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

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