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
September 15, 2022

Printable minutes for September 15, 2022
Opening Prayer: Prayed by Bonita Lawhead

People Attending: Bill Engels; Bonita Lawhead; Fr. Steve Dublinski; Francy Pavlas Bose

Refugee Resettlement: 
Sue McNamara reported that there is about $500 in the Refugee Account at Sacred Heart, which will be used for items that are not donated or for special needs.
Another Afghani family is coming to Pullman via International Refugee Committee and WSU International Program.  The family is parents and one year old child.  She will post the needs as soon as she receives a specific list.
Look for more information in the bulletin.

Laudato Si’ Disciples: Current and Future Program plans:  
Bill Engels reported on several activities regarding the environment

• September 27 at 7 pm at City Hall:  Pullman Climate Action Plan
• Nationwide there are eleven million pro-climate people who do not vote.
  • CCL is addressing this with a call forum to encourage these people to vote
  • Lists of Political Candidates forums in the area where people can meet and questions candidates.  This list will be distributed at events such as Home Coming Parade in Moscow
  • An announcement will be put in the bulletin to encourage learning about candidates and voting accordingly.
  • Ideas of how to follow Pope Francis’ message in “Laudato Si’ and  Caring for Our Common Home”
• Green Energy Tip:  Bill will re-introducr these environment tips in the bulletin.

• Earth Ministry;
• Saint Al’s parish through Rita Waldref ;
• the Unitarian Church of Moscow. 

• The presentation of Native Americans will be in the spring due to conflict with activities planned for Indigenous Day and because November is Native Month.
• Indigenous Day/November is Native Month: 25^th anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding with WSU is scheduled.  We will publicize these events at Sacred Heart

• See attachment of the Initial Discussion of Fr. Horan’s Book which was held at 2 pm on Sept. 7
• Next discussion is scheduled for October 12 at 2 pm in the Social Hall . “ALL are Welcome!”
• The discussion will cover two proposed Discussion Sessions:
  • Dr. Horan’s book following the study guide provided by the Author
  • JustFaith’s 8-week program of study:  Faith and Racial Equity
  • All are welcome to join the discussion.
  • Questions: contact Francy:   francy@pavlasbose.com

• It is expected that there were will two cards for everyone at Bishop Place; Regency; Circles of Caring; Avalon; and Pioneer Square.
• The people living at home will also receive a card  (Jim Evermann will have the number  of cards that will be needed for these people.) 

• Has started again
• All are welcome the first Saturday of each month following 4:30 pm Mass:
• This is a “Potluck” so bring a dish to share.
• Questions:  contact L Heidenreich at:  prof.h2000@gmail.com   

• Advent for Cougar Food Pantry
• Lent for Community Action Center

• Family Promise – Sacred Heart will be hosting Sept 30 and Oct. 1st.
  • We still need someone to make a meal on Friday, Sept. 30 Contact Tim Paulitz to volunteer 
  • A presentation is planned in the next two months on Family Promise for the parish in an effort to recruit new participation to this Parish Ministry

• Action Alerts:  Pope Francis calling all people mobilize for abolish death penalty in world

• TREX:  Bill reported that the bench, that is missing, was sent in April but never arrived at Sacred Heart.  TREX is shipping another to replace the lost bench.  Yesterday the parish collected another 500 pounds of plastic.

• Helping Hands:  There have been no requests for Helping Hands the past month

• Francy will contact CAC Food Bank to determine Thanksgiving Needs,

• As in past years, we will check with the availability and cost of Turkeys; Hams; and Chickens at local grocery stores for the CAC Food Bank
• A list of complimentary food needs at CAC for the Thanksgiving meal will be determined
• Parishioners will provide the complimentary food needs prior to Thanksgiving as a Thanksgiving Food Drive at the church from   October 29^th through November 12^th 

• Consider applying for one of the 7 positions on the committee
• Background information on Committee development: https://www.pullman-wa.gov/government/boards___commissions/diversity__equity__inclusion___belonging_committee?fbclid=IwAR3C3vA-2HDou6A73o2Q0iC8hKxmVP9jNFA49f7bSM9030UqhmTeqXB-GMs
• See attachment  below for more information and how to apply:
• https://www.pullmanwa.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=15252951&pageId=18861699

Next Meeting:    Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 pm in the St. Charles Room

Closing Prayer:  Father Steve lead the closing prayer

Printable minutes for August 24, 2022
Printable file for June 14, 2022 minutes
Printable file for May 24, 2022 minutes
Printable minutes for April 19, 2022
Printable file for March 23, 2022 minutes
Printable file for February 22, 2022 minutes
Printable file for January 25, 2022 minutes
Printable file for Nov 18 minutes
Printable file for Oct. 26 minutes
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.