St. Thomas Aquinas Human Concerns Committee Meeting Minutes, April 28, 2009

Attendance:
Paul Chestnut, Laura Chiu, Patricia Markee, Terry Atkinson, George Chippendale

1. Faith-Sharing/Question of the Week -
We recited together a prayer that had been sent to us by Walt Lundin

2. The March minutes were approved.

OLD BUSINESS

3. Death penalty forum April 1 - Terry
There were 40 attendees to the forum. The video "The Empty Chair" was shown, and there was a discussion featuring four people who lost a family member.

4. Day Worker Center - Patricia

5. Hotel de Zink - Ruth

6. Bread for the World - Offering of Letters - Paul

7. Next year's budget:  Terry
There has been a suggestion that we add $100 for Center of Concern - a helpful jesuit-run social justice group.

8. R.S.V.P. - Walt
Only two people signed up. Can we get more?

9. Replacement for Ruth on PSC

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

NEW BUSINESS

11. Wednesday, April 29: Mass for World Peace and Justice at Our Lady of the Rosary
Special Reflection on Immigration Justice by Fr. Jon Pedigo. People of all faiths and traditions are welcome to share this time of prayer for world peace, and understanding and just treatment for immigrants throughout the world. A reception follows.

12. Economic Response Ministry question and proposal
Liz Lilly, Director, Community and Parish Partnerships, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: First, what are your doing? Do you have a support group, a job search group, a training program? What is happening with your direct service programs? If you share with me, I will help you network with other programs, share best practices, resources, and prayers! Second, we are already contacting one of our partners, CitiBank, to offer a training for parishioners to be able to offer Financial Education courses. The training will be on a weekday afternoon, 2-5. We are looking at the week of May 18. Would you like to host this training at your parish? Let me know. Do you think that you have one or more people who would be interested in taking the training? The potential is that together, in clusters or deaneries, you could offer this class multiple times.

13. Catholic Lobby Day
Ruth and Walt are going to Sacramento on Tuesday with about forty other folks from the diocese. Walt had sent the lobbying plan.

14. What's On Your Mind?

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