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Saint James Cathedral
SOCIAL Outreach
& Advocacy
October 2020
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Visit our website here, and on social media below!
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Every fall is a season of harvest, for gathering the bounty of human labor. This autumn, I ask you to consider how you have reaped what you have sown in your own life. How have you given of yourself in your relationships, and how have those relationships been a blessing for you?
In last week's presentation on Laudato Si', Archbishop Etienne reminded us that all people are called to be in relationship with God, with their neighbors, and with the Earth. Every October, the Church calls us to more deeply Respect Life. The theme of respecting life, from its beginning to its natural end, can be found throughout this newsletter. Consider just one way you can more deeply respect life, especially in our world wracked by political strife and the on-going pandemic, and pray that your work will bring forth blessings. May we all be mindful that the translation of the title of Pope Francis' new encyclical Fratelli Tutti evokes the deep relationship that binds us together, that we are Brothers and Sisters All.
Peace,
Patrick Barredo, Director of Social Outreach & Advocacy
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October is Respect Life Month
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The Gospel of Life is at the heart of Jesus' saving message to the world. Through the Incarnation and birth of Christ, God reveals to us the dignity of all life. Human life, as a gift of God, is sacred and inviolable. Learn more at https://www.usccb.org/respectlife.
In the introductory letter to the newest edition of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, the U.S. Bishops state,
"The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed. At the same time, we cannot dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty."
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Pope Francis' New Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti
(Brothers and Sisters All)
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On Saturday, October 3, Pope Francis travelled to Assisi, and on the tomb of St. Francis, he signed his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti. On the next day, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, his encyclical on human fraternity and social friendship was released to the world. Vatican News has a short summary of the new encyclical, but you are encouraged to read it for yourself, and to also use it in your prayer life.
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Click on the picture for a summary of Fratelli Tutti. |
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Letter to the Parish from Fr. Ryan
Dear Friends,
Someone approached me recently and said, 'Father, there's really only one candidate that Catholics can vote for in this election, right?' And I said, 'no, you don't have to vote for Joe Biden just because he's Catholic!'
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Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship
St. James Cathedral has developed a new Faithful Citizenship website to help guide you during this election season, rooted in the teachings and tradition of the Catholic Church. Learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and its 7 principles, find out where to access over 100 years of papal encyclicals, and delve into numerous articles, videos and commentaries on this year's election. Explore the St. James Faithful Citizenship webpage. |
Outreach Events
at St. James Cathedral
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Rosary for Healing in a Time of Unrest and Uncertainty
This Wednesday, October 7 is the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Catholics throughout the United States are asked to unite in a moment of prayer at 12 noon PDT, at this time when there is so much unrest and uncertainty. Together, in the local Church and with the Church in North America, Archbishop Etienne calls on us to pray the rosary for Our Lady's special intercession to seek healing and to ask her to help lead us to Jesus. If you cannot come to the Cathedral for this noon-time recitation of the rosary, pray the rosary wherever you are in solidarity with Catholics throughout the country.
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Faith, Hope, and Love in 2020
A retreat for those serving in
social outreach and advocacy ministries
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Saturday, October 10
9:00am - 1:00pm via Zoom
It's not too late to register! This retreat experience will offer the opportunity for you to re-connect with God during this time of pandemic and quarantine. You will gain insights into the importance of prayer for holy men and women of our faith who worked tirelessly for justice in their lives. You will also have space to explore how faith, hope, and love are expressed in your own ministry and prayer life.
RSVP today to secure your space and receive the Zoom information. Email Joyce Mork-O'Brien of the Life, Peace, and Justice Committee.
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Ancestral Waters:
A Fight for Treaty Rights, Water and Way of Life
Documentary Screening and Discussion
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JustFaith: Faith and Racial Healing Series
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Mondays, October 12 - Dec. 14, 2020
6:30pm - 9:00pm
St. James Social Outreach & Advocacy is offering the second part of JustFaith Ministries' Racial Justice program, Faith and Racial Healing: Embracing Truth, Justice, and Restoration. This eight-week program will empower participants to tell the truth about the history of racism here in the United States. Spaces limited to 16; register today!
To sign up, email Patrick Barredo, Director of Social Outreach and Advocacy .
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De-Escalation and Personal Safety Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Tuesday, October 27, 2020, 6:30pm-8pm via Zoom
Martin Reinsel, MA, LMHC shares his vast clinical experience to help you learn de-escalation skills, and how to engage with challenging behaviors, exceptional situations and unusual circumstances. He will offer tangible approaches to Preparedness as they relate to Prevention, Intervention, and Post-intervention practices for the safety of all involved.
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Extend the Eviction Moratorium Through March 31, 2021
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Washington State's eviction moratorium is set to expire on October 15.
Since it was put in place, the eviction moratorium has protected hundreds of thousands of Washington households from facing homelessness. The economic downturn has hit low and fixed income renter households the hardest, especially Black, Latinx and other households of color. It's so tough knowing that so many people are being pushed to the limits of their anxiety and fear of what homelessness would bring, especially as the cold and wet fall season has set in.
Please reach out to Governor Inslee and state lawmakers today - ask them to extend the state's eviction moratorium through March 2021.
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Comment: Say NO to the Methanol Refinery in Kalama
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The world's largest fracked gas-to-methanol refinery is proposed right here in the Pacific Northwest, along the Columbia River in Kalama. This could spell game over for our ecosystems. Join Earth Ministry and people of faith across the state and call for this project to be denied so that we can focus on a truly low carbon future! Say NO before October 9, by submitting this public comment.
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Catholic Heritage Fall Lecture Series at Seattle University
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This virtual talk, hosted by the Seattle University Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture, will explore the connection between what happens inside churches and what happens outside them, especially in relationship to the meaning of the Eucharist and the challenges of global migration. At a time when more than 80 million people are forcibly displaced, how do we move from a space of otherness to a vision of "oneness" that leads us from alienation to genuine communion?
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October Book Recommendation
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Fratelli Tutti
by Pope Francis
Pope Francis's prophetic new encyclical speaks directly into the lives of men and women today! This greatly welcomed encyclical is a beautiful reflection on humanity s path forward to a deeply desired and sought-after peace. Pope Francis addresses his renewed call to universal fraternity to all people of good will, regardless of their religious convictions.
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Closing Song: Prayer of St. Francis
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