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 April 7 minutes

Social Justice Ministry Minutes
April 7, 2021

Opening Prayer: “Christ Has No Body But Ours” by Teresa of Avila was led by Francy Pavlas Bose

People attending:  Tim Paulitz; Bill Engels; Joyceann Hagen; Kat Harris; Jessica Cassleman; Rob Cassleman; Robert Harris; Fr. Steve Dublinski; Francy Bose

Updates:

• Family Promise:  Tim reported that Family Promise was trying a new ‘living arrangement’ with families staying at one church for a longer period of time (moving less often) and discontinuing the use of hotels. The participating churches will continue to provide meals and overnight assistance.  This is in the planning stage to start this week. Sacred Heart will be responsible for meals on May 28 and 29.

• Action Alerts:  Jessica Cassleman is sending Action Alerts to Sue McNamara to be posted on Flocknotes, to encourage parishioners to contact legislators about issues dealing with the Death Penalty and the Environment; as well as links to other issues being suggested by USCCB and WA State Conference of Catholic Bishops. She voiced concern about choosing which issues were the most important. She was encouraged to choose the ones that spoke to her and include the link for the other issues for individuals to choose.
• TREX: Another 107 pounds of plastic was collected and sent to TREX this month. A phenomenal accomplishment. Even so, it was reported that more “education” is needed to clarify what kinds of plastic are recyclable. Two suggestions were made to address the understanding of what is recyclable.  A link to the TREX website which provides videos to demonstrate “What Is Recyclable Plastic for TREX” and posters at each collection site that display through PICTURES acceptable plastic.  Pictures and Information should be sent to Fr. Steve who will provide the posters for each collection site.

• Helping Hands:  Sue McNamara reported that there were no requests for assistance through Helping Hands this past month.
• CAC Food Bank Collection: 

• Dietary restricted foods such as gluten-free; sugar free; vegan—non-perishable; and
•  Fresh produce;
• Fresh and frozen meats.

• Clean large boxes;
• Paper or plastic Bags

• Grounds:  ways to reduce water use, with such idea as non-lawns.   Currently Lisa Weber and Jane Hommel form this group and welcome other interested parishioners.
• Buildings: investigate the cost of hiring a company to do “an energy audit” beyond our private carbon footprint.  Before going forward we will need to get estimates on the cost.  Currently Tim Paulitz; Francy Bose and Bill Engels form this group.  Bill will look at getting the estimate.
• RE program: Fr. Steve reported that caring for the environment is a pro-life issue. Currently Theresa Paul; Bill Engels and Linea Johnson form this group.

1. It is felt that the actions of these initial Laudato Si’ Disciples will advertise the ministry and encourage involvement.
2. It was suggested that a bike rack would be a good place to apply Dr. Wensnahan’s honorarium. Other suggestions are welcome.
3. The next meeting of Laudato Si’ Disciples for Climate Action is April 21 via Zoom. 
4. Watch for the “Green Energy Savings Tip” with a message from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ in the bulletin.
5. Copies of Laudato Si’ Caring for our Common Home are available FREE for the asking!  Contact  francy@pavlasbose.com for a copy

• Continuing Dialogue Possibilities  tabled for consideration later.
  • 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
  • Multi-cultural Center at WSU & other issues:  Jessica Cassleman

These continuing ideas resulted in the plan addressed above: “Come :  Give us your Perspective”

Community Connections: Kat Harris reported that Community Connections will make paper flowers for the homebound for May Day. A quote or Bible verse will be attached to each flower for residents of Regency, Avalon, Pioneer Square as well as some homebound parishioners from Sacred Heart.
Currently the social hall (at Sacred Heart) is reserved for April 12th, 19th, and 20 at 9am each day to assemble the flowers. The windows will remain open, and we will be socially distanced (but together!) and wearing masks. 

Catholic Advocacy Day:   Was a well- planned event. This was the first time that it was done virtually! The organizers did an excellent job preparing participants to meet their state representatives and senator. The day before the actual Catholic Advocacy Day, everyone met virtually to learn all about the issues and bills that the advocates would be discussing with their state leaders, and to learn how to connect with them. It was well done, with many more people participating than in previous years when everyone had to travel to Olympia.
The general bills that the advocates addressed were:  Housing; Environment; Life issues; and Economic justice and Racial Equality. On Advocacy Day we each met with our Senator and Representative, if they were available. I encourage you to consider participating in the event next year.

Attached is contact information for our National and State Legislators as well as the general 800 number for both.
Next Meeting: May 13, 2021 at 7 pm via zoom

Closing Prayer: Fr. Steve led us in the closing prayer.

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.