Human Concerns

Sunday, June 26, 2022 | 1:00 – 2:45 PM | All Saints Catholic Parish (4051 N. 25th Street, Milwaukee, WI)
Join Lumen Christi, All Saints (Milwaukee), and Holy Angels (West Bend) Catholic Churches for the next program in our "Hello Neighbor" series. The use of fraud and coercion to sexually exploit vulnerable individuals is a serious problem throughout Southeast Wisconsin. Learn from a panel of experts about the prevalence of this problem in our communities, how social media has become a tool to lure unsuspecting young people, what resources are available to assist victims, and what you can do to help identify and support victims.

Presenters: 
Karin Tyler (Milwaukee Division of Violence Prevention), Wendy Smith (Washington County Anti-Trafficking Advocates, Deacon Steve Przedpelski (Franciscan Peacemakers), Sr. Linda Szocik & Melinda Hughes (Benedict Center Sisters Program), Nancy Yarborough (Fresh Starts), & Dana Kleckley (Home of Hope).

Schedule:
11:00 AM: Mass with Gospel Choir (masks required)
12:30 PM: Lunch
1:00 – 2:45 PM: Program

“...to defend the earth and to safeguard water is to protect life.” — Pope Francis 

WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION
How you use water can have a significant environmental impact over time. Low flow shower heads, washers, and dishwashers reduce water waste and can save you money, as does turning off the water while you're brushing your teeth or shaving. Fully load your washers and dishwashers before running. Got a leaky faucet or toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day. Planning on outside watering? Check the forecast for rain. Also, try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, to reduce packaging waste. The FDA says it's just as good for you. More water saving tips can be found at www.epa.gov/watersense.

The Human Concerns Commission discerns and responds to the needs of the people within the parish, out in the community, and throughout the world. It identifies resources to meet their needs and enlist the active cooperation of parishioners. The members collaborate with the pastor, staff, and other organizations in the following ways: direct service, advocacy, social justice, social bridging, and empowerment of people. Meetings are monthly and discuss a number of topics including the following: 

• Respect Life, which supports the following pregnancy resource centers: 
  • Life's Connection: 494 W. Main St., Waukesha
  • Women's Care Center: 1441 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee 53202  
  • Women's Support Center: 2051 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee 53233  //  414-934-8888
• Global Twinning 
  • Missionary Fraternity of Mary (Guatelmala)
  • Working Boys' Center (Ecuador)
• Social Justice
  • Advocacy
    • Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship - is the US bishops' teaching document on political responsibility of Catholics. 
    • Civilize It: Dignity Beyond the Debate - is a year-long civility initiative from the US bishops' so that Catholics can bring our faith to the public square.
      • Racial Justice - please see the response from Wisconsin Catholic Conference in the document section below.
    • USCCB Justice for Immigrants (JFI) website & Jesuit Refugee Services/USA (JRS) site will be on the site soon. These sites are Catholic sources for current immigration information. JFI and JRS are analyzing & monitoring immigration law reform bills and sending action alerts to encourage people to contact their representatives to share their faith based support or not for these proposed changes in immigration law.
• Welcoming and Inclusion
  • Especially for those affected by clergy sexual abuse.  
    This past year, the Human Concerns Commission has committed to being a place of welcoming for those affected by the twin crisis of clergy sexual abuse and the failure of church leadership to properly address it. By hosting listening sessions with Fr. Dan, attending 2019's Lenten Soup and Substance presentation by Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, and by surveying our parishioners on this topic, we are committed to being a part of the solution to ensure that clergy sexual abuse does not continue to happen.
    • Parish Questionnaire - To better understand the impact of the twin crisis, a questionnaire was conducted to better understand how the crisis affected a person's life as a Catholic and their thoughts on the reasons for the clergy abuse and coverup in the Church. (see document list)
  • Racial Justice - The Wisconsin Catholic Conference recently issued a statement regarding recent unjust killings and subsequest protests. We encourage all parishioners to read the Wisconsin bishops's statement.
  • Gerard Randall was a recent presenter to the commission sharing his personal experience of being African American in Milwaukee. Video of the discussion can be found below: