Catholic Charities-Sunday Reflections and Social Ministry

Sunday Reflections and Social Ministry
October-November – 2007
For weekly bulletins, faith sharing groups, prayer at meetings, bible study, lectors,
outreach actions…anywhere the word of God calls us to act with charity and justice.
Community and Parish Partnerships Elizabeth Lilly, 408 325-5262, elilly@ccsj.org
Electronic copies are available – just request them by email using the above address.

October 7, 2007
“If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Psalm 95
Catholic Charities story: Kelly volunteers two days a week to play the piano and lead sing-along sessions with elderly men and women who have dementia. Hearing the popular tunes from the 1930’s to the 1950’s, the seniors join in the singing.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Day Break programs offer day care for those with dementia and early-stage Alzheimer’s and much needed respite for their family caregivers. For information about Day Break - in the Evergreen area of San Jose, downtown San Jose (serving Chinese and Vietnamese seniors) and soon to be open in Sunnyvale - contact Amy Carlson, acarlson@ccsj.org, 408 325-5237.



October 14, 2007
“As they were going they were cleansed.” Luke 17
Catholic Charities story: Andres choose to spend his afternoons at the youth center rather than with the street gangs in his neighborhood. Now, at 21, he is attending college on a scholarship.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Washington United Youth Center staff and volunteers offer programs, peer groups, and sports that give youth the skills to make good, safe choices. For information about WUYC contact Tony Rodriguez, trodriguez@ccsj.org , 408 938-6731.



October 21, 2007
“Be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient.” Luke 18
Catholic Charities story: Ted, a retired physician, volunteers as an Ombudsman, visiting residents of a nursing home twice a week to talk about their concerns. He investigates complaints and helps the residents advocate for improved care.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Ombudsman visit every nursing home and board & care home in the county. They help the residents speak up for their rights and they advocate for them when necessary. To learn more about this program contact Marlene Siebert, msiebert@ccsj.org, or 408 325-5260.



October 28, 2007
“The Lord is a God of justice…he hears the cry of the oppressed.” Sirach 35
Catholic Charities story: Clara is raising her three grandchildren after their parents abused them. She finds resources to help her cope and the children are receiving counseling.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Case managers can support people to multiple ways, in this case, from the Kinship Resource Center and Behavioral Health – Family Services. For information about relatives raising family member children, contact Rebecca Barajas, rbarajas@ccsj.org, or 408 325-5266. For counseling services for children contact Linda Subia-Stovic, LINDAS@ccsj.org or 408 325-5296

November 4, 2007
“Today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19
Catholic Charities story: In the last year over 120 refugees, with nothing but the clothes on their backs, were met at the airport by case managers from Catholic Charities and members of sponsoring churches. Parishioners helped with rent, household items, bus passes and school supplies. The new arrivals are working hard everyday to learn English to succeed in school and work.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Once the essential items for survival are in place, our refugee families need to be welcomed into our culture. Consider inviting a family to share Thanksgiving dinner with you. For information about Refugee Resettlement, to get to know a family or to sponsor a refugee, contact Reza Odabaee, 408 325-5170 or REZA@ccsj.org.

November 11, 2007
“May the Lord direct your hearts.” 2 Thessalonians 2
Catholic Charities story: Ethyl, age 82, eats a nutritious lunch at the Gilroy Senior Center. More than that, she arrives early to volunteer at the registration table. She says that volunteering makes her day more pleasant. She meets her friends at the center.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Help with the Hot-lunch Catholic Charities Senior Nutrition Program in Gilroy, downtown San Jose or at the Eastside Neighborhood Center on Alum Rock. Help in the morning with set-up and sign-in. Or come for clean-up and be finished by 1 in the afternoon. Choose a day, a site and a job. Contact Chau Dinh, Nutrition Program Manager, 408 279-7538, cdinh@ccsj.org or log onto www.ccsj.org for the volunteer application form.

November 18, 2007
“There will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” Luke 15
Catholic Charities story: Albert, a legal immigrant from the Philippines, has been waiting for ten years for his children to be able to join him. Family Reunification is just one of the issues that need to be addressed by immigration reform.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Immigration Legal Services offers assistance to immigrants in our county in the areas of Family Reunification, Victims of Persecution and Domestic Violence, and Citizenship. Our accredited counselors also represent immigrants in administrative and judicial proceedings. With our Social Policy staff we advocate with elected officials and provide information forums.
For legal services information contact Robert Yabes, Robert@ccsj.org or 408 325 – 325-527. For advocacy issues contact Margherita Pagni, mpagni@ccsj.org or 408 325-5258.
Walk in solidarity with those seeking shelter in the Posada next month sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Immigration Reform (CCIR). For more information about the Posada contact Elizabeth Lilly, elilly@ccsj.org or 408 325-5262.

November 25, 2007
“He delivered us from the power of darkness.” Colossians 1
Catholic Charities story: Lou almost died when he caught pneumonia during a cold snap. He was living on the streets. With the intervention of a caseworker with the Navigator Program he was able to get an apartment, health care, mental health treatment and a job that matched his training and skill as an electrician.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Navigator social workers know the paths to access the services for mental health treatment and for treatment for drug addiction. Navigator caseworkers are in the Palo Alto/Mountain View area, downtown San Jose and Gilroy. For information contact Michael Greenberg, mgreenberg@ccsj.org or 408 292-1759.