St. Thomas Aquinas Human Concerns Committee Meeting Minutes July 22, 2008

Attendance:
Paul Chestnut, Mary Fong, Laura Chiu, Kieran McCarty, Ruth Chippendale

1. Faith-Sharing/Question of the Week - Kieran
Kieran offered thoughts on the Gospel for this week: Look for Him when you don't expect Him. It broadens your vision to look for Him in unexpected places. How do you remember to look in unexpected places? You need to be aware of God's presence. Look at things from another person's perspective.

2. The June minutes were unavailable.

OLD BUSINESS

3. National Religious Campaign Against Torture

4. Burning Bush event for social justice activities
Terry will speak to Father George about this.

5. PSC meeting July 11
The Time and Talent drive will be the three last Sundays in October. We need volunteers - two or three each day. Oct 12 is STA, Oct 19 is SAG and OCT 26 is OLR; "substantial" refreshments will be provided Parish picnic on Sept 21 at SAG.
Parish wide retreat on Nov 15 at SAG, details to come later.

6. Annual Parish Report - Mary
A full-color printout of our committee's report to the PSC was circulated. This will be part of the Annual Parish Report scheduled to be distributed to every parish family during all the Masses on the Oct 4-5 weekend.

NEW BUSINESS

7. MVPJ lecture series on issues critical to the election in the fall
Diana Gibson, the Director of the Santa Clara Council of Churches is working on a series. We should lend our support.

8. JustFaith programs - Laura
A "mini-program" is under development on climate change and the environment. A syllabus is set up for a 6 to 8 week program. Starts September 16.

9. PIA activities
PIA is run now primarily by the Spanish Mass community working on issues for East Palo Alto.

10. What's On Your Mind?
Kieran noted the existence of a DVD called "Not for Sale" on human trafficking. The topic should be considered for Burning Bush.

Patricia: A fair trade event is coming up.

There will be a death penalty event at Stanford in September for clergy-only.

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

Next meeting - September 23