Social Justice Events and Updates

As most of you know, the Social Justice Committee has co-sponsored three refugee families prior to the pandemic. So many of our parishioners participated in the process of getting these families welcomed into the East Bay community and supporting them with housing, shopping, educational, medical, dental, banking and employment issues, as well as getting through the maze of social services. It was an amazing experience.

Here is an update on where the families are now.

The Reh Family from Burma: Klaw, Say Meh, JoWah Na (15 YO), Shae Meh (13 YO), and Day Reh (9 YO)

They moved from Oakland to Missouri to live in a Burmese community several years before the pandemic. The two girls were both in elementary school when they moved and now they are both teenagers and the boy is now in elementary school. We received the following note from one of Klaw’s nieces recently “. . . Klaw Reh is very happy to tell you all that he just passed his citizenship on Jan 25. He couldn't be more excited. He would like thanks all of you for all you’ve done for him and his family. May God bless you all richly. Praying for you all blessings more from God! Thanks!”

The Maqsoodi Family from Afghanistan: Mohammad, Zarmena, Khalid (26 YO), Lila (24 YO), Asma (22 YO), Humaira (20 YO), Tuba (18 YO), Abdullah (16 YO), Huma (14 YO), Omar (12 YO)

Mohammad is now working at Air Liquide Company as a Quality Control Inspector Specialist. Zarmena is going to adult High School to improve her English language. Khalid is working in a Security Company and continuing his studies in the English language, and living nearby with his wife. Lila is working part time for Amazon and learning English and living with her husband.

Asma, Humaira, and Tuba are attending the local community college in Oakland. Abdullah is in the 11th grade, Huma is in the 9th grade, and Omar is in the 7th grade. According to Mohammad, all family members live in Fremont. They have applied for citizenship. Lila and Humaira passed the exam and got their citizenship and completed the citizenship ceremony. Lila and Humaira also got permits for driving licenses.  The family is waiting for an appointment for an interview for citizenship.

The Amini Family from Afghanistan:  Mujeebullah, Ramena, Naha (4 YO) and Muslim (2 YO)

The family is doing very well. Mujeeb is an Uber driver, Ramena is going to ESL classes and Naha is going to pre-school and learning English and enjoys having a little brother.

August 2022

On August 5, our Social Justice Committee took a tour of The Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California. This tour included a walk- through of the Mobil Breast Cancer Screening Unit located just outside the facility. We are looking forward to supporting their endeavors.

Founded in 2008, the Order of Malta Clinic of Northern California is a nonprofit medical clinic located in downtown Oakland, California, adjacent to Cathedral of Christ the Light. Powered by experienced volunteers the team is comprised of more than fifty volunteer physicians, nurses and support staff all committed to delivering high quality care to the most vulnerable population. They provide free, on-site preventative health care services and treatment to uninsured and low-income patients – no questions asked.

A Legacy of Compassion and Care

The Order of Malta’s story began more than 900 years ago in 1048 A.D., when a group of hospitaleer monks of the Order of St. John were asked to manage and staff a hospital in Jerusalem, caring for pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. That group of monks founded the organization presently known as the Order of Malta, a lay order of the Catholic Church which ministerers to the sick and the poor of many nations. Today they are honored to carry on the Order of Malta’s legacy of service to the uninsured community. Last year alone they saw five thousand patients. Today, an estimated 500,000 people live without health insurance in the Greater Bay Area. They have their work cut out for them! But their mission remains and is clear: Uphold Human Dignity and Care for People in Need.

So, now you know what The Order of Malta means. Is that anything like a milkshake? It’s rich (in spirit), nourishes the body, comforts, enriches and quenches thirst. And caring for the poor and the sick is God’s command of all of us. It does not matter if they be vanilla, chocolate or strawberry. In the name of Christ, it’s all good.

Judy Shallat
Social Justice Team

June 2022

Dear Father Mockel, Santa Maria parishioners, and the co-facilitators of this May's Social Justice Drive, Gail Gabriel and Janet Riley,

Birthright of Concord thanks you for the many gifts, both material and monetary, for our Birthright moms and babies. We received the following donations because of your generosity: $290 donations from parishioners, diapers and baby wipes, baby clothes, baby towels, wash cloths, baby wash, shampoo, lotion, powder and diaper rash cream, receiving blankets, and swaddles. These items will be included in layettes for our moms during their 8th or 9th month of pregnancy as part of our service to them. This brings tremendous joy, support, and hope to our pregnant moms and their families. The donated baby items will help to create the layettes. We are filled with gratitude for your generosity.

Warm Coat Drive: November 21 from 8am-10:30am

In lieu of our monthly food drive, Social Justice is holding a Warm Coat Drive for Children this month! Coats will be given to the children served by the Oakland Catholic Worker.

Sunday, November 21
8:00-10:30am
Lower Parking Lot

New and gently-used coats are welcome. Make sure to ask yourself: "Would my child wear this?" Sizes needed range from toddlers (2T, 3T, 4T), young children (sz 5-12), and younger teens (S, M, L).

Won't be around on the 21st? Bring your coat to the LABELED BOX in the narthex in advance! Contact Janet Riley or Gail Gabriel with any questions.

Drive-Thru Food Collections
See below for suggested items!

We meet at the lower level of the church parking lot near the Orinda police station. Can you help during one of these two time slots?

• 7:45am - 9:30am (one more volunteer needed as of 10/19)
• 9:30am to 10:30am (one more volunteer needed as of 10/19)

• Strawberry/raspberry jelly
• Nutella
• Peanut Butter
• Condiments
• Canned tuna/SPAM
• Canned beans (e.g, garbanzo, refried, black)
• Lentils
• Pasta sauce
• Pasta
• Mac-n-cheese
• Snacks (e.g., granola bars, Cliff bars, nuts, microwave popcorn)
• Canned fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Top Ramen and Cup-o-Noodles
• Instant oatmeal packets
• Reusable bags
• Can openers

May 23: Drive-Thru Food and Diaper Drive

We recently celebrated Mother's Day by honoring those women in our ives who contributed to so much to who we are. Now it's time to support those mothers in our County who seek help in raising their babies and toddlers who need diapers and wipes!

On Sunday, May 23 from 8am to noon, in addition to our regular food drive for the families of St. Cornelius Parish in Richmond, we will be collecting diapers and wipes for Birthright, Concord! They are in need of diapers in sizes 3 to 6. (If you can't get out shopping, checks can be. made out to "Birthright of Concord.")

The Social Justice Team continues to support the hungry and clothe the naked - we can't do enough to help them. What could you do to support them? What are your friends doing to help? It's an awesome and joyful feeling to help others - invite a friend to participate, too!

Suggested items - please, no glass containers:

• Canned protein (tuna, chicken, beef, spam, chili, beans, etc.)
• Canned tomato sauce, pasta sauce, soup, vegetables, fruit
• Rice, beans, pasta, cereal, flour
• Peanut butter, jelly
• Plastic bottle of cooking oil (48 oz preferred)
• Snacks (protein bars, breakfast bars, pretzels, etc.)
• Diapers (size 3-6)
• Diaper wipes

Can you help as part of the volunteer team? You'll see how many parishioners participate! Please email Janet or Gail if you can work a shift on Sunday, March 28 in the Park and Ride Lot:

• 8:00-8:30am
• 8:30-9:30am
• 10:30-11:30am
• 11:30am-Noon

March 28: Drive-Thru Food and Cleaning Supplies Drive

What are you being asked to do this Lent? The hungry are everywhere - including right next door. We can't do enough to help them. Our neighbors who are served by Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing) need non-perishable food and cleaning supplies. Please bring bags of groceries, cleaning supplies, and checks made payable to Hope Solutions to our parish's. monthly collection on Palm Sunday, March 28.

The Social Justice Team is asking you to go wild shopping this Lent. Put on your mask and shop for the needy in Contra Costa! What are your friends doing to help? Please ask them to join us. It's an awesome feeling to help others.

Have you heard of Hope Solutions or CC Interfaith Housing before? Our parish has been a long-time supporter of this group by providing dinners, after-school tutoring, a summer sports camp, and stewardship funds.

Please shop for the food items listed below. Cleaning supplies may also be added this time:

• Trash. bags
• Buckets and mops
• Brooms and dustpans
• Comet, Windex, 409, SImple Green Cleaners
• Dish washing soap

• 8:00-8:30am
• 8:30-9:30am
• 10:30-11:30am
• 11:30am-Noon

February 28: Monthly Drive-Thru Food Drive and Sock Collection

We're collecting food for the families of St. Cornelius in Richmond and Jewish Family & Community Services, East Bay (with whom our parish co-sponsored the Amini family from Afghanistan a few years ago).

We're also asking for donations of NEW socks for the Dorothy Day House in Berkeley - the single most-needed article of clothing in homeless shelters. According to them, the most practical type to give is men's white, moisture-wicking ankle socks.

Checks payable to the dorothy Day House or the Jewish Family & Community Services - East Bay are also welcome. For St. Cornelius families, we can only accept food cards, NO checks. If you want to donate cash, we will shop for you!

Please email Janet or Gail if you can sign up for a shift at the collection on Sunday, February 28:

• 8:00-8:30am
• 8:30-9:30am
• 10:30-11:30am
• 11:30-noon

• Canned tomatoes and sauce
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Canned or boxed soup
• Plastic bottle of cooking oil
• Bag of flour
• Plastic jar of peanut butter
• Box of cereal
• Canned tuna, chicken, or other protein
• Bag of beans, rice, and/or pasta

January 24: Monthly Drive-Thru Food Drive and Warm Clothing Collection

It was a great day for the Oakland Catholic Worker and the Dorothy Day House in Berkeley! The Social Justice Team thanks the parishioners of Santa Maria for their generous donations last weekend at the monthly collection:

Oakland Catholic Worker:

• 100 bags of groceries
• $635 cash

Dorothy Day House in Berkeley:

• 3 carloads (approximately 50 bags) of warm clothing/blankets

Leonard Jenkins at the Dorothy Day House was floored when he learned that three car loads of warm clothing and blankets were being donated by Santa Maria. Shelter residents and guests who drop in daily for showers or meals know that the closet is always open to them. When the 80 to 100 guests stop by for lunch every day this week, they will have a good time checking out the closet that is now fully stocked with warm clothing by Santa Maria. With the winter weather predicted this week, it’s a blessing that Santa Maria has made a difference in the closet at the Dorothy Day House! Thank you to all who give. Watch the bulletin for the next monthly food collection. Your gifts go a long way every month. 
 

August 2020:

• Canned tomatoes and sauce
• Canned vegetables and fruit
• Canned or boxed soup
• Plastic bottle of cooking oil
• Bag of flour
• Plastic jar of peanut butter
• Box of cereal
• Canned tuna, chicken, or other protein
• Bag of beans, rice, and/or pasta

June/July 2020:

The June Food Drive benefiting St. Cornelius and Friendly Manor was a huge success. We collected 150 bags of groceries and filled five vehicles for delivery to Richmond and Oakland. Sherri Mervin, St. Cornelius’ principal, shares her thoughts: “I am grateful beyond words. I think the food delivery is extremely important to our families and much appreciated. The items are of high quality and exactly what our families need.” 

The Social Justice Team is organizing a third food drive on Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the church parking lot. The July food drive will support St. Cornelius and Oakland Catholic Worker.

Buying food for others in need is such an easy and safe way to help during this pandemic. If you are not going to stores these days, we have volunteer shoppers who will shop for your donation.

We want to thank all the parishioners who donated bags of groceries. We also want to thank our volunteers at the June food drive: Bill Caldwell, Walter Peyton, Angie Lundgren, Theresa Gonzales and her teenage son Joe (pictured above delivering the food bags), Judy Hatz, and Ynez and Link Hirst.