Social Justice Commission St Paul Catholic Church Silverton Oregon

120 Years of Catholic Social Teaching

2011-05-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

On May 15th 1891, Pope Leo XIII published Rerum Novarum, On New Things, the first encyclical on social justice in the modern period. Leo XIII instigated what is now 120 years of teaching from the Catholic Church on social justice which defends the rights of the poor to work, health care, retirement, and rest, to labor unions, and called for a social system that denied the travesties of free market capitalism and state capitalism.

As we go through the current recession, we'd like to call to mind this call to social justice that Leo XIII articulated so well and to remember that it stems from the Gospels and from the whole of Catholic Christian tradition.

Unions, Catholics, and Wisconsin

2011-02-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

Many of you may have been following the protests in Wisconsin and other places in the United States. What are they all about? Have the bishops said anything about them?

In fact, the protests in Wisconsin concern, not just wages which unions members said they would take a cut in, but rights to collective bargaining. That is, the legislation that Governor Walker of Wisconsin has proposed to close the gap in the budget not only cuts wages and contributions to pension funds, but also removes workers' rights to collective bargaining. No one thinks that removing collective bargaining rights will help close a budget gap, so many have speculated over why Walker would include that in the legislation.

More importantly, however, the President of the USCCB has come out in support of the legislation as you can read here. I copy part of the letter he wrote below:

"You and our brother bishops in Wisconsin are offering a timely reminder of what the Church teaches on the rights and duties of workers, including the right to form and belong to unions and other associations, and the obligation to address difficult problems with respect for the rights and needs of all. As you insist, 'hard times do not nullify the moral obligation each of us has to respect the legitimate rights of workers.'"

What this means for us, as Catholics, is that we too should support the protests. In fact, Catholic Social Teaching, including the right to unionize, forms part of canon law, and all Catholics in good conscience must support such rights.

We can do this by, for instance, joining in marches, just as we would march for the right to life from birth to natural death. A march for solidarity (another principle of Catholic Social Teaching) is taking place in Salem:

Rally to save the
AMERICAN DREAM
Saturday, February 26th
12:00 noon
State Capitol ~ Salem

Please march to support Catholic Social Teaching. Please March to support union members.

Sunday 5 December 2010: Isaiah 11: 1-:10

2010-12-05T12:09:00.000-08:00

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear;

4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

5 Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins.

6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

7 The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

8 The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.

9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

10 In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.

Myths about Hunger

2010-11-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

An interesting article in the Washington Post today which I thought appropriate for social justice.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/19/AR2010111902975.html

In short, the five myths are the following:

1. No one goes hungry in America
2. Ending malnourishment is merely a humanitarian concern
3. Children are the only ones who go hungry
4. The food that Americans waste could feed everyone
5. Hunger is about food.

All of these are false!

Peace Rally Information

2008-03-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

From Mike Grady:

Friday March 14.......Interfaith Peace Witness for Iraq, begins Salem First Congregational Church at 4:45pm. Info: Diane Anderson, 503-391-8193 or deanders@televar.com.

Saturday March 15......Rally and March, south park blocks, Portland. There are many educational offerings, workshops, etc from 10am –6pm. One of them will feature representatives of faith groups in the metro area at First Congregational, adjacent to the rally site. The rally and march begin at 2pm. I will be going and can drive. I propose meeting at St. Paul’s at 11:45am. We could decide to drive into Portland or go to Beaverton and take the Max in. More info at www.pdxpeace.org.

Wednesday March 19.......Vigil on the Capitol steps in Salem. Starts at 6:30pm. Let’s meet at St. Paul’s at 5:45.At this point, I am not aware of Silverton events. I will update this as I find out more. I was unsuccessful in securing any appointment time at Sen. Smith’s office in Portland or Eugene.

Towards more Authentic Community

2008-01-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

The St Paul Social Justice committee met today and discussed the need to develop more authentic community by finding a way to dialog on controversial topics like immigration. The group agreed to plan a "Building Authentic Community" session for the March 2nd Adult Education forum at St Pauls Church, Silverton. The plan is to assemble a small panel to consider if, and how, we can talk about controversial topics, like immigration AND build a stronger, less polarized and more authentic community.

We also agreed that Michelle Senecal and Bernadette Mele would represent the Social Justice group at the upcoming Silverton Resource meeting next Tuesday.

Mike Grady will convene the next Social Justice Meeting in February (possibly a Thursday evening Whine Bar on Feb 21st.)

Next Social Justice Meeting

2008-01-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

Our next St Paul Social Justice meeting is Saturday, January 26th at 9 am at "Not your Mama's Coffee" at 201 E. Main St in Silverton (2nd floor of "Wolf" building, corner Main and Water.) Everyone welcome. We will be talking about plans for 2008, “Catholic Dialog”, immigration and adult education opportunities..among other things.

First annual Resource Sharing Meeting

2008-01-03T06:37:00.000-08:00

FROM DOREEN KELLY:

Hello Community Partners!

We are holding our first annual Resource Sharing Meeting for the Silverton Area on January 29th. We will be meeting from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, in the Council Chambers of the Community Center.

The purpose of the meeting is to find possible partnerships between groups to enhance resources. Over the years we have seen some great collaborations, such as local churches using their buses to help with Homer Davenport Days visitors, Las Aguilas high school students helping wrap presents for the Zenith Women’s Tree of Giving, Silverton Elks Lodge donating used cell phones to the high school tech club who convert the phones to be used by victims at the Women’s Crisis Center, Kiwanis Club serving food at the Community Picnic, various businesses donating prizes to school auctions, etc. The list is enormous! Yet, we are often contacted to see if we can find some additional assistance for various causes.

You received this e-mail because you belong to one of the following groups:
· Church club
· Social or fraternal club
· School or PTO, PFC, or PTA
· Non-profit or agency providing services in this area.
· Business active in supporting community events.

We will be sending out a form next week that requests some simple information from your group. We will be compiling that information and sending it out to you prior to the meeting. Information we are seeking includes what needs your group has and if there are any resources you can share. Examples include volunteers for events, locations for meetings, donations of goods, buyers for sales or tickets, etc.

Silverton is a great community, thanks to the efforts from all of you!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you!

Doreen Kelly
Resource Coordinator
Silverton Together
(503)873-0405
dk@silverfalls.k12.or.us

Social Justice Meeting

2007-10-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

Our next St Paul Social Justice meeting is this Saturday, October 27th at 9 am at "Not your Mama's Coffee" at 201 E. Main St in Silverton (2nd floor of "Wolf" building, corner Main and Water.) Everyone welcome. We will be talking about “Catholic Dialog”, immigration and adult education opportunities..among other things.

The Catholic Common Ground Initiative

2007-10-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Catholic Common Ground Initiative was inaugurated by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin with the release of a statement, Called to Be Catholic: Church in a Time of Peril, on August 12, 1996. It originated in a concern that unnecessarily polarizing differences among church leaders and members hinder efforts to build the church community and to carry out its mission. The statement proposes working principles for dialogue within the church and expresses the conviction that such an effort will transform those who engage in it as well as strengthen the church for its mission in the new millennium. The ongoing work of the Catholic Common Ground Initiative represents both a call to renewed dialogue within the church and an effort to undertake and exemplify that kind of dialogue. The Initiative is guided by a thirty-six member committee chaired by Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Principles of Dialogue

We should recognize that no single group or viewpoint in the church has a complete monopoly on the truth. While the bishops united with the Pope have been specially endowed by God with the power to preserve the true faith, they too exercise their office by taking counsel with one another and with the experience of the whole church, past and present. Solutions to the church’s problems will almost inevitably emerge from a variety of sources.
We should not envision ourselves or any one part of the church a saving remnant. No group within the church should judge itself alone to be possessed of enlightenment or spurn the mass of Catholics, their leaders, or their institutions as unfaithful.
We should test all proposals for their pastoral realism and potential impact on living individuals as well as for their theological truth. Pastoral effectiveness is a responsibility of leadership.
We should presume that those with whom we differ are acting in good faith. They deserve civility, charity, and a good-faith effort to understand their concerns. We should not substitute labels, abstractions, or blanketing terms--“radical feminism,” “the hierarchy,” “the Vatican”--for living, complicated realities.
We should put the best possible construction on differing positions, addressing their strongest points rather than seizing upon the most vulnerable aspects in order to discredit them. We should detect the valid insights and legitimate worries that may underlie even questionable arguments.
We should be cautious in ascribing motives. We should not impugn another’s love of the church and loyalty to it. We should not rush to interpret disagreements as conflicts of starkly opposing principles rather than as differences in degree or in prudential pastoral judgments about the relevant facts.
We should bring the church to engage the realities of contemporary culture, not by simple defiance or by naive acquiescence, but acknowledging, in the fashion of Gaudium et spes, both our culture’s valid achievements and real dangers.

National Mobilization Fallout against the War Oct 27

2007-10-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

National Mobilization Fallout against the WarSaturday, October 27, 2007 Buses leave from Portland at 7:30 am for SeattleUnited for Peace and Justice 11 cities in the US will rally to express the breadth and depth of the antiwar sentiment in this nation. In the NW we will converge on Seattle with delegations from all over Washington, Montana, and Oregon to say "We want this war to end and we want it to end NOW."PDX peace has chartered buses to make it easier to participate in this historic event.

Tickets are $35 gen/$20 youth/lowincome and some scholarships are available.Buses leave from the Gateway transit center NE 99th and Pacific in Portland at 7:30 am on Satruday October 27th. We arrive in Seattle for the noon rally and march from Judkins park to Occidental park for the final rally before returning home.

The web site pdxpeace.org has two other good links about this event: http://www.oct27.org/seattle/ and http://www.endthewarseattle.org/ for more information.

SACA’s Annual Food Drive Oct 20th

2007-10-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

SACA’s Annual Food Drive is Saturday, October 20th. "We are low on food and could really use your help! Volunteers will be distributing empty grocery bags to homes in Silverton by October 17th. Please fill the bag and put it on your door step before 9:00am on October 20th. We are hoping to collect more than 10,000 lbs of nutritious non-perishable food. If you do not receive a bag, please drop off food at SACA, St. Paul’s Church (1410 Pine St.), or the Silverton Rite-Aid. To make other arrangements please contact Sally or Katherine at 503-873-3446."

The “Ten Most Wanted” items for the Food Bank:Cereal; Chili; Tuna; Pasta; Soup; Mac & Cheese; Tomato Sauce; Baking Items; Cooking Oil; Canned Fruit

Principle Distributive Justice

2007-10-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

From http://www.ascensionhealth.com/ethics/public/key_principles/main.asp
via Kathleen McCann as a follow-up to our last Social Justice meeting...

Principle of Distributive Justice

Considered as one type of justice, distributive justice is a central concept in the Catholic tradition and is closely linked to the concepts of human dignity, the common good, and human rights.

Considered as an ethical principle, distributive justice refers to what society or a larger group owes its individual members in proportion to: 1) the individual's needs, contribution and responsibility; 2) the resources available to the society or organization (market considerations would be included under this, as well as other financial considerations); and 3) the society's or organization's responsibility to the common good. I

n the context of health care, distributive justice requires that everyone receive equitable access to the basic health care necessary for living a fully human life insofar as there is a basic human right to health care.

The principle of distributive justice implies that society has a duty to the individual in serious need and that all individuals have duties to others in serious need. In decisions regarding the allocation of resources, such as rationing decisions, the duty of society is not diminished because of the person's status or nature of illness. Everyone is entitled to equal access to basic care necessary for living in a human way. Triage must presume an essential equality of persons. In other words, allocation decisions should not be based upon judgments of the quality of persons. Benefits and burdens should also be distributed in a just manner.

September Meeting

2007-09-19T06:34:00.000-07:00

We will be meeting this Month at the newly completed home of Frank and Bernadette Mele at 9am on September 29th. Everyone is welcome. Please email them to RSVP and for directions at: frankmele@yahoo.com

One agenda item will be the scheduling of Social-Justice-related Adult Education. So far Dr Mike Grady has agreed to talk about Catholic Social teaching and health care on teh first Sunday in october. Ideas for following months include: The concepts of the "Seamless Garment" and Restorative Justice. Cat Willett Office of the Justice and Peace Office has also offered her assistance in finding speakers.

Apple Tree School Supplies Drive

2007-07-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

From Doreen Kelly
Resource Coordinator
Silverton Together
(503)873-0405
dk@silverfalls.k12.or.us

Hello Community Partners!

The students are working hard on the Apple Tree School Supplies Drive and will have all the trees and boxes ready on August 1st to be placed in area businesses, churches, clubs, and non-profits. The drive helps students in the Mt. Angel and Silver Falls school districts get the supplies they need to do well in school.

We have had many requests for a listing of all the school supplies that are needed. I have attached two files [NOTE - I CAN'T ATTACH THESE TO THE BLOG - YOU'LL NEED TO CONTACT DOREEN FOR THE LIST] that contain all the items and the quantities that were requested from the schools. We wanted to get these out as soon as possible, as many stores are holding sales on school supplies now. Please feel free to make copies to post, place in bulletins, or payroll envelopes.

Thank you for your support!

Habitat For Humanity Update

2007-07-24T18:54:00.000-07:00

The building plans have been approved and the power pole is in place waiting PGE inspectors. There is a ground breaking/blessing this Sunday and we will provide some small refreshments . Our bulding date for our church is October 13 and our food service date September 15 (we provide the meals for another church working that day). For additional information contact Sander Cakebread at artie2bhad@yahoo.com

The following is an update regarding the Office Move for the North Willamette Valley Habitat office from Heide Hendrick HHendrick@nwvhfh.org: The NWV Habitat for Humanity office is moving next week to Mt. Angel, and our phone and computer system is going to be down through August 5. The phones maybe working a little sooner than that, but to be on the safe side that is what I am putting out for public consumption. Our new phone number will be (503) 845-2434. I can be reached on my cell phone (503) 317-8173 or via my home e-mail at heidehendrick@canby.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE http://www.nwvhfh.org/

Ethiopian Orphanage Project Update

2007-06-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

To all who are considering becoming part of the Ethiopian Orphanage Project:

Haregewoin Teferra was widowed suddenly and after that, nursed her daughter to her death. Devastated, she spent her time going from church to church and sitting on a bench near her daughter’s grave. She decided to become a hermit, living on what she could beg from people visiting the cemetery. She went to the churches to say goodbye and a Catholic priest asked her to take in a teenager whose parents had died of AIDS. Given a new purpose, someone to mother, she said yes and yes again when he asked her to take in another teenager. The kebele, the community group in charge of placing orphans, discovered she would take in children orphaned by AIDS and asked her to take in two younger children. Those four grew to twenty and then thirty children. She moved to a bigger house and currently has two houses and over seventy children.

Mrs Teferra’s story is chronicled in a book by Melissa Fay Greene titled There Is No Me Without You which is available in the Silver Falls Library. I read this book in January 2007, the third anniversary of my being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. I was feeling tremendously sorry for myself as I read about this amazing woman and the work she is doing and I decided that Silverton should adopt her and her orphanage and that I should be the one to start things off. Plan A was to try for 501c3 status but the IRS regulations are such that this project does not qualify so donations are NOT tax deductible. After jumping through various hoops for four months, I finally had a plan, Plan E or F, I lost count.

The Ethiopia Orphanage Project is sponsored by St Paul Social Justice Commission. St Paul Parish will act as an administrative agent, collecting and holding the money in a special account. They will wire the money [and pay the outgoing wiring fees] to Mrs Teferra’s bank account in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Because donations are not tax deductible, no receipts will be sent.

Started in Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia, in September 2001, the orphanage provides food, medical care, bedrooms, dining rooms, playing areas, a garden, television, shower room, education, counseling, clothing, and recreation for HIV and non HIV children ranging from one day old to fifteen years old. There is a general assembly which elects the board. The board appoints a manager and approves programs planned to meet the goals of the organization. An executive body oversees day to day activities and the budget. Staff are trained to meet the emotional and physical needs of the children. Mrs Teferra lives with the children.

Although there are now anti-retroviral drugs available, AIDS continues to be a major problem in all of Africa. It would be best if there were no orphans at all and some progress is being made on that front, but adults continue to get and die of AIDS leaving their children to be cared for by relatives. When those relatives are too poor to add another child to their household which is common in a country where people live on a dollar or two a day, there is the orphanage to care for them. Though the orphanage is licensed by the government, it receives no federal money which is why I started the Project. Now it is your turn.

To help Mrs Teferra and her orphanage, send a check or make an online donation following your bank’s instructions to St Paul Social Justice/Ethiopia, 1410 Pine St, Silverton OR 97381. Make the check and online donation out to St Paul Social Justice/Ethiopia. Money will be wired to her quarterly for three years; dates are on the pink card.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION SEE: http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/ and http://www.awmosa.org/ The book and website tell the story of Haregewoin Teferra who founded Atetegeb Worku Memorial Orphans Support Association in 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

LEGAL STATUS:
Atetegeb Worku Memorial Orphan Support Association (AWMOSA) is an indigenous Non-Governmental Organization established in September 2001. It is registered with the Ministry of Justice, has an operational agreement with the Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission and a Project Agreement with Addis Ababa City Administration, Social & Civil Affairs Bureau.

MISSION:
Its mission is to house and support children orphaned by AIDS, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative; to provide food, clothing, education, and medical care to the children; to reunite children with surviving family members whenever possible; to seek new family situations if necessary through licensed inter-country adoption agencies from North America and Europe; and to promote employment among adults living with AIDS.

Thank you for your generosity,
Marilyn Hall
503.873.3371

Habitat for Humanity

2007-05-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

Fr. Willaim has asked the Social Justice Commission for assistance organizing the Parish's involvement with Habitat for Humanity. I have a letter from Habitat that is looking at a team leaders meeting on June 16th in Aurora and a July 29th groundbreaking. Contact is Heide Hendrick at hhendrick@nwvhfh.org 503-873-0901. You can also view their website at http://www.nwvhfh.org/ I'll post additional details soon.

Potluck for Jim & Vi Hunt on May 11th

2007-05-03T06:43:00.000-07:00

Kathleen McCann is hosting the St Paul Social Justice Committee Thank-You-Good-Bye-&-Good-Luck Potluck for Jim and Vi Hunt on Friday night, May 11th at Kathleen’s house at 123 5th Street in Silverton at 6:30 pm. (Jim and Vi are moving to Portland after many years of involvement in our community and Parish. Jim has been an intelligent and passionate voice for social justice issues and will be greatly missed.) Please let us know if you can make it so we can plan accordingly. Kathleen's number is (503) 873-7012

Social Justice 3-5 year vision

2007-05-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

Since the Parish is working on its 3-5 year pastoral plan we discussed our vision at last Saturday's Social Justice Committee meeting. While there are many worthy projects and needs we agreed to focus our limited resources in order to be effective. We will continue to be responsive to local concerns that are brought to us by the Diocese, the Silverton community, parishioneers and social justice committee members but will put a priority on those needs and issues which have a champion on the committee.

At our meeting we also agreed to focus Direct Service, Education and Advocacy on the issues of Immigration Reform, the War in Iraq and Health Care.

In addition to this focus, our goal is a sustainable committee (i.e. committee members are renewed by their involvement rather than having all their life forces sucked dry trying to respond to every possible social concern.)

We would also like to see opportunities for several levels of involvement in social justice issues.
We hope to use a variety of means to engage parishioneers and the community on social concerns. At one level we would like to build a simple e-mail list to provide notices of direct service and advocacy opportunities. We would also like to educate using creative and engaging forums (e.g., a movie night.) We continue to meet in a public place (9am 4th Saturday at Not your Mama's Coffee) to make it easier for the community to participate in our meetings and for coffee dependent committee members to get their fix.

[Photo of May 1, 2007 immigration (and small anti-immigrant) rally at state Capitol]

Opposed to Torture

2007-03-09T17:32:00.000-08:00

From Jim Hunt:

As we are a democracy with a government "for, of and by the people",any morally wrong action by our government is as our own action unless we stand against it and struggle to change such action.

On January 6, 2005 White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez said "I share (Pres. Bush's) resolve that torture and abuse will not be tolerated by this administration." Yet, a month earlier on Dec. 1, 2004, U.S. government lawyers in Federal District Court argued that the government reserves the right to use information gleaned from interrogations of those it labels "enemy combatants" carried out by other governments, including those that employ torture to coerce confessions.

Since that time there have been revelations of citizens of various countries being kidnapped in the U.S. and in other countries by U.S. agents and being flown to countries such as Syria, Egypt or former Soviet states for extended interrogation under torture. Australia, Canada, Italy and Germany are among the countries protesting, indicting or suing U.S. officials for such actions against their citizens.

It is true that there is, today, less use of severe pain inducing torture. CIA experiments since 1950 have sown that information gathered from such torture is unreliable since victims will say anything to avoid further pain. However, since 1950 the CIA experiments with methods from LSD to sensory deprivation and sexual humiliation (studies which in the 50's reached a billion dollars per year) which are aimed at making the victims feel responsible for their own pain and suffering.

According to a study by Alfred McCoy, University of Wisconsin, author of Closer Than Brothers,
that while it appears less abusive than severe physical torture, the psychological paradigm causes deep psychological damage to both victim and interrogator who can become capable of unspeakable physical cruelties.

Dr. Steven Miks, professor of medicine and bioethics at the University of Minnesota, states that there are concerns even beyond the abuse suffered by prisoners and their torturers. "Precedent being one concern, if we do it and do not successfully challenge such action, a precedent is established which justifies similar activity in the future. Another concern is the concept of legitimacy; a world power does not simply have power, it has legitimacy. By behaving in these ways, we undermine our legitimacy as a world leader."

Questioned about why there has not been more protest from U.S. medical practitioners, Dr. Miks states that there is "a fear of our government, a fear that reveals the damage that a torturing society does to the sense of civil liberties. In Turkey, Egypt, Chile, South Africa, Cuba and the former Soviet Union (there are medical practitioners) who have assumed great risks to fight torture in their nations. Some have been jailed, tortured or had their children murdered. For most Americans, it takes little more than the courage to be inconvenienced to speak out against torture in the U.S."

Yet, there is little public outcry against these grisly policies and actions of our government. How is it that the same populace which expresses such anguish over the death of an heroic dog, or a comely princess, shows little interest or alarm about the above-described evil actions of its own government? Worse, a 2005 Pew Research poll found that U.S. Catholics had a percentage justifying U.S. torture higher than that of other christian denominations, and much higher than those who professed themselves "secular". On February 26, The Oregonian printed two columns of Opinion which observed and lamented the "take it for granted" attitude of the U.S. public about revelations of our government sponsored torture. As yet, little response to those columns. What does that say about us; what can/must we do?

First: Contact our Congressional delegation, tell them what we expect of them as they represent us in dealing with this travesty. Write letters to the editors, Finally, pray and promote within our faith communities seeking our FatherÕs Will Be Done On Earth As In Heaven.

January Meeting Follow-up "No me without You"

2007-02-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

The St Paul Social justice Committee met Saturday, January 27th and discussed The upcoming legislative session in Oregon and considered the issue of US sanctioned tourture and of a deserving program in Africa.

Marilyn Hall presented a request for support for a project in Africa that she became aware of after reading the book "There Is No Me Without You: One Woman's Odyssey to Rescue Africa's Children" by Melissa Fay Greene - Also see: http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/ The book and website tell the story of Haregewoin Teferra who founded Atetegeb Worku Memorial Orphans Support Association in 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

It's registered under the Federal Ministry of Justice. Its mission is to house and support children orphaned by AIDS, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative; to provide food, clothing, education, and medical care to the children; to reunite children with surviving family members whenever possible; to seek new family situations if necessary through licensed inter-country adoption agencies from North America and Europe; and to promote employment among adults living with AIDS.

Today the association operates two houses in Addis Ababa. Older and healthy children attend neighborhood schools. Children too young or in too-fragile health to leave home for school attend school within the compound, complete with school uniforms, classrooms, and teachers. Support is given to HIV-positive young women and widows to assist them in finding food, housing, and work.

Foods Resource Bank Silverton Hills Project

2007-02-10T09:52:00.000-08:00

The St Paul Social Justice Group met recently with Leah Stolte-Doerfler and offered our support for the "Foods Resource Bank Silverton Hills Project" Here is her update:

Foods Resource Bank Silverton Hills Project Prepares for Second Growing Year...

Roughly a year ago, a group of people within the Silverton Community came together with a common goal of responding to world hunger. Using a model that is widely known in Canada and the Mid-West, this group planted a local program called the Foods Resource Bank (FRB).

At its most basic level FRB is a Christian response to world hunger. It is how FRB approaches the problem that makes it both unique and successful. First, FRB does not provide emergency food assistance. FRB funds and teaches long-term food reliability programs in hungry countries.

Those projects are researched, implemented, and administered by faith-based organizations that are already in place in each context. This means that there are no start-up costs incurred by creating new agencies. Since the faith-based groups are in operation, credibility has already been established and each agency has first-hand knowledge about what sorts of farming practices are culturally, economically, and environmentally feasible. Ultimately, it is FRB’s goal to empower communities to feed themselves through sound, sustainable farming practices.

This is a farmer-to-farmer connection because it is via ‘growing projects’ in places of plenty—such as here in the Willamette Valley—that money is raised to fund the overseas programs.
The 2006 Silverton Hills Project was cattle: Twelve head of cows, five goats, a lamb, and a pig were raised and sold. The cattle project cleared $14.857.72 which was sent to Mtumba, Tanzania, a place that has been devastated by drought, famine, and AIDS.

In 2007, the India Chattisgarh Program will be the recipient of the money raised by the Silverton Hills Project.

Business owners, any interested individuals, or groups who want to learn more or join in this response to world hunger are encouraged to contact Leah Stolte-Doerfler (503.302.7712).

Check out FRB online at http://www.foodsresourcebank.org/ .

Lord, when did we see you hungry?

legislation for a transition to peace in Iraq

2007-02-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

FROM DAVID CARRIER - OFFICE OF JUSTICE & PEACE:

Dear friends in the justice and peace community; Would you like to see a transition to peace in Iraq? The most effective way to do that is for each and every one of us to support legislation that meets the goals and objectives we outlined in our letters to our representatives in Congress (see the attached).

Rep. Blumenauer has introducted legislation for a transition to peace in Iraq called the "New Direction for Iraq Act" [H.B.663]. He would like to have a dialog with the faith and peace community about this proposal, and discuss next steps. It is significant that we have been invited to this discussion- his proposal was guided in part by the priniciples that were outlined by the U.S. Catholic bishops in their statement.

Your voice was heard! Now come to this important meeting so we can develop goals and strategy for the next steps in our campaign to bring about peace in Iraq. Please feel free to distribute this message to your friends in the faith and peace communities.

For the statement issued by the U.S. Catholic bishops:

www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/csmg2007.htm

For a summary of the legislation: http://blumenauer.house.gov/

For the legislation itself [H.B.663]: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.663:

This message is not an endorsement of Representative Blumenauer or any political party or candidate. Thanks for all your efforts! David Carrier

Predatory lending

2007-02-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Continuing our success locally at regulating predatory lenders we now support important bills before the state legislature to regulate the payday lending inductry ststewide. The bills crack down on predatory lending and high-cost financial services that leave families with few options for climbing out of debt. This consumer protection package:

places limits on the fees charged by check cashing outfits and payday lenders (HB 2202, HB 2203);
limits the rate of interest and fees on car title loans (HB 2204);
closes loopholes for out-of-state and internet payday loan lenders (HB 2203); and
strengthens licensing requirements for check cashers and payday lenders (HB 2202, HB 2205).

Also see http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070201/LEGISLATURE/702010323 and http://www.leg.state.or.us/press_releases/merkley_013107.pdf

It’s time to speak out again! Take action: Call, write or visit your legislator and ask them to support this legislation.

Faithful Citizenship

2006-09-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

Every four years since 1976, the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement on the responsibilities of Catholics to society. The purpose of the statement is to communicate the Church’s teaching that every Catholic is called to active and faith-filled citizenship, based upon a properly informed conscience, so that each disciple of Christ publicly witnesses to the Church’s commitment to human life and dignity with special preference for the poor and the vulnerable.

Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility was approved by the USCCB Administrative Committee in September 2003. With the release of the statement, the bishops are launching a major campaign to share this important message. To help Catholics learn more about our responsibilities in public life, and to help dioceses and parishes share this teaching, the USCCB has produced a brief brochure summarizing the statement as well as a video outlining its message. In January 2004, Faithful Citizenship resource kits were mailed to dioceses and parishes across the United States. This web site contains the contents of the parish kits as well as a wide range of additional resources, including liturgical and homily ideas, education materials and lesson plans for various age groups, and information on conducting non-partisan voter registration and education programs.

Here is a link to "Faithful Citizenship": http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/bishopStatement.html

Sample Bulletin quotes: http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/pdf/bulletins.pdf

Bulletin insert: http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship/BulletinInsert.pdf

The Greatest Injustice - Mike Grady, M.D.

2006-06-25T16:34:00.000-07:00

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane”……………..Martin Luther King, Jr.

A thirty year old man, fearing he has pneumonia but more afraid of an emergency visit he can not pay for, visits a feed store seeking veterinary grade antibiotics. A 45 year old man, dropped from Medicaid and eating one meal a day to be able to afford his medications, tearfully rejects a suggestion that he go to the food bank. Customers at a convenience store drop spare change in a jar to help a child get cancer treatment. Meanwhile, every day across this country, patients at the end of their lives receive millions of dollars of publicly funded intensive care and other “rescue medicine” in futile attempts to extend those lives.

Our health care system is a disgrace. The U.S. ranks 37th among nations in health systems comparison. Our rank in life expectancy is 29th and falling. The Commonwealth Fund survey now suggests that the number of uninsured in the U.S. has risen to 48 million, continuing a 20 year upward trend. Lack of insurance causes 18,000 deaths annually with immeasurable suffering and loss of productivity. Medical illness and debt account for 50% of personal bankruptcies. Among 11 developed countries the U.S ranks last in outcomes related to 14 health indicators and in patient satisfaction, but first in expenditure and prescriptions per person. We spend 50% more than any other country to achieve poorer health outcomes while denying even basic health care to one out of six of our fellow citizens. Every hour another Oregonian loses health insurance and every day another dies simply due to the lack of coverage. American medicine is without goals, priorities, accountability, acceptable quality or safety. As the above cases suggest, it fails to recognize basic human dignity and allocates resources in a fundamentally unjust and morally indefensible way.

Two recent attempts to improve coverage point out the absurdity and injustice of continuing to try to change this system in an incremental way. Health Savings Accounts ( HSAs ) allow individuals, most of whom are already insured, to move from conventional health insurance to more heavily tax favored plans. This will financially benefit the wealthy ( those who can afford to actually fund their HSAs) and the healthy ( those who will be able to allow their accounts to grow and rollover each year). The effect will be to remove the healthier and wealthier from conventional insurance, raising the premiums for the sicker and poorer who are forced to remain. Fewer companies and individuals will be able to afford health insurance and the number of uninsured will rise further. One estimate suggests that HSAs will add 600,000 to the ranks of the uninsured. If that were not bad enough, there is evidence that individuals in these “ consumer directed” plans more often forego important acute and preventive care. This is progress?

Medicare Part D is a more blatant travesty. Forgetting for now that it is wildly more expensive and complicated than it had to be, it serves as a prime example of the fundamental injustice that characterizes our health care system. In essence, 43 million citizens already receiving publicly funded healthcare ( Medicare ) and as a group among the wealthiest Americans, were given an additional drug coverage benefit ( at a $800 billion cost over the next ten years, to be paid mostly by future generations ) while 48 million uninsured and poorer citizens, most of whom live in working families and pay taxes that pay for health care for others, received nothing. This is fair?

How did we get such a broken and unjust system? The United States, alone among developed countries, fails to extend a right to health care to all its citizens. Alone among those nations, it fails to understand that basic health care is as fundamental to the infrastructure of society as an education system. We cling to 40-60 year old insurance mechanisms ( Medicaid, Medicare and employer based plans) that do not make sense in today’s world. Our idolatry of market systems has caused us to abandon traditional American pragmatism and notions of community. Despite ample evidence, we refuse to see that buying an appendectomy will never be like buying a hammer and there is no “market” for health insurance for poor people. We decry “rationing” of health care but our system rations by income and chronic disease ( Medicaid), age and disability ( Medicare), race ( Indian Health), military service (VA), employment status, etc. We are fearful of “socialized medicine”, forgetting that education, defense, police and fire protection are “socialized” because, like basic health care, they are essential to the foundation of any society and serve the population most efficiently when paid for by and delivered to all citizens. Confusing health care with health, we continue an illness care model and technological emphasis while systematically undermining support for primary care, public health and prevention where the greatest improvements in the health of societies occur.

Why are we incapable of change? Certainly, trying to fit the square peg of health care into the round hole of a market economy is part of the problem. In addition, our politicians continue the assault on publicly funded health care for the poor even though it does not save money and perpetuates the cycle of rising costs and more uninsured. Well entrenched and profitable pharmaceutical and health insurance industries scoop up premium dollars and buy more lobbyists and another cycle continues, resulting in fiascos such as the Medicare drug benefit. Medical professional organizations and large health care delivery systems have also failed us. Late to even acknowledge the failings of our system, they remain largely self- interested, scrambling for their share of a $1.9 trillion industry. Organized medicine, it seems, is not organized around justice.

Sadly, our churches have failed us as well. They remain locked largely in a charity model of addressing the injustices of society, willing to engage the political process on issues of personal morality, but largely silent when it comes to the staggering and shameful degrees of hunger, homelessness and medical indigence in our society. These problems will not be solved by another food bank, shelter or free clinic but by changes in the priorities of the whole society expressed as public policy. The kind of moral force and public witness of Dr. King and the black churches, so crucial to the success of the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, is seldom in evidence today. As Jim Wallis author of God’s Politics has pointed out, budgets and bills are moral documents and our religious communities could do more to bring moral values to the discussion of public policy.

Ultimately the moral failing belongs to us as individuals. Whether or not we belong to a particular religious tradition, we must see as shameful a system that forces individuals to seek health care from a feed store; that makes patients choose between food and medicine; that has no resources for a child’s cancer treatment, but unlimited resources to spend in an apparent belief that death is a preventable disease.

The United States is a long way from a just, sustainable and morally defensible health care system but the process may have begun. Learn more about the Archimedes Movement and how you can be part of this grass roots effort at http://www.joinam.org/. For those interested in pursuing the topic of health care reform as a justice issue, join the discussion at

Michael Grady, M.D.
Silverton

We Are An Immigrant People

2006-04-25T06:22:00.000-07:00

At our recent Social Justice meeting we discussed the issue of Immigration. To better inform the debate that has resulted from recent federal legislative proposals we are providing information and web links:

May 1 March for Dignity and Justice for Immigrant Workers: OREGON WORKS BECAUSE IMMIGRANTS WORK - MONDAY May 1st march at 1 pm At the Oregon State Capitol in Salem National NO WORK – NO COMMERCE Day: Immigrants will show the power of their economic contributions by not buying anything or working for a day. NO TO “HR 4437” YES TO LEGALIZATION WEAR A WHITE SHIRT – SYMBOL OF PEACE If you can’t miss work, be in solidarity with us by wearing a white shirt all day. To volunteer or for more information, call: Woodburn (503) 982-0243 Ext. 207; Salem: 503-763-1694.

Federal Legislation: U.S. Senate to resume immigration reform debate. On Friday, April 7, the U.S. Senate failed to invoke cloture on debate to move to consideration of S. 2454, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (CIRA). The legislation in its current form represents a compromise which was agreed to on April 6. Because of a disagreement between the Republican and Democratic leadership on how to proceed on amendments to the compromise proposal, Senators of both parties voted against closing off debate and proceeding to consideration of the bill. Congress is currently on a two week Easter recess and is scheduled to return to Washington on April 27. It is likely that they will immediately return to consideration of immigration reform, although what Senators hear during the next two weeks at home may determine the outcome. The “compromise” proposal agreed to by the Republican and Democratic leadership includes many of the elements advocated for by the U.S. bishops, but also includes harsh enforcement provisions in Title II (for a summary visit http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/compromise.html). At this point, the compromise proposal represents a “step forward” which still requires improvements to the enforcement section of the bill. Moreover, there is legitimate concern that, even if the compromise proposal passes the Senate, it will be severely weakened or gutted in the conference committee with the House of Representatives, as the Senate bill and HR 4437 are reconciled. It is important that we contact Senators over the next few days and communicate to them that they are making progress in fashioning a comprehensive solution to the immigration crisis but that more work is required. To take action please visit: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/action.html

Catholic Bishops Justice for Immigrants Campaign. http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/ - This website is designed to help achieve the goals of the Justice for Immigrants Campaign. It provides tools and information for diocesan and community-based organizing, education, and advocacy efforts. You will find information about Catholic teachings that underpin this Campaign, as well as proposals from the Catholic Bishops to achieve reforms in our nation’s immigration laws and policies that better reflect our values as a nation of immigrants.
We encourage you to visit this site often, as we will be updating it frequently, with resource materials, action alerts, and other information we hope you find useful.

"A JOURNEY OF HOPE - Since the founding, the United States has received immigrants from around the world who have found opportunity and safe haven in a new land. The labor, values, and beliefs of immigrants from throughout the world have transformed the United States from a loose group of colonies into one of the leading democracies in the world today. From its founding to the present, the United States remains a nation of immigrants grounded in the firm belief that newcomers offer new energy, hope and cultural diversity.
Our common faith in Jesus Christ moves us to search for ways that favor a spirit of solidarity. It is a faith that transcends borders and bids us to overcome all forms of discrimination and violence so that we may build relationships that are just and loving."

Immigration Facts: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/myths.html

Limits on Payday Lending in Silverton

2006-03-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Social Justice Commission is raising support in Silverton for a city ordinance, similar to that recently adopted by The City of Portland, to regulate payday lending. (Silverton has at least one payday lending business and we are familiar with local families who have been devistated by lending practices that the Oregon legislature has so far chosen to ignore. )

For additional information on this topic see:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OR_PAYDAY_LOANS_OROL-?SITE=ORSAL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

http://www.commissionersam.com/sam_adams/2006/02/portland_regula.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1140679510169990.xml&coll=7
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2006/02/24/ed.edit.paydaycity.phn.0224.p1.php?section=opinion

http://www.leg.state.or.us/dingfelder/newsletter_05/newsletter_120505.htm

Si Se Puede Fair - Thank You!

2005-12-07T20:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for a successful Si Se Puede Fair on October 23rd.

The purpose of the event is to increase awareness of the steps to homeownership and financial well-being among Hispanics in the greater Silverton area. We did that and had fun in the process.

Major Sponsors:

St Paul Catholic Church
Oregon Dept of Consumer & Business Services
Oregon Housing & Community Services
Silverton Together
McClaine Street Clinic
Knights of Columbus

Si Se Puede Event Photos

2005-12-06T23:16:00.000-08:00

Click to enlarge photos

St Paul Catholic Church - Social Justice Commission

2005-10-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Mission of the St. Paul Parish Social Justice Commission is to serve the parish as a resource and catalyst for the work of social justice.

We cannot be called truly "Catholic" unless we hear and heed the Church's call to serve those in need and work for justice and peace. We cannot call ourselves followers of Jesus unless we take up his mission of bringing "good news to the poor, liberty to captives, and new sight to the blind" (cf. Lk 4:18).

Social Justice Commission at State Capitol Feb. 2005

2005-10-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

End of Life Reflections - Michael Grady, M.D.

2005-04-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

March 31, 2005

This morning Terri Schiavo, a 41 year old brain damaged woman died in a Florida hospice ending what has been a tragic story on many levels. Since presenting very briefly some of the issues in this case at The Death and Dying conference at St. Paul’s some six weeks ago, the spotlight has come to focus intensely on Mrs. Schiavo’s case and the equally tragic division in her family. As a family physician for some 29 years, a geriatrician and student of medical ethics for the last 16 years and as a practicing Catholic who has studied Catholic thought on end of life issues, I offer these reflections.

From a medical ethics standpoint I believe this case is as straightforward as ethical cases get. It is well established since the Karen Ann Quinlan case some 30 years ago that adult patients, even those unable at the time to express or confirm their wishes, have the right to refuse any and all medical care. If it can be reasonably known what the patient would have wanted in any situation those wishes must be followed. In this case the patient’s legally recognized ranking surrogate decision maker (her husband) had to the satisfaction of several court reviews made the case that his wife would not want continued life support in something like her current condition. The legitimacy of his claim and his suitability to be her surrogate were extensively litigated and upheld. A guardian appointed by the court to represent Mrs. Schiavo’s best interests concurred with the decision to remove her feeding tube. End of case from a medical ethics perspective.

The problem is that a family/medical/ ethical/judicial matter has become a Right to Life issue with the polarity and zealotry that characterize these discussions in American society. I believe that characterizing this case in those terms is wrong and those claiming an unequivocal Catholic position that would demand life support in situations like this are mistaken. Asserting that Terri Schiavo has a right to a feeding tube leads to the logical inference that there exists a moral obligation to accept such care and a duty to provide it in all cases. If patients in persistent vegetative state are truly alive and deserve this protection, then analogous to the argument used in asserting a right to life for a fetus, there is no “choice”. The right is inviolable. I think this is untenable and offer the following questions as ways to frame thinking about this case.

Are patients in a persistent vegetative state alive?

Patients with PVS are severely brain damaged, most commonly the result of prolonged lack of oxygen to the brain, as was the case with Mrs. Schiavo. Though many “vegetative” activities – respiration, temperature control, digestion, sleep/wake cycles persist, higher brain “cortical” function is irreversibly lost. These persons show no evidence of awareness of self or environment, behavioral responses to stimuli, language comprehension or expression. They are incontinent of bladder and bowels, require total care, cannot swallow and thus need artificially supplied nutrition and hydration. They frequently get pneumonia, urinary tract infections and skin ulcers even with excellent care. They don’t get better and therapy to improve their function is not helpful. Many neurologists have examined Terri Schiavo over the years and found her to meet the criteria for PVS. The CT scans shown in the media revealed a startling degree of brain loss and the diagnosis really was never in doubt.

It is clear from polls that the vast majority of people would not choose this level of existence for themselves or a loved one. In my own professional career I have helped patients complete or otherwise reviewed hundreds of advance directives. Never have I had a patient indicate that they would want a feeding tube in this setting of severe brain damage. Even if one concedes that her wishes were never known, what are the chances that a vibrant 25-year-old woman having suffered this devastating injury would have chosen to have a feeding tube for the next 15 years?

I have heard Fr. John Touhey, an ethicist with the Providence Health System speak of life as “possibility.” As Catholics we have embraced this in our formulations around the traditional life issues. We recognize the tremendous possibility in the fetus so oppose abortion. We understand the possibility for growth in patients facing death and oppose assisted suicide. There is intrinsic dignity and the possibility for personal and spiritual growth in even those who have committed heinous crimes, so we stand against capital punishment. We support the right of all persons to adequate food, housing and medical care because these things make the rest of life possible. But the absence of cortical functioning: the awareness and self-awareness, reasoning and interaction that distinguish human life are absent in PVS. It seems in these cases that life is no longer possible.

Is the provision of food and water so basic that it must be supplied in all cases?

I would make a distinction between “food and water” and artificial nutrition and hydration. If you can consume it yourself, mom gives it to you, you can buy it in a store or find it on a menu then it is food and water. If the material is a balanced chemical mixture of elemental compounds and nutrients that must be ordered by a physician from a pharmacy and can only be administered by a licensed medical professional through a surgically implanted tube in the abdominal wall then it can rightly be said to be a medical intervention. As such it is no different than other medical interventions like a ventilator, IV fluids or antibiotics.

Do patients with PVS suffer if a feeding tube is withheld or withdrawn?

Of course no one can know for sure. Suffering is a subjective experience. However, the medical literature and the experience of hospice workers suggest that patients don’t suffer. There is no evidence that patients in these circumstances experience hunger or thirst or that this withholding is painful. In fact, the gradual shutdown of organ systems induces a lack of appetite and dying in this manner is among the more peaceful ways.

What is Catholic teaching in this area?

It is not clear anymore. Traditionally, Catholics have not been obligated to accept medical treatments that they consider burdensome or “extraordinary”. Since 1992, U.S. Catholic Bishops have encouraged the continued “feeding “of PVS patients, but have deferred to families and physicians the final decision in these cases. In March 2004 the Pope declared that “ the administration of food and water, even when supplied by artificial means, always represents a natural means of preserving life, not a medical act and is, as such, morally obligatory”. His remarks were based, in part at least, on the assumption that there is diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty in PVS. However, when the criteria for PVS are met there is no recovery and the prognosis is not in doubt. Since then, as near as I can tell, there has not been any significant change in the care these patients get in Catholic hospitals. It is still left to families and their physicians to make these decisions and advance directives are being honored. These decisions are made every day in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and hospices. At least once a month I sign an order foregoing feeding tube placement in a patient should they become like Terri Schiavo. I do this humbly, recognizing patient autonomy and the primacy of family in these decisions. I believe like many other Catholics that part of respecting life is recognizing when it has ended, when it has stopped being possible.

Michael Grady, M.D.

Preparing for Death - By Loris Buccola

2005-04-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

Over the past several years following my diagnosis with an incurable and degenerative disease, realizing that I will not live forever and probably die sooner than I would have imagined, I offer the following thoughts and experiences.

Death Is for the Living.

Although in one sense death is the "great divide", in another sense it is also part of being alive. To avoid thinking about our death is to avoid experiencing life to the fullest. What most of us fear, I think is not so much death itself but the pain and suffering, physical, emotional and spiritual which comes before it. All of us, I suppose, in one way hope that we will die suddenly and painlessly. On the other hand we also worry that if death comes this way we would have no chance to say our goodbyes, make amends, or otherwise get our affairs in order so we can continue to control things from the grave.

I imagine that my death, by the time I am actually there, will be a welcome and peaceful release. Although at this moment I am very much alive and glad of it, thoughts of my death are both comforting and daunting. I especially don't like the thought of leaving everyone and everything I love "behind". But, if my idea of time and eternity turns out to be correct, I will not be losing anything. From the perspective of the other side of the divide, we will all "arrive" in eternity and the full experience of God's presence simultaneously.

Keeping death "daily before our eyes".

St. Benedict recommended for his monks to make meditation on their death a daily occurrence. I must have retained this beautiful thought from the time of my religious conversion in early adulthood and few years of monastic life. I have always thought about how and when my death would come and how I would handle it if I had any sign that it was imminent. Having done this, on and off, throughout my life, i.e. mentally preparing myself for the "big one", has enabled me to cope with my own present physical decline. It was a surprise, but not for long, as I reminded myself that difficult things do not happen only to me. They are universal experiences to which I and everyone else are subjected.

I am not recommending a morbid obsession with all the bad things that could happen. I am suggesting a realistic appraisal of how life goes, while at the same time appreciating the gifts available in every moment. Part of the process of preparing for one's own death is a mental task. Another part is the willingness to experience whatever comes along without dreading it ahead of time. This is a spiritual skill which comes with time, desire, intention and prayer. Be careful what you pray for. It won't always be fun but it will always carry with it an opportunity to keep growing up, i.e. to be realistic and idealistic at the same time.

One way to follow this wisdom is to think of dying as many deaths, beginning with birth. Birth is a kind of death, to the perfect security of our mother's womb. It begins a whole life of "dying" to the illusions about the security and predictability of life. It continues every time we are faced with the opportunity to let go of the old and welcome the new. When we resist this process we preserve the illusion that our life here and now is permanent. When we welcome these changes, painful as they often are, we take another step in the direction of the final death, the entrance into the ultimate reality of eternity. A close friend of mine with a debilitating and incurable cancer wrote to me about this recently, "Still, I would go in a heartbeat w/out fear, not hating earth, but loving heaven more."

No matter how much we try to keep this fact in mind, we seem to be surprised every time another event challenges it. The Buddha was supposed to have recommended to a woman in an inconsolable grief that she go around the village collecting three mustard seeds from every house in which there had been no deaths. She came back empty-handed and grateful for the experience. She had discovered that she was not alone, that loss and death are universal experiences.

Death, Alone and Together

In one sense we must all face our own death alone. No one can do it for us. This may be one of the most frightening aspects of thinking about and experiencing our death. On the other hand, we also know that no one ever really does anything alone or isolated from the human community. Living and dying are corporate experiences. The way each of us face our own death with courage, calm and acceptance profoundly affects how the rest of us will be able to do it also.

The best "preparation" for death is a life lived with and for the body of Christ, within the oneness of all creation. This is not something that we can begin only when we think we are getting closer to death, when we are aging or seriously ill, or otherwise exposed to danger. If we wait until then, chances are it will be too late although in another sense it is never too late to get with the program.

Welcoming Life and Death

In light of the death of Pope John Paul II this week and recent discussions about moral and ethical decisions regarding life support, I offer the following comments based on my personal experience with a degenerative and untreatable disease.

The situation for most people with ALS is unique in that we retain full cognitive and sensory abilities, but lose the ability to communicate what we are thinking, feeling and needing as well as the ability to swallow and breathe on our own. There rarely is any "persistent vegetative state" unless something else occurs (heart attack, stroke, etc.). We know this ahead of time and are free to decide whether and how we wish to be kept alive. This includes decisions about whether to make use of other means of breathing (mechanical ventilation) and getting adequate nutrition and hydration (abdominal feeding tube).

Several months ago I chose to have a feeding tube surgically inserted, anticipating the time when I will not be able to swallow. I also use a breathing assist machine (BiPAP) at night to avoid respiratory failure during sleep and facilitate a good nights sleep. Both of these feel like friendly devices which make life more comfortable and livable.

Many people with ALS decide to do neither and simply allow themselves to die in the normal course of the disease when further treatment would be useless. This does not seem to be any different than someone with a terminal cancer, diabetes or chronic heart disease. I respect the right and moral choice of a person with a terminal disease to refuse further unnecessary treatment and to die as pain-free as possible.

We have always made a moral and ethical distinction between taking a life (as in assisted suicide) and allowing someone to die in the normal process of living. I believe that this position is quite clearly "pro-life". To affirm life is to welcome death as the entrance to new life.

Loris Buccola
February 2005
Revised April 2005

For Assistance in Silverton

2005-04-09T07:39:00.000-07:00

This is just a start - please send updates on additional resources you are aware of:
Silverton Area Community Aid (SACA). 503-873-3446, Bernadette, Food bank/emergency financial assistance for those in dire need, information-referral services. Weekdays 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays 5-8 p.m2.

Silverton Together - http://www.silvertonor.com/silvertontogether/ , 503-873-0405, P.O. Box 114, 421 S. Water Street, Silverton, Oregon 97381, email:
silvtog@open.org

St Josephs Shelter - Originally created to serve migrant and area farmworkers, the Shelter expanded its services to include homeless families and individuals. Yearly, the Shelter provides over 25,000 nights of housing and 25,000 - 30,000 meals. Frank Mele, Director, 925 S. Main St., Mt. Angel, OR 97362. Phone 503-845-6147. See http://www.benedictine-srs.org/st_joseph.htm

Silverton Family Resource Center, 503-873-8330, Provides assistance-referral for housing or utilities, low-income energy assistance program, weatherization, tax assistance, free clothing, furniture and household items. 204 N. Water St.

Advocacy & Networking Opportunities

2005-01-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

See article in the Catholic Sentinenl on our recent visit to the state capitol at http://www.sentinel.org/articles/2005-8/13635.html

Catholic Social Teaching Survey - 2005 - The Archdiocesan Peace and Justice Commission has an online survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey at the following website: http://www.deltasystems.com/archd/survey.asp

Just Peace Oregon is a network of folks in Oregon concerned about peace and social justice in our lives, our communities, and the world. See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/justpeaceoregon
Pax Christi Portland - see www.pdxpax.org/paxchristi for more information.

"Living Our Faith" Newsletter Publication of the St Philip Neri Peace & Justice Commission that describes the major themes in Catholic Social Teaching see www.pdxpax.org/philipneri/faith.htm

Oregon Catholic Conference - http://www.archdpdx.org/occ/ The Conference identifies public policy issues and advocates before the Oregon Legislative Assembly and the Executive branch of state government from a consistent ethic of life framework.

Oregon Legislature - The legislative web site provides real-time audio and video of hearings and floor sessions, links to laws and bills and contact information on your legislators. See http://www.leg.state.or.us/ For audio or video see http://www.leg.state.or.us/listn/

Silverton People For Peace Silverton People for Peace is a gathering "place" where people from all walks of life can work for peace in our community of Silverton, Oregon, and beyond. http://www.silvertonpeopleforpeace.org/default.html

Catholic Social Teaching

2005-01-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish. http://www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/saltandlight.htm

Archdiocese of Portland, Office of Justice and Peace - David Carrier, Director dcarrier@archdpdx.org Phone: 503-233-8361 http://www.archdpdx.org/justice_and_peace/

About The Social Justice Commission...

2005-01-03T10:20:00.000-08:00

We will operate as a Parish commission; base our activities on prayer, the biblical and theological foundations of Catholic social teaching; and strive to integrate and balance the direct service, education and advocacy components of social justice.

Structure:

There are be 10-12 positions on the Commission that are filled initially from the those who have been part of the first planning meetings and who are willing to make a one year commitment to attend meetings and assit in Commission planning activities.
The 10 - 12 Social Justice Commission members may include persons from the community who are not members of St Paul Parish so long as they are supportive of the mission of the Commission.
Future vacancies will be filled by recommendations from the Commission to the Pastor.
In addition to the planning group, the commision will coordinate groups of individuals who are interested or available in direct service, education or advocay activities.
Everyone is welcome to attend a Social Justice Commission meeting.

St Paul Social Justice Commission members as of 2/1/2005: Michelle Senecal Matt Senecal Bernadette Mele Frank Mele Mike Niemeuer Dr. Mike Grady Steve Pappani Jim Hunt Myrna Robinson Kathleen McCann Deacon Loris Buccola Ex officio: Fr. William Hammelman Fr. Joe Wood

Opportunities to Get Involved

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At a recent meeting the commission members did some brainstorming regarding ideas & opportunities for social justice:

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Bulletin inserts or articles;
prayers of the faithful;
study groups for catholic Social Teaching;
incorporate themes into Disciples in Mission;
higher profile for Social Justice themes in liturgical calendar;
affirm good charity & justice work that local people are already doing.

OTHER DIRECT SERVICE IDEAS:

Assess parish and community needs;
better networking with other Silverton groups;
Youth project like Habitat for Humanity;
augment gaps in existing services;
a volunteer case-worker to help people beyond the immediate food & shelter needs;
Need to support those who do charity & social justice work.

OTHER ADVOCACY IDEAS:

Monitor statewide public policy issues during 2005 Oregon legislative Session;
join & support groups like "Bread for the World" & Pax Christi

Notes from Past Events/ Meetings

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March 26th, 2005 - Next St. Paul Social Justice Meeting - Matt & Michelle Senecal, Fr William, Mike Grady, Jim Hunt, Jim Little, Mike Niemeyer. Discussed calendar, legislative activity re SB545 and future strategies for raising awreness re public policy - faith connection. Also discussed end of life medical ethics issues.

February 26 - Saturday - Social Justice Commission meeting. Mike Grady, Frank Mele, Bernadette Mele, Michelle Senecal, Jim Hunt and Jim Little attended. The group decided on a proposed annual budget of $1,000 to be split into thirds to support direct service, education and advocacy components o fthe Commission's work. The group looked at key legislation to focus on this legislative session and discussed need to support SB 545 (see bill text at http://www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/measpdf/sb0500.dir/sb0545.intro.pdf )

February 21 - The Oregon Catholic Conference held its eighth Advocacy Day at the Oregon Legislature. The theme of the day was “Issues 2005.” Commission members contacted local legislators on matters of concern to Catholics.