Justice Movie Nights & Potluck!

By Frank Lesko, Coordinator of Justice and Peace

One thing is true about Jesus is that he was never far from food.  In fact, he brings the party when other options have failed—turning water into wine and a few loaves and fishes into a bounty to feed the multitudes.  While there are spiritual implications to these stories, it goes without saying that Jesus is known in the breaking of the bread.  Each Mass we come together at the table to remember.  Our table fellowship is a chance to draw us into deeper communion with him.

To follow his example, it only makes sense that we continue the tradition of gathering in his name for fellowship, food and fun.  The Franciscan Care of Creation kicked off this series in November with a bountiful dinner and lively discussion of the film A Sense of Wonder about Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring, the book that launched the environmental movement in the United Sates 50 years ago.

The Justice and Peace office is working with many of our ministry groups to sponsor Justice-themed movies on the 2^nd Friday of each month in the Cupertino Room.  Join us for a potluck dinner at 6:00 PM with a movie starting around 7:00 PM and a discussion afterwards!  All opinions and viewpoints are welcome as we greet these issues in mutual respect and openness.

Here is the schedule as it is shaping up so far.  Some details are subject to change:

January 11:  Hurricane Sandy recently devastated much of the American northeast, and scientists have largely blamed the severity of this storm on human-influenced climate change.  The Franciscan Care of Creation ministry would like to invite the parish into a discussion about global climate change and food security.  What impact will this have and what can we do about it?

February 8:  The Justice Theater Project will continue the dialogue about what it means to be a faithful citizen.  The dinner will be a chili cook off!  Winners will receive tickets or merchandize from the Justice Theater Project.  We will show a screen version of Julius Caesar with a discussion of politics, power and faith in preparation for the stage version that will begin the following weekend.

March 8: No movie due to other Friday Lenten activities on campus!

April 12:  Most justice organizations agree that the political climate is ripe to see a change on US immigration policy.  The Diocese of Raleigh, Holy Name Province and many other organizations are calling for education and action on behalf of undocumented immigrants.  The Committee for Immigration Justice will host the movie Harvest of Empires which discusses the root causes of undocumented immigration.

May 10:  The Fair Trade Ministry will be the host in recognition of International Fair Trade Day which is later that month.  Samples of fair trade chocolate, coffee and other goodies will be served along with the potluck!  Speakers from local fair trade organizations will be present to lead our discussion on what fair trade means and how it touches the lives of so many people around the world.

Please stay tuned to developments in the Justice Movie and Potluck schedule by clicking on the Justice and Peace Icon on the parish homepage:

http://stfrancisraleigh.wordpress.com/pastoral-ministries-overview/justice-and-peace/

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Fair Trade: A Teen’s Travels to Nicaragua

By Emily McCrorie.

Emily, 17, is a high school senior.

This past July, I traveled to Nicaragua with a group called Witness for Peace in order to learn about how the economic policies of the United States affect Nicaragua. The delegation focused on fabric and the economics behind the mass production of fabric in Nicaragua. The majority of this occurs under free trade, an economic policy that removes regulations and barriers from trade between nations. Unfortunately, this causes many injustices, most of which happen overseas where production occurs. We learned that maquilas, or sweat-shops, exist with terrible working conditions and no benefits, and most individuals do not earn enough to care for their families.

Fair trade provides a living wage to the producer of the item that is being sold. A living wage is a price that not only covers the costs of production but allows a profit to be made by the producer. In this way, he (or, more commonly she), is able to live and support his family. This also keeps women away from long hours in a factory and living closer to their fami-lies where they can care for their children. Fair trade is based on the idea that a product can travel more directly from producer to consumer, keeping a connection in a global market.

During my travels in Nicaragua, I visited two factories. One factory was a free trade, Taiwanese-owned factory that produced North Face and Patagonia jackets. The other was a fair trade factory, owned by Nicaraguan women, which produced T-shirts and other clothing items. The differences were clearly visible just by walking through the door. The free trade factory was enormous, with 15 assembly lines and 15people at each line. Red fibers from the heavy Patagonia jackets flew up everywhere, and while some people were wearing face masks, others were not. It was hot, and all you could hear was sewing machines sewing and people working hard. The fair trade factory was much, much smaller. The women working inside were talking to each other. There were ceiling fans, and it was so much cooler. There was also music playing in the background.

Coming out of that day, I thought, “How am I going to be able to wear my North Face jacket when I’ve seen the people who make them? Do I boycott a company to protest conditions of workers? Do I want to support this company?” The answer I eventually arrived to was no, don’t boycott any particular company. The alternative jacket would be sewn in a factory by people who I had never met or seen before, but who would be living in the same conditions that I had experienced. Unfortunately, with many products there don’t yet exist fair trade alternatives to buy.

But more Fair Trade products are coming on the market, and we do have options to support economic justice with our buying decisions. I’ll be volunteering to support the Fair Trade Market at St. Francis on Oct. 26-28, which will sell fairly traded crafts, coffee and chocolate.

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A Fair Day for Labor

By Frank Lesko, Coordinator of Justice and Peace

During tough economic times, we become aware of how important work is to our lives.  Without stable, gainful employment, we can become suddenly vulnerable without access to medical care or if we lose our housing.  We can face a questionable tomorrow when we once took for granted so many basic things.

We can see Labor Day with new eyes—it is not only a welcome rest from our labors, but it is also a time to appreciate the value of good, honest work.  A fair income from a hard day’s work is so important.

In their recent Labor Day Statement, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops begins with a bold statement:  “As people of faith, we are called to stand with those left behind,” they say, urging us to “seek economic renewal that makes workers and their families a central concern.”  We need to get the economy moving, again, but we need to do it the right way so that all can share in God’s bounty.

When people are vulnerable, it is so easy to be exploited.  When you lose your job, you may find yourself willing to work for wages and in conditions that were once unacceptable to you.  Supply and demand can be a harsh mistress to serve.

Our sufferings in America may help us better understand the sufferings of others around the world.  The lack of good work compels many to immigrate, even if they risk breaking laws to do it.  Many people work 16-hour days in grueling conditions simply because there is no better option.  We would not want that for ourselves.

We support a just economy in different ways.  The Assisi Café has a commitment to serve only fair trade coffee.  Another way is through our Fair Trade Ministry.  We are building up to our annual Fair Trade market in the last weekend of October.  The products are bought and sold at a fair price.  The people who make and distribute these items earn a good, honest living for themselves.

In the weeks ahead, there will be articles, reflections and factoids in the bulletin to draw attention to Fair Trade.  To get involved in this exciting ministry, contact Suzanne Szymendera at 845-4885 or sesszy49@gmail.com.

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Catholic Shopping?

“Catholic Shopping?”
Trevor Thompson, Director of Pastoral Ministries
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

With the emergence of the Tea Party over the past several years, and more recently with Occupy Wall Street, grassroots movements are emerging that are addressing concerns about economic disparity, American democracy, and the role of government.  There is no denying that many are frustrated, and despite their varied means of protest and divergent set of demands, what they share in common is a dream of a fairer and more just society.  Through the Catholic Church’s rich reflection on scripture and history and her long-standing involvement in areas like ethics, economics, politics, and law, we have a social teaching that helps shape our understanding, participation, and commitment to how this fairer and more just society might emerge.  The application of the distilled wisdom of the Church (often referred to as the principles of Catholic Social Teaching) in complicated economic and political situations is a very delicate matter.  Although no principle can be applied in a “one-size-fits-all” fashion, it is important nonetheless that we consider how we live lives consistent with our deepest Christian convictions.

Next weekend, we offer our 3^rd annual gift market – Gift It Up!  With nearly ten vendors selling thousands of “Fair Trade” products, this is a beautiful opportunity to use our purchasing power in a way that supports our Catholic values.  At its heart, by building respectful, enduring relationships between consumers and laborers, Fair Trade is a grassroots movement to create a fairer and more just society.  Paul writes to Thessalonica today, “For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction.”  I still hold doubts about the words and convictions of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements, but the following set of convictions that express the commitments at the heart of Fair Trade is something for which we all can give thanks to God. I hope to see a lot of Catholic shoppers, including you, at Gift It Up!

• Paying a fair wage in the local context;

• Offering employees opportunities for advancement;

• Providing equal employment opportunities for all people, particularly the most disadvantaged;

• Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices;

• Being open to public accountability;

• Building long-term trade relationships;

• Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context;

• Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible.

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