St. Thomas Aquinas Human Concerns Committee Meeting Minutes, January 26, 2010

Attendance:
Paul Chestnut, Ruth Chippendale, Walt Lundin, Terry McCaffrey, Laura Chiu, George Chippendale, Patricia Markee, Griselda Morales, Alma Lalonde, Guadalupe Loyola

1. Faith-Sharing/Question of the Week -
We recited the Our Father together.

2. Approval of November minutes The minutes were approved by acclamation.

OLD BUSINESS

3. The Green Committee Katia Reeves and Walt Lundin met with Chuck Tully and Bud McKenna on January 21. The objective of the meeting was to discuss conducting the carbon footprint baseline calculations for the three sites of the parish. The overall objective is to take low-cost steps that will reduce CO-2 emissions.

4. Death Penalty - Terry Terry discussed the 1000 Congregations Campaign, which is a coalition project of California People of Faith Working Against the Death Penalty, Progressive Jewish Alliance, and Death Penalty Focus. Palo Alto is "ground zero" for the campaign. The purpose is to engage in dialogue, discernment, education and prayer on the death penalty. Helen Baumann is a member of the Campaign Committee, and she was present at our meeting. The main goal of the campaign is to get 1000 congregations to address the death penalty, raise consciousness, and commit to thinking about the issue. Terry will provide information for the HCC web site to Paul. California People of Faith are planning a prayer vigil at Lytton Plaza; the theme is to petition to County District Attorney candidates to not seek the death penalty. We will publicize the event and urge attendance.

NEW BUSINESS

5. Oscar Romero memorial event Bishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was assassinated on March 24, 1980. An event commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Bishop Oscar Romero’s assassination is in the planning stage. This event will commemorate the legacy of Oscar Romero's fight for justice in El Salvador and publicize the need for environmental justice there. Three assassinations of activists working to prevent mining operations by a Canadian Company and death threats to many of the staff of the community radio station triggered the idea of a commemoration event. George asked that HCC agree to be a sponsor so that a church hall could be reserved for the event. The HCC members present were all in agreement that it was appropriate for HCC to sponsor it and to have it at a parish facility. Paul will reserve the OLR hall for March 21.

6. Undie Sunday Laura will get the Bulletin announcements ready for Undie Sunday, which is February 13/14. Walt will do the pulpit announcement. Valentine messages will be distributed at Mass on February 6/7. We discussed the organization of the collection site before and after each Mass. Two people must be present at each Mass. Laura will send out a sign-up sheet and Walt will make an appeal for volunteers.

7. Postcard Campaign for Comprehensive Immigration Reform The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has launched a postcard campaign to Congress in support of immigration reform. Immigration reform legislation will be introduced in 2010. Walt and Paul had met with Inma Gomez, who is spearheading the campaign in our Diocese, on January 23. She provided resource materials, including arguments, bulletin inserts, pulpit announcements, and postcards. The postcards are on large format pages with four postcards per page: one card for each senator, one card for our representative in Congress, and one card to request more information. The plan is to distribute these sheets into the hands of the congregations at Mass on February 27/28. They will be invited to sign the cards and hand them in. The message is: "The US immigration system is broken and in need of repair. I ask that you support immigration reform legislation that keeps immigrant families together, adopts smart and humane enforcement policies, and ensures that immigrants without legal status register with the government and begin a path toward citizenship."

We discussed the details of organizing this effort. We need volunteers to be present at each Mass, and we need individuals willing to read an appeal from the pulpit on February 20/21. All present volunteered to contribute. Griselda volunteered to read the appeal at the 9:00 Mass at OLR. Paul, George, and Walt volunteered to read the appeal at other Masses. The cards will be collected intact and delivered to Inma Gomez.

8. Burning Bush event Starting in September, if the STA (Spirituality Tuesday Assemblies) wish to use only three Tuesdays a month, we may be allowed to use the fourth Tuesday of every month for presentations of social justice issues. Maybe the HCC and Green Committee can alternate. Will discuss further if the invitation from STA is confirmed.

9. PIA update George discussed the notion of the safety net.

10. What's On Your Mind? Patricia brought up the subject of human trafficking, which she says is present in the Bay Area. Human trafficking is a form of slavery. Victims of human trafficking are subjected to coercion for the purpose of sexual exploitation or forced labor. She discussed ways to identify people who have been smuggled. Her advice is to contact the organization "Rescue and Restore" whose objective is to help identify and assist victims. The Rescue & Restore web site is: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/.

11. Volunteer for Faith-sharing/Question of the Week

Next meeting - February 16, 2010