We are now on Facebook

We have started a Facebook page for the St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry to make it easier for us to share late breaking news, and allow you to more easily share with us.

http://www.facebook.com/StMichaelParishSocialConcernsMinistry

God bless you all as we move into Holy Week.

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, March 25, 2012

Seek good and not evil, that you may live; then truly will the LORD, the God of hosts, be with you as you claim! Hate evil and love good… -- Amos 5:14-15

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 Angvick, 443-1422.

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 

Station 7 Jesus falls the second time.  Schools in Vietnam often lack resources to serve students with disabilities. As a result, these students are often unable to reach their potential, and they fall beneath the cross of poverty.  CRS supports inclusive education for people with disabilities in schools and vocational colleges around the country.   

Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of the Human Person.  All humanity has been made in the image of God. Through our actions we must express that each person is precious and that the lives and welfare of all people are priorities. – Courtesy of CRS, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

Open Heart Kitchen 
http://www.openheartkitchen.org, 925-580-1619 
Go to them for help, or volunteer with them to help others.  Schedule: Weekday hot meals: Monday (Crosswinds Church, Dublin), Tuesday & Wednesday (Asbury United Methodist), Thursday (Vineyard Christian Fellowship), Friday (Trinity Lutheran, Pleasanton).  Senior hot meals: Ridgeview Commons Senior Center, Pleasanton.  Weekend box lunch for children.

Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley 
http://www.ssptv.org, (925) 931 – 5379 
Go to them for help, or volunteer to help others.  Provide case management, family caregiver support, alcohol/drug program, friendly visits, transportation, exercise and nutrition program, health screening.

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.

The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. -- Luke 1:55

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, March 18, 2012

Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies.  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  – Psalm 34

Operation Rice Bowl in 37th Year

(http://orb.crs.org)
The ORB website is full of activities for the whole family.  Recipes from around the world raise awareness of other cultures (e.g., salad from Madagascar, vegetable rolls from Vietnam, bean dish from El Salvador).  Videos help us learn from other American Catholics doing ORB activities and learn about people around the world (e.g., India, Zambia, Vietnam).  Catholic Relief Services is your outreach to the world.

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services. 
Station 6 Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.  There are more than 1 billion people around the world who regularly suffer from hunger and malnutrition.  Most are women and children.  We are one human family, regardless of our differences.  Answering the call to love our neighbors will promote a culture of respect and lead to peace in our communities around the world. – Courtesy of CRS, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

Bread for the World Urges: Write to Congress. 
Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, they provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live.  To easily send an email to Congress, go to http://www.bread.org and click “Write to Congress” on the right side of webpage.  Call your Congresspersons at 202-224-3121.

Unemployment Benefits Expiring? Call 2-1-1. 
If your unemployment benefits are set to expire, call 211 to find financial counseling and assistance, child care, job training, food and discounted utility programs.  Translators are available.  Also visit http://211bayarea.org, and for Alameda County: http://www.edenir.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.

You shall not wrong any widow or orphan. If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry.  – Exodus 22:20

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, March 11, 2012

The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, stronghold in times of trouble. – Psalm 9

Priests for Life Call for Your Prayers for Life. 
Fr. Frank Pavone (www.priestsforlife.org) says: "Abortion will end when local communities say it will end -- no sooner, and no later. We have the power to stop abortion, even while it remains legal. Now is the time to mobilize, sustained by prayer. Women and men who have lost children to abortion need to hear the witness of others who have experienced that pain and have found healing. 40 Days for Life is an opportunity for a local community to hear that witness. "  To learn how you can participate in 40 Days for Life in the Bay Area, go to: http://40daysforlife.com/sanfrancisco/

US Bishops Campaign: Justice for Immigrants. 
In advocating on behalf of migrants, immigrants, and refugees, it is important to understand that the Catholic position is based on Catholic social teaching, which is derived from the Gospels and the words of Christ; statements and encyclicals of the Popes; and statements and pastoral letters of bishops. Understanding these teachings, which support the U.S. bishops’ public policy positions on immigration, is helpful in understanding and defending these positions.  Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/JusticeTeaching

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Station 5 Simon helps Jesus carry the cross.  Since 1943 Catholic Relief Services has helped carry the cross for our brothers and sisters in need by providing assistance with housing, water systems, health services, agriculture, and response to emergencies.

Catholic social teaching: SOLIDARITY. 
We are one human family, regardless of our differences. Answering the call to love our neighbors will promote a culture of respect and lead to peace in our communities around the world. – Courtesy of CRS, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

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.

Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share,  thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life. --1Timothy 6

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, March 4, 2012

“Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them…” -- Matthew 11

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services: Station 4 Jesus meets His mother. 
In India, mothers and their infants often do not receive the medical care and adequate nutrition they need for healthy growth and development. CRS is working with local health care workers in India to ensure that mothers and their children receive healthy foods, vitamins and proper immunizations.

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 Catholic Relief Services, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

Volunteers for the Livermore Homeless Refuge

Thank You from the Livermore Homeless Refuge. 
Your generous donations have been immediately put to use to serve the homeless of Livermore.  The Refuge has been open over 100 nights since last November, giving our homeless a safe and warm place to sleep, a helping hand, a face of Jesus.  Thanks to the volunteers and supporters from St. Michael and faith based groups of Livermore.  To donate or volunteer, please call Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167.

Lenten Contemplation: Poems for Prayer and Pondering. 
JustFaith ministries has a powerful aid for your private devotions entitled “Lenten Poetry Companion”, including tips for praying with poetry and space for journaling.  Online at: http://justfaith.org/GradNet/LentenPoetry.pdf

Fr. Greg Boyle, Christ the King Parish, 6-9pm, March 9th. 
You are invited to a special Lenten event with Fr. Greg Boyle, author of Tattoos on the Heart. 6:00 pm – Soup Supper in Parish Hall. 7:30 – 9:00 pm – Fr. Greg’s Talk and Book Signing.  RSVP by Monday, March 5, to animo3@pacbell.net.




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.

The LORD does righteous deeds, brings justice to all the oppressed. – Psalm 103

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, February 26, 2012

He shows pity to the needy and the poor and saves the lives of the poor. – Psalm 72

Collection for Livermore Homeless Refuge, February 25-26. 
Please put your donations in the boxes located at the entrances to the church.  We need coffee, hot chocolate, cups, plastic forks/spoons/knives, paper plates / bowls, napkins, underwear and socks (men’s and women’s), generic gift cards, toilet paper cleaning supplies, blankets and sleeping bags, etc.  When you are out doing your usual shopping, why not buy one more item for the homeless?  For more information or to ask for pickup, call Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167.

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 
Station 3 Jesus falls the 1st time.  In Zambia, 64% of the population has fallen beneath the cross of poverty. Widespread malnutrition and a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS have contributed to this reality.  In Zambia, CRS organizes Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) which help people in the poorest communities earn more money to support their families and set aside savings for the future.  – Courtesy of Catholic Relief Services, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

Catholic social teaching: DIGNITY OF WORK AND RIGHTS OF WORKERS. 
The ability to work to earn a living is a right of all people. All workers have the right to a fair wage, to organize themselves, and to work in good conditions.  – Courtesy of Catholic Relief Services, http://tinyurl.com/Stations2012

Bishop Cordileone Endorses Two Pro-Life Ballot Initiatives: Please Sign Petitions. 
All California bishops encourage all Catholics to support these two pro-life efforts. Please help get the word out and sign petitions. (1) The Parental Notification Initiative (www.CAParentalRights.org) requires doctors to notify a parent before performing an abortion on a girl age 17 or younger. (2) The SAFE California Act (www.safecalifornia.org) will replace California’s death penalty with a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole as the maximum punishment for murder.  This means convicted killers will remain behind bars forever – with no risk of executing an innocent person. And save considerable tax payer money.

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 sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly, to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners,  -- Isaiah 61

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, February 19, 2012

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.
Proverbs 21:13

Collection for Livermore Homeless Refuge, February 25-26. 
Please put your donations in the boxes located at the entrances to the church.  We need coffee, hot chocolate, cups, plastic forks/spoons/knives, paper plates / bowls, napkins, underwear and socks (men’s and women’s), generic gift cards, toilet paper cleaning supplies, blankets and sleeping bags, etc.  When you are out doing your usual shopping, why not buy one more item for the homeless?  For more information, call Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167.

The Stations of the Cross Around the World with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). 
Station 2 Jesus carries the cross.  In rural El Salvador, women and children walk for hours each day to the river to retrieve and carry water that will be used for cooking, bathing and drinking.  When CRS helped build a well in rural El Salvador, 130 families in El Pedregal gained access to clean water in their homes.
http://orb.crs.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/ORB-2012-Stations-of-the-Cross.pdf

Catholic Social Teaching: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
We must take responsibility to protect the rights of all people. These rights include the right to life, food, water, shelter, education, and employment, along with political and cultural rights.

Pope on Justice, Life, Truth. 
“America first proclaimed its independence on the basis of self-evident moral truths. America will remain a beacon of freedom for the world as long as it stands by those moral truths which are the very heart of its historical experience.  And so America: If you want peace, work for justice. If you want justice, defend life. It you want life, embrace the truth, the truth revealed by God."  -- Pope John Paul II, St. Louis, Missouri, January 1999

First Fridays for Food Security. 
For the past ten months, Catholics in the U.S. have been fasting on First Fridays in solidarity with persons living in poverty in the U.S.  Your challenge: feed your family for the entire day with about $5 per person.  You will likely go hungry, so this is a great discipline for Lent.  Learn more at: http://tinyurl.com/FirstFridayFast2012

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.

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