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