Invitation from the Pastor to Join the Legislative Advocacy Electronic Network
(if you are interested in joining the Network, please email Legislative E-Mail Coordinator)

Dear IHM Parishioner,

I am writing to ask you to participate in an exciting and important new outreach to promote more effective action by the IHM Parish on Catholic faith-based issues that affect our community and our society.  My hope is that each of us develops a greater commitment to live out our beliefs about social justice in a courageous yet prudent way. Catholic social teaching offers us an extremely helpful tradition of thought about why and how to practice justice and follow the call of Jesus to “come and see.”

You will be receiving by E-mail a newsletter from the Social Justice Committee.  Each communication will provide opportunities for you to understand the Catholic Church’s position on particular social issues, which are typically under debate by the government, and to act if you so choose.

Topics that provide an opportunity for us to advocate for a more humane and equitable treatment of the disenfranchised and discarded can be found everywhere.  Some are across the world, such as children being forced to work long hours for subsistence pay; others occur in our own neighborhoods.  The key to promoting systematic change -- not just charity -- is to act as a community and quickly.  I expect that this electronic newsletter, because it allows for a fast Catholic community response, will be a very effective way to lobby for change or a particular way for our representatives to vote.  There... I've used the word "lobby."  Nothing wrong with that.  In today's world lobbying is the way change occurs at the legislative level.  I hope you'll feel proud to be a "lobbyist for Christ." 

On both domestic and international issues, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Department of Social Development and World Peace often provides us with information which include the bishops’ position based on Catholic social teaching. This correspondence frequently includes very specific recommendations for action which take the form of contacting Federal, State or local legislators to make your will as a voting citizen heard.  In general, we will be sure that you are provided with very specific actionable opportunities that will make a difference. 

You can of course opt to be off the distribution at any time, but I do hope you will understand why and how this effort makes IHM parish a more loving parish.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. James Schillinger,
Pastor

October 2003