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Catholic Values * Justice * Humanitarian
Issues
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"Change is possible through the
dedication of people willing to bring forth a positive view and personal
experience to raise awareness and by advocating reform."
Pat Gmerek
Chairperson
Social
Action Committee |
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Political Activities
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Contact
radio talk shows
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Invite
quest speakers to speak on various social, humanitarian and political
issues relating to catholic principals
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Regularly
send progressive political ideas and issues to local media i.e.
newspapers and catholic publications
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Establish
and update a social and political library
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Stage
community forums and debates
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Hold
press conferences with local, State and Federal public figures
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Lobbies
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Join
classes for social action i.e. diocesan and justice offices
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Social & Humanitarian
Activities
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Volunteer for soup kitchens and other humanitarian
needs
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Clothing and
food drives (bridge for life and homeless)
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Fund raising
drives
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Political
and social essay or poetry contest (Youth Ministry)
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Poster
contest concerning a particular issue (Youth Ministry)
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Individual
reports of eyewitness testimony or testimony through personal
experience
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Church
community potlucks and informal discussions (i.e. introduce new
members)
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Hold regular
vigils
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Distribute
and post flyers:
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We thank you for visiting our website.
If any of our diverse projects are of interest to you, please feel free to contact
us at (718) 268-6251.
Previous Events
Speakers Bureau:
Discussion on God's Plan and Human Suffering by Dr. Michael T. Dempsey
October 18, 2005
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In continuation of the series organized by our Speakers
Bureau, with high-level lectures by professors from St. John’s University,
Dr. Michael T. Dempsey (photo, middle) gave an
excellent talk on the subject of God’s Plan and Human Suffering. After an
introduction that included considerations on Divine Providence and the
problem of suffering as well as an analysis on modern perspectives on
providence and suffering, Dr. Dempsey enlarged this subject by discussing
biblical and traditional perspectives, covering the Old and New Testaments
and the Rheinland and Carmelite traditions. The latter, based on the example
of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, included the importance of humility and penance
and abandonment to Divine Providence.
These talks have been a great success, and it should be noted that the
number of parishioners in attendance is increasing from talk to talk (see
bottom photo), as our parishioners become aware of the high quality of the
presentations. These lectures are a good example of the efforts of our
pastor and Pastoral Council to bring events to our parishioners that are not
only interesting but also provide opportunities for spiritual enrichment.
The next series being organized by the Speakers Bureau will take place next
year, and Jo-Ann Henry, Pastoral Council Vice-President and Speakers Bureau
coordinator (in the top photo, introducing Dr. Dempsey to the numerous
audience) is already working on the next talks. We will publish the
respective schedule as soon as it is completed. |
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Speakers Bureau: Discussion on Embryonic
Stem-Cell Research and Cloning by Dr. Michael Henry
February 24, 2005
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Dr. Michael D. Henry, St. John’s University Professor
of Philosophy, Medical Ethics and Moral Philosophy, gave an absolutely
brilliant talk on Embryonic Stem Cell Research and Cloning on Thursday,
February 24th in McLaughlin Hall. He first covered in detail stem cell
research and its current state, and then discussed the moral issue, the
position of the Catholic Church and the reasons for it. Then, he gave us
a highly informed explanation of the issue of cloning, including
purposes and methods, leading also here to a discussion on the moral
issues involved. He closed his remarks with an excellent analysis of the
cultural context of both issues, and provided the audience with a
glossary of essential terms as well as a number of websites that can be
consulted for further information.
Those parishioners who braved the weather to attend left
immeasurably enriched, and feeling that their objectivity has been greatly
enhanced—they will now be able to discuss these subjects from a position of
deeper knowledge.
Photos, top to
bottom: (1) Dr. Michael Henry during his
presentation. (2) A view of the audience—in spite of heavy snowfall, some
thirty parishioners attended. (3) Jo-Ann Henry (right), Dr. Henry’s wife,
also attended. As Vice-President of our Pastoral Council, Jo-Ann performs
key volunteer work for us. |
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Parish Expo 2002
April 20 & 21, 2002
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The extremely successful Social Action
table during the expo. We were pleasantly surprised by the excessive
amount of people on that day! Shown (from left to right): Ellen
Frank, Assistant Director of Respect Life, Gloria La Torre,
Ex-Chairperson,
Pat Gmerek, Current Chairperson, and Lucy Swanson, Committee Member |
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Gloria La Torre (shown on left) with Msgr. Joseph Funaro (center)
and Ellen Frank, Assistant Director of the Respect Life Ministry (right) |
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2002 Sanctity of Life Mass
October 6, 2002
Most Rev. Ignatius A. Catanello, Celebrant
& Homilist
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