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

Social Concerns Column for July 31, 2011

The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom.  They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song. The glory of Lebanon will be given to them, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.  - Isaiah 35:1-2

Pope on Church's Responsibility for Creation.  

"The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere." (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 2009, No. 51).

"In a word, concern for the environment calls for a broad global vision of the world; a responsible common effort to move beyond approaches based on selfish nationalistic interests towards a vision constantly open to the needs of all peoples." (Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 World Day of Peace Message, No. 11)

Read more Catholic teaching on the environment from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching

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) or http://usccb.org/sdwp/Fasting-Resource-Intro-May-6.pdf

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! 

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.

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

Social Concerns Column for July 24, 2011

God of my fathers, LORD of mercy. you who have made all things by your word and in your wisdom have established man to rule the creatures produced by you, to govern the world in holiness and justice, and to render judgment in integrity of heart.  - Wisdom 9:1-3

Life and Dignity of the Human Person 
(from the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching). 

• "The way humanity treats the environment influences the way it treats itself, and vice versa." (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate, 2009, No. 51)
• "How can we separate, or even set at odds, the protection of the environment and the protection of human life, including the life of the unborn?" (Pope Benedict XVI, 2010 Address to the Diplomatic Corps)
• "Our tradition calls us to protect the life and dignity of the human person, and it is increasingly clear that this task cannot be separated from the care and defense of all of creation." (USCCB, Renewing the Earth: An Invitation to Reflection and Action on the Environment in Light of Catholic Social Teaching, 1991)

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! 

Next English Language Tutor Training is July 30, 9am-4pm.  

We have partnered with the Livermore Public Library's excellent and popular program to help adults 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.  Interested?  Call Joanne Angvick, 443-1422

How blessed is he who considers the helpless; the LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble. -- Psalm 41:1

Social Concerns Column for Sunday, July 17, 2011

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

Next English Language Tutor Training is July 30, 9am-4pm.  
We have partnered with the Livermore Public Library's excellent and popular program to help adults 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.  Interested?  Call Joanne Angvick, 443-1422

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 Social Teaching 
(http://tinyurl.com/ClimateTeaching). 
The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of our society. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) outlines Seven Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: (1) Life and Dignity of the Human Person, (2) Call to Family, Community, and Participation, (3) Rights and Responsibilities, (4) Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, (5) The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers, (6) Solidarity, (7) Care for God's Creation.

"[W]e cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations." (Blessed Pope John Paul II, 1990 World Day of Peace Message, No. 6)

Would you like to pursue a social justice project?  The St. Michael Parish Social Concerns Ministry can help you to help others!  Call Joanne, 443-1422.

The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. - Genesis 2:15

Social Concerns Column for July 10, 2011

The LORD God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it. – Genesis 2:15

“If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation” was the title of Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, January 1, 2010.  “Respect for creation is of immense consequence, not least because ‘creation is the beginning and the foundation of all God’s works’, and its preservation has now become essential for the pacific coexistence of mankind. Man’s inhumanity to man has given rise to numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human development – wars, international and regional conflicts, acts of terrorism, and violations of human rights. Yet no less troubling are the threats arising from the neglect – if not downright misuse – of the earth and the natural goods that God has given us. For this reason, it is imperative that mankind renew and strengthen ‘that covenant between human beings and the environment, which should mirror the creative love of God, from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying’.”  Read the Holy Father’s entire message at: http://tinyurl.com/PeaceCreation

Thursday, July 14, 7-9pm, Hall, The Moral Implications of Climate Change
Guest Speakers: Dr. Anthony Strawa, NASA scientist and Chair of the Diocese of San Jose's Climate Change Initiative, and Dr. Curt Covey, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.  Dr. Strawa recognizes climate change as one of the great challenges facing humanity from a scientific, economic and ethical perspective and feels called to motivate people to more fully address climate change through their Catholic faith. 

Dress-A-Girl Sew Fests, 
July 21, Trinity Baptist Church, 
August 27, St. Michael Hall
Suzanne Slupesky is coordinating sewing days for dresses for little girls in developing countries.  At the first East Bay sew fest in May, they made over 40 dresses.  In June, they made 68 dresses.  The target for the St. Michael sew fest is 100 dresses!  They need people with sewing skills as well as people to iron, sort, carry, cut.  They also need gently used or new pillow cases.  For more information, email Suzanne: suzanneslu@yahoo.com

For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.  – Psalm 72:12

Social Concerns Column for July 3, 2011

Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground." --Genesis 1:26

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org) was launched in 2006 to help the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Catholic community address issues such as: What are the moral implications of climate change? Who is most impacted? What should the Catholic community do?  Our bishops say: “We … call for a civil dialogue and prudent and constructive action to protect God’s precious gift of the earth’s atmosphere with a sense of genuine solidarity and justice for all God’s children.”

The Catholic Principles and Teachings applied to the issue of global climate change are (1) Prudence: thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned action, (2) Poverty: concern for those least able to bear the burden, and (3) the Common Good: promotion of solidarity over self-interest. (www.catholicsandclimatechange.org)

Save the Date: Thursday, July 14, 7-9pm, The Moral Implications of Climate Change
Guest Speakers: Dr. Anthony Strawa, NASA scientist and Chair of the Diocese of San Jose's Climate Change Initiative, and Dr. Curt Covey, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.  This program will be held in the St. Michael Parish Large Hall.  For more information: http://stm-scm.blogspot.com/p/moral-implications-of-climate-change.html

Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence, and the Common Good is the title of a statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  The statement begins: “As people of faith, we are convinced that ‘the earth is the Lord's and all it holds’ (Ps 24:1). Our Creator has given us the gift of creation: the air we breathe, the water that sustains life, the fruits of the land that nourish us, and the entire web of life without which human life cannot flourish. All of this God created and found ‘very good.’ We believe our response to global climate change should be a sign of our respect for God's creation.”  Read the entire statement at: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/globalclimate.shtml

The earth is the LORD'S and all it holds, the world and those who live there. – Psalm 24:1