St. Thomas Aquinas Human Concerns Committee Meeting Minutes, March 24, 2009

Attendance:
Paul Chestnut, Laura Chiu, Ruth Chippendale, George Chippendale, Patricia Markee, Walt Lundin

1. Faith-Sharing/Question of the Week - Walt
We all recited the Lord's Prayer for Justice.

2. The February minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

3. Death penalty forum - Terry
The Death Penalty Forum is scheduled April 1, after the SOUP meeting at OLR. The video "The Empty Chair" will be shown, and afterwards, there will be a discussion featuring four people who lost a family member. A flyer will be created and placed in the bulletin. Walt will hand out the flyer at the SOUP event. Chris Lundin will be asked to set up the technical facilities. New Mexico abolished the death penalty!

4. Day Worker Center - Patricia
A building on Escuela Avenue has been purchased, and plans are being developed to move in. A permit from the city of Mountain View to move into the building on Escuela Avenue was obtained, but there was an appeal by opponents of the Center. There will be a hearing on April 14 to address their concerns.

5. Fair Trade Gift Sale - Laura
All items at the sale on March 21 and 22 were sold out.

6. Hotel de Zink - Ruth
Starts April 1. All our dates have been filled in.

7. Bread for the World - Offering of Letters - Paul
The Offering of Letters is planned for May 17. The theme is to call on our representatives in Congress to rework foreign assistance to make it more effective in reducing poverty. Things that need to be done: ▪ Create a flyer, which will be a bulletin insert for May 10 ▪ Create a message to appear in the bulletin on May 10 ▪ Create pulpit announcements for both May 10 and May 17 ▪ Write the letter to our three legislators, to be signed by parishioners. ▪ Prepare 500 copies (last year we had 367 signers).

NEW BUSINESS

8. R.S.V.P. - Walt
"Respond Supportively Very Promptly" is a group of people who are committed to write letters when important social justice issues arise. Walt asked for participants.

9. Immigration Reform -Walt

10. Catholic Relief Services collection results - Walt
About $5000 was raised for Catholic Relief Services last Sunday. Next second collection:  May 17: Catholic Charities.

11. Next year's budget:  Terry
Terry had sent a letter to Chuck Tully requesting him to state how much of our budget for last year has been spent. George discussed the funding of our contribution to PIA. We had budgeted $2300, $300 of which was to pay for a person to attend the Heroes' Luncheon. George said we did not get the 2300. George discussed the value of PIA.

12. NRCAT - request to support "Truth Commission" - Walt
NRCAT is the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. Walt thinks that there is too much emotion surrounding the issue at present.

13. Diocesan liaison breakfast and deanery doings - Walt
We have not had a representative at the deanery meetings since Tom Jaworowski died.

14. Replacement for Ruth on PSC - Ruth
Ruth will resign from the PSC in April. There is a meeting on April 15. We need a replacement.

15. PSC annual retreat: needs three attendees
The retreat is May 16 at Lucie Stern Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

16. National telephone conference on March 2 - Walt
Walt had sent out a summary the previous week. He learned that during the month of February there was a national series of prayer vigils organized by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.   Sponsors counted 167 vigils in 133 cities in 31 states with about 7000 participants.  The Council held prayer vigils, praying for comprehensive reform of the nation's immigration policy. There will be a Peace Mass on April 29. Local legislators will be contacted. Walt plans to ask for appointments to see Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein, and Representative Eshoo. Boxer and Eshoo are reliable votes, but Feinstein is inconsistent.

17. Catholic Lobby Day
The annual trip to Sacramento is Tuesday, April 28. A training session will be held on April 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.

18. What's On Your Mind?
Ruth: Simon Chiu has modified the food managing program in the computer at the St. Vincent de Paul food closet so that it is much more user-friendly. So far, Simon and George are the only people who know how to use the program, but now that it has been modified, we hope that others will learn it.

Patricia: JustFaith has a module on spirituality.

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

Next meeting - April 28