The parishes of Deanery 5 (west side of county) of the Diocese of San Jose are facilitating a speaker series on health care which is being sponsored by The Health Trust in conjunction with Catholic Charities’ Campaign to Reduce Poverty: Step-Up Silicon Valley.
The seven-part community forum, beginning this month, is designed to introduce Catholics and concerned citizens to the health disparities that exist in Silicon Valley and throughout the U.S.
The forum will build on the work of the late Father Charles Dougherty and is named after him – the Father Charles Dougherty Social Justice Speaker Series.
Heeding the call of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” this series, according to organizers, is intended to awaken in the Catholic community the effects of governmental policies on the health and well being of citizens.
The series, from April to October, 2009, will screen each of the seven segments of the award- winning PBS documentary, “Unnatural Causes …is inequality making us sick?”
In a moderated, open-ended discussion after each segment is viewed, attendees will explore their own understanding of the issues presented, the Church’s social justice teachings related to quality of life issues and health, and what they can do to effect more equitable policies to improve health.
The first in the series is scheduled for Thurs., April 23, and features a showing of the documentary segment, “In Sickness and in Wealth…the connection between healthy bodies and healthy bank accounts,” moderated by Diane McNutt of St. Mary Parish, Los Gatos.
The free public event will be held from 7-9 pm, at St. Thomas of Canterbury Parish Center, 1522 McCoy Ave., near Quito Road, San Jose.
Schedule for subsequent segments is:
• May 21, “Not Just a Paycheck…unemployment takes its health toll,” at St. Martin of Tours, 200 O’Connor Dr., San Jose, 7-9 pm
• June 25, ”Becoming Amer- ican… arriving healthy but not staying that way,” Church of the Ascension, 12033 Miller Ave., Saratoga, 7-9 pm
• July 23, “Collateral Damage… caught between developing and industrialized worlds,” Sacred Heart, 13716 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, 7-9 pm
• August 20, “Place Matters… where you live predicts your health,” St. Mary, 219 Bean Ave., Los Gatos, 7-9 pm
• Sept. 24, “Bad Sugar… diabetes in two Native American communities,” St. Frances Cabrini, 15333 Woodard Rd., San Jose, 7-9 pm
• Oct. 22, “When the Bough Breaks… the connection between racism and health,” St. Joseph, 10110 De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, 7-9 pm
Each session will have a guest speaker/moderator and open discussion afterwards.