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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We Remember

On June 10 we celebrate The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist compels us to imagine a new earth, where the hungry are fed and the lost are found. It does this because Christ calls all people, regardless of their status or national origin. At the Eucharistic table, we both experience and foreshadow the ultimate coming of the Kingdom, which is a communion in peace of all of Christ’s people. As a result, the Eucharist is profoundly social as much as it is profoundly personal.

To be a Eucharistic people, the Church is often a thorn in the shoe of society. Every culture tries to turn a blind eye to those who do not fit in—The unborn; Prisoners; The elderly; The poor; Citizens of enemy nations; Immigrants sneaking across borders. These people are the collateral damage of ‘business as usual’ and there is much pressure to forget them and move on. It is often the Church that is first on the scene to cry out, “Wait a minute!”

The impulse of the media would have us jump from the latest tragedy du jour to the next. In our society plagued with a short attention span, it is deeply moving to see Christians whose faith calls them to remember and stay in solidarity. There are stunning examples right here at this parish.

The BP oil spill happened two years ago and “the headlines are forgotten,” as the promo says, but The Justice Theater Project is bringing it directly to center stage. For three weekends in June, you are invited to see Light on the Horizon, a newly crafted play written by Deb Royals with music compositions by Diogenes Ruiz and Jim Wahl, parishioners and staff. Royals spent months at the Gulf Coast interviewing fishermen, workers and others who have been personally affected by the oil spill, even years later. This play is the product of those conversations.

In the coming weeks, check back to the bulletin for statements on the role of undocumented immigrants in America, prepared by our Committee for Immigration Justice. The undocumented immigrant knocks on our proverbial door and challenges us to reflect more deeply on what it means to be a Eucharistic community. Undocumented immigrants often face the impossible decision between respecting the laws or following their moral obligation to provide for their families. The answers to immigration problems are not easy, but what should be do given what we learn and experience through the Eucharist? It is vitally important as Catholics and as active citizens that have an accurate picture to make informed decisions.  The hope is that this ongoing information will help us all understand immigration better–its impact on society, the reasons for it and what it means for us as  Church.

The nuclear accident at Chernobyl happened 26 years ago. To say it’s yesterday’s news is an understatement. Yet, the fallout will affect millions of people for generations. The Children of Chernobyl Ministry hosted children from Belarus during the summers for over 10 years, giving the children a rest from their radiation-soaked homeland. Parishioners welcomed these children into their homes and bonds were formed.

An unfortunate dispute with a family in California led to the Belarus government stopping the entire program. Years later, our ministry members are still seeking out ways to support the children they have come to know and love. Currently, funds which had been raised previously are being released for either education or medical hardship. 29 children will qualify for over $510, which goes a long way in Belarus. This is enough for nearly a full year of higher education or other urgent needs.

This ministry is yet another example of what it means to be Eucharist in the world. Even international disputes and thousands of miles in between are not enough to stop their communion.

Our society wants us to forget. Our Church calls us to remember. The insistence of our ministries to leave no stone unturned to remain in solidarity with people our society wants to discard is a living example of the Eucharist. They give witness to the Body of Christ.

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Statement of the North Carolina Catholic Bishops on Immigration

A committee of the General Assembly of North Carolina is studying the state’s role in immigration policy. On Wednesday, March 28, the committee held a hearing in Raleigh seeking input.  Monsignor David Brockman, Vicar General of the Diocese of Raleigh, delivered a statement on behalf of Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Raleigh and Bishop Peter Jugis of the Diocese of Charlotte.  Numerous other faith leaders and representatives of organizations on different sides of the political spectrum also spoke out.

Perhaps due to these testimonies, the House Committee has decided to hold off of implanting any dramatic changes in immigration policy, pending the results of the rulings on Arizon’s controversial immigration laws.

Good afternoon. I am Monsignor Brockman, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh. I come before the Committee today on behalf of Bishop Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, and Bishop Peter Jugis, Bishop of Charlotte, who shepherd approximately one-million Catholics throughout the State of North Carolina.

I extend my gratitude to the Committee for the opportunity to address this important issue of human dignity that has generated such considerable debate throughout our country, including here in the State of North Carolina.

While others may address the economic impact of immigration in our state, I wish to present our Catholic social teaching on the formation of a just immigration policy. This teaching is twofold: first, we support the role of the federal government to regulate migration and to defend its borders and laws; and secondly, as Catholics, we advocate for the recognition that immigrants, as members of God’s human family, are deserving of and must be granted the appropriate dignity as our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

The Catholic Church recognizes and upholds this great dignity, not only in each human person, but also of the entire human family as the basic social unit of society from the very foundation of creation. The Bible clearly demonstrates that this God given dignity is given to refugees, migrants, and to all those who are immigrants. Jesus himself was a refugee as a Child and an itinerant during His public ministry. He taught us to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35) and to realize that in welcoming the stranger, we are welcoming Christ Himself.

It is clear that the immigration process is in dire need of reform. Without the needed comprehensive reform on the federal level, states throughout our great nation have attempted to address the issue legislatively on a local basis. In 2007, the Catholic Bishops of the United States proposed five principles to be considered in drafting any immigration legislation that is just, respectful of human dignity and that of the human family. Should the General Assembly choose to introduce legislation with regard to immigration policy, we believe that the guidelines, proposed by the Catholic Bishops of our county, provide the necessary foundation to formulate sound and just legislation.

In addition to this written text of my remarks, I respectfully submit to the Committee, these five principles in greater detail, which I will now briefly summarize.

The first principle, people have a human right to work and to support their family in dignity and safety of their homeland. Second, when work in their homeland is not possible due to economic hardships, people have a right to migrate to other countries to work and support their family. The third principle, countries have a 2 right to protect their borders and also have the higher obligation to provide legal avenues for people to enter their country legally. Fourth, refuge must be provided to those who are fleeing their homeland due to political oppression. And the fifth principle, all persons, including undocumented workers, have a right to basic human dignity and should not be treated in an inhumane way by anyone.

As Catholics, we believe that these five principles, based in the biblical tradition, are reasonable and we respectfully propose them to the Committee as a guide should the General Assembly consider new immigration legislation for our State.

In a statement to Catholics in the Diocese of Raleigh, Bishop Burbidge wrote, “We must find the moral way to create policy and laws so we can both respond to the labor needs of the market as well as to support the right of people to immigrate, and to always safeguard the human dignity of every person. We also need to do this in a way that does not condone unlawful entry or circumvent our laws.”

Both Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Jugis acknowledge that there are many emotions which are often ignited by the immigration debate, but together, they call on “all people of goodwill to continue to debate in the spirit of mutual respect, ever mindful that together we must work for peace and protect the dignity of each and every person.”

Once again, on behalf of Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Jugis and the one million Catholics in our State, I express my gratitude to the Committee for this opportunity to present our Catholic teaching regarding this important moral issue of immigration. As members of the human family, each deserve and must be granted, the dignity that not only supports and fosters the common good of our society, but reflects the reality that we are all fundamentally brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Thank you.

Rev. Msgr. David D. Brockman, Vicar General, Catholic Diocese of Raleigh

March 28, 2012

The two page statement is available by clicking here: 
http://catholicvoicenc.org/Immigration-NCHouse3-28-12
.  Copies are also available in the Stewardship Center of the parish, next to the main Sanctuary.

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Immigration Transfiguration

By Frank Lesko, Coordinator of Justice and Peace

Abraham had his beloved son Isaac, whose arrival was a surprise and a blessing, given that his wife Sarah was previously thought to have been barren.  Peter, James and John were so mesmerized by the transfiguration experience on the mountaintop with Jesus, they wanted to remain there—“let us make three tents,” Peter said.

Whenever we have a “peak” experience, or when we have what we want, it is natural to want to maintain it as possible—a wonderful retreat, a honeymoon, the ease of a life with material comforts that we built up just the way we like it.  We want to stay in the known rather than risk the unknown.

Yet God continually calls us out of our earthly comforts toward heavenly ones.  He challenged Abraham to sacrifice Isaac.  Jesus urges his disciplines to come off the mountain, back into the real world of struggle and toil.  Still later in the Gospel narratives, God sacrifices his only son.

It is hard to venture forth in faith like that.  Many immigrants today risk losing all they have in search of the Promised Land.  Others in America find it difficult  to embrace those who with their different culture seem to challenge their own rightful inheritance.  Still, the Gospels call us to be a welcoming people. 

“The very identity of the people of God is intertwined with the story of movement, risk and hospitality.  Migration shapes the heart and soul of who we are as human beings before God,” say Gail Phares, parishioner and ministry leader of Witness for Peace Southeast.  She continues:  “The basic premise of a theology of migration is that God, in Jesus, so loved the world that he migrated into the far and distant country of our broken human existence and laid down his life on a cross so that we could be reconciled to him and migrate back to our homeland with God and enjoy renewed fellowship at all levels of our relationships.”

The US Bishops speak to this in Welcoming the Stranger:  “As Catholics, we are called to take concrete measures to overcome the misunderstanding, ignorance, competition, and fear that stand in the way of genuinely welcoming the stranger in our midst and enjoying the communion that is our destiny as Children of God.”   The last part is key:  By holding on to what we have, we are not allowing ourselves to move forward into the better place that God has ready for us, if only we take that step.

The promise of God is that by giving up all that we have, by letting go of what we think is rightfully ours, we are rewarded with another, still better inheritance in abundance.  Abraham was rewarded with the inheritance of an entire people through countless generations.  The Apostles did not stay in their tents on a mountain but traveled the whole earth spreading the Good News.  Jesus gave of his earthly life to seek his heavenly throne, so that all may have life and have it more abundantly.  So too by welcoming immigrants, we have the opportunity to help build a better, more diverse America, as others have done before us.

To see what the descendants of Abraham are up to, check out the “Abraham Build” of our local St. Francis Builds effort with Habitat for Humanity of Wake County.  Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith communities work together to build a home for a family in need.

 

Click the link to find out more or to sign up to be a part of this ministry.

 

 

 

 

  

A Prayer For Immigrant Justice:

Blessed are You, Lord God,

King of all creation.

Through Your goodness, we live in this land

that You have so richly blessed.

Help us always to recognize our

Blessings come from You

and remind us to share them

with others, especially those who come

to us today from other lands.

Help us to be generous, just, and welcoming,

as You have been and are generous to us.

prayer taken from:

For more information on the US Catholic Bishops efforts on behalf of immigrants, see
http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/index.shtml
 

Contact Frank Lesko, Coordinator of Justice and Peace, for more information on the efforts on behalf of immigrants at this parish:  frank.lesko@stfrancisraleigh.org or (919) 847-8205 x267.

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Witness for Peace: Colombia

The delegation in the role of peaceful, internationl observers of a dock workers' strike. Author Melanie Martin on far left, Gail Phares second from the right.

By Melanie Martin, parishioner

I experienced the full gamut of emotions during 10 days in Colombia as part of a Witness for Peace Southeast delegation. The purpose of the trip was to see and hear firsthand the effects of the “War on Drugs” and the Free Trade Agreement. We met with public officials, human rights activists and local citizens. On our final day, we met with Amanda Porter, the attaché at the U.S. Embassy, to report what we saw and ask questions.

Colombia is beautiful—a mountainous country lush with greenery. We met with the indigenous Nasa tribe. They grow coca legally for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. They also grind it into flour to make delicious cookies and fritters. There is no stimulant effect—it is the mixing of the paste from the coca leaf with toxic chemicals that turns this harmless and useful plant into the cocaine that shatters lives.

In the small town of El Tambo, we met with farmers, their mayor and other officials. Despite threats, many farmers traveled 8 to 12 hours on foot to meet. They demand basic human rights: health centers, teachers for schools and roads to get their products to market.

The U.S. has funded fumigation of fields to prevent them from growing coca. The fumigation has created a toxic environment for all human, animal and plant life. Food crops die, water becomes contaminated and the people have higher rates of illness. 

In Buenaventura, we met with dock workers who were striking to increase their wage of $1.50/ hour. As peaceful observers, we believe our presence helped these talks happen.  Buenaventura has a large population of Afro-Colombians, many of whom were forced off their land under the threat of death.  Their land is either used by narco-traffickers to grow coca or taken by the government. Many have been killed or “disappear.”  Mass graves have been found.

Our last day in Bogota, we met with former General Motors workers who were injured on the job and subsequently fired.  They have set up tents across from the front door of the U.S. Embassy.

I saw and heard many sad stories, but I am most impressed by those who continue to struggle, work and fight for their dignity—people with such courage who even under threat of death continue to change Colombia for the better.

Dock workers on strike in Buenaventura.

By Gail Phares, parishioner and ministry leader of Witness for Peace Southeast

We spent ten days in Colombia assessing the impact of the $6 billion in US funding for the drug war called “Plan Colombia.”  The result:  Thousands of small farmers have been forced off of their land due to aerial fumigation of their crops.  5 million people have been displaced, many going to cities who are then exploited in unjust working conditions.  Yet, the amount of cocaine coming into the US has not decreased. 

We returned to the US deeply moved and inspired by the people we met but saddened because all the suffering we heard about and saw.  Poverty and unemployment are increasing in Colombia.

On the positive side, we were inspired by the indigenous people, farmers, factory workers and others who are examples of nonviolence and commitment.

Trying to eliminate cocaine at its source has not worked well.  Perhaps increased funding for drug treatment here in the United States would be better to reduce the market for drugs.

For background history and recommendations from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on Colombian refugees.

For more information on being part of an international delegation with Witness for Peace Southeast: 

Phone: (919) 856-9468

Email:  gailphares@earthlink.net

Website: 
http://www.wfpse.org/

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Parish Immigration Effort

 Take the Immigration Quiz

Question:  Why would someone travel hundreds of miles over parched deserts, leave their homeland and family, risk their lives at the hands of bandits, rapists and border guards, sneak into a country illegally to live under constant threat of deportation… only to earn less than minimum wage under hazardous work conditions? 

Immigration can be complicated, but the answer to this question is surprisingly simple.  There is only one reason why someone would do this.  The answer:  Because the alternative is worse.

Illegal immigration into the USA is a humanitarian issue.  Much of the immigration to the US—particularly from Latin America—is fueled by desperation.  War and stifling poverty compel many to look northward for hope.  The US Catholic Bishops understand the right of each nation to have borders to establish an ordered society.  However, they also remind us that the right to life trumps that.  The earth is full of God’s abundance, and people should be allowed free movement in order to provide for their families. 

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has declared Jan 8-14^th as National Migration Week.  This year, they ask us to see the face of Christ in the migrant:  “We want to thank you [the immigrant] for the Christian values you manifest to us with your lives—your sacrifice for the well-being of your families, your determination and perseverance, your joy of life, your profound faith and fidelity despite your insecurity and many difficulties” (Letter of the Hispanic/Latino Bishops to Immigrants, Dec 12, 2011).  Indeed, migrant workers are not merely to be pitied or tolerated, but in the words of our bishops, they are to be looked up to as role models of the Christian faith!

The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi has a long and proud history of reaching out to immigrants.  The time is ripe to wake from our slumber and rise up in splendor on behalf of them once again. There are widespread misunderstandings and potential laws on the horizon which threaten the safety, family unity and human rights of immigrants.  In the Franciscan tradition, there is also plenty of room for open debate as we confront difficult issues.

The Office of Justice and Peace would like to gather people to be part of the discussion for how we as a parish community might respond to these issues both simple and complex.  Will you join this dialogue?  Please contact frank.lesko@stfrancisraleigh.org or (919) 847-8205 x267 if you would like to be part of a parish effort to pray, study and act on the issue of immigration!

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Hospitality to Refugees

When I was a stranger, you welcomed me

The Holy Family greeted Magi who brought exotic gifts from disparate ntions.  Soon after, the family that once welcomed strangers is themselves on the run.  They flee to Egypt as refugees to escape the genocide of King Herod.  How did they survive in a strange land?  Perhaps some kindly souls offered safe haven for them.

Refugees today are coming in increasing numbers from Burma, Nepal, the Congo and Iraq.  Groups are needed to provide a 6 month commitment to meet them at the airport, help with tutoring, transportation, learning American culture and be an emotional support.  Most are fleeing persecution in their homeland—how nice to find friendly faces waiting for them in America!

This is a great opportunity for a cultural exchange, as you may be invited to a home-cooked Burmese dinner or to learn about the Hindu religion from a Bhutanese family.  You may also make new friends.  This may be a great ministry that you can do together with your own family.

If you would like to explore this possibility, contact frank.lesko@stfrancisraleigh.org at (919) 847-8205 x267 and stay tuned for an informational session in the near future!

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