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SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWSLETTER
December 10, 2015
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The great news is that our newsletter has more than just a new look. We have a new will and dedication to making the newsletter serve the parish better. We will learn by doing and may hit a few wrong notes. We will probably never learn to sing, but we love to sing as much as anybody.
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Included in this week's newsletter:
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 Social Justice Issues in the Tri-Valley
Reducing Poverty in the Tri-Valley
The Tri-Valley Poverty Awareness Initiative (TVPAI) is a cross-sector collaboration formed to address issues of hidden poverty in the Tri-Valley Area. Since late 2013, a multi-disciplinary group has met monthly to examine the nature of poverty in our area and begin to devise solutions. Participants include non-profit organizations, foundations, city officials, faith based organizations, concerned residents, and others.
In an effort to continue their important work, the participants met last month at a well-organized, effective retreat. For more information on the group's planned efforts and goals, you can read the report from this meeting by clicking here.
The group will be holding an annual General Meeting open to residents, employees, and business owners in the Tri-Valley. For more information on TVPAI and how you can get involved, click here to visit their Facebook page.
Interfaith Interconnect
Interfaith Interconnect consists of a group of clergy and community members from the Tri-Valley area. Their mission is "To enrich, inform and educate ourselves and others about the great diversity of faiths and cultures in our valley." For more information about Interfaith Interconnect, click here go to their Facebook page.
"Finding Refuge" was the theme of this year's Interfaith Interconnect Thanksgiving Services. The inspirational service featured music, prayers and messages from eleven different faiths. Franciscan Brother Mike Minton of the San Damiano Retreat Center delivered a message about providing refuge to one another across boundaries of faith and culture. Click here to read more about this celebration and Brother Mike's inspirational words.
Update on the Giving Tree at CCOP
We have lots of teens who are working for their community service hours and many adults. Saturday is the last day of collection, with loading and delivery on Sunday. We have about 100 families already returned, with 447 total family envelopes signed out. This means we are expecting over 300 family returns in the next 5 days, with Saturday being the busiest. We have an individual to put bikes together but might be able to use a backup as more bikes come in. Everything is on track, but if someone wants to help, please call me at 925-462-4492. If I don't answer please leave a message on the phone. I don't want to overload any particular day (which may leave people standing around) so I'm giving work time frames for people to assist if they are able. The people of CCOP are amazing in their generosity and kindness! Thank you! Diane Cowart
***** The message above was written a day or two ago.
The message below was received on 12/9/15
Hi Social Justice Outreach Committee,
My name is Betty Spanel and I am the new Justice Education Mission Coordinator at Concern America. I have attached a Letter of Appreciation to be posted to your bulletin for your generous donation. Please let me know that you were able to open and view the document.
Thank you for your continued support.
Blessings, Betty Spanel Concern America JEM Coordinator
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Catholic Social Teaching and the Real World
Christian Family Movement
A real potential exists for forming Small Christian Communities (SCCs) that would also be Christian Family Movement (CFM) groups. Although intended primarily for Christian families with children, CFM is flexible enough to accommodate:
- Couples where the husband and wife have quite different religious beliefs or un-beliefs, Christian or otherwise
- Refugee or immigrant couples or spouses
- Grandparents, married or widowed
- Mixtures of these
- Groups, existing or not-yet-existing, with a common interest in social justice or some other worthy cause
- Individuals or couples who don't know others to form a group with
To learn more about CFM, click here. To explore possibilities for CFM to fit with your situation speak with their director, Rosemary Piraino at 800-581-9824.Catholic Climate CovenantThe Catholic Climate Covenant is the Catholic Church's voice on climate change, bringing Catholic people and institutions together to care for people God loves and to live justly on God's Earth. Click here to learn more.
* * * * Pope Francis's encyclical on ecology and climate change flows from the deep well of Catholic teaching about the environment. Click here to read the encyclical. |
The Wider World
We all need to remember a little history. The world has overcome all sorts of desperate situations. ISIL is nothing compared to Hitler, nothing compared to France during the worst of the French Revolution, nothing compared to the devastation of Christ's followers when He was crucified.
Europe and every people have overcome horrible circumstances. True, some peoples are gone and forgotten without (so far) a trace but we are not going to disappear soon.
Enjoy Advent. Remember, you are not alone. The world has 7+ billion people, most caring and kind.
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