Office for Social
           Ministry

        e-link 

      The Diocese of
          San Diego
 


858-490-8323            #21  5/4/04 
 

Dear OSM e-link Member,

We hope you will appreciate the reports below (with photos) of several diocesan-wide events previously announced in e-link.  It's working.  Many of the participants learned about these opportunities to rebuild a culture of life through e-link. 

Please remember, if you know of anyone else who would like this sort of information, they can join e-link by simply going to www.osmelink.org and registering there.  Our membership reached 672 today. 

Thanks, again, for all you do.

God Bless!

Tuesday, May 4, 2004

OSM e-link - Bulletin #21

Table of Contents:

Reflection on the Self-inflicted Blindness of One Politician - by Kent Peters.

Key Upcoming Gatherings/Projects (please join us if at all possible)
          - Milk & Honey (no bitter herbs this time) brought to UTC Mall on May 17, 11:30 a.m.
          - Cover the Uninsured Week Faith-Community Rally, Sunday, May 16, 6:00 p.m.
         
Updates from the Office for Social Ministry
          - Report on the April 27th Catholic Lobby Day in Sacramento
          - Largest-ever crowd participates in the Downtown Stations of the Cross
          - Head Start workers honored on Holy Thursday with moving, feet washing event

Advocacy Reportback
          - Cynthia Wilson reports on calls to Senators Feinstein and Boxer on H.R. 1977, the
             Unborn Victims of Violence Act.

Advocacy Request
          - With Cover the Uninsured Week just ahead, we thought a call to our U.S.
             Representatives on the importance of covering the uninsured would be in order

Web and e-mail-based Resources
          - Our Local Catholic Newspaper, The Southern Cross, is online. Take a look.

Local and Regional Events/Gatherings/Projects
          - Mother's Day Brunch/Mini-Retreat with Rosalind Moss Sat. May 8, St. Lukes, El Cajon.

Article/Statement for May 4, 2004
          - Article by Cy Kellett, Southern Cross editor, on this year's Catholic Lobby Day

 

Remarks from Kent Peters

Short Reflection on the Self-inflicted Blindness of One Politician - by Kent Peters

Anne Hoffman was kind enough to forward Senator Barbara Boxer's written response to Ann's phone call expressing dismay over the Senator's vote against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, H.R. 1997 or S.1019.   Following is the complete text of that response. 

Dear Ms. Hoffman:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, S. 1019.  I appreciate hearing from you.

I believe that acts of violence against women, especially pregnant women, are always reprehensible and should be severely punished.  Furthermore, when a pregnant woman is the victim of a crime that causes harm to or results in the termination of her pregnancy, I believe the criminal should be punished even more, and Congress should pass legislation to greatly enhance the criminal penalties.

Again, thank you for contacting me.

Please do not hesitate to contact me again about this or any other issue

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer, United States Senator

Imagine the energy Senator Boxer must expend continuously performing the mental gymnastics involved in ignoring the pre-natal elephant at the center of this room.  Senator Boxer and others who aim to protect abortion "rights" will avoid, at all costs, ever mentioning the existence of the unborn child.  Funny, isn't it, not once was the child referred to in the Senator's letter responding to Anne's questions about the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (the second victim).  For these folks, to even mention the status of the child might lead to the avoid-at-all-costs question, "just what is that unborn thing in there anyway?"  With media-supported slight of hand, abortion proponents will always use the term "pregnancy termination" in place of extinguishing the life of the child.  This allows for the complete avoidance of reality. 

There was once a man on trial for murder.  He was heard pleading, " have mercy on me; I was only seeking the dissolution of my marriage."  The judge responded, "Yes, sir, you surely terminated your marriage, but the method you used will leave you behind bars for a very long time."  Most of us realize that not only will an abortion terminate a pregnancy, but a live birth will terminate it as well.  Relations like pregnancy and marriage should be ended by separating the two parties, not destroying one or the other. 

Please know, Senator Boxer, that we see through the thin veil of linguistic distortion you use to confuse the general public.  You had better remove your political blinders and catch on to the truth.  Technology like GE's 4D ultrasound, the wide availability of Shopping Mall ultrasounds, and the miracle of pre-natal surgery have brought to the public's attention the wonder that is the human person in early stages of development.  The next time you respond to someone asking about the status of the pre-born in relation to the law, please have the courage to respect the questioner.  Real dialogue requires recognizing the gist of the question asked.  Won't you stop dancing around the elephant?

Assailants should not be "severely punished," as you put it, because the victim-mother experienced a forced pregnancy termination.  Assailants should be punished because, simply put, they killed an unborn child.  Like it or not, a second victim exists.

Let ever more Californians come to know and love even the smallest and youngest of our brothers and sisters.

San Diego, Pray for us.
Our Lady of Refuge, Pray for us.


 

 Key Culture-of-Life Gatherings/Projects
 

Number 1:

It's time to take Milk and Honey to Westfield!   Join us on Monday, May 17, 2004, at 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot just West of Sears at the UTC Westfield Mall.  Those of us who get involved in fighting for the rights of others are often criticized for only pointing out the negative.  We seem to be a complaining bunch.  When delegations delivered bitter herbs to Westfield Malls they promised to return with Milk and Honey when the dispute was resolved. Well, in an effort to break the negative image and to keep that promise, we will be taking Milk and Honey to the UTC Westfield Mall to recognize the Westfield Corporation for doing the right thing, taking on a janitorial contractor that allowed the Westfield janitors to join a union and negotiate a first-ever contract.  Join us for the fun of congratulating Westfield Corporation!  

 

For nearly three years the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice visited Westfield Malls with delegations ranging in size from 15 to 150 participants.  The message throughout the campaign, complete with the delivery of bitter herbs as a witness to the suffering janitors experienced with low wages, no benefits, no vacation, no sick days and no health insurance, was to dump its abusive janitorial contractor and to take on one that would respect and support the Westfield Mall janitors.  As you know, earlier this year, Westfield did just that and the janitors at the numerous Westfield Malls are now working under their first union contract.  Wage increases, vacation days, holidays, and sick days are part of the janitors' new work world.
 

We want to place the spotlight on the Westfield Corporation for doing the right thing.  We want to thank them and let them know that we will be in solidarity with the Janitors for years to come.

Won't you join us for something positive?
 

Monday, May 17, 2004 - 11:30 a.m.

We will meet at the University Town Center Mall parking lot West of the Sears Department Store.  After a short prayer and a few words from janitors and local religious leaders, we will bring milk, honey and our best wishes to the UTC Mall manager.

 Call Kent at 858-490-8324 for more information on the UTC delegation.

For information on Milk-and-Honey delegations to other Westfield Malls in San Diego County (Horton Plaza, El Camino Real, North County, etc.) contact Clare at the ICWJ office 619-584-5744  ext. 31
 
 

Number 2: 

Cover the Uninsured Week (CTUW) is May 10 through May 16, 2004.  It's about calling for solutions to the problem of 44 million Americans living without health care coverage.  Working together are entities like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the AFL/CIO, Republicans and Democrats, health care providers and health insurance providers.  See below for the Sunday, May 16th event for members of the faith community (that's us) that will gather at the County Administration Center 

With former Presidents Gerald Ford (R) and Jimmy Carter (D) once again serving as Honorary Co-Chairs, Cover the Uninsured Week includes a diverse group of organizations, representing many sectors of American society, including business owners, union members, educators, health consumers, hospitals, health insurers, physicians, nurses, faith leaders and their congregants, among others.

More than 400 thousand San Diegans live every day without health care coverage.  Those without health care coverage live sicker and die younger.  Their lives, their families and their communities are impacted.  The uninsured represent every race, ethnicity, religion and region of the country. Wherever we pray or work or study or play or shop or live, chances are someone is unable to get the health care they need because they do not have health care coverage. 

Join us in calling for solutions to this problem affecting so many in our country and our communities!

Called to Care - A Faith Community CTUW Event

Sunday, May 16, 2004
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
County Administration Center
1600 Pacific Highway

For more information on CTUW contact Kent Peters at 858-490-8324

Short Reports on OSM Related Issues/Events 


 Catholic Lobby Day 2004 in Sacramento

For an extensive article on Catholic Lobby Day 2004 by Cy Kellett, editor of the Southern Cross, see the Article section of this e-link bulletin at the very end.

 

 

 

Upon arrival at the Sacramento Airport, Bishop Cordileone chats with Michael Baker and other Lobby Day participants as they regroup for the bus trip to the Capitol.  Participants expressed heart-felt gratitude that Bishop Cordileone took time from his busy schedule to join with them in this "ministry of lobbying."

 

 

 
 

 

 

From left to right, Lobby Day participants from San Diego, Bernadette Deal, Evangely Aliangan, Charlie Farnsworth, Gabriella Grant, and Sally Jacobus, proudly display the OSM banner at the Lobby Day Rally in front of the California Capitol.  Nearly 1,000 Catholics from all across California attended this year's Lobby Day.

 

 

 

 


 

Perhaps the youngest Lobby Day participant attending this year, Miguel, was center stage in the program before the morning Liturgy.  Miguel's story, as told by his mother, Teresa, included a lengthy hospital stay 12 days after his birth.  If not for Healthy Families, California's health insurance for low income families, the stay would have driven the family into poverty and perhaps homelessness.  Isn't he adorable? 



We thank those from our diocese (30 in all) who made the trip to Sacramento this year and hope our numbers reach 40 or so at Catholic Lobby Day 2005.  Watch for notice of CLD 2005 in late January of 2005.   

 

Again, read more about this year's Catholic Lobby Day in the article at the end of this e-link bulletin.



Largest Crowd Ever Celebrates the Good Friday Stations of the Cross in Downtown San Diego 

For 12 years, the Ecumenical Council of San Diego has sponsored the Downtown Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.  This year the procession had over 200 attendees.  Each year it features students from USD High School acting out, in silent tableau fashion, the Stations of the Cross as speakers reflect and pray about those who are suffering today and relate that suffering to Our Lord's passion.  Below is a photo taken at Station #13, Jesus is taken from the Cross and Mary receives His body.

 

 

Join us next year on Good Friday for the Downtown Stations of the Cross.
 



On April 8, 2004, Bitter Herbs and Washing of the Feet Gave New Insight into Educators' Labor Dispute


By Vincent Gragnani  (We thank the Southern Cross for permission to reprint this article.)

 

CITY HEIGHTS - Local religious leaders (see photo below of ICWJ group with letter taken later that day to Neighborhood House Association administrators) took a position in support of workers who are involved in a bitter labor dispute, and added a uniquely religious dimension to the struggle, as they washed the feet of workers and presented bitter herbs to managers at the Neighborhood House Association.

 

The employees, who educate young children through the federally funded Head Start Program, have been in contract negotiations with NHA for several months. Their union reps say that negotiations with NHA management are now stalled due to takeaways in health care, sick leave, vacation leave, jury leave, bereavement leave and a refusal to recognize seniority rights of employees.

 

NHA Head Start workers formed their union in February 2003 through the Service Employees International Union.
 

Two NHA employees spoke before the foot washing. One of them, Richard Rodriguez, said he has a young daughter without health insurance.  "My insurance is the man upstairs," he said. "It's hard to take care of the community, of families, when no one is taking care of us."


"Neighborhood House Association Management should model their own anti-poverty, pro-family goals in their treatment of their Head Start employees," said Rabbi Laurie Coskey, executive director of the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. "It is wrong that a program meant to pull children out of poverty is not paying its own workers enough to keep their children off of publicly funded health care. Everyone will win when workers are treated with respect."
 

Father Bill Rowland (see photo at left), CJM, Deacon Harry Guess, Sister Justine Church, MMS, and Sister Linda Hayward, RSCJ, were among the Catholics who washed the feet of workers. Kent Peters, director of the diocesan Office for Social Ministry, spoke at the event.


After the foot washing, religious and labor leaders presented a plate of bitter herbs - a Jewish symbol of suffering - to NHA management.

For biweekly updates on the social justice activities of the Office for Social Ministry, register at www.osmelink.org. 

 

 

The photo to the left shows Ginger Davies, a Head Start worker, thanking Deacon Harry Guess Jr., Christ the King Parish, following his tender washing of her feet as a sign of service, understanding, and support for her struggle for economic justice. 


 

 

 

 

 


E-link Advocacy Feedback

Cynthia Wilson called both California U.S. Senators to express her disappointment in their votes against H.R. 1977, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.  Below is the note she sent to the OSM through Reportback.

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know that I called both Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer's offices and let them know that I was very disappointed on their vote against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.  Both of my calls were taken by assistants who acknowledged my call.  I sincerely hope that my call added to others will be of use to you.

God Bless,

Cynthia Wilson

Thank you Cynthia!


Report: Continuation of Kent's dealings with Senator Feinstein's Office

In my report on S. 1645, the agriculture bill put forth by growers and farm workers, in e-link #20, I indicated that Senator Feinstein's office had given me the runaround over several days and would not give a straight answer to my inquiry.  Just after #20 was e-mailed, I got a call from the Senator's communications director who informed me that the Senator was not in favor of this bill.  I expressed my support for the bill and encouraged him to impress upon the Senator the benefits this legislation would bring to the farming communities of California, both workers and growers.  Done!

Kent Peters


 E-link Advocacy Request 

Please don't forget to report back on your advocacy experience to the OSM at reportback@diocese-sdiego.org. 

Call U.S. Representatives in support of setting aside funds to help cover the uninsured.

In 2003, nearly 44 million Americans lacked health care coverage, an increase of more than 2 million in just one year.  Most of the uninsured, eight out of 10, come from working families. Eight and a half million of the uninsured are children under the age of 18.

The health, jobs, families and lives of the uninsured are in constant jeopardy.  These children, women, and men live sicker and die younger simply because they do not have health insurance.

More than one in four currently uninsured adults have had severe problems with paying medical bills, problems that forced them to change their way of life significantly to pay these bills.

Call your Congressional Representative and urge him or her to follow the President’s lead and set aside at least $70 billion over 10 years to expand health care coverage for the uninsured as they work to set the budget for next year.


Please call your U.S. Representative in Washington DC with this simple message, "I join with thousands of others during Cover the Uninsured Week to ask that funding be set aside to help cover the uninsured."

Your U.S. Representative is listed below.  Please call today!

Rep. Darrell Issa (R), 49th District - 202-225-3906
Rep. Randall (Duke) Cunningham (R), 50th District - 202-225-5452
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R), 52nd District - 202-225-5672
Rep. Susan Davis (D), 53rd District - 202-225-2040
Rep. Bob Filner (D), 51st District - 202-225-8045

To determine your U.S. Representative, find your nine digit zip code and go to:

http://www.vote-smart.org 

Look to the upper left hand corner to enter your 9 digit zip code.

Don't forget to tell us how your call went at: reportback@diocese-sdiego.org.  Thank you all!

 Web and Resources and Opportunities

Our Diocesan newspaper, The Southern Cross, can be found online at:

www.thesoutherncross.org. 

Sections include Local News, World News, Local Events, Knowing Your Faith, Commentary, and links to other stories of interest.

 

Just click on the cover of this past issue to view The Southern Cross Web Site.

 

 
New Local/Regional Events and Gatherings 

If you are planning an event that falls within the mission of social ministry, send the particulars four to five weeks in advance to the Office for Social Ministry via e-mail, osmelink@diocese-sdiego.org.  The OSM reserves the right to publish or not to publish any proposed event information.  We hope this will assist your local efforts to re-build a culture of life.

1. Mother's Day Brunch/Mini-Retreat to be held on Saturday, May 8, 2004 at St. Luke Catholic Church in El Cajon, guest speaker Rosalind Moss.

Join St. Luke parishioners at this special event featuring Catholic Answers apologist Rosalind Moss.  The event begins at 9:00 a.m., and will be held in the parish hall at 1980 Hillsdale Road in El Cajon.  Call Jean Goulding for more information at 619-588-7641.  Ticket price is $15.00 with all proceeds going to support East County Pregnancy Care Center.

Watch for OSM e-link bulletin #22 around Tuesday, May 27, 2004


Article or Statement for Bulletin #21

We thank Cy Kellett, editor of the Southern Cross, for allowing e-link to republish the following article on Catholic Lobby Day 2004.

By Cyril Jones-Kellett

SACRAMENTO -- Carrying with them the desire to protect marriage, improve healthcare and defend the unborn, more than 30 San Diegans arrived at Lindbergh Field before the sun was up, April 27. They boarded a Southwest Airlines flight to Sacramento, and joined hundreds of Catholics from around the state in lobbying legislators on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable.

The occasion was the 4th annual Catholic Lobby Day, organized by the California Catholic Conference. The conference is the staff office of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops. It is the official voice of the Catholic community in California's public policy arena.

The day included a morning program and Mass at Sacramento's Crest Theatre, a march from the theater to the capitol building for a rally, and an afternoon of meetings with legislators from each participating diocese's home districts.

Bishop William Weigand of Sacramento welcomed the participants and presided at the Mass.
Father Greg Boyle, SJ, who works with gang members in Los Angeles, gave the homily. He spoke about the need to recognize our own faults when acting in the public arena. He asked the lobbying Catholics to simply remind legislators "that we belong to each other."

"We are called to build a community of kinship such that God might recognize it," he said.
Before the group departed the theater, Conference Executive Director Ned Dolejsi addressed the issues that Catholics would have the opportunity to lobby legislators about.

"We have to be strong voices," Dolejsi said, "voices for those who are poor, voices for those who are vulnerable, voices for those who are most in need."

He spoke of the reality of a powerful partisan split between California's two main parties.
"It's difficult when we have partisan dynamics for people to focus on what's good for all of California," Dolejsi said.

He summed up the Catholic Conference's message as, "Don't make poor people poorer, don't make hungry people hungrier, don't make sick people sicker."

This year's delegation was the largest ever from San Diego. Among the group was Auxiliary Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone who met with two legislators privately -- Senator Denise Ducheny and Assemblyman Juan Vargas. Several lay members of the delegation expressed appreciation for the bishop's participation.

Kent Peters, director of the diocesan Office for Social Ministry organized and led the San Diego delegation. He encouraged participants to be confident and relaxed when meeting legislators -- and to be prepared to speak up about the particular issues dearest to them.
The meetings with legislators, Peters said later, are meant to influence legislation, but they also provide Catholics and opportunity to learn about the political process and they allow legislators to get to know Catholic concerns.

Among the legislative issues that came up in visits were same-sex unions, prison releases for terminally ill prisoners, parental notification when minors leave school for medical procedures (particularly abortion), and a host of other pro-life, pro-family and poverty related items.
Many participants said they hoped to come back next year. On the bus to the airport for an evening return flight, they discussed the reception given them by various legislators -- from polite indifference to genuinely open dialogue.

Peters said that follow-up meetings might be organized for the fall at each legislator's San Diego offices, giving those unable to make it to Sacramento a chance to join in the lobbying.

Those who would like to be updated on lobbying opportunities or on other social ministry activities can sign up for monthly emails at www.osmelink.org.

The Southern Cross