners will be going in a group organized by the Knights of Columbus.  In the last few years, the walk has grown from 5,000 to well over 50,000 men and women, families and teens, people of all faiths.  Let the world know – "We are ‘in it’ to ‘WIN IT’!"   The event starts at Civic Center Plaza and ends at Justin Herman Plaza.  For more information, find them on Facebook or visit: http://www.walkforlifewc.com

Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless. --Isaiah 10:1-2 

Social Concerns Column for December 30, 2012

Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. --Isaiah 9:7  

World Day of Peace: January 1, 2013.  

The Pope's theme for World Day of Peace 2013 is, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”  In his 2013 Message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us at that we all have a role to play in building peace in our communities and world. His 2013 Message focuses on human dignity, rights and responsibilities, as well as the fiftieth anniversary of John XXIII's Pacem in Terris.   Read the Pope's message on the Vatican's website at: http://tinyurl.com/PopeWorldDayPeace

Pope John Paul II Calls Loving Neighbor a Virtue.  

Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in an interdependent world.  John Paul II has called solidarity a virtue.  It is the virtue, he says, by which we demonstrate "a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good ... because we are all really responsible for all."  -- Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice, http://www.osjspm.org

US Bishops Call for National Migration Week: January 6-12, 2013.  

The theme for 2013 is “We are Strangers No Longer: Our Journey of Hope Continues” to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the historic joint pastoral letter of the United States and Mexico bishops conferences, "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope." This theme reminds us of our responsibility as Catholics to help newcomers integrate in ways that are respectful, culturally sensitive and responsive to social needs, and of the ongoing need for comprehensive and compassionate immigration reform.  Learn more at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' website: http://tinyurl.com/National-Migration-Week

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

Social Concerns Column for December 23, 2012

"The world must be educated to love Peace, to build it up and defend it." -- Pope Paul VI, 1968

World Day of Peace: January 1, 2013

The Pope's theme for World Day of Peace 2013 is, “Blessed are the Peacemakers.”  In his 2013 Message for the World Day of Peace, Pope Benedict XVI reminds us at that we all have a role to play in building peace in our communities and world. His 2013 Message focuses on human dignity, rights and responsibilities, as well as the fiftieth anniversary of John XXIII's Pacem in Terris.   Read the Pope's message on the Vatican's website at: http://tinyurl.com/PopeWorldDayPeace

Stories of Generosity from St. Michael Parish

The Livermore Homeless Refuge extends a big thank you to all the wonderful people from St. Michael's who generously support our Refuge ... because without you, we couldn't do it.  Here are recent stories about the Refuge and St. Michael parishioners:

As A Little Child:  A woman, man and a seven year old little girl came to our door and gave me $6.10 from the little girl's piggy bank to help the homeless.  The little girl understood what she was doing, it was all her idea: She told her parents to give the money to the homeless because it's so cold out and she has a warm bed. We all cried.  This is all so humbling to us: God is Good!

Great Eighth Graders:  The St. Michael's 8th grade class raised money and gave us a gift card to purchase clothes and needed items for our homeless.  Their hard work brought immediate help to the homeless -- the new clothes went to the homeless within days.

 

Serving the Really Hungry: One night, I served a man who had not eaten in THREE DAYS....nothing at all.  We really are a Refuge to people at the end of their rope.

Knights are Noble:   Dennis Lundbaum from the Knights of Columbus called us late Sunday night after a dinner they served in the big hall and gave us all the leftovers!  This unexpected and delicious warm food was so well received by our homeless.  I speak for them when I say, they are so grateful ... so are we!!

The Words of Jesus: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." -- Matthew 25

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, December 16, 2012

US Bishops Speak on the Sacraments and Social Mission  

The Bishops' documents below reflect on the richness of the sacraments and our call to "go forth to love and serve the Lord" in our world.  These short documents very readable and excellent for personal devotions.

Baptism: Incorporated into Christ's Body, Sent on Christ's Mission.  Baptism calls us to reject death and embrace life and dignity for all.

Eucharist and Social Mission: Body of Christ, Broken for the World. Contemplating Christ’s sacrifice for the world in need, we are sent forth to follow his example.

The Eucharistic Liturgy: Formed, Transformed, and Sent.   Our communion in the Eucharist leads to our determination to transform unjust structures and to restore respect for all men and women who are created in God's image and likeness.

Confirmation: Strengthened by the Spirit, Called to Action.  Anointed by the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, Christians become better equipped to carry out the Church’s mission of love and service.

Marriage: United in Love, Strengthened for Service.  By giving of themselves and serving one another, their family and community, Christian spouses help one another live out Christ’s call to discipleship, love and service.

Holy Orders: Ordained to Serve, Gather, Transform and Send.  Priests are called to “preach good news to the poor” (Lk. 4:18). Deacons imitate Christ in his ministry of service and charity to the poor and needy in the community.

Penance: Reconciled to Right Relationship, Called to Heal and Restore.  Healed and forgiven, we are sent to work for peace, justice and love in our communities and world.

Anointing of the Sick: Joined to Christ, Witnesses of Hope and Healing.  Christ’s followers share his ministry of compassion and healing and imitate his preferential love for the sick and all who suffer.

Read these documents in English or Spanish on the Prayer and Worship website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at: http://tinyurl.com/SacramentsSocialMission

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, December 9, 2012

US Bishops Campaign to End Poverty in America: 
We Can Make a Difference
(www.povertyusa.org)

Even before the recession, Americans were having a difficult time making ends meet. Struggling to get back on their feet, more and more families have to choose between necessities shelter, child care, and food.  Working to address poverty in America demands confronting the root causes of economic injustice — and promoting social policies that help.

Sign up for Action Alerts so you can write to your Congressional representatives when legislation is pending.  Your voice will make the difference!  http://www.povertyusa.org/get-involved/action-alerts/

Learn more about some major legislative policies that help people get back on their feet:

The Farm Bill.  
The 2012 reauthorization of the Farm Bill provides an opportunity to reshape the current, broken agricultural policies to build a more just framework that better serves small and medium-sized family farms in the U.S., promotes good stewardship of the land, helps overcome hunger at home and abroad and helps vulnerable farmers and their families in developing countries. Read more at: http://www.povertyusa.org/we-can-make-a-difference/policies-that-help/

The Federal Budget.  
The nation needs to substantially reduce future deficits, but not at the expense of hungry and poor people. Programs meant to support people living in poverty can be made more effective, but not by cutting benefits that harm struggling families. The federal budget is a moral document that reflects our priorities as a society. Read more at: http://www.povertyusa.org/we-can-make-a-difference/policies-that-help/

(This above is an excerpt from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic Campaign for Human Development's initiative to eliminate poverty in America at www.povertyusa.org).

Emma's Gift -- a True Story of Thanksgiving

Donna McKenzie, shared this story about the true meaning of the Thanksgiving season. Donna and her husband, Bob, work nightly with the guests at the Livermore Homeless Refuge in Livermore, California.  Donna and Bob have also given up their garage to store supplies for the homeless.  The events below took place on November 21, 2012.

The story I'm going to tell you is truly about a "gift of love."

The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, I was in the garage sorting through clothes to bring to our homeless friends and a car stopped in the middle of our driveway.  I looked up and a man, woman and child got out of the car and walked up the driveway towards me.  The man said, "are you Donna?" and I said "yes."

He and his wife looked down at the little girl named Emma and she looked up at me and at the same time handed me her little pink piggy bank.  As I reached for it, she said, "this is for the homeless."  I was speechless and stunned! 

Emma and I sat down on the driveway and opened her piggy bank and counted $6.12. 

I told her that maybe she should keep half of it in her bank and I would take the other half for the homeless.  She answered me with, "I want them to have it all because tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I'm going to have turkey.  I have a warm bed with covers and they don't have any."

Her dad said this gift was completely Emma's idea.  They had been downtown recently and she saw some of our homeless begging and asked her parents what they were doing and they explained it to her.

When she returned home, she told her parents what she wanted to do with the money she had been saving.

I offered to give her $1.00 to start her savings again and she would not accept it.

Once again, I was humbled by a little girl who understood at her young age about giving and sharing and mostly,  about caring.

Emma is 6 1/2   years old.

In all the excitement, I hugged her and her parents, told them they were doing an awesome job raising their daughter and then they were gone. 

I didn't get their names, except for Emma, who I will never forget.

I have the $6.12 in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters....and I'm thinking "ice cream for our homeless."  They love it....and it's a real treat for them....

....thanks to Emma.

If you would like to volunteer at the Livermore Homeless Refuge, or provide other support, please Call Sandra Chesterman at 925-525-1200 or go to www.LivermoreHomelessRefuge.org

Story edited by Jim Schnitter, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Livermore, CA.

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, December 2, 2012

Catholic social teaching proclaims that we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they live. -- Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice, http://www.osjspm.org/

Thank You to St. Michael Parish for Supporting Livermore Homeless Refuge!  
We are so grateful to St. Michael Parishioners for the sleeping bags and thermal undergarments which they donated to the Livermore Homeless Refuge in November.  The sleeping bags and garments make a big difference on these increasingly cold and wet nights when our Refuge guests are sleeping on the floor in a vacant room in a Livermore church hall.  Our volunteers staff the Refuge through the night so that our city's homeless are not out under a bridge or bush or in a car.  Our guests express great gratitude for the kindness shown to them, "the least of these our brothers", as Jesus said.  God bless your continued gracious generosity.

Donations Welcome for Livermore Homeless Refuge.  
It is not too late to donate supplies: We still need thermal undergarments (men's and women's) and sleeping bags.  We will come pick up your donations: Call Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167.  If you would like to make a monetary contribution, please send your tax deductible donations via checks made out to Robert McKenzie, 2497 Pyramid St., Livermore, 94550; please include a return address so that we can mail you a receipt for your taxes.  For more information, visit: www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  
Thank you for continuing to bring food to the boxes at the entrances to the church.  These groceries are distributed every week to the hungry of Livermore.  Want to help more?  Contact: Rich Mueller, 925-373-7472, richmca@hotmail.com

Tri-Valley Hotline 211: Help for the Needy.  
Dial for help with food, housing, employment, health care, child care, elder care.  Translators are available.  Please help spread the word about this valuable resource from United Way of the East Bay.   Learn more at: http://www.211california.org/

Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?  Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. – Isaiah 58:6-8