Social Justice Committee News: Earth Day, April 22 The Social Justice Committee will be giving out our Holy Trinity cloth shopping bags after all Masses the weekend of April 17/18. The Social Justice Committee will be giving out our Holy Trinity cloth shopping bags after all Mass- es this weekend (April 17/18). This is to commemorate Earth Day and encourage us all to use reusable cloth bags instead of plastic when we shop.
According to the Center for Biological Diversity, “Plastic bags start out as fossil fuels and end up as deadly waste in the ocean or in landfills. Birds often mistake shredded plastic bags for food, filling their stomachs with toxic de- bris. It takes 500 (or more) years for a plastic bag to de- grade in a landfill. Unfortunately the bags don’t break down completely but instead photodegrade, becoming microplastics that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment.”
As Pope Francis says in his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si, “We are not God. The earth was here before us and it has been given to us...Each community has the duty to protect the earth and ensure its fruitfulness for coming genera-
Become a Laudato Si' Animator/Leader for protecting our world Sponsored by the Global Catholic Climate Movement All over the world, you and thousands of Catholics have overcome obstacles and deepened your ecological conversion during Laudato Si’ Lent.
As we enter the final two weeks of Lent, now is the time to commit to keeping the momentum going after Easter: Become a Laudato Si’ Animator. During the free, six-week training program, Animators receive the tools they need to lead their communities in caring for creation.
Whether you’re new to caring for creation or you’ve been doing it for years, this course offers something for everyone to deepen their contemplative and active practice of caring for creation. You’ll also build heart-felt connections with like-minded and passionate Catholics all over the globe.
Our world is hurting. We see it every single day. But, just as you and others have done this Lent, all year Animators inspire their sisters and brothers around the world. Join them: Become a Laudato Si’ Animator today.
Parish Outreach program: We would like to thank parishioners who have donated to our parish Outreach program. Outreach helps people in the community who are experiencing a crisis such as potential eviction because of inability to pay back rent, help with utility bills when facing a shut off, emergency car repairs, help with food or medication. We work with Community Care Alliance to help individuals qualify for State or Federal assistance or referral to available programs.
There are donation boxes at the church entrances for Outreach contributions or donations can be made in the parish collection baskets or directly to the parish office. Thanks again to all who have donated.
- The Food Kitchen news has been updated with January 2021 figures. Check here... - NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME on our committee! Come and find out what we can do together to reflect on the Church's teachings on justice! - Our goal: To build awareness about current justice issues (poverty, homelessness, immigration, etc.) and how we respond as Catholics living out our faith. Social justice is a constitutive dimension of Catholic Christianity.
Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program: At the Advent 2019 Social Justice Forum on Senior Issues, our speaker outlined several programs for Seniors and their caregivers that the Diocese offers. One such program is the Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program, a community based program that provides weekly visitors to elders and disabled adults. To become a friendly visitor or find out how you might access this program for a neighbor or relative, call Linda A’Vant Deishinni at 274-6783. The Diocese also offers a training/support program for caregivers.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Are you or someone you know experiencing Domestic Violence (verbal, emotional, psychological or physical abuse)? One in three to four women have experienced some form of physical violence. Children exposed to domes- tic violence are negatively impacted in countless ways. Although to a lesser degree, men also are victims of domestic, emotional and psychological abuse. Let us help! The Office of Life and Family is offering women free counseling (as appropriate), emotional support, and advice from a Catholic perspective, re- sources, and referrals to outside agencies/Catholic Counselors as appropriate. Maybe you just want to talk! For more information, please call 4012782518 or 401-278-2517.
Useful resources related to our forum in March, 2019 related to Care for our Environment Catholic Climate Covenant: Online site that includes the U.S. Catholic Climate Declaration and has many of resources related to climate change. https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Our Presenter on Care for our Environment was Bill Patenaude. His resources: www.catholicecology.net Bill Patenaude's Novel: A Printer's Choice (web site: aprinterschoice.com)
