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Social Justice

by Barb Whitman

Apr 13: SOCIAL JUSTICE: Each time we gather after Mass for doughnuts and at meetings and receptions we are doing an act of justice. At these functions if you are using the Bunn coffeemakers you are serving Fair Trade coffee. “Fair Trade” means an equitable and fair partnership between consumers in North America and producers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The chief concern of the Fair Trade movement has been to ensure that the vast majority of the world’s coffee farmers (who are small holders) get a fair price for their harvests in order to achieve a decent living wage. Fair Trade guarantees a living wage to poor farmers in cooperatives around the world (minimum of $1.26/lb, regardless of market); much needed credit at fair interest; and long term relationships. These fair payments are invested in health care, education, environmental stewardship, and economic independence.
You can Google “Fair Trade Coffee” and discover the variety of flavors and types of coffee that you can purchase. Sometimes we don’t have to do huge things to make an impact, but do the ordinary things well. Support Fair Trade businesses! By Barb Whitman

Apr 13: ENERGY AUDIT: We JustMatters participants have just completed a six week series on Climate Change in accordance with Church teachings on environment. At the last session we felt that the experience was “you’ve listened and learned, and now what are you going to do with it?” If we are going to be critical of those who over-consume we should look at ourselves first. It was suggested that we do an energy audit of St. Aloysius’ properties. This suggestion was taken to Denise Foos, the Business Manager, and the Maintenance Committee for their approval and encouragement.
We now need persons who would be willing to serve on an Audit Committee to complete this task. It would not be the committee’s responsibility to implement the suggestions but to work with the professionals to get the audit done. We could then refer to this source when repairs or changes are contemplated. If you are interested in this short-term project please call the parish office or Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195.

Apr 6: SNACKS NEEDED: On April 29th, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, St. Aloysius will host a Death Penalty Workshop for the Diocesan Human Rights Commission. We are in need of refreshments and servers for the evening. If you would like to donate cookies, veggies, and other snacks please contact Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195, or leave a message with the office receptionist.

Feb 10:  RESPECT FOR LIFE: “At the beginning of the third Christian millennium, we the Catholic Bishops of Washington State, reaffirm our Church’s teaching that all human life is sacred. We Catholics believe that God is our Creator and therefore we recognize and respect the dignity of each human person. Whether a person is unborn, very old, or guilty of a heinous crime, that person’s life is a priceless gift from God. As faithful followers we are called to affirm the sanctity of all human life.
We Bishops, as shepherds of the Catholic community, are especially concerned about the willingness of so many faithful Catholics to accept capital punishment as a response to violence. Sadly, there appears to be a chasm between what the Church teaches on this issue and what some Catholics are able to accept. We must bridge this chasm.
Though the Church opposes capital punishment, many in society believe that it is only fair that murderers be executed. Those who have witnessed or suffered from heinous crimes sometimes consider the death penalty is just, because it seems proportionate to an awful crime. However, the death penalty does not heal the pain of losing a loved one. Only journeying with those who have suffered can begin to ease their grief. Parish communities of care and hope can provide what executions cannot — an opportunity to encounter the transforming and healing grace of God.”
Excerpted from A Call for the Abolition of the Death Penalty: A statement by the Washington State Catholic Conference.  Washington, D.C.: USCCB, 2000.
Scheduled for execution in February are:
On the 21st — Karl Eugene Chamberlain (stay likely)
On the 28th — Michael Bardo (stay likely)

Feb 3:  UPCOMING EXECUTION: On Feb. 21, 2008, Karl Eugene Chamberlain will be executed in Texas.  Against the background of the long, shameful history of the Church’s official cooperation in the systematic use of lethal violence, our present Pope, our own U.S. Bishops and others in the contemporary Church have begun to speak out for a return to the original gospel ethic of nonviolence. Since the Supreme Court of the U.S. declared the death penalty constitutional and state killings resumed in 1976, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church has been outspoken in joining its voice to nearly every major religious denomination in this country in favor of the abolition of capital punishment.
This is a return to the authentic teachings of Jesus Christ: to meet evil with good, to heal brokenness through reconciliation, and to end the cycle of violence with repentance, forgiveness and community.

Jan 13:  THE TRI-PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE in conjunction with Catholic Coalition on Climate Change is hosting a six-week module regarding Climate Change which starts on February 7, 2008, at St. Aloysius.
    The six-week program, held during Lent, will draw out arguments for and against action and demonstrate, through both faith and science, the hazards of non-action, especially its impact on poverty.
    The module will include action items for stopping further global warming and what might mitigate its impact on poorer populations both here and abroad.
    Sessions will cover:
*Catholic Theology on the Environment. Reflections on our place in and responsibility for God’s creation. Voices on the theology of ecology and implications for future generations.
*The Science of Climate Change. In the face of the consensus of the scientific community about climate change, how do we deal with fear, dread, and feelings of powerlessness?
*Climate change and the poor. Voices and experiences of the poor and marginalized focus on social justice connections, environmental racism and the impact of these on the poor.
*Border-crossing experience. An action, engagement, field trip or immersion that sheds light on the implication of climate change and what we can do to address it. This will afford an opportunity to learn about our sources of energy and our local “carbon footprint.”
*Where do we go from here? What actions are we committed to taking so that everyone can live in a sustainable future, strengthened by our faith community?
    The Tri-Parish Social Justice Taskforce is a collaborative effort of the parishes of St. Aloysius, St. Thomas More, and St. Rose of Perrysburg and centers around parish education. If you are interested or if you would like more information, contact Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195. For St. Thomas More contact Katie McKibben at 419-373-3013; for St. Rose contact Laurie Snyder at 419-874-2455.

Jan 6:  I have been feeling rushed lately. Then I’m reminded that I need to write an article on Immigration Week. Many people, because of fear of safety or their own economic security believe persons from other countries do not have the right to come into this country. The people who risk their lives in crossing the deserts and rivers to come here are just looking for those same securities that we want to possess.
    An article written by Br. Claude Lane, O.S.B. states, “Catholic theology has always been rooted in natural law and God’s revelation. In 1891, the encyclical Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor) developed a systematic presentation of principles of the rights and responsibilities of people. Rerum Novarum commented on the situation of immigrations; in later documents, popes and bishops have synthesized the catholic theological tradition to articulate three basic principles of migration:
      1. People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families.
      2. A country has the right to regulate its borders and to control migration.
      3. A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy.
    Although the first two of these principles may seem to contradict each other, they are put in context by the third. Catholic social teaching emphasizes the absolute equality of all people and the commitment to the common good. People of faith must seek a way of balancing their valid security needs with meeting the basic human needs of others in the confidence of God’s love of and care for all his people. It is in achieving this balance that we can embrace each of the principles of Catholic social teaching on migration.”
    So what does my rushing have to do with immigration? When we are rushed or feeling the pressures of our lives around us, we long for a place of peace and security. A place that we can nurture ourselves and those around us. A place we can feel one with God. Maybe those longings bring us closer to our Brother and Sister Immigrant than we really know. They come to this country seeking the same things. This week appreciate and be thankful for all the blessings and gifts that surround us. We have them because some newcomer to this country is probably helping provide them for us.

Dec 30: “Man” and “sinner” are two different things. God made man; man made himself sinner. So, destroy what man made but save what God made. Thus, do not go so far as to kill the criminal, for in wishing to punish the sin, we are destroying the man. Do not take away his life; but leave him the possibility of repentance. Do not kill so that he can correct himself.” St. Augustine, cited in James J. Megivern, The Death penalty; An Historical and Theological Survey; p. 38.
EXECUTIONS
Jan. 3 TN Paul Dennis Reid—Stay Likely
Jan. 9 TN Edward Harbison—Stayed
Jan. 17 TX Bobby Woods

Dec 9: FROM THE HELPING HANDS OF ST. LOUIS KITCHEN: Thanks to all those who helped us serve over 325 meals on November 28th, the fourth Wednesday of the month. We appreciate the efforts of those who made desserts, prepared the meat and helped to serve. Our working together makes for an easier ministry. If you would like to help please call Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195 and put your name on the volunteer list.
Our next serving day will be December 26th. We are making shredded turkey sandwiches and have four frozen turkeys that need to be cooked and shredded before being replaced in the freezer.

Dec 2:  EXECUTIONS IN OHIO scheduled for:
November 27 in Texas Dale Scheanette
(stay likely)
December 6 in Alabama Thomas Arthur
December 12 in Tennessee Pervis Payne
(stay likely)

“All human beings have the right to life, guilty people, too. Most of the pro-life people I met — they’re pro innocent life, but they’re sure not pro guilty life. Is there a difference? Did Jesus come only to the innocent, or is there a way that we can stand in the dignity of all human life, even those among us who have done terrible crimes?” Sister Helen Prejean

Nov 25: CONCERNS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE:  There are several new things that we will be doing and that you may have already noticed. Each month we will list the names of those who are to be executed that month, asking for prayers for their victim’s family, their own families, and for them. We will also have a short educational piece about Capital Punishment and the Church’s teaching.
Another change is each month there is a national collection for a specific organization. Rather than just insert into the bulletin the standard released information, I will have a separate article including more detailed information about the fund for that particular month.
In February we will offer a six to ten-week series about Climate Change. The program is from JustFaith, but has been broken down into smaller segments for the time commitment and is called JustMatters. There will be more information coming out in January.
We have just completed a four-part Caregivers series with Hospice. The program was for those people who are responsible for others and how they can take care of themselves. If there are others who would be interested in this type of program please contact me at the parish office.
During the month of December the St. Aloysius School and parish Religious Education will have their annual food drive to help stock the shelves of our own pantry as well as that of Helping Hands of St. Louis and La Posada Homeless Shelter. Please help us support these ministries.
Finally, we ask for volunteers to help with the Helping Hands of St. Louis Kitchen. We need persons willing to help with desserts, pre-cooking of meat, and serving on our scheduled date (always the 4th Wednesday of each month). We have been slowly increasing our volunteer basis and still need more people to help. If you have questions or would like to volunteer please contact Barb at 419-352-4195.

Nov 4: HELPING HANDS OF ST. LOUIS KITCHEN:  Every Thanksgiving and Christmas people very generously give canned food and warm meals to help those who are struggling below the poverty level. This is greatly appreciated but we need to help all year-long.
This is where you can share your blessings with those who do need help.
Every fourth Wednesday St. Aloysius and St. Thomas More parishes cook and serve between 300-400 meals at St. Louis Helping Hands Kitchen (SLHHK) in East Toledo. It is not difficult work, but we do need additional help. To be efficient we need between 8-10 persons to help.
Here is some basic information about the Kitchen:
Our menu varies with the seasons but our staple is usually “Chicken Supreme” (chicken and noodles), green beans, Jello (prepared the night before at St. Tom’s), fruit and dessert.
We car pool so you wouldn’t have to worry about driving in Toledo. We leave BG at 8:15 AM and serve the meals from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
The patrons at SLHHK are the poor, elderly, the homeless, those with substance abuses, the unemployed, single mothers and children, mentally ill, and those whose monthly benefits or salaries aren’t enough to pay rent, food, medicines, and child care.
Here’s how you can help:
Cook chicken or another meat in your home for the meal. On the day we serve we bring back frozen meat for the next month. It is cooked, shredded or diced, returned to the freezer and refrozen. We have the lower shelf in the freezer in the supply room off the kitchen.
Make desserts that we can take there. These can be delivered either the night before or dropped off at our kitchen (St. Al’s) by 7:45 AM. Mark them “SLHHK.”
Call before the serving day to provide fresh fruit (bananas, grapes, apples, oranges). These can be delivered either the night before or dropped off at our St. Al’s kitchen by 7:45 AM. Place them in the refrigerator and mark them “SLHHK.”
Help prepare green beans and make Jello the Tuesday night before our Wednesday meal. This is done at St. Thomas More’s kitchen at 5:00 PM.
If you can’t come at 8:15 consider helping to serve between 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM.
Even if you can’t help every Wednesday, consider adding your name to our list of substitutes to call when a regular is unable to come.
At this time we have chicken and hams that need to be cooked. The chicken needs to be cubed and the ham shredded.
Remember, most of us reading this article have been blessed. Please show how grateful you are by sharing with those in need year-round. If you can be of service please call Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195, or e mail Barb at rwhit@wcnet.org.

Nov 4: DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER please pray for all those suffering because of their crimes; the victims’ families and their own families.
Executions scheduled are:
Jeffrey Timothy Landrigan on November 1 in Arizona
Allen Bridgers on November 6 in Texas
Ramon Sanchez on November 15 in Pennsylvania (a stay is likely)
Mark Dean Schwab on November 15 in Florida
Dale Scheanette on November 27 in Texas
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in paragraph 2266, “Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm — without definitively taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself — the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically non-existent.” John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae 56.

Nov 4: ATTORNEY NEEDED FOR PRO BONO WORK: Barb Whitman is in touch with a woman who has asked for legal assistance. If any attorney in our parish would like to help this woman she would be very grateful. Please call Barb at 419-352-4195 if you can help.

October 14: WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: Sunday, October 21st, we will be taking up the National Collection for World Missions. It is my intention in this article to update and inform readers about the questions that may surround this collection.
Mission, while happily making use of technological advances in communications, is still very much a person-to-person ministry. Mission, from the Latin verb “to send,” means obeying His command to go to all the nations, to baptize, and to teach the faith. To accomplish this, we have a two-part operation. We have those who contribute financially and then we have the ones who actually work in the missions.
By baptism, all Catholics are called to participate in the mission of the Church, called to share their faith as missionaries. World Mission Sunday gathers support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs and needs of more than 1,150 mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and remote regions of Latin America. The funds gathered on World Mission Sunday are distributed in the Pope’s name by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith — a Pontifical Mission Society.
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith was founded in Lyons, France, in 1822 by a young French laywoman, Pauline Jaricot. Inspired by stories she heard about missionary work in China, she felt called by the Lord to help the Catholic Church’s worldwide missionary work. Pauline herself never traveled to the Missions, which, during her lifetime, consisted of the Missions in China and young dioceses in the United States. Pauline gathered friends and workers in a family silk mill into “circles of ten,” asking each person to pray daily for the Missions and sacrifice a penny a week (at that time, quite a large sacrifice). From this idea emerged the Propagation of the Faith.
And now the question: “Are we getting our money’s worth?” as we Americans always ask. The answer is definitely YES. Offerings from Catholics in the United States are combined with offerings to the Propagation for the Faith from Catholics worldwide. Mission dioceses receive regular annual assistance from the funds collected. This grant is provided according to a diocese’s size. In addition, these mission dioceses submit requests to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples for assistance with catechetical programs, seminaries, the work of Religious Communities, communication and transportation needs, and the building of chapels and churches. These needs are then matched with the funds gathered in each year. The national directors of the world’s Pontifical Mission Societies vote on these requests and match the available funds with the greatest needs. These funds are then directly distributed to mission dioceses throughout the world. All of the General Fund support money is distributed in its entirety each year.
Become missionaries and know that you are helping to spread the Gospel message to mission dioceses throughout the world. If you would like to contribute to this collection please put your donation in an envelope marked “World Mission” and put it in the Sunday collection or mail it to St. Aloysius Church, P.O. Box 485, Bowling Green, OH 43402.

October 7: RESPECT FOR LIFE:  I’ve been thinking about how to start this article in recognition of October’s being RESPECT FOR LIFE month. At a recent Barbeque, Ron Smith asked me if I had seen the article in the Sentinel about the Amish starting to get involved in politics to help preserve their way of life. He thought it would be a good lead for an article. I’ve thought about it and decided it went along with this month’s focus.
We can’t take respect for life for granted. It is a sacred tenet of our faith that we have to WORK at to keep; we need to be involved from conception to natural death. And we don’t have the privilege to pick and choose or even to rank one aspect over another. We have to have a peaceful inner core within ourselves so that we can value life from its moment of conception, value the life of a condemned person, value life at its natural end; value the lives of those we wage war against.
So what is the connection with the Amish? The Amish have learned that there are times when they have to be involved with the outside world in order to preserve what they hold sacred. That’s the connection we have — being involved. We can’t just stay in our homes and think that because it does not directly involve us we have no responsibilities. It is so easy to love a baby but not so easy to love a criminal; not easy to love a terrorist; not easy to care for the elderly; not easy to see someone you love suffering in pain. And that is why we get INVOLVED! It’s not only about changing laws but it is about how we act. It is praying for and with the suffering; it is forgiving those who threaten to harm us; it is having the will to support, not judge women who are pregnant. We must be willing to clothe all in the seamless garment of the Dignity of All Life.
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, stated that “on this Respect Life Sunday we ask Catholics and all people of good will to witness to the truth about the incomparable dignity and right to life of every human being. This is no sectarian creed. The ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’ (Preamble, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989). And that’s the truth.”

September 23: HELPING HANDS OF ST. LOUIS KITCHEN: On September 25th at 5:00 PM we will prepare food in the kitchen at St. Thomas More. The dinner will be served on Wednesday, September 26th, at the site. If you would like to serve please call Barb Whitman at 352-4195. Our car pool will meet on the 26th at St. Thomas More at 8:00 AM and return at approximately 1:00 PM. Bring any fresh produce from your garden to St. Al’s kitchen by Tuesday, September 25th, being sure to mark it for Helping Hands of St. Louis. Each day Helping Hands feeds 300 to 400 people.

September 9: HELPING HANDS OF ST. LOUIS KITCHEN: Thanks to all who helped prepare and serve over 300 persons for our August rotation. Thanks also to those who donated food. Every little bit helps in getting everything accomplished. September 26th is our next turn to serve and we will prepare the food on Tuesday, the 25th, at St. Thomas More. If anyone has produce to donate please contact Barb Whitman at 419-35-4195 about delivery. Many thanks again!

August 5: HELPING HANDS OF ST. LOUIS KITCHEN: On July 25 we served over 400 persons at the kitchen. This was accomplished with the help of many persons in a variety of ways. Some of these ways include food donation, food preparation (pre-cooking), and actual serving at the site.
Our next rotation will be Wednesday, August 22. On the 21st of August we will meet at St. Thomas More’s Kitchen to prepare the food for the next day. Our menu will be chicken salad sandwiches, fresh fruit & vegetables, and dessert.
We have frozen chicken on the top shelf of the freezer in the St. Aloysius kitchen storage room off of the gym. The chicken needs to be cooked and cut into 1/2 inch cubes and returned to the freezer by August 19th. If you would like to donate produce from your garden, grapes, celery, or onions, please notify Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195 about drop-off. Again, thanks to all those who help prepare and serve in July.
Barb Whitman

July 8: MIGRANT COLLECTION: As our migrant collection draws to an end I would like to thank all those who donated basic clothing, blankets, food and money. It is said that we as a community of faith are judged by the way we treat the most vulnerable among us. It is heartwarming to know that so many from our parish are willing to give generously to the migrants who meets the demands of our labor-intensive industries. Many migrants endure the hardship of family disunity, discrimination and poor working/living conditions as they strive to provide the basic needs for their families living here or in their poverty stricken homelands. We are indeed all connected as God’s creation and God’s children, and our actions have consequences felt by those outside our fences and borders.
Your faith and compassion is greatly appreciated.
Barb Whitman

July 1:  The Tri-Parish Social Justice Taskforce (St. Rose, St. Al’s & St. Tom’s in BG) is taking up a collection for migrant workers in our area. “The poverty and misfortune with which immigrants are stricken are yet another reason for coming to their aid. . . . ” by Pope John Paul II at the World Day of Immigration in 1996. Parishioners have the opportunity to see Christ in the migrant worker who works long hours and under difficult conditions to help our farmers bring the fruits of the land to our table. Regardless of our political viewpoints we benefit from their hard labor. Let’s pray that our leaders and President find common ground to build an acceptable immigration bill that addresses the human rights of the immigrant as well as our needs as a nation. Please consider contributing to this important outreach program through July 1st. Drop off donations in the center foyer of church in the box marked “Migrant Collection.” Checks may be made out to St. Aloysius Church, Migrant Ministry, or to En Camino Outreach.

June 24:  CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY
What you can do: As part of the Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty you can
Pray for victims of crime and their families, those who have been wrongly convicted, and those awaiting execution.
Learn about Catholic social teaching, criminal justice policies, and the policies in your state. Go to the website listed below for more information about the death penalty.
Educate people in your parish or community about Catholic social teaching and the criminal justice system.
Advocate by contacting your elected officials. Share with them Catholic teaching on the death penalty and urge them to take steps at the state and national level to curtail or end its use.
For a wide range of resources to help individuals, parishes and diocese participate in the Catholic Campaign to End the Use of the Death Penalty, go to: www.ccedp.org

June 17:  THE TRI-PARISH SOCIAL TASKFORCE will have a clothing, food & cash donation drive for Migrant Farmworkers on the next two weekends, June 23-24, 30-July 1.
We will accept men/women’s clothing in small-size jeans, long-sleeved shirts and T-shirts.
Please limit food to rice, dry pinto beans, soy or canola oil, Maseca Corn Meal (found on the ethnic shelf), or cans of tomatoes. We also need fans and blankets. Cash received will be used for our St. Vincent de Paul Migrant Outreach and the diocesan En Camno outreach.
We also need people to help sort and distribute these items in the weekend following the collection. Call Barb Whitman at 419-352-4195 if you would like to help.

June 17: CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY
Catholic teaching begins with the recognition that the dignity of the human person applies to both victims and offenders. It affirms our commitment to comfort and support victims and their families. It also acknowledges the God-given dignity of every human life, even those who do great harm.
Catholic teaching on human life is rooted in the belief that life is a gift from God that we must respect and protect. As it is applied to the death penalty, this teaching is both complicated and clear. The Church has long acknowledge the right of the state to use the death penalty in order to protect society. However, in recent years Pope John Paul II, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Vatican’s Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, and statements from bishops have more clearly insisted that the state should forego this right if it has other means to protect society. Our fundamental respect for every human life and for God, who created each person in his image, requires that we choose not to end a human life in response to violent crimes if non-lethal options are available. Moreover, at a time when respect for the sanctity of human life is undermined in many ways, the Church’s opposition to the use of the death penalty is an important witness in support of a culture of life.
Pope John Paul II said, “A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitely denying criminals the chance to reform.”

June 10: CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY What Catholics Are Thinking About the Death Penalty: Many Catholics have reconsidered their position on the death penalty. In past polls, Catholic support mirrored that of the American public at close to 70%. But, in a recent survey (Zogby International Poll for USCCB, December 2004) less than half (48%) of Catholics interviewed expressed support for the use of the death penalty.
A majority of Catholics credited Church teaching as the number one factor influencing their position on the death penalty. When asked, 54% indicated that it has an impact on their position. Catholics who attend Mass regularly are more likely to oppose the death penalty (56% opposed) than those who never attend Mass (26% opposed).
An overwhelming percentage of Catholics (79%) believe that opposition to the death penalty is “consistent with the defense of human life.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church invokes “principles which do not exclude absolutely capital punishment but give very severe ‘criteria’ for its moral use. It seems to me it would be very difficult to meet the conditions today.” — Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) at a Sept. 9, 1997 Vatican press conference introducing the new edition of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

For more Church teaching on the use of the death penalty, you may consult:
*The Gospel of Life, Pope John Paul II, March 1995, nos. 27 & 56 (English: No. 316-7, 196 pp; Spanish: No. 317-5, 196 pp.)
*Catechism of the Catholic Church (second edition), 1994, No. 2267.

For more information: deathpenalty@usccb.org, or www.ccedp.org, or call 1-800-235-8722.

June 3: IMMIGRATION: After all the Masses on the week-end of June 9th and 10th there will be a display for information on immigration issues, cards to sign for U.S. Representatives and Senators, and sample letters to be written. I realize it will be a busy week-end with graduations and parties, but please give a little of your time to pick up the packets. Thanks, Barb Whitman

Jun 3: THE RICH ARE GETTING RICHER: According to an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2005 the top 10% of American earners received 48.5% of the income, leaving the remaining 90% of us to divide up a little over half of the income. The top 1% received 21.8% of all reported income. The top 300,000 received almost as much as the bottom 150 million, with the richest averaging about 440 times as much income. While the top went up, the bottom 90% went down an average of $172 from 2004. The poor are getting poorer.

June 3: THE CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN TO END THE DEATH PENALTY: It is time for U.S. Catholics to come together to work to end the use of the death penalty in our land.
Pope John Paul II and the USA bishops have clearly asked us to act to end the use of the death penalty.
Catholic teaching, as expressed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other statements of the Vatican and the bishops, makes clear that the use of the death penalty cannot be justified when the state has other ways to protect society.
The death penalty in our land is deeply flawed. More than 115 people on death row have been exonerated. The death penalty is unfairly applied due to many factors, including where a crime is committed, the race of the victim and offender, and the quality and costs of defense.
Catholics are re-examining and changing their minds about the use of the death penalty. Less than half of all Catholics now support the use of the death penalty, down substantially from past years.
The death penalty diminishes all of us. Its use ought to be abandoned not only for what it does to those who are executed, but what it does to us as a society. We cannot teach respect for life by taking life.

“We cannot overcome crime by simply executing criminals, nor can we restore the lives of the innocent by ending the lives of those convicted of their murders. The death penalty offers the tragic illusion that we can defend life by taking life.” —Administrative Committee, United Stated Conference of Catholic Bishops, A Good Friday Appeal to End the Death Penalty (Washington, D.C., USCCB, 1999).

For more information: deathpenalty@usccb.org, or www.ccedp.org, or call 1-800-235-8722

Mar 18:  All of us are dreamers; we dream of a happy family, we dream of peace, we dream of far-fetched ideas, and we dream of practical, achievable dreams. I have a dream that would create happy families, a dream that would break down barriers of understanding others, which is a step for peace. It’s far-fetched because it is something new that the parish has not done before and people may argue that it is not possible. But it is needed, and it is achievable.
I explored the house at 114 S. Enterprise last January when Bob went to drain the water. It stands empty now because of the condition of the tresses and the roof needs to be replaced. It’s a small house with two bedrooms, dining room, living room, kitchen and bath. It was built in the style called Craftsman. The living room and dining room have good hardwood floors. The dining room has a built-in buffet china cabinet. The walls are good, but the ceiling could use a little work due to problems with the roof.
So, now I’m going to share with you my dream. Last year I suggested that we start a English As a Second Language (ESL) school for immigrants and migrants as part of Social Justice Outreach. One of the problems was what room we could use, where to store the books or computers, how to secure the rest of the building, multiple purpose room use. Needless to say, that dream lay dormant. Another dormant dream I had, after being Youth Minister for 13 years, was to have a space that the Youth could use for a meeting space.
So now I’m going to share with you my dream. I would like everyone to consider this. Preserve this house from the bulldozers; take off the old roof and tresses, fix the front porch and be a leader in the community for the poor. The two bedrooms could be converted into a tutoring room for children and another for adults. The dining room could have a table and chairs as overflow and the living room could be a gathering space.
The ESL school would operate on 2 afternoons and evenings a week, leaving the house to be used as a Youth Center on Wednesday and week-ends. If we dream even further, the ESL school could eventually be supported by other churches in the area, making it a non-denominational center for education. Please pray about this and if you agree or disagree please attend the meeting on March 29th or contact me at 419-352-4195 if you are a dreamer also.

Feb 15:  YOUTH MINISTRY/SOCIAL JUSTICE: On January 21-22 nine youth and two adults attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C. They were Rebecca, Ray and Rosemary Szparagowski, Tess Eynon, Elizabeth Trabbic, Johnnie Pacheco, Tom, John & Mary Weinandy and Theresa Szparagowski and Barb Whitman. All would like to thank the parish and Holy Trinity Council of the Knights of Columbus for their sponsorship that allowed so many youth to attend.

Feb 15:  TRI-PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE hosted an Immigration and Migrant panel on January 20 at the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg. We were fortunate to have a front page article in the Sentinel the following Tuesday. We had speakers from En Camino, the Toledo Diocese agency for migrants; ABLE, a legal aid agency; a person who hires seasonal migrants; Jeff Steward from Immigrant Workers Program in Columbus; Rural Opportunities; and FLOC President, Baldemar Velasquez.
If you were unable to attend and would like to know more or even if you have limited time for involvement, we have opportunities for all. We will be having an implementation meeting on February 25th at 2:00 PM in Clare Hall for representatives from St. Rose, St. Thomas More and St. Aloysius parishes. Sister Christine Pratt will facilitate.

Feb 4:  ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH PASTORAL COUNCIL SUPPORT OF THE TRI-PARISH TASK FORCE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE: The Pastoral Council supports and encourages the Tri-Parish Social Justice Task Force, which is officially addressing the issues of immigration and migrants. The Task Force includes St. Aloysius, St. Thomas More, and St. Rose. If you are interested in participating contact Barbara Whitman.

Jan 14:  Many U.S. citizens who may be struggling economically and who may have trouble finding jobs resent the filling of those jobs by undocumented immigrants. This is one more reason why undocumented immigration is not good for society or for the migrant. In some cases, it is not good for the U.S. worker because it can drive down wages. That is why we are trying to change the status quo so that a legal immigrant work force can bargain for higher wages and drive up wages for everyone. We also believe that any temporary worker program should ensure that U.S. workers are protected and have the first shot at a job.
Migrant workers labor in low-skill but important jobs, such as agricultural workers, construction workers, and as service personnel. As President Bush has stated, many Americans are not working for those jobs or competing for them.
On January 20, the Tri-Parish Task Force is sponsoring a Forum from 9:00 to 11:30 AM at the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg, 577 Front St. to discuss immigration issues. Please join us.

Jan 7:  ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS? The issue is that the immigration system, which includes enforcement, is flawed and needs repair. As an example, our nation has spent nearly $25 billion on border enforcement over the past ten years. Yet the undocumented population has more than doubled in the same time period. We need a new approach. We believe that by reforming the legal immigration system we will take pressure off of the enforcement side and relieve the pressure on our borders. Creating legal avenues for migration will reduce the need of migrants to cross the desert and to depend on human smuggling. We also believe our proposals are pro-security. By legalizing the 11 million undocumented in our nation, for example, we know who is here. By creating a temporary worker program and improving family immigration, we also know who is coming. 

Dec 31:  IS IMMIGRATION A MORAL ISSUE? The Church does not condone or encourage illegal immigration because it is not good for society or for the migrant, who lives outside the law and in the shadows. What we are trying to do is change our laws to reflect the reality of migration in the world today and to ensure that basic human rights and dignity are respected. Yes, those in the United States without legal status have broken the law, but they do so in order to survive and to support their families. At the same time, they contribute to our economy through their hard work in important industries. So we must consider if the law is a just one and whether it is in the best interest of the nation to change the law. American bishops think the law should be changed. 

Dec 24:  FROM THE TRI-PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE: “Amnesty,” as commonly understood, implies a pardon and a reward for those who did not obey immigration laws, creating inequities for those who wait for legal entry. The U.S. Catholic Bishops’ proposal is not an “amnesty.”
The Bishops’ earned legalization proposal provides a window of opportunity for undocumented immigrants who are already living in our communities and contributing to our nation to come forward, pay a fine and application fee, go through rigorous criminal background checks and security screenings, demonstrate that they have paid taxes and are learning English, and obtain a visa that could lead to permanent residency, over time.

Dec 17:  TRI-PARISH TASK FORCE
What About the War on Terrorism? Should we seal the border? The Catholic bishops believe, as do many others who have objectively studied the question of border enforcement, that no border enforcement strategy will be effective in keeping determined people out unless it is combined with policy changes that address the push and pull factors that compel immigrants to come here.
Our nation’s security concerns would be better met by having an immigration system that allows well-intentioned immigrants the opportunity to enter in a more timely fashion through legal means, thereby allowing enforcement resources to be focused on would-be terrorists, smugglers and other criminals who would try to circumvent and manipulate the system to gain entry.

Nov 12:  PUTTING CATHOLIC MORALITY INTO ACTION: Many people believe that the Church should not get involved in the political issues of our day, especially where it involves the social justice issues. Is there a water-tight boundary between political matters and Christian morality? Neither the Bible nor the Church’s teaching authority recognizes such a boundary.
As far back as the Law of Moses God had things to say about the relationship of the rich and the poor. Foreigners were not to be oppressed (Exodus 22:20). At harvest time, the fields and vineyards were not to be gone over twice: instead, the poor and aliens were to be allowed to gather what was left (Leviticus 19:9-10). We can find similar teaching in the New Testament, especially in Luke 4:16-21, where Jesus explains what His mission will be, and throughout the Letter of James.
Popes, beginning with Leo XIII in 1891, have made a major effort to teach about the relationships between nations, and about the dignity and rights of every human being, both the unborn and the already-born. It is true that there is not a “Catholic position” on every political issue or proposed law. Catholics will find themselves on opposite sides of questions like NAFTA. No matter what side of a question you are on, the Church wants you to begin your reasoning with certain basic principles. Among these are respect for all human life, basic political rights (free speech, voting, migration), basic economic rights (food, shelter, work, education), special attention to lifting people out of poverty, promotion of the common good, subsidarity, i.e., decisions should be made by the smallest possible political unity, as “close to home” as possible to the people affected, the need for all to participate in politics, an equitable sharing of resources, respect for earth’s resources, and a sense of stewardship for coming generations, the promotion of peace that is the fruit of justice and right order among nations, and the dignity of human work.
From the Tri-Parish Social Justice Work Force

Nov 12: TRI-PARISH SOCIAL JUSTICE TASKFORCE:
In the fall of 2005 this taskforce was established as a cooperative effort between St. Rose, St. Thomas More University Parish and St. Aloysius to work jointly on social justice issues. This fall representatives from each parish and the three parish pastors met and decided that for the next year we will be educating and providing activities dealing with immigration and migration.
The article below is a foundational article from this group dealing with the Church’s position on social justice and political issues. We invite parishioners who are interested in Social Justice issues to attend the next organizational meeting on November 14 at 6:30 PM in Clare Hall at St. Aloysius. At this meeting work will begin on immigration and migrant issues facing the country and our own area in particular. I hope you will come to join us.

Oct 1:  Part of the Tri-parish Social Justice Taskforce directives is to keep parishioners informed of opportunities that are educational and informative. The month of October is designated as the Respect for Life Month. During this month you will be kept informed about ways you can be active.
On October 4th at 6:30 PM, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church will host the unshrouding of the Silent Witnesses. The Silent Witnesses are the silhouettes of the last 35 victims of domestic violence in Northwest Ohio. Last year I attended and was awe-struck by the impact it had on me. The friends and families of victims are asking that we remember the victims for who they are. They seek justice, not revenge. The victims are persons we know, people from our towns who attend the same churches as we. They had dreams, some had children, all wanted a life, but it was ended because a husband/partner did not respect that Life and ended it.
So, Wednesday, on the Feast of St. Francis, Patron of Peace, I ask you to attend and for one hour respect the lives of the victims of domestic violence.

Sept 3: This summer you might have been approached by persons asking you to sign a petition seeking to put the referendum on the ballot in November to raise the minimum wage in Ohio from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour. This coalition to seek a living wage for all workers, consists of many community and faith-based groups as well as labor organizations .
Some of us may not be aware that there are two minimum wages, one for the Federal government and one for the individual states. While there have been large increases in prices for health care, housing and gasoline, the minimum wage has remained at $5.15 an hour, ever since 1997. The U.S. Congress in June refused to allow a no-strings-attached vote on a higher minimum wage. Instead, it tied a small pay raise for workers to large tax cuts for heirs to family fortunes, killing both measures.
Our local, state and federal governments provide some medical care, utility assistance and food stamps. Our churches and social service agencies provide some child care, food pantries, and financial assistance. Some people get help from their families. But there are still many working people lacking in food, health care or a place to live.
While some are convinced that an increased minimum wage would have a negative impact on some small businesses, the April 2004 Fiscal Policy Institute study comparing job growth between 11 states with higher minimum wages versus the remaining states with the $5.15 hourly minimum clearly point to no adverse employment effects between 1998 - 2004. In fact, the findings show that job growth in the higher minimum wage states surpassed that in the remaining states.
On this Labor Day week-end , as we picnic with families and friends or do some yard work, we need also to remember our brothers and sisters, who struggle to feed and house their families. Those paid less than $7 or $8 per hour can hardly survive from paycheck to paycheck. If the Minimum Wage gets on the Ohio ballot, those who have been blessed with an income adequate to meet their needs, should remember those who haven’t.
Catholic teaching on living wages started in 1891. Pope Leo XIII’s papal letter Rerum Novarum recognized the right of every worker to receive wages sufficient to provide for a family. Pope Pius XI reaffirmed the principle of the need for a living wage, writing in Quadragesimo Anno (1931), “In the first place, the worker must be paid a wage sufficient to support him and his family.”

August 13: Several years ago St. Aloysius and St. Thomas More attempted to form a Pax Christi group (A Pax Christi community is a group of Pax Christi U.S.A. members and other friends who meet on a regular basis to pray, study and act for peace with justice) and because of lack of education and understanding it failed.
Pax Christi USA’s statement of purpose is to strive to create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ by exploring, articulating, and witnessing to the call of Christian nonviolence. This work begins in personal life and extends to communities of reflection and action to transform structures of society. Pax Christi USA rejects war, preparation for war, and every form of violence and domination. It advocates primacy of conscience, economic and social justice, and respect for creation.
There are individuals in both parishes who would like to attempt to revitalize a Pax Christi group again in the area. There will be a panel discussion for those interested on August 16 in Clare Hall at 7:00 PM. The panel will have representatives from Seneca County’s and Toledo’s Corpus Christi Pax Christi members to explain how they function and address the issues that they have prioritized. All are invited to come, whether it is something that you would like to participate in or just to get a better understanding.

August 6:  Are you interested in exploring the social justice tradition of your faith? Do you want to know more about the spiritual journey of Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa, Oscar Romero and the prophets? Consider taking part in the justice formation process called JustFaith that will begin this fall. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at St. Aloysius. The program includes readings, videos, and conversations about the most difficult topics; face to face encounters with the poor; and an investigation into the intersection of spirituality and Christian activism. Parishes have offered JustFaith across the country with dramatic effects. The program will run from Sept. 7 to May. Sound good? For more information call Nancy Fitzgerald (STM) at 352-7041 or Barb Whitman (St. Al) at 352-4195. Informational evenings will be at 7:00 PM on August 8th at STM & 7:30 PM August 15th in Clare Hall at St. Al’s. St. Rose’s evening will be 7:00 PM on August 21.

July 30:  JustFaith, a formative program for parishioners interested in social ministry, will be offered beginning this fall. JustFaith offers an intensive study of the Christian’s call to address the needs of the world. The 30 week program includes weekly meetings, regular readings, retreats and immersion experiences. Participation will be limited to the first 15 registrants. The program will run from September 7, 2006 to May 2007. For more information, call Nancy Fitzgerald (St. Tom’s) at 352-7041 or Barb Whitman (St. Al’s) at 352-4195. Informational evenings will be on August 8th at St. Tom’s at 7:00 PM, August 15th at St. Al’s at 7:30 PM (in Clare Hall) and August 21st at St. Rose, Perrysburg at 7:00 PM. Tri-Parish Social Justice Taskforce gives thanks to all those who contributed to the Tri-Parish migrant food and clothing drive. We were able to deliver 10 bags of food to EnCamino, the diocesan migrant ministry, plus take clothing, fans and bed linens out to 5 area camps as well as supplement the St. Vincent de Paul fund for needs specifically for migrants. Thanks for your generosity!

July 23:  This fall, JustFaith will be offered once again. The program is co-sponsored by St. Thomas More University Parish and St. Aloysius Church. The program will run from Tuesday September 5th through the beginning of May at St. Aloysius. “Love your neighbor as yourself” is the great commandment. But, in my busy life, who really is my neighbor and what does my faith say I should do for my neighbor? JustFaith is an intensive thirty-week program that helps to answer these questions through reflection, study, prayer and community. For more information, call Nancy Fitzgerald, St. Tom’s parishioner and co-facilitator: 419-353-7041 or Barb Whitman, St. Al’s Social Justice Coordinator: 419-352-4195. Information sessions will be held at 7 pm at St. Rose’s in Perrysburg on August 21st in the ACC; at St. Tom’s on August 8th in the Antioch Library, and at St. Al’s on August 15th in Clare Hall.

July 16: Our faith has walked us on a journey alongside of the migrants and immigrants. This week I will establish that pathway with our history of Papal Teachings. Pope Leo XIII, in the first social encyclical, Rerum Novarum (On the Condition of Labor) established that persons have a right to work to survive and to support his or her family. Later Pope Pius XII, in the apostolic constitution Exsul Familia (On the Spiritual Care of the Migrant) reaffirms that migrants have a right to a life with dignity and therefore a right to migrate toward that end. He wrote, “Then, according to the teaching of Rerum Novarum, the right of the family to a life worthy of human dignity is recognized. When this happens, migration attains its natural slope. . . ” Pope John XXIII, in Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), writes clearly on the right to migrate and the right not to migrate: “Every human being has the right to the freedom of movement and of residence within the confines of their country; and when there are just reasons for it, the right to emigrate and take up residence elsewhere.” Pope John Paul II reaffirmed this basic teaching in an address to the New World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Immigrants in 1985: “Every human being has the right to freedom of movement and of residence within the confines of his own country. When there are just reasons in favor of it, he must be permitted to migrate to other countries and to take up residence there. The fact that he is a citizen of a particular state does not deprive him of membership in the human family, nor of citizenship in the universal society, the common, world-wide fellowship of men.” This last week we celebrated our Independence. Our ancestry is one of immigration and guaranteed right for all citizens. Our world is not just about our country, but our global community and we are bound by our faith and our citizenship in the world to respect the rights of all. Please contact our Representatives and Senators to support a comprehensive immigration reform, not just an enforcement bill.

Addresses: Rep. Paul E. Gillmor, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., 20515; Senators Mike DeWine or George V. Voinovich, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C., 20510