Peace and Justice Committee Minutes & Agendas

--------------------------------------------

This document is publicly viewable.

A link is posted at: http://stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/peaceandjustice.htm under "Meeting Minutes"

which points to: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcdt65td_56d3n389g2

It is the one-lasting-place where we can find publicly viewable our minutes and agendas separated by a "Horizontal Line" & a "Page Break".




Peace & Justice Committee  Goals for 2009-2010:

Dick Brown & Kelly Gauthier co-chairs


       1. Individual topic leaders will promote Catholic Social Teaching themes, in accordance with their interests
       2. The Committee will provide leadership on environmental stewardship / care for God’s creation by identifying opportunities for the parish to improve environmental stewardship, and by creating a "Green Team" and overseeing their work. 

       3. The Committee will lead an educational and fund-raising project during Lent, based on the theme of caring for God’s creation
       4. The Committee will promote a partnership with our sister parish in Detroit by assisting with the Martin Luther King mass and exploring the possibility of a soup sale
       5. The Committee will begin working on our 5-year plan


 

(These are measurable and for this year only.)

 

1.       CST  educational articles/efforts.

2.       Offer …. on environmental stewardship

3.       Create an educational and fund raising Lenten project based on the issue of  environmental stewardship.

4.       Soup Sale with Corpus Christi..



Peace & Justice Committee Agenda
MONDAY, November 2, 2009 at 7:30 PM
at the St. Francis of Assisi school library.
(Note: Munchies and soft drinks will be available at 7:00 PM for the early arrivers.)

1.  Prayer  (Scott)

2.  Update on Plans for Establishing a St. Francis Green Team  (Steve)

3.  Soup Sale to Benefit Corpus Christi  (Kelly)

4.  MLK Jr. mass and spaghetti dinner on January 17th

     --Need a designated point person from P&J for this project
 

5.  Update on the Catholic Social Teaching project

    --Article on poverty for Nov  (Mary Carol)

    --Planning for peace topic and women's rights topic  (Dick, Jim, Barb)

 
6.  Committee Goals for the Coming Year  (Kelly, Dick)

7.  Volunteer Prayer Leader for December Meeting?



Happy Halloween/All Saints/All Souls!

Peace & Justice Committee Minutes

Monday, October 5, 2009

Attendees:   Dick Brown, Chuck Yonka, & Scott Wright.


1.  Opening Prayer (Scott)

 

2.  Approve Sept Minutes 


     Scott said he would be the Prayer Leader for November Meeting

 

---------------------------   -------------------------


St. Francis of Assisi Peace and Justice Committee

Regular Meeting Minutes (corrected)

October 5, 2009

Attendees:

              Chuck Yonka, Scott Wright, Dick Brown

(Called prior to meeting regarding prior commitments / illness / out of town:  Patti Yonka, Kelly Gauthier, Barbara Torretti, Dave Friedo, Mary Wakefeld, Mary Carol Conroy, Kathi Tobey, Phil Kearney, Jim Verani, Grace Potts, Jim Russo, Steve Lavender, and Mary Ellen White)

 

Opening Prayer:

              Scott Wright led the prayer

 

Approve September Meeting Minutes / Denote prayer leader for the November meeting:

              Minutes approved.  Scott Wright volunteered to lead the prayer at the November meeting. 

 

Catholic Social Teaching Promotion Project:

Crop Walk –  to address hunger as relates to Catholic Social Teaching theme regarding the poor and vulnerable

 

Advent Project - The Spiritual Director will prepare articles this year.

 

CST themes being addressed this Peace and Justice Committee year: (Dick and / or Kelly will work with the leaders of each team)

 

Soup Sale – Chuck Yonka said that the choir may have similar project; will have to check on this.

 

Dakota Reservation visit – will be reported on in the November meeting

 

New Business:

Identify the green team (sub committee will meet prior to next meeting to work out the details)

 

Start defining the Lenten “carbon fast” initiative (subcommittee will develop details)

---------------   -------------

St. Francis of Assisi Peace and Justice Committee

Regular Meeting Minutes (corrected)

October 5, 2009

Attendees:

              Chuck Yonka, Scott Wright, Dick Brown

(Called prior to meeting regarding prior commitments / illness / out of town:  Patti Yonka, Kelly Gauthier, Barbara Torretti, Dave Friedo, Mary Wakefeld, Mary Carol Conroy, Kathi Tobey, Phil Kearney, Jim Verani, Grace Potts, Jim Russo, Steve Lavender, and Mary Ellen White)

 

Opening Prayer:

              Scott Wright led the prayer

 

Approve September Meeting Minutes / Denote prayer leader for the November meeting:

              Minutes approved.  Scott Wright volunteered to lead the prayer at the November meeting. 

 

Catholic Social Teaching Promotion Project:

Crop Walk –  to address hunger as relates to Catholic Social Teaching theme regarding the poor and vulnerable

  • Schedule for volunteers working after each Mass to collect names of walkers / collect donations for the walk has been set up.  (Walkers are to be asked to designate Catholic Relief Services as the recipient of their donations.)
  • There have been write ups in each of the October Sunday bulletins preceding the Walk giving pertinent information as well as the front page of one bulletin which gave more information about the intent of the Walk and the need for participants.

 

Advent Project - The Spiritual Director will prepare articles this year.

 

CST themes being addressed this Peace and Justice Committee year: (Dick and / or Kelly will work with the leaders of each team)

  • Hunger (see above)
  • Human rights / women’s rights (Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Rights and Responsibilities)
  • Peace (Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Rights and Responsibilities; Care for God’s Creation)
  • Poverty of Isolation (Call to Family, Community & Participation; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable)
  • Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday commemoration (Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Rights and Responsibilities; Options for the Poor and Vulnerable)
  • Care for God’s Creation – see New Business

 

Soup Sale – Chuck Yonka said that the choir may have similar project; will have to check on this.

 

Dakota Reservation visit – will be reported on in the November meeting

 

New Business:

  • Next steps for our Caring for God’s Creation Project

Identify the green team (sub committee will meet prior to next meeting to work out the details)

 

Start defining the Lenten “carbon fast” initiative (subcommittee will develop details)


 

Peace & Justice Committee Agenda

Monday, October 5, 2009

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. Francis School Library

 
For those who want to get there a bit earlier (7 to 7:30) there will be some munchies and we can do a bit of socializing.


AGENDA

1.  Opening Prayer (Scott)

 

2.  Approve Sept Minutes / Prayer Leader Needed for November Meeting

 

3.  Catholic Social Teaching Promotion Project:

 

    --Advent Project - Finalize Plans

    --Reminder to contact Dick if you would like to commit to a month/topic

 

4.  Updates / Announcements

    --None?

 

5.  New Business

    --Next Steps for our Caring for God's Creation Project: identify a green team



Peace & Justice Committee Minutes

Monday, September 14, 2009

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. Francis School Library

 

Opening Prayer (Steve)

 

Approve August Minutes / Prayer Leader Needed for October Meeting

Minutes were approved

Scott volunteered to lead the Oct prayer

We really liked the prayer that Steve brought; he will email it to us

 

Catholic Social Teaching Project

CST “topic of the month” (draft) calendar was distributed, which includes topics and topic leaders identified to date.  November is open and we have not yet identified an Advent project.

Whatever we do, we need to keep it simple but allow for a chance for people to connect

Next Steps:

 

 

Updates / Announcements

RAAH update (Mary)

2010 Special Collections calendar

 

New Business

Peace and Justice Committee action plan is due October 12th

We received a request for assistance from “Camp Take Notice”

Request for support from Friends of Kenyan Orphans

 

 


Creator God

Creator God –
maker and shaper of all that is,
seen and unseen; You are in the expanse and depth of Creation,
and in the processes that make life possible. Yet we are distracted
by the gods we make ourselves,
and our lives become fractured and fragmented.
In our brokenness we disturb the Earth’s capacity to hold us.
Instead we find climate uncertainty and global injustice.
Call us back from the brink. Help us to choose love not fear,
to change ourselves and not the planet; to act justly for the sake of the vulnerable;
and to make a difference today for life tomorrow. In your name –
Father, Son and Spirit. Amen.
Source: http://ew.ecocongregation.org/    NSW Council of Churches -  Selected Christian Prayers  -  PR1007
Peace & Justice Committee Agenda

September 14, 2009

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. Francis School Library

 

Opening Prayer (Steve)

 

Approve August Minutes / Prayer Leader Needed for October Meeting

 

Catholic Social Teaching Project

  • Steve’s CST overview articles will run in the September issues of the Forum, beginning 9/6
  • CST “topic of the month” (draft) calendar – includes topics and topic leaders identified to date
  • Note: November topic is needed; Advent project is needed

 

Updates / Announcements

  • RAAH update (Mary)
  • 2010 Special Collections calendar; openings for Holy Thursday and for August 2010
    • Previous applicants who were denied:  HOPE Clinic, SOS, Friends in Deed

 

New Business

  • Peace and Justice Committee action plan (due October 12th)
    • Facebook page for the P&J Committee?
  • Request for assistance from “Camp Take Notice”
    • Hosting their grassroots homeless tent community on the grounds of St. Francis?
    • Otherwise supporting their efforts?
  • Request for support from Friends of Kenyan Orphans

 

 Announcements:



Peace & Justice Committee Minutes

August 3, 2009

7:30 – 9:00 p.m. in the St. Francis School Library

 

Attendees:  Mary Carol Conroy, Chuck Yonka, Chris Wyzlic, Steve Lavender, Phil Kearney, Kelly Gauthier, Dave Friedo, Mary Ellen White, Barb Torretti, Dick and Sandy Brown

 

 

Vision Statement – Catholic Social Teaching (Dick and Kelly)

  • A vision statement was created in the process of writing the St. Francis Social Ministry’s strategic priorities for the next five years.
  • The St. Francis Social Ministry’s (final draft) vision statement is:  The Social Ministry group will respond creatively to the mandate of Jesus in John’s Gospel: “Love one another as I have loved you” by bringing the truth of Catholic Social Teaching to the community at large.
  • Next Steps:
      • Once it is officially approved, we will review the vision statement and goals, and discuss metrics

 

 

Discussion of "Theme of the Month" Process (Dick and Kelly)

  • Discussed this Committee’s role in promoting Catholic Social Teaching (CST)
  • Dick presented his idea of a “topic of the month” – clearly tied to a CST theme – that promotes our projects, community activities, and larger themes (i.e., Torture Awareness Month)
  • Committee members offered suggestions:
  • We should use this format to highlight volunteer opportunities in the church and community, and tie into our special collections as applicable
  • We should put together a calendar, with a “topic leader” for each topic.  Note: the calendar needs to be organized around Advent and Lenten projects, so we are not doing too much at once
  • We will assess the frequency as we go along – if monthly is too often, we could move to every-other-month, or quarterly topics
  • Generated many ideas for promoting topics:  brief Forum articles, accompanied by a notice of related community activities or volunteer opportunities; speakers; Canticle articles highlighting things we have done; dinner and a movie nights; educational opportunities (i.e., a CST series similar to the bible study series with Fr. James Conlon, Theology on Tap); flyers for the tables at Coffee and Donuts; a list of suggested books that our library could purchase; suggestions for Prayers of the Faithful at mass; etc.
  • The “topic leader” will be assisted by others who are interested in the topic; they will discuss with the Committee their ideas for promoting the topic
  • It was suggested that we find (or create) a CST “logo” to accompany our announcements, articles, or other printed materials.  This would alert parishoners to CST-related info
  • To promote advocacy, explore the possibility of adding a link on the parish website (main page or other easy-to-find location) that links to the diocese and/or USCCB legislative action sites
  • Next Steps:
  • Steve will write a brief introduction to CST themes (based on the Forming Consciousness document from the USCCB).  This can serve as the “kick-off” to our Theme of the Month project
  • Everyone will notify Dick of the issue(s) for which they would like to be the “issue leader”
  • Mary Ellen will check into the legislative action information that is available on the diocese and/or USCCB web sites

              Page 2 of 2

8/3/09 Peace & Justice Committee Minutes

 

Environmental Subgroup Report (Steve, Kelly, Mary Ellen, Dick)

  • We reviewed the Environmental Sub-Committee’s recommendations at: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0Af35uAoCbfwdZGNkdDY1dGRfMTMzZ2pneG53ZzU&hl=en
  • The Committee supported the recommendation to join Michigan Interfaith Power & Light.  This will cost $100
  • There is a “Cool Congregations” training scheduled for Sunday, 9/20/09 at 2:00, at the Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House at 1420 Hill Street in Ann Arbor
  • Next Steps (by 9/14/09 meeting):
  • Anyone interested in attending the “Cool Congregations” training on 9/20/09 should notify Dick by 8/31 so he can provide a head count for St. Francis (he will send out an email)
  • Following the training, we will use our October meeting to plan next steps for the project
  • Kelly will work with Scott to obtain the funds for our Power & Light dues

 

 

Special Collections (Kelly)

  • We have three openings in the 2010 calendar, plus Holy Thursday
  • We have received two applications for 2010: ICPJ and Holy Cross Children’s Services
  • The Committee approved both applicants
  • Next Steps:
  • Kelly will follow up with ICPJ and Holy Cross, and will bring an updated 2010 calendar to our next meeting

 

 

Announcements

  • CROP Walk 2009
  • The walk will be 10/18/09, hosted by Zion Luthern.  Chuck and Patti Yonka are the St. Francis liaisons.  Because they will be out of town on the day of the walk, Mary will help with route set-up.
  • Chuck distributed a calendar for volunteers to sign up to recruit walkers after masses in October.  Anyone who would like to help should notify Chuck and Patti.

 

 

Other Business

  • None at this time

 

 

Next Meeting

  • Due to Labor Day, our next meeting will be on 9/14/09, at 7:30 in the school library; Steve will lead the prayer
  • Dick will be out of town; please send Agenda items to Kelly

 




Our next Peace & Justice Committee meeting is on Monday, August 3 at 7:30PM in the School library.  (Social time at 7:00PM.)
(We are starting at 7:30 so that Kelly is able to make the beginning of the meeting.  I will be opening the doors at around 7 PM and will have some snacks [and beverages, if permitted] for the early comers.)

   WELCOME:  Peace & Justice Committee - 2009-2011 Co-chairs: Dick Brown & Kelly Gauthier
           See a "Committee Chair Position Description" at:  http://stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/peaceandjusticechair.htm

Due to Labor Day, the next scheduled meeting is September 14 and then the first Monday of each Month, October 5, Nov 2, Dec 7,  Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 5, May 3, June 7.   I have already reserved the School Library for you on all of these dates!

By October 1st. turn in any goals for this year.  (Include "sub"-committee-area items as well.)

-------------  -------------
To members of the St. Francis of Assisi Peace and Justice Committee,
 
The next meeting will be Monday, August 3, 2009 at 7:30 PM in the school library.
 
(The doors to the library will be open around 7 PM and soft drinks and munchies will be available for the early arrivers.)
 
                              
  DRAFT AGENDA
 
(1)      Prayer (Dick)
 
(2)      Minutes from June meeting
 
(3)      Vision statement - Catholic Social Teaching  (5 minutes) (Dick and Kelly)
 
(4)      Discussion of "Theme of the Month" process (20 - 30 minutes) (Dick and Kelly)
 
(5)      Environmental 2009 - 2010 Theme (Steve, Kelly, Mary Ellen, Dick) (20 minutes)
                (including Advent, Michigan Interfaith Power and Light)
 
(6)      MPRI  (Mary) (5 minutes)
 
(7)      Special Collections  (Kelly) (10 minutes)
 
(8)      Announcements (5 minutes)
              (Crop Walk - Patti, Chuck, Mary)
              (others)
 
(9)     Other Business (all members of the committee)
 
(10)    Next meeting (September 14th)
             (Need volunteer to lead the prayer)
 
                                                             Kelly and Dick (Co-chairs)



----------------   ------------------
Possible Proposed Goals for this year 2009-2010 and/or for the next five years 2010-2015:

From: Kelly Gauthier <chaysayd@yahoo.com>
To:  Mary Wakefeld <mwakefeld140796mi@comcast.net>,
   Mary Ellen White <markandmaryellen@comcast.net>,
   Steve Lavender <slavende@att.net>,
   richard brown <dickbrown27@hotmail.com>
   Scott Wright <swright@rc.net>
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Re: St. Francis of Assisi Peace and Justice Committe objectives

I'm okay with the metrics, although I would be more comfortable if the Committee had a chance to discuss and support your idea of monthly topics (as we discussed when we met last week) before we finalize the metrics because they seem to be aligned.  Although I guess these metrics are fairly general and could be met even if we don't implement that idea.  
 
I added a couple suggested edits and questions - highlighted in yellow below.
 
I think we also need to have some metrics around recruiting new members to the Committee and other outreach, but I guess we would discuss those later, and this is just focused on the Committee's projects?
Kelly

 
I sit on a man’s back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means – except by getting off his back.  –Count Leo Tolstoy


--- On Wed, 7/29/09, richard brown <dickbrown27@hotmail.com> wrote:
From: richard brown <dickbrown27@hotmail.com>
Subject: St. Francis of Assisi Peace and Justice Committe objectives
To: "Kelly Gauthier" <chaysayd@yahoo.com>, "Mary Wakefeld" <mwakefeld140796mi@comcast.net>, "Mary Ellen White" <markandmaryellen@comcast.net>, "Steve Lavender" <slavende@att.net>
Cc: "Scott Wright" <swright@rc.net>
Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 12:03 PM



Kelly, Mary, Mary Ellen, and Steve,

What are your thoughts on the following as possible (measurable) objectives for the Committee that are within our control?   Scott wanted a first pass on these as soon as possible.  Should we discuss further in the meeting on August 3rd?  (Add any objectives on as you see fit.)
 
Proposed Peace and Justice Committee objectives 2009 -2010
 
(1)   Increase the awareness of the relationship of Catholic Social Teaching and such issues as:
  •          Environmental stewardship / protection of God's creation
  •          Hunger
  •          Poverty
  •          Affordable housing
  •          Civil Rights
  •          Human Rights
  •          and possibly other areas such as
                -  human trafficking, genocide, immigration, torture awareness, stopping nuclear proliferation, stopping the use of land mines / cluster bombs on civilian populations, and fair trade.
 
(2)   The approaches to increasing awareness include:
I assume that all of these would be on an annual basis?
Is it OK for the P&J Committee to take the lead on these projects?  None of the other groups will get upset by that?
 
                              
                                              Dick



Original List

-- Improve the St. Francis community's environmental stewardship by a carbon reduction of 10% from 2009 levels.

-- List the number of and names of the Major themes from Catholic Social Teaching which the ministry effort addresses.
         Please also look over your Peace & Justice Committee page at: http://stfrancisa2.com/socialministry/peaceandjustice.htm

-- Make presentations to 5 key St. Francis ministry groups to help SF staff and ministry attendees to know what we do and how to recommend/refer.

Parish Sustainable Garden Project  -  Tracy & Grace:
 
-- to work towards a 3 season harvest cycle - so to bring more produce to our families;
-- to tie into #__# other outlets in the community who could use our fresh produce for those less fortunate;
-- to conduct tours and educational sessions #__# ...;
-- to work with the eagle scouts and build a permanent structure ;

New Orleans sister parish:  Cherie & Patti & Chuck

-- have some of the members of St Paul visit us in Michigan.  We had talked about bringing up their energetic choir but that may be too ambitious.
-- Over the next few years I would like to continue to promote other of their parish to come to St. Francis.  I know they would like to repay us in some way for all that we have done.  I would love for them to share their stories with our parish.  We have told so much about our experience but nothing is greater than hearing it directly.

----------------   ------------------



Peace and Justice Committee

January 5, 2008  Meeting Minutes


Attendees: Mary Ellen White, Chris Wyzlic, Chuck Yonka, Patti Yonka, Scott Wright, Steve Lavender, Dick Brown, Phil Kearney, Jim Russo


BUDGETING 2009 – 2010

A meeting will be held on 26 January @7 pm to determine budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009. Peace and Justice is asked to send representatives to this meeting.


MLK Mass Sunday, January 18th, 2009


Menu: Chili bar

Chili – Kelly, Chris, Patti, Mary, Julie Kearney

Fixins – Sour cream/hot sauce/oyster crackers/cheese/onions (MaryEllen)

Paperware – napkins, bowl, paper plates(2 sizes), hot and cold cups, table cloths, silverware (Mary Ellen)

Salads – Kathy Tobey

Rolls – Joe Lee

Corn Bread + butter – (Patti)

Dessert – Patti (sheet cake)

Crystal Light (Mary) and (Chris) to bring Gatorade bucket


4 pm set up

Edge is cleaning up

Display table?


COMMON CONFERENCE

All set.


ECONOMIC CRISIS INITIATIVES

Educational Component – foreclosure prevention, basic household, career network, workshops (resume writing, interview practice)

Support – counseling, mentoring

Practical/financial – community kitchen, financial aid

Outreach


LENT

Weekly Themes and Forum Articles:



Sacks (Kathy Tobey) – Work with Scott to get bags. Arrange for decoration of bags with Edge, Religious Education, School. Scripture quote/prayer


Calendar: (Patti and Mary Ellen) Create a calendar to be stapled along with the collection bags in the Forum. Calendar must be done by the middle of January. They would go in the February 22 Forum. They will be due on April 5.



Survey(Kelly Gaultier) 83 surveys have been returned. Kelly will compile the information and distribute it before the next meeting


IMMIGRATION/Sadeepa Munasinghe

Family needs our help and letters


ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

February meeting: Dick to report out on films/education

March Meeting: Begin discussion in earnest on our way forward.


SUDAN

Patti distributed a flyer giving information about Educate Sudan’s Children Information Meeting to be held on January 28, 2009 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the PAC




NEXT MEETING FEBRUARY 2 AT 7PM IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


Peace and Justice Committee

December 1, 2008 Meeting Minutes


Attendees: Mary Wakefield, Mary Ellen White, Kathy Tobey, Chris Wyzlic, Chuck Yonka, Patti Yonka, Mary Carol Conroy, Scott Wright, Jane Sanchez-Pens, Steve Lavender, Dick Brown, Kelly Gauthier, Jim Russo, Sam DeNicolo


Goals

Reviewed the goals and made the following changes:


  1. Increase immigration awareness by hosting a second, well- advertised event educating about immigration issues and preceding the event with educational articles.

  2. Offer to host ICPJ Dinner and a movie on climate change in the spring (March or April). Sponsor speaker on environmental stewardship for the Common Conference.

  3. Create an educational and fundraising Lenten project based on the issue of affordable housing.



LENT

Assuming we focus on a different local housing issue each week, what are the housing organizations we will focus on?


Sacks (Kathy Tobey) – Work with Scott to get bags. Arrange for decoration of bags with Edge, Religious Education, School. Scripture quote/prayer


Calendar: (Patti and Mary Ellen) Create a calendar to be stapled along with the collection bags in the Forum. Calendar must be done by the middle of January. They would go in the February 22 Forum. They will be due on April 5.


Flo Hepola (PORT) is a good resource for facts and information.


Forum articles(Chris Wyzlic) Information on homelessness in Washtenaw county. Information on the organizations we’ll highlight and support.


Survey(Kelly Gaultier) Create a survey to show the parish




MLK Mass Sunday, January 18th, 2009


Menu: Chili bar


Chili – Kelly, Chris, Patti, Mary

Fixins – Sour cream/hot sauce/oyster crackers/cheese (MaryEllen)

Paperware – (Mary Ellen)

Salads – Kathy Tobey

Rolls – Joe Lee

Dessert – Patti (sheet cake)

Crystal Light (Mary)



SUDAN

Patti distributed a flyer giving information about Educate Sudan’s Children Information Meeting to be held on January 28, 2009 6:30 – 8:30 pm.



ADVENT


Prepare “A Place at Our Table”

Kathy to bring the place settings

Mary Ellen to prepare tags



NEXT MEETING JANUARY 5TH AT 7PM IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY