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Communion
Prayer to End Hunger
God, food of the poor,
Christ, our bread,
Give us all a place at the table.
Let us share the gifts of the earth
That comfort us and nourish us.
The sacrament of your body:
May breaking bread together
Remind us that we are all equal in your eyes.
The sacrament of your blood:
May sharing the cup together
Remind us we that we must sustain each other.
Fill us with life,
With hope and love.
Grace us with your bountiful goodness,
Let us taste and see
That the Lord is good
And that we are one.
Amen.
From Education for Justice
JustFaith:
If
your parish is considering participating in JustFaith this year, please
contact Mary Doyle mdoyle@oakdiocese.org ASAP to let her
know.
(
Please remind me even if we’ve talked about it.) JustFaith ministries
will send you an informational packet via email if you are considering it. Contact Chris Breu at justfaithmin@bellsouth.net
for this packet or more information. If you want to see all their programs
including new ones, see www.justfaith.org
CCHD news:
http://www.usccb.org/cchd/ See info
on poverty awareness.
Local
CCHD: If you would like to help promote the work of CCHD which empowers
local groups to beat poverty-your help is needed!
Contact
Maurine Behrend : maurineb@cceb.org
It’s fun and satisfying and a great way for JustFaith grads to plug in.
Global Poverty
News:
Jubilee
Debt Relief: www.jubileeusa.org
Jubilee Act is reintroduced in Congress.Please take note- an opportunity to
take action on poverty!!!
Training for
the Community in Nonviolent Conflict Resolution
with
Pace e Bene Facilitators
Saturday,
June 23, 2007 from 10AM – 5 PM
Mt.
Diablo Unitarian
Universalist Church
55 Eckley Lane,
Walnut Creek
Pre-registration
is necessary – cost $30 - $50 sliding scale
In
working for peaceful conflict resolution we are often confronted by
potentially divergent and violent situations. Much of this conflict is rooted
in seemingly automatic fearful and hostile responses. This workshop will
explore ways to defuse tense or potentially violent situations and role play
responses. We will learn and practice proven methods for communication in
conflict situations. Bring a bag lunch. Drinks and cookies will be provided.
Trainers:
Laura
Slattery is Engage Program Coordinator for Pace e Bene
Ken
Preston-Pile is Training Coordinator for Pace e Bene
Pace
e Bene’s mission is to develop the spirituality and practice of active
nonviolence as a way of living and being and as a process for cultural
transformation. See details and registration at:
Please
pre-register by calling The Mount Diablo Peace Center, 925-933-
7850.
Climate Change: Good reading!
Religious
and Moral Dimensions of Global Climate Change
John
L. Carr: Secretary, Department of Social Development and World Peace, United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops
Testimony
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
United States
Senate June 7, 2007
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/ejp/climate/June07FinalTestimony.pdf.
Update on Immigration
From Our Bishop:
Dear
Sisters and Brothers:
For
over a year the Catholic Church in the United States, through our
Justice for Immigrants Campaign, has advocated for changes to our
nation’s immigration policies. Last night (Thursday, June 7) a
crucial vote in the US Senate failed to achieve those changes in policy, and
many feel disappointed and discouraged. At this moment, I want to
remind our immigrant brothers and sisters who live and work and pray in our
communities, that we stand in solidarity with you. In this moment, I
ask all of us to recommit ourselves to each other as members of God’s
family, One Body in Christ. I pray that our faith and love will
overcome any fear and insecurity that may burden you. Be assured
of our support and solidarity, as we continue working together for just and
human immigration reform -- policies that advance the dignity of the human
person and serve the common good of America
On
the Feast of Corpus Christi,
Bishop
Allen Vigneron
Update on Legislation:
As
you may know, last night the Senate failed to move immigration reform
legislation forward. There was a great deal of effort to create a
bipartisan bill, but the final vote failed for now. Senate leadership
promises to return to this important issue soon, and the Church across the United States
will continue advocating for comprehensive immigration reform.
In
the mean time, we are very disappointed that this effort has not resulted in
humane immigration policies for our brothers and sisters seeking to legalize
their status. For now there will be no changes in the law, and those who are
undocumented are still at risk for deportation and separation from their
families. In the face of this setback we reaffirm that we stand together as
One Body in Christ. In our diocese we are enriched by the diverse gifts of
immigrants from all over the world and we will redouble our efforts for
justice and dignity for all.
Next Steps:
There
is more work to be done: we will continue speaking to our Senators, and to
the members of the House who share a moral obligation to resolve this
issue. We will also continue praying and organizing. This struggle has
called forth the gifts and dedication of so many in our communities working
together. We have forged strong relationships among many groups and leaders
which will serve us well. Thanks to all who have been so dedicated to this
cause: your efforts have made a difference.
Prayer:
As
planned, this Sunday on the Feast of Corpus Christi we will pray for the
strength and courage needed for the challenges ahead, confident that the
risen Christ walks with us on the journey. We pray especially for those
immigrants who live in the shadows of our society seeking only to provide a
dignified life for their families. Please invite those at the liturgy to
engage in the following advocacy actions.
Advocacy:
Please
contact your Senators today with the following message
You
may:
call your Senators local or national office.
call the general number and ask for your senators
office 202-224-3121.
send
a message through our website:
www.justiceforimmigrants.org
Sample Messages for our Senators: please
cut and paste these or write your own message.
Senator Feinstein
Issue: Immigration
Dear
Senator Feinstein,
I urge you to return to consideration of S. 1348,
immigration reform legislation, as soon as possible. The Senate must take
the lead on comprehensive immigration reform: the status quo is not
acceptable. This issue is too important, and too many lives are at stake, for
Congress to abdicate its responsibility in this area. I also ask that you
support efforts to strengthen family unity in the bill and to make the
legalization program fair and workable. Please don’t let politics stop
this critical bill from being taken up.
Thank you for your leadership and
commitment to moving immigration reform forward.
Sincerely,
Senator Boxer:
Topic: immigration
Subject/message: Reconsider S. 1348
Dear
Senator Boxer,
I urge you to return to consideration of S. 1348,
immigration reform legislation, as soon as possible. The Senate must take
the lead on comprehensive immigration reform: the status quo is not
acceptable. This issue is too important, and too many lives are at stake, for
Congress to abdicate its responsibility in this area. I also ask that you
support efforts to strengthen family unity in the bill and to make the
legalization program fair and workable.
Your vote against cloture helped to stall the bill,
and this concerns me. While this bill may be imperfect, saying no to it
simply reinforces the status quo. Please reconsider your position.
Sincerely,
Summer Reading : Send your
suggestions, too!
(
these suggestions come from Raph Martin at Corpus Christi- thank you!)
Books:
1.
In Search of An American Catholicism by Jay P. Dolan
2.
The American Catholic Experience: A History from Colonial Times to the
Present by Jay P. Dolan
3.
A Short History of American Catholicism by Martin E. Marty
Videos:
Raph has some of these to lend out: 510 530 4343 and raphmartin@hotmail.com
1. Darfur
2.
Food Basket DVD
3.
9/11: The Myth and the Reality
4.
Ammo for the Info Warrior
5.
How Democrats and Progressives Can Win Narrated by George Lakoff
6.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
7.
9/11 Guilt: The Proof Is In Your Hands
8. Bill Moyers: Inequality Matters
9.
Loose Change: Second Edition
10.
Children of the Nakba
11.
Christian Faith and Public Witness
12.
A Force Most Powerful
13.
Liberty Bound
14.Bringing
Down A Dictator
15.
Beyond Good and Evil
16.
Peace: Propaganda and Promises
17.
Uncovered: The War on Iraq
18.
Soldiers Speak Out
19.
Arlington
West
20.
Camp Democracy
21.
Thick Nhat Hahn
22.
Cindy Sheehan
23.
Theocracy Watch
24.
The New Nuclear Danger: Helen Caldicott
25.
Many of the Democracy Now videos
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