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.

Printable file for June 24 minutes

Social Justice Ministry Minutes
June 24, 2021

Opening Prayer:  A Prayer for Our Earth     Pope Francis

People attending:  Tim Paulitz; Bill Engels; Fr. Steve Dublinski; Joyceann Hagan; Bonita Lawhead; Kat Harris; Robert Harris; Sue McNamara; Francy Pavlas Bose

Updates:
Family Promise:

• Tim reported that Family Promise is transitioning families back to churches, but with more limited movement from church to church each week.  Families will stay in two churches:  Presbyterian in Moscow and United Methodist in Pullman for several weeks at a time.  Churches providing meals will continue on previous schedule.  Our next day will be Aug. 13 and 14, 2021.
• Francy reported that NEEDS include:  Lysol Spray Wipes; Dish Washing Soap; Hand Soap; Hand Sanitizer; Laundry Detergent.

• Sue reported that most of the End-of-Life Bills passed that were part of WA State Catholic Conference.
• Sue reported that she sent Action Alerts from Bill or Jessica via Flocknote on May 15.
  • Emails: 4 parts ... 1) Stop Exec. of Quintin Jones; 2) Stand with the Pope - Climate Action; 3) Read NY Times article on Innocent Man Executed?; 4) Pledge to End Death Penalty - Mercy In Action.  And email & text  on Execution of Gerald Pizzuto in ID
  • There were 4 different texts sent out on each above.  Could not fit in one Text.
  • May 18 Email & Text: Execution of Gerald Pizzuto in ID.
  • June 13 1 Email & 2 separate texts: Write to stop 2 executions (1) John Hummel & 2) Brad Signon)
  • Sue asks that if you are not receiving the Flocknote, or not in the form wanted, to please contact her at sue.m.macnamar@gmail.com
• Bill also reported that most of the bills presented to Rep. Joe Schmick by Bill and Francy during Catholic Advocacy Day passed. Those bills included an environmental bill; housing bills and house funding bills.  The ministry encourages advocacy through personal contact with our legislators on issues of personal concern. Attachment of   Federal and State Contact information
• You are invited to join Flock Notes/Action Alerts.  Contact Sue McNamara to join:  sue.m.mcnamara@gmail.com 

• With the current eight bags of plastic ready to deliver to TREX, the parish has collected more than 300 lbs with the goal to collect 500 lbs. by September 15^th
• Bill reported that he was approached by a parishioner who would like to purchase a bench. 
  • Some discussion followed to use the idea as a fundraiser for Social Justice (environmental) programs.
  • Concern that TREX would be okay with this as a fundraiser.  Bill will inquire.
• It was reported that Palouse Post Office and CCUCC have started a TREX program. Suggestions were made on how to assist their programs.

• Sue McNamara reported that the ministry continues to provide meals for a family whose mother is on bedrest through the delivery of her baby in early November.
• Due to the length of time, Helping Hands is not providing meals three times a week; Tuesday; Thursday and Sunday. Since last report, 17 more meals for a total of 25 meals.
• To help provide meals though Helping Hands, please contact Sue McNamara to sign-up
• Request was put in June 26-27 bulletin for people with meal needs & asking for more volunteers.
• More volunteers needed because of so many people gone this summer.

• Boxes and Grocery Bags and Reusable Cloth Bags: Please take directly to the Food Bank
• Hygiene Items:  Shampoo; Conditioner; Body Wash; Bar Soap; Razors; Shaving Cream; Deodorant; Toothpaste; Tooth Brush; Face Wipes; Mouth Wash:
• Cleaning supplies:  Laundry Detergent; Clean Wipes and Spray; Dish Soap; Sanitizer; 
• Specialty Foods such as:  Low Sodium foods; Gluten-Free; Vegan

• Tim reported no new plans about the “pantry” at Sacred Heart. 
• Kat reported that Jefferson school has built “Food Pantry” for families in the area

• Climate Change/ LSD zoom meeting on June 16 went well with two videos of ways that we as individuals can commit to activities to address climate change. 
  • 10 ways to reduce global warming” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNf2bvdTqV4
  • Choose Your personal Commitment: https://livingthechange.net/commitment-tool
• Followed by a discussion of the three parish projects addressing Climate Change and Laudato Si’
  • Energy Audit of the church, parish office/house and social hall was done by Rock Solid Electric
    • Several ways to save on lighting both inside and out;
    • Windows that would hold in energy, but this will be expensive
    • Adding insulation
    • Rock Solid Electric will send a report
  • Grounds ideas for reducing water usage is continuing to be examined.
  • Religious Education
    • Biking to Mass had 12 people riding to Mass at the 8:30 and 11:00 Masses
    • Scott McBeath provided safety checks and instructions on how to care for your bike.
    • Fr. Steve blessed the bikers and their bikes after each Mass
    • The parish bike rack was installed at the Religious Education Door. A second bike rack was donated to the parish.
  • The bike rack was purchased in lieu of an honorarium for Dr. Wensnahan for his presentation at one of the Laudato Si’ Disciples zoom meetings.  Bill Engels will send him a letter informing him of that contribution.

• Please review either or both of the websites above and choose a personal commitment to address climate change in your life. We will discuss your commitments at the next Laudato Si’ Disciples meeting, when we meet to address Pope Francis’ latest message for the “Care of our Common Home” which is yet to be scheduled in July or August.

• Next Steps of LSD Ministry will be around Pope Francis latest message to 1.2 billion Catholics to “Create a future we want…”   This website will give you a head’s up to Pope Francis’ latest message…
  https://www.ncronline.org/news/earthbeat/pope-francis-launches-program-put-laudato-si-action-throughout-church

• Continue to follow Social Justice Corner/Laudato Si Disciple messages in the bulletin twice a month for more suggestions for personal action to address climate change.

• Thank you to Jane Hommel for researching and purchasing our current bike rack.  It looks great, just outside the door into the Religious Education Office.   Also “Thank You” to the four people who donated to the bike rack in lieu of an honorarium for Dr. Mark Wensnahan who spoke to the parish on issues of climate change at the third gathering of Laudato Si’ Disciples.

• Before our next meeting, Tim will gather the information for the purchase of the reusable dishes and drinking glasses that was approved several months ago by the Parish Council. These dishes will be used and reused for off-site events, eliminating the use of non-recyclable dishes at Sacred Heart events.

• A site to store these reusable dishes needs to be determined at the next meeting as well. It would be good if the storage place could be in the kitchen, but if not, another location that is easily accessible will be found.

• June 9 “Dialogue with Our Neighbors: Let’s Talk About Race” with Jeff Guillory was well attended by approximately 45 people. It was well received with several people asking questions or voicing an opinion regarding issues addressed by Jeff Guillory.
•  Future communities to continue the dialogue on racial justice included:  Islam; LGBTQ; Native American; Latinx, AAPI.
• The planning committee will meet to discuss the next dialogue that will be scheduled for September.

• Other Continuing Possibilities to address Racial Justice issues to consider:
  • JustFaith—Bill Engels;
  • PJAL Spokane:  Bonita Lawhead
  • NAACP-- Kurtis Robinson:  Tim Paulitz
  • DACA immigrants:  Jessica Cassleman
  • Refugee Connection Spokane:  refugee issues
  • African Americans and African Immigration:  Kat Harris
  • Multicultural Center at WSU & other issues:  Jessica Cassleman

• Bill Engels has been compiling the report for the past three years.
• The Community Outreach Commission Report is a monthly report to the Parish Council of activities by parish organizations impacting groups outside of the parish. Organizations in the report include:  Helping Hands; Knights; Catholic Daughters; Caritas; Prepares; St. Francis Guild; Family Promise;

• Bonita Lawhead voiced interest, but would like to discuss it more specifically with Bill.

• Francy would like the SJM ministry to think about future issues to address through the ministry. She mentioned:  Restorative Justice; Ending the Death Penalty; and Refugee issues just to name a few.
• She encourages suggestions to be brought to our next meeting.

• Asks us to find ways to advocate for Justice on State and National concerns.

• Carrying on advocacy through the year as individuals
• Continue to bring Action Alerts to the attentions of the parish

Pope Francis launches program to put Laudato Si’ into ACTION throughout the Church  :  check it out !

https://www.ncronline.org/news/earthbeat/pope-francis-launches-program-put-laudato-si-action-throughout-church

Laudato Si’ Conference:  July 13—15: http://www.creighton.edu/catholicclimate/
   
Next Meeting:  August 5, 2021

Closing Prayer:  Continuation of Prayer For Our Earth


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.