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Saint James Cathedral
SOCIAL Outreach
& Advocacy
Mid-AUGUST 2020
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Visit the St. James Social Outreach & Advocacy website here.
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In any other year, my wife and I would be busy right now preparing to send our three children to school, scurrying around for school supplies, heading to the doctor's office to ensure all the vaccinations are current, and enjoying the last few days of freedom from school. But this year, my wife and I have had ample opportunity to engage our children in discussions about health and safety from COVID-19, participate in marches for racial justice, and consider how oil and other fossil fuels degrade our world. Underlining all of this is our faith in God, who watches over us and over all of our sisters and brothers throughout the world. May these last few days of summer be as much of a blessing for you as it is for my family.
- Patrick Barredo, director of social outreach & advocacy
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In light of pandemic, Pope Francis will begin a new series on social doctrine
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In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and social and environmental crises worldwide, Pope Francis announced he would begin a new series of general audience talks aimed at helping build "the future that we need."
Read the full National Catholic Reporter
article by clicking here.
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Last month, Teddi Callahan resigned as Director of the St. James Cathedral Kitchen, after 10 years of faithful service feeding the hungry. Under Teddi's leadership, the Cathedral Kitchen has welcomed hundreds of people each day. St. James Cathedral is most thankful for the many blessings Teddi has shared. Mick McHugh, who joined the Kitchen staff last year, will serve as interim Director until the Search committee, assisted by the Cathedral Kitchen Advisory Board, identifies our next Director. The following is Teddi's letter to the Cathedral Kitchen volunteers.
I wanted to let all of you know that I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the Cathedral Kitchen as of July 23, 2020. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work with all of you the past ten years, seven as the Director and be able to join into a community of such caring and willing volunteers who make the world a little brighter with your selfless actions to serve anyone in need.
As I look back over the years I want to thank all of you for your generous support and friendship during my time at the Cathedral Kitchen. Each day serving the meal brings lots of joy and challenges. Your dedication and creative solutions have inspired me over the years. Whether it is your ability to make a sudden menu change due to broken freezer or watching you stay longer to listen to the needs of a meal guest, these and more is what I will miss the most about the Cathedral Kitchen Ministry.
I will greatly miss working with all of you at the kitchen and seeing all the joy the Cathedral Kitchen ministry brings to everyone. This has not been an easy decision and it has been only after spending some time praying and discerning that I believe I now need to spend more time assisting with my fathers increased needs along with focusing on my theological studies.
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If you have not yet done so, you may want to review the latest copy of the Cathedral's quarterly magazine, In Your Midst. This particular edition surveys how the Cathedral has changed and adapted due to COVID-19.
You can read the magazine here.
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Immigration Nation Netflix original screening and film discussion
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St. James Cathedral Immigrant Assistance invites you to watch this new Netflix documentary: "the most important TV show you will see in 2020" (Time) on
Wednesday, August 19 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.
Register by emailing Chris Koehler. Once registered, you will receive the Zoom link to join.
Immigration Nation is available to stream. Watch the trailer.
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Is a TRULY clean future achievable, or just a pipe dream?
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Join Temple De Hirsch Sinai, St. James Cathedral, and Nancy Hirsh of the NW Energy Coalition for a conversation based on the documentary
Reinventing Power: America's Renewable Energy Boom
Tuesday, August 25, 7-8pm via Zoom
Register with Patrick Barredo, [email protected], to receive the Zoom link to join the conversation.
Sponsored by St. James Cathedral, Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Northwest Energy Coalition and Earth Ministry.
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September 15 Blood Drive Cancelled
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From BloodWorks Northwest:
The COVID-19 pandemic has rocked our community and left our public health system scrambling to ensure the safety of patients and the stability of our blood supply. We're asking you to step up with courage and conviction to impact one another's lives in utterly unprecedented ways. This is a challenge that we know together, Bound By Blood, we can meet.
Blood donors are encouraged to make an appointment at any of our donor centeror pop-up donor center locations, by appointment only, to keep everyone safe throughout the donation process. If assistance is needed in booking your appointment at a Center or Pop Up Center, email us or call 800-398-7888. You may also schedule online.
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Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Response in Lebanon
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Photo courtesy of Catholic Relief Services.
Pope Francis asks that we "pray for the victims, for their families, and for Lebanon so that it might face this extremely tragic and painful moment and, with the help of the international community, overcome the grave crisis they are experiencing." CRS is working with Caritas Lebanon to distribute emergency supplies, clear rubble, and prepare medical and mental health teams.
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Thank you, from Catholic Community Services
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Be sure to REGISTER TO VOTE if you are new to the area, have recently moved, need to update your mailing information, or will be 18 years old by November 3. Our United States bishops tell us: "We are called to bring together our principles and our political choices, our values and our votes, to help build a civilization of truth and love."
Start your Voter Registration by clicking here.
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"Catholic" Voting and Sources
The Catholic Church supports public policies that serve the common good and are aligned with our Church teachings. The Catholic Church does not endorse candidates or political parties. You may encounter websites, sources, or mailers that claim to be Catholic. However, they may not be officially aligned with or sanctioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). If a source tells you to support (or not support) a specific candidate or political party, it is most certainly not officially aligned with the Catholic Church. For information about national public policy, please refer to the USCCB website. Please consult the Washington State Catholic Conference for information about state and local public policies.
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Census 2020: Your Input Matters
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- It's quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete.
- It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
- Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
- Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.
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The 2020 Annual Point-In Time Count
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Every January, a count is conducted to determine how many people are homeless, on the streets or in shelters, cars or tents. This year, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased.
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Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps is Calling!
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Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps, a program of JVC Northwest, facilitates rewarding opportunities for service, community, and spiritual formation for adults committed to social and ecological justice. We are offering new ways for our members (JVEs) to serve from home during this time of increased need for those who live on the margins. JVEs meet monthly online or in-person, creating spiritual community while staying safe.
Our values arise from the Catholic Ignatian tradition and JV Encorps is an inclusive and welcoming community.
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Advocacy Alerts: Act, Educate
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Global Child Thrive Act
Thanks to the continued commitment of supporters like you, the Global Child Thrive Act has passed the House of Representatives! It now needs support in the Senate. Urge your U.S. senators to support the Global Child Thrive Act so that all children can grow and thrive. Send a personal, customized email urging your U.S. Senators to pass the Global Child Thrive Act. Get started by clicking here. |
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Tell Congress to Support Nuclear Nonproliferation!
August 6th and 9th, 2020 mark 75 years since the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki endured the use of atomic weapons. The New START Treaty between the United States and Russia is set to expire in February 2021, and we could lose the progress we've made toward nuclear disarmament...
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Black Homeless Lives Matter
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By Cathedral parishioner Helen Goehring
Getting to walk around First Hill thanks to my caregiver is always the highlight of my day. How fortunate to be ambulatory at 88! Last week, as we rounded the corner on Capitol Hill, we passed three tents perched on the curbside-visible reminders not only of the nearby Capitol Hill Protest (CHOP), but of the nearness of humanity. Those tent occupants could have been my grandkids.
I feel conversations at the intersection of racism and homelessness should be as apparent as these tents. But I'm reminded of the contrast-of how solutions can seem so invisible at the intersection of racism and homelessness. I have been privy to the challenges for decades-teaching school in Connecticut in the 1970s; working for an Englewood Catholic Charities non-profit in the 1980s; and moving to Seattle decades later to be a Jesuit Volunteer at Plymouth Housing. As we add Covid-19 to a dizzying array of barriers, everyone's platform is needed. This octogenarian is using hers to call out important numbers and opportunities.
Points We Can Make. Simple numbers like these can go a long way in talking about disparities and opening the door to understanding:
- According to the 2020 Seattle/King County Point in Time Census, 25% of homeless individuals are Black people, even though Black people only represent 7% of the population.https://www.usich.gov/tools-for-action.
- Home ownership is one of the biggest predictors of wealth, but the 2020 Census says just 28% of Black Seattle residents own their homes, compared with 64% of white residents. Now add education discrepancies reflected in the fact that only 2% of Black people hold well-paying high-tech jobs. Black lives in Seattle matter, and that should be reflected in ensuring ample education and affordable housing opportunities. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/the-rise-and-dramatic-fall-of-king.
Everyday Actions We Can Take: Those of us who are home-bound can act-whether taking the advice of New York Times columnist, David Brooks to have Zoom conversations about the systemic inequities in education, watching the Seattle Times' "Project Homeless" series, or asking local groups like these how we can volunteer, donate or advocate:
We know not only funding, but also policy and law are important in effecting real change to help the people of our state who face addiction and mental health challenges. Black and brown people have unfairly been targeted since the inception of the so-called "war on drugs." Get informed and get active in the effort! Useful resources include www.namiseattle.org and https://chasingthescream.com
- Contribute to Sacred Heart Shelter-a Catholic Community Services program offering refuge and case management for families experiencing homelessness.
- Join the League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County (LWV): The LWV believes it can help make democracy work through informed participation in government. As a member, I believe them, too! Join this non-partisan group to help mobilize as many people to vote as possible in the upcoming elections
- Don't Wait for Someone Else's Idea of What Counts as Change: In my First Hill apartment building, we formed a Homelessness Committee with opportunities for donating, volunteering, and advocating. We wrote checks, featured speakers from nonprofits, and gave our locker surplus to local organizations in need of household items.
Tackling the intersection of racism, income inequality, and homelessness in Seattle is a worthy practice for anyone and an essential practice for everyone. If there is a light ahead, together, we can make it brighter.
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Prayer for World Humanitarian Day (August 19)
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World Humanitarian Day pays tribute to the men and women who risk their lives in service to others and raises awareness and support for those affected by crises around the world. Scripture tells us there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend (John 15:13). Rejecting the myth of our disconnectedness, they offer their lives in service not for their friends but for strangers, moreso this year than in any other year because of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Humanitarians make real God's love for the world.
Photo courtesy of WorldHumanitarianDay.org
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who continue to serve God's people even at the risk of their own lives:
Father, we thank you for your constant care and protection. We ask a special blessing on those who answer the call to do your work in some of the most dangerous and violent situations. They risk their lives to give a voice to the vulnerable and to share compassionately in their suffering. Bless, protect, and strengthen all who serve in the struggle for human rights and let us be ever mindful to and stand in solidarity with their loving and steady examples. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Prayer from the Catholic Health Association of the United States.
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