Social Justice

Catholic social teaching reminds us we are interconnected and that even our social, political, and economic institutions have a deep effect on people's lives. Our Social Justice Ministry works with the rest of the parish to help us see and listen to our brother or sister in need. We do this through education (studying how loving our neighbor plays out in our social institutions), through advocacy (working for the poor and vulnerable in the political arena), and through direct action (organizing food drives, clothing collections, and supporting refugees and the Rice Bowl).

We meet on various days, once a month. If you would like to join the Social Justice Ministry, watch the bulletin for meeting times or call Tim Paulitz at 509-332-6184 or Francy Bose at 509-332-5114.

Social Justice Ministry Minutes
October 26, 2021

Printable file for Oct. 26 minutes

Opening Prayer:   MLK Prayer:  Prayed by Bill Engels

People attending:  Tim Paulitz; Bill Engels; Fr. Steve Dublinski; Kat Harris; Joyceann Hagen; Francy Pavlas Bose

Discussion:  Afghan Refugee Resettlement Proposal Update:

•  Tim’s Connections
  • Tim connected with Rolo Salamjan, Marie’s neighbor from Afghanistan who wants to be involved with whatever happens with the resettlement of Afghan refugees.
  • Tim learned that the Federal government is “revising” refugee resettlement options to possibly include individual sponsors from the current organization sponsorship.
  • Tim connected with other mainline churches.  ALL are interested in participating in whatever possibilities are arranged.  Like Sacred Heart they are also waiting for more information for action.

• Bonita’s contacted World Relief; Refugee Connections Spokane; Catholic Charities (Cooper or McCann) and Kazim Abdullahi World Relief
  • She spoke with Kevin Benson at World Relief who said that refugees are still in process:
    • He doesn’t know if any refugees will come to Pullman
    •  Housing will be an issue in Spokane and it might mean that Pullman could be a housing resource
    • The need currently is funds to hire people to help the refugees when they arrive.
  • She said that Sacred Heart Caritas committee voted to give $1000 to World Relief—Spokane to help with hiring people to work with the Afghanistan refugees when they arrive in the area.
  • Government funding is only for three months which is sure to mean there will be “needs” down the road.
  • Bonita also spoke with Scott Cooper of Catholic Charities and Kathryn of Refugee Connection. 
    • Neither of these agencies do resettlement
    • They do provide various kinds of assistance after the refugees are here and somewhat settled.
    • Scott Cooper would be willing to come to Pullman and talk to us…
  • Of course; financial donations are always welcome

• Connections plans with Pullman community main line churches and mosque:
  • Much interest
  • Waiting ‘game’ for now

• The first two sessions were “excellent and powerful”.
  • First Session:  Ian Clark a local farmer
  • Second Session: Mike Heston the Fire Chief for Pullman Fire Department
  • Please access both presentations on the Parish Facebook page.
• The final session will be Dr. Brian Henning, a Gonzaga University professor of Philosophy and Environmental Studies; Director of the Gonzaga Center for Climate, Society and Environment; and bestselling author.
  • This will be presented virtually via Zoom including an in person meeting in the social hall.
  • The evening will include dialogue and breakout groups and discussions together as well.

• Latinx meeting rescheduled with Marcela Pattinson –DACA and Manuel Acevedo—WSU Multicultural Center is being rescheduled in the new year, possibly around Martin Luther King Day
• A planning meeting with the presenters and Tim Paulitz; Fr. Steve; Jessica Cassleman; and Kat and Robert Harris is tentatively scheduled for sometimes in the first week or two of November.
• The event will be a combined effort of Sacred Heart and UCC, held at UCC.

• Seventeen “Thank-You Heart” cards were sent to the personnel in the fire districts of Whitman County.
• Two “Thank-You Hearts” were personally delivered to the local Pullman fire stations along with six-dozen cookies.
• Jessica Cassleman and Joyceann Hagan delivered them. They said they were well received.
• Bonita said that this was a fun project for very deserving people.

• Collaboration with Jefferson Elementary through their Student Council, the students will be invited to make “Holiday Cards”.  The expectation is that possibly 100 Jefferson students will make cards for the project.
• Sacred Heart parishioners will be invited to make additional cards
  • Approximately 200 + (more) cards are needed
  • Personalized cards to parishioners living at the Assisted Living facilities may be possible as well.
• More information at next SJM meeting in November

• CAC contacted Francy asking if we plan to donate meat and accompanying foods for Thanksgiving Giving this year.  The need is for 60 to 90 main dish meats such as:  turkeys; roasting chickens; hams.

• Given that prices have increased, it is planned that
  •  24 (10-12 lb) turkeys;
  • 24 (5-7 lb) roasting chickens and
  • approximately 10-12 small hams
• The parish will be asked to donate the accompanying foods by November 14^th as in past years.  See accompanying flyer for list of needed foods.

• Family Promise: 
  • Sacred Heart is the “host church” this weekend.  Meals and overnight hosts have been arranged. 
  • General needs include:  Conditioner, Cough Medicine (Infant, Child, Adult), Feminine Hygiene  (multiple sizes and forms)
  • Wish List: 
    • Plastic zip twin size bed covers (these are for our mattresses to protect when in trailer for transport or storage)
    • Twin mattress pads (to protect the mattresses while being use.)
  • Current Fundraiser for Family Promise Week:  October 23—31
    • This annual event increases awareness of the issue of family homelessness.
    • To make a donation to Family Promise of the Palouse visit their website:  http://www.fpgives.org/organizations/family-promise-of-the-palouse
• Action Alerts Clarification of SJM minutes of October 26th.To limit the number of action alerts, at the October 1st meeting of the Action Alerts team, we decided to define an "action alert" as an appeal for contacting legislators or officials on time-sensitive matters such as bills in Congress or pending executions. It would not include things such as notices about workshops and conferences, official statements, or surveys. If you are not currently receiving the Action Alerts, but would like to, please contact Sue McNamara, and she will add you to the list.
• TREX:   Currently we have five benches from plastic collection.   Someone is interested in purchasing one of the benches.  There was some discussion about selling or giving some of the benches as a way to encourage others join the TREX program of plastic recycling.  Tabled to next meeting
• Helping Hands: has provided three meals a week for more than 6 months to a young mother who was put on bed rest during her pregnancy.  The baby was born in early October, healthy even though he was a few weeks early. Helping hands will continue to provide meals to the family, three days a week through November 7^th.  This has been a fantastic “pro-life” action.  Thank you to all the families who provided   90 –100 meals for this family.
• CAC food Bank current needs: 
  • flour; sugar;
  • canned vegetables (green beans, corn, carrots)
  • canned beans (all kinds);
  • nuts;
  • Hygiene items: (toilet paper; paper towels; toothpaste and brushes; feminine hygiene; shaving lotion; shampoo & conditioner; etc.)
  • Dietary restricted items  Gluten free; Vegan; Low sugar; low Sodium
• Re-usable Dishes purchased and delivered:   
  • They will be used at the Knights Lentil Dinner on Saturday November 6^th after Mass
  • Dishes and glasses will be washed at 3:30 pm
  • Dishes will be stored in the current location after use.
  • Plastic glasses maybe able to be stored with the current glasses.

Micro-Pantry at Sacred Heart:     No Progress

Community Outreach Commission Report:  Bill continues to write the report.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:  Synod 2021 - 2023: A "Synod for a synodal Church" began in Rome October 9, and in dioceses world wide a week later. Here is a new link to an America Magazine article about the Synod: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/10/08/what-is-a-synod   Check the bulletin official website.

Look for updates and activities at Sacred Heart regarding the Synod
Next Meeting:   Wednesday , November 18 at 7 pm
Closing Prayer:   “Likrat Shabbat”  by Jack Riemer was prayed together

Printable File for Sept. 23 minutes
Printable file for August 5 minutes
Printable file for June 24 minutes
printable file for May 13 minutes
printable file for April 7 minutes
printable file for Feb 25 minutes
printable file for January 14 minutes
printable file for Nov. 30 minutes

Sacred Heart Parish acts as a partner church when Pullman Presbyterian Church hosts homeless families through Family Promise of the Palouse. Several times a year families stay at the Presbyterian Church for a week. Sacred Heart parishioners help prepare the evening meal and stay for the evening or the night. Sacred Heart also collects items for Family Promise and participates in fundraisers. If you would like to volunteer please email Tim Paulitz or call him at 509-332-6184. 

Family Promise of the Palouse (FPP), believes that every family deserves a safe place to call home. With support from the community, 29 interfaith congregations and hundreds of volunteers, they are able to provide shelter, food and support to help families in our community that need it the most. They are committed to families having a place to call home. Their website, www.familypromisepalouse.org, shows what they are doing to make a difference in the lives of homeless children and their families.

Mindful of Jesus’ call to feed the hungry, help the poor, and welcome strangers, the Social Justice Ministry of Sacred Heart, in conjunction with the Spokane-based Refugee Connection, is offering assistance to refugees.

As refugees learn English, find jobs, and adjust to a new culture, the Social Justice Ministry wants to offer them friendship, financial assistance, and moral support. We invite any interested members of the parish to join us in this endeavor.

Donations to the “Refugee Relief Fund” can be made to Sacred Heart Parish, with “Refugee Fund” noted in the memo line. Please direct questions or comments to either: Francy Bose  509-332-5114, Tim Paulitz 509-332-6184.

For more than 70 years, the Catholic Diocese of Spokane and its parishes have supported the Diocese of Solola in Guatemala. Donations from Sacred Heart Parish, Pullman support Nawal Estereo, a radio station broadcast to the residents in the Highlands of Solola, which provides religious and educational support. Nawal Estereo serves an essential role for the impoverished people of northern Guatemala. The station is staffed by local men and women, and operates with a board of directors. It is self-supporting through payments for broadcasting, advertising, and donations from organizations such as ours. Please note "Spokane mission radio school" on the memo line of any contribution you make for this worthy cause, and put it in the weekend collection or mail it to the parish office.

For additional information about the Guatemala Mission, please visit: https://dioceseofspokane.org/diocese-of-solola

Click here for December 2020 report from the radio station

For more than forty years, Meals on Wheels has provided a nutrititional and social lifeline for elderly and disabled homebound seniors in the Pullman area. With the help of 14 Pullman churches and three businesses, the organization has served thousands of meals to those in need. Your financial donation goes directly to providing a hot, nutritious meal to our area seniors.

To volunteer, please email the Sacred Heart Parish Meals on Wheels coordinator, Lorie Druffel, or call 509-330-0324. For additional information, please visit the website for the Pullman Community Council on Aging: http://www.pullmanccoa.org.

Since 1988, The Community Action Center has been a vital resource for thousands of needy families in Whitman County. This past year, Sacred Heart Parish, Pullman donated approximately 1600 pounds of food to people living in poverty in our area. These food donations provided nutritional meals for more than 230 families each month. For more information or to volunteer: https://www.cacwhitman.org.