Social Action Ministry (SAM)
Office of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation (JPCC)
SAM is dedicated to operationalizing the Casa vision "to experience spiritual growth that transforms us beyond ourselves in the service of others." We seek to raise awareness of unmet common human needs and provide avenues for community members to serve others. Information about how to serve can be found in the Sunday bulletin and in the SAM literature rack in the lobby.
"Be the change you want to see in the world"
The Franciscan Renewal Center invites all to observe the Season for Nonviolence with us. The Season for Nonviolence is 64 days in length --beginning with the anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi on January 30 and ending with the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4th. This observance is in its 11th year. It is a time to deepen our understanding and practice of nonviolence.
New Page Under Construction
Please check back for more information on the 2009 Season.
Some charitable events sponsored by SAM have been:
- Red Cross Blood Drive
- Benefit concert for Katrina/Rita victims in LA
- Furniture drive
- Social Service Fair to learn about volunteer opportunities
- Christmas boxes and toys to San Carlos and Whiteriver Apache communities (see photos, right)
- Ongoing toiletry and jeans collections for Andre House
- Recycling-newspaper, aluminum cans, printer cartridges, eyeglasses for Guaymas mission, rummage for Sr Luca's closet to support Guaymus as well.
In addition to responding to immediate needs with compassion and heartfelt giving, the ministry is deeply concerned about wider social issues/policies-domestic violence, hunger, homelessness, economic justice, the foster home shortage, needs of our aging population, the shortage of potable water worldwide, global warming, widespread warfare to mention a few. We have just formed the Social Action Ministry Leadership Council (SAML) where-grounded in Catholic social teaching and Franciscan spirit-we will be informing ourselves and the Casa community about issues and seeking strategies to address them as a community and together with other people of faith.
Some strategies already in place are:
- Lobbying through Valley Interfaith Project
- Peace work through Pax Christi
- Teaching Nonviolent Communication in conjunction with the Franciscan Way
- Earth Day celebration
- Membership in the AZ Ecumenical Council and collaboration with AZ Interfaith Network