Social Concerns Column for Sunday, September 4, 2011

 If you lend money to one of your poor neighbors among my people, you shall not act like an extortioner toward him by demanding interest from him.  --Exodus 22:24

Microlending Helps People to Help Themselves up and out of poverty.  You can invest in a hardworking individual or group in a developing country for just $25.  Because this is a loan, not a handout, you will get the money back.  The Kiva website makes it extremely easy: http://www.kiva.org

Meet Entrepeneur Madame Faty of Senegal.  
Through the Kiva microlending website, the St. Michael Social Concerns Ministry recently made a loan to the Begg Thierno Group in Senegal, a women's partnership in perfume and fruit sales.  Madame Faty is 35 years old, married with one child. This loan will enable her to purchase a greater variety of perfume in order to expand her small business.  Visit our microloan site to learn more: http://www.kiva.org/team/st_michael_parish_social_concerns_ministry/loans

Building Communities of Salt and Light: Developing Effective Social Ministry (Sat, Nov 5, 9am-3pm, Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center).  
If you are a looking to make your parish's Social Justice or Respect Life Ministry more effective this conference is for you.  The Diocese of Oakland's Office for Life and Justice in partnership with Catholic Relief Service and JustFaith Ministries will be hosting a special training for Social Justice and Respect Life Ministers at Christ the Light Cathedral Conference Center in Oakland .  Tom Ulrich, Direct for Parish Outreach at Catholic Relief Service and author of Strategies for Success: Parish Social Ministry will lead a discussion around how to develop thriving parish social ministry.  For more information: John Watkins (jwatkins@oakdiocese.org, 510-267-8379).

10th Anniversary Observance of 9/11 Attacks.  
The San Francisco Interfaith Council is joining forces with Mayor Ed Lee's office and the San Francisco Opera to convene the 10th anniversary observance of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States . This observance will be held in concert with the San Francisco Opera's annual Opera in the Park, scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Sharon Meadows, Golden Gate Park.

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.

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

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, August 28, 2011

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. --Psalm 106:3

Open Heart Kitchen Needs Volunteers. 
OHK needs many willing hands to chop veggies, ladle soup, clean up: they serve thousands every week here in the Tri-Valley.  Please call the Operations Director at 925-580-6793 to be assigned to a time slot with an existing team. Many hands make light work! 

First Friday Fast for Food Security is a campaign by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The goal is to deepen our compassion for the hungry by cutting back to $3 per person for food on the First Friday of the month.  It is a real challenge to eat on $3, and you may go hungry: just like people on food stamps.  Learn the details on Facebook (First Fridays for Food Security: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110978892320508) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

Please Contact Your US Senators to Support Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.  

The 2010 comprehensive health care reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), poses new risks to religious freedom and rights of conscience. To correct these problems, Reps. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Dan Boren (D-OK) introduced the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions".  Please contact your U.S. Senators: (1) Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202-224-3121, or (2) send an e-mail through NCHLA's Action Center: http://www.nchla.org, or (3) find contact info at: www.senate.gov.

KEEPING THE FAITH:  Surviving with Grace for the Long Haul for Justice and Peace, September 16 or 17.  

Megan McKenna and Bishop Gabino Zavala (President of Pax Christi USA)

Guest speaker Megan McKenna is an Ambassador of Peace for Pax Christi. She has lived in North and South America, Europe and islands throughout the world.  She works with Indigenous groups, justice and peace groups, and parishes, dioceses and religious communities. RSVP to Meg Bowerman (LMJTBOW@pacbell.net).  Free will donation.  Friday, September 16, 2011 7pm-9pm, St. Mary Magdalen Parish Hall, 2005 Berryman Street , Berkeley, OR, Saturday, September 17, 2011 10am-1pm, St. Perpetua Church 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette.

The St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry would like to help you to help others!  Call Joanne, 443-1422.

Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. - Proverbs 22:2

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, August 21, 2011

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. --Psalm 140:12

Open Heart Kitchen Needs Volunteers.
OHK needs many willing hands to chop veggies, ladle soup, clean up: they serve thousands every week here in the Tri-Valley.  Please call the Operations Director at 925-580-6793 to be assigned to a time slot with an existing team. You have a variety of choices for day of the week, and number of times per month to serve.  The kitchen is run by paid staff who are experienced in directing volunteers; many hands make light work! 

JustFaith Introductory Workshop, August 27, St. Joan of Arc, San Ramon.

Jack Jezreel, JustFaith Ministries

Jack Jezreel, JustFaith Ministries, will speak on Saturday, Aug 27, 10am - 1:30pm, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 2601 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon.  Our Christian faith extends an invitation to each of us to become agents of God's compassion and healing in a wounded world. JustFaith Ministries empowers ordinary people and their communities to act on that invitation.  Light refreshments will be served. $25 or free will donation.  Please RSVP to Meg Bowerman (LMJTBOW@pacbell.net).  To learn more about JustFaith Ministries: http://www.justfaith.org

Rachel's Vineyard Retreat, September 9-11, Menlo Park. 
Has an abortion left you with a broken heart?  Rachel's Vineyard Retreats renew hearts broken by abortion. A confidential interdenominational retreat will take place Sept 9-11, 2011 in Menlo Park, offering a loving and supportive environment where women and men can reconcile painful post-abortive emotions and begin the process of renewal and healing. Rachel's Vineyard is therapy for the soul. For confidential inquiries call 415-260-4406 or email christinew@firstresort.net ; for more information go to: www.rachelsvineyard.org 

Megan Mckenna:  What Will Be Remembered of You? (Sept 15, San Lorenzo). 
Based on the Gospel story of Jesus and the unnamed woman who anointed him for his burial, author Megan McKenna will lead us in a personal examination using stories of women from all religious traditions, both ancient and contemporary.  Join us for this unique opportunity!  Donation of $10 suggested at the door.  September 15, 2011, 7pm - 9pm, Maryknoll Center Chapel, 16642 Ashland Avenue, San Lorenzo.

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.

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. --Proverbs 31:9

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, August 14, 2011

Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. - Proverbs 22:2

Open Heart Kitchen Needs Volunteers. 
OHK needs many willing hands to chop veggies, ladle soup, clean up: they serve thousands every week here in the Tri-Valley.  Please call the Operations Director at 925-580-6793 to be assigned to a time slot with an existing team. You have a variety of choices for day of the week, and number of times per month to serve.  Many hands make light work! 

Detroit Parish Takes to Heart Stewardship of God's Creation.  
Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church in Detroit has taken the message of "being good stewards of the earth" seriously: inviting speakers to discuss reducing carbon footprints, holding sustainability workshops, reducing waste management costs by 50% through aggressive recycling, upgrading lights and windows, reducing water use, creating a parish garden, and composting yard waste for the local 4H community center.  Learn more at: http://tinyurl.com/Nativity-Stewardship

Reduce Energy: Turn Down Your AC.  
When you leave your home (and if possible your office) remember to turn the thermostat to a higher temperature for air conditioning, so it's not cooling a vacant building.  (Tip from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change newsletter, July 13, 2011 issue)

Book Review: "God, Creation, and Climate Change: A Catholic Response to the Environmental Crisis".  
This book contains essays by a distinguished group of Catholic scholars who assess the gravity of the situation and offer resources from the biblical and theological traditions.  The book is edited by Richard W. Miller (Orbis Books, Maryknoll, N.Y.).

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 Angvick, 443-1422.  

He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. --Psalm 146:7

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, August 7, 2011

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

Open Heart Kitchen Needs Volunteers. 
OHK needs many willing hands to chop veggies, ladle soup, clean up: they serve thousands every week here in the Tri-Valley.  Please call the Operations Director at 925-580-6793 to be assigned to a time slot with an existing team. You have a variety of choices for day of the week, and number of times per month to serve.  The kitchen is run by paid staff who are experienced in directing volunteers; many hands make light work! 

Catholic Church Helps Rural America.  
The National Catholic Rural Life Conference is dedicated to applying the teachings of Jesus Christ for the betterment of rural America.  NCRLC is sponsored by Catholic dioceses across America.  Their website has a wealth of information on food justice, the ethics of eating, and spiritual resources.  Of especial note is their "Faith-Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger" to help us understand the facts, reflect and pray, and choose appropriate action.  Learn more at: http://www.ncrlc.com

Hunger Damages Children and Adults.  
Did you know?  "Hunger is more than pangs in the stomach. Malnutrition and undernutrition lead to physical impairment; a person who hungers on a daily basis can no longer maintain natural bodily capacities. For children, this means impairment to growth and learning abilities. For women, hunger affects pregnancy and lactation; for men, physical work. For all people, the lack of food leads to various diseases and prevents the ability to recover quickly, if at all."  (from "A Faith-Based Study Guide on Poverty and Hunger", NCRLC, www.ncrlc.com)

From the Vatican: Pope Encourages Contemplation and Protection of Nature.  
Last month, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged those gathered in Castel Gondolfo to value nature and teach their children to do the same.  In his message, the Holy Father said, "I would like to recommend that during this time of vacation, you revivify your spirits by contemplating the splendors of Creation.  Parents, teach your children to see nature, respect and protect it as a magnificent gift that presents to us the grandeur of the Creator."  Reflecting on the day's Gospel-the parable of the sower-Pope Benedict noted that, Jesus used the language of nature to explain to his disciples the mysteries of the Kingdom.  May the images he uses become familiar to us.

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. 

Rich and poor have a common bond: the LORD is the maker of them all. - Proverbs 22:2