Our
parish will conduct a four-part discussion series based on Torture
is a Moral Issue: A Catholic Study Guide. (This
guide is available here..
If you do not have access to the internet, call the rectory for a copy.)
September
30—Recognizing
every person’s God-given dignity
October
14—The
problem with torture
October
28—Do
Christians love their enemies even now?
November
11—Action
steps to address torture
These Tuesday evening discussions will begin at 7:30 pm in the Chapel House, 2330 Fairhill Ave.
Disposable Shopping Bags and the Environment:
Plastic Bag Consumption:
Disposable plastic bags were introduced in 1977. The current use in the US alone is 14,000,000,000 per year with an average cost to retailers of $4,000,000,000 per year and annual use of 12,000,000 barrels of oil. Only 1% of all plastic bags used are recycled. On the other hand it's been estimated that there are 46,00 bags per square mile of ocean and that 100,00 marine animals are killed each year due to plastic bags.
Paper Bag Consumption:
In the US, 10,000,000,000 paper bags are consumed per year and 14,000,000 trees are cut down each year to make this many bags.
Plastic vs. Paper: which is the better choice?
Compared to paper bags, production of plastic bags saves energy, water use and results in less air pollution. On the other hand plastic bag production depletes our oil supply and plastic bags remain with us a long time; it is estimated that it takes 1000 years to biodegrade plastic bags
in land fills. Countries like Ireland have instituted a tax for use of plastic bags and this has significantly reduced plastic bag litter. It has been estimated that the tax in Ireland generates 10 million euros in revenue per year and reduces plastic bag usage by 1,000,000,000!
Unfortunately paper bags usage still litter landfills for hundreds of years and are costly in terms of water and energy use.
What is the best alternative?? Reusable bags are truly the most environmentally sound solution.
www.myownbag.com/activism.html
Christmas Gifts that Give Twice
The websites listed below are for non-profit organizations that sell items suitable for gift giving. We'd like to suggest you consider purchasing from these organizations because they subscribe to "Fair Trade" practices and ensure that sale profits directly benefit the artisans.
www.southwestindian.com is the website for The Southwest Indian Foundation, started in 1968 by a Franciscan priest to help Native Americans living in Four Corners. Most of the items offered are made by Indian artisans living in the reservation and include jewelry and ceramics. The catalog employs many Southwestern Native Americans who live below poverty levels. The website offers many sale and overstock items. Orders can also be placed bv telephone at 1-505-863-4037 or Fax at 1-505-863-2760 Hours: 24h service
Mon -Sat: closed Sundays
www.agreatergift.org is the website for "A Greater Gift" a program of SERRV International which was founded by the Church of the Brethren in 1949 to help refugees in Europe after WWII. This catalog offers a wide variety of foods and handcrafts from around the world. Orders can also be placed bv telephone at 1-800-422-5915 or Fax at 1-888-294-6376 Hours are: M-F 8:OOAM-9:OOPM:
SAT 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM Fall hours (Oct 3-Dec 18) are: M-F 7:30AM-10:(X) PM: SAT 9:OOAM-8:OOPM: SUN Noon-6:00 PM. EST
www.crsfairtrade.org is the website for "Work for Human Hands" a program of Catholic Relief Services established in 1995 and done in partnership with "A Greater Gift." There is some overlap between these two catalogs. Orders can also be placed by telephone at 1-800-685-7572 or Fax at f-888-294-6376 Hours are the same as for "A Greater Gift."
On June 14, 2006, Sr. Mary Elizabeth Clark, S.S.J., spoke about NETWORK, A Catholic Social Justice Lobby, her work there, and the legislative process in Washington, D.C. To find out more about NETWORK go to their website: www.networklobby.org
On June 5, 2006, Sr. Philo Morris, a representative of a NGO at the United Nations, gave a presentation at St. Luke parish. She showed that many of the UN's goals are very much in line with Catholic Social Teaching (CST). In particular she indicated a strong link between CST and the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). [At the 2000 United Nations' Millennium Summit, 189 Heads of State and government signed onto the Millennium Declaration. They committed to achieve by the year 2015 what are now known as the Millennium Development Goals.] This Presentation was sponsored by the Peace and Justice committee of the parish.
Care for God's creation - Ensure environmental sustainability
Solidarity - Develop a global partnership for development
Option for the poor and vulnerable - Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Life and dignity of the human person - Promote gender equality and empower women
Life and dignity of the human person - Reduce child mortality
Life and dignity of the human person - Improve maternal health
Life and dignity of the human person - Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Call to family, community, and participation - Achieve universal primary education
The dignity of work and the rights of workers - Develop a global partnership for development
Rights and responsibilities of the human person - All 8 of the MDGs
For more information on the MDGs go to the UN site: www.millenniumcampaign.org
Peace and Justice
Copyright © 2006-2008 St. Luke the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church. All rights reserved.
St. Luke Rectory, 2316 Fairhill Ave., Glenside, PA 19038 215-572-0128 StLukeRC@aol.com
Revised: August 21, 2008