Social Concerns Column for June 3, 2012

But let justice roll on like rivers, and righteousness like a mighty stream. -- Amos 5:24

Bishop Cordileone Endorses SAFE California Act as Pro-Life. 
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 the State of California executing an innocent person.  The sentence of life imprisonment will save millions of tax payer dollars.  Please visit the website, sign the petition, and spread the word.  For information on the national level, visit the USCCB’s Campaign to End the Death Penalty at: http://old.usccb.org/deathpenalty

Volunteers Needed to Promote SAFE California Act in Livermore
www.safecalifornia.org

The California Bishops need volunteers in every diocese and parish to help promote the SAFE California Act that will be on the November ballot.  We need volunteers.  You can choose how much time to spend, including, learning about SAFE, promoting SAFE within our parish, holding informational meetings on SAFE, sharing SAFE on Facebook and across the Internet to your California friends and family.  Interested?  Please call Joanne, 443-1422.

A Culture of Life and the Penalty of Death: 
"Ending the death penalty would be one important step away from a culture of death and toward building a culture of life.” -- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005

US Bishops on Everyday Christianity for the Laity:
The Catholic social mission is  also carried forward by believers who join unions, neighborhood organizations, business groups, civic associations, the pro-life movement, groups working for justice, or environmental, civil rights or peace groups. It is advanced by Christians who stand up for the values of the Gospel. This mission is the task of countless Christians living their faith without much fanfare or recognition, who are quietly building a better society by their choices and actions day by day. They protect human life, defend those who are poor, seek the common good, work for peace, and promote human dignity.  -- USCCB, Everyday Christianity: To Hunger and Thirst for Justice, http://tinyurl.com/HungerThirstJustice

Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'--Zechariah 7:9

27 May 2012

Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. --Isaiah 1:16-17

Livermore Homeless Refuge Needs Summer Clothes & Personal Items. 
We are not asking for, nor do we need, "new" clothes.  Instead, please share your gently used "summer" clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, shorts, shirts and T-shirts: they are very much needed and appreciated.  Our wish list includes:

Deodorant (men and women)
Water
Tooth brushes
Tooth paste
Disposable razors (men and women)
Wet Wipes
Sun tan lotion
Snacks
Cup of soups

Socks (men and women)
Underwear, briefs and boxers (men, sizes Large and X-Large)
Underwear, (women, sizes 6, 7, 8)
Bras (women, any sizes)
T-shirts (men, sizes Large and X-Large)
Summer clothing, jeans, shorts, shirts, tank tops
Baseball hats
Shoes (all sizes)

We appreciate any and all donations.  You can be assured that nothing is wasted!  We have a need and use everything we are given.  To drop off your items or have them picked up, please call Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167.

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.

And in the same town was a widow who repeatedly came and entreated him, saying, "Give me justice and stop my oppressor." --Luke 18:3

Sunday, May 20, 2012

He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. --Psalm 72:4

Rally for Religious Freedom, Friday, June 8, noon, San Francisco.
Stand up for our religious freedom by pushing back against the new mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which requires that all employers provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans, even in violation of their consciences.  Rallies will be held nationwide.  Our nearest rally is at the HHS building, 90 Seventh Street, San Francisco, two blocks from the Civic Center BART station.  Bishop Cordileone supports this rally.  For more information: http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com

Catholic Social Teaching:
"The ultimate injustice is for a person or group to be treated actively or abandoned passively as if they were nonmembers of the human race. To treat people this way is effectively to say they simply do not count as human beings."
-- Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice, http://www.osjspm.org/

Catholic Charities of the East Bay Sunday, May 20th.
Did you know that CCEB is a four star charity, ranked at the highest level by Charity Navigator for effectiveness and  good use of every dollar donated?  CCEB is our hands and heart reaching out to the afflicted in Alameda County, including families with children, refugees and youth.  Through your donations at Mass on May 20th, CCEB will prevent homelessness, counsel victims of violent crime, resettle refugees and help them become self sufficient, and intervene with youth to move them towards higher education.  Learn more at: http://www.cceb.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.

There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.  -- Acts 4:32-35

Sunday, May 13, 2012

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

Rally for Religious Freedom, Friday, June 8, noon, San Francisco.
Stand up for our religious freedom by pushing back against the new mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which requires that all employers provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs through their health plans, even in violation of their consciences.  Rallies will be held nationwide.  Our nearest rally is at the HHS building, 90 Seventh Street, San Francisco.  Bishop Cordileone supports this rally.  For more information: http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com

Bishop Cordileone Calls All Catholic Voters to Write Congress, US President. 
“I therefore call on all of you, our good people in the Diocese of Oakland, to write to your congressional representatives and urge them to pass legislation to reverse this [HHS] mandate. I also ask you to contact President Obama and encourage him to continue to be open to putting into place robust protections of religious liberty for faith-based health, educational and social service organizations. The contact information to do this may be found on the Diocese home page at www.oakdiocese.org

Heaven and Earth are Full of Your Glory.
Roman Catholic bishops and the United Methodist church recently issued a joint statement on the Eucharist and Ecology: “We call both Methodists and Catholics to practice stewardship of creation … Eucharistic renewal and environmental responsibility are intrinsically linked … A Christian response to the ecological crisis … is a sense of wonder before God’s gift of creation.”  Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/FullofYourGlory

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.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render true judgment, and show kindness and compassion toward each other. Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the alien or the poor; do not plot evil against one another in your hearts. Zechariah 7:9-10

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Facebook: “St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry”

He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. --Ps 9:8

Thank You, St. Michael, for Your Generosity!
The Livermore Homeless Refuge deeply appreciates your donations of socks, underwear and summer clothing.  The clothes are already getting out to the homeless through Bob and Donna McKenzie’s work at the shower facilities for the homeless at several churches in Livermore.  Missed the collection? We’ll pick up your supplies!  For more information: Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167, http://www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org

US Bishops Issue Call to Action to Defend Religious Liberty: “Fortnight for Freedom”. 
The U.S. bishops have issued a strong call to action for all Catholics to defend religious liberty in the 13-page proclamation “Our First, Most Cherished Freedom”. The bishops call for “A Fortnight for Freedom,” the two-week period from June 21 to July 4—where “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” are focused on prayer, study, catechesis, public action and special events revolving around Religious Liberty. Contact Trish Spindler, tspindler@cacatholic.org, for more information.  Read the proclamation at: http://tinyurl.com/ActForReligiousLiberty

Care for God’s Creation and poor people by reducing your carbon footprint
 (http://catholicclimatecovenant.org):
Organize an environmental awareness day at your parish or school.  Plant a garden and start a compost pile.  Eat less meat: the UN concludes that “the livestock sector emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems,” including climate change. Dry your clothes outdoors when possible and use the dryer less.

Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley (http://www.ssptv.org, 925-931-5379). 
Call to volunteer.  Call to ask for help for yourself or a loved one.  SSPTV provides case management, family caregiver support, alcohol/drug program, friendly visits, transportation, exercise and nutrition program, health screening and more!

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 community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.  With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.  There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.  -- Acts 4:32-35

Social Concerns Column for 29 April 2012

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The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.  With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all.  There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need.  -- Acts 4:32-35

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; drop off supplies in the boxes at the entrances to the church at all Masses.  For more information: Bob and Donna McKenzie, 925-443-7389 or 925-895-4167, http://www.livermorehomelessrefuge.org/

Celebrate Earth Day the Catholic Way: 
Care for God’s Creation and poor people by reducing your carbon footprint: Reduce use of disposable products by using reusable containers; if you must buy disposable, buy paper or glass products instead of plastic.  Bring reusable cloth bags when shopping instead of disposable plastic bags.  Buy local, and/or organic food, and purchase recycled products whenever possible.  Learn more: http://catholicclimatecovenant.org

US Bishops Issue Call to Action for All Catholics.  
The U.S. bishops have issued a strong call to action for all Catholics to defend religious liberty in the 13-page proclamation “Our First, Most Cherished Freedom,” released April 12, 2012. The bishops call for “A Fortnight for Freedom,” the two-week period from June 21 to July 4—where “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” are focused on prayer, study, catechesis, public action and special events revolving around Religious Liberty. Contact Trish Spindler tspindler@cacatholic.org for more information.  Read the proclamation at: http://tinyurl.com/ActForReligiousLiberty

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.

Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. --Deuteronomy 24:17

Social Concerns Column for April 22, 2012

Facebook: “St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry”

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

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/

Earth Day the Catholic Way:
Care for God’s Creation and poor people by reducing your carbon footprint
http://catholicclimatecovenant.org
Ride a bike, walk, carpool, or use public transportation whenever possible.  Use biodegradable soap and shampoos.  Visit Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade website where you can buy, support and even fundraise with products like the Equal Exchange coffee, tea, and chocolate; fair trade farmers care for Creation and are given a living wage to support their families and communities: www.crsfairtrade.org

Catholic Social Teaching: Stewardship of Creation:
Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. The goods of the earth are gifts from God, intended for the benefit of all.  We humans are not the ultimate owners of these goods, but rather, the temporary stewards. We are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these gifts and preserving them for future generations.  -- Catholic Charities Office for Social Justice, http://www.osjspm.org/

California Interfaith Power & Light: Our Faith, Our Planet, Our Responsibility. 
This interfaith group is recommended by the Diocese of Oakland’s Office for Life and Justice and has many resources for environmental justice.  Read about congregations across the nation becoming green at: http://interfaithpower.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.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. --Isaiah 11:3-4