The Valley Catholic May 27, 2014 | Page 19

The Valley Catholic community SF social justice director dies at 70 SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- George Wesolek, 70, director of public policy and social concerns for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, died of cancer April 28. According to Catholic San Francisco, “his passion for social justice included protection of the unborn, Catholic principles of marriage, refuge for u ndoc u mented i m m ig ra nt s a nd healing violence.” SF Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said, “George understood and advocated for the full range of Catholic social and moral teaching, knowing that only this comprehensive, inclusive teaching will lead to the flourishing of the individual and society as a whole.” “We will all remember him for his gentle spirit and his kindness, as well as his dedication in serving our archdiocese for nearly 30 years,” Archbishop Cordileone said. Auxiliary Bishop Robert W. McElroy said, “George is a man of faith whose entire life reflected the depth of commitment to God, which marks the true disciple of Jesus Christ. He is a man of hope who witnessed powerfully to the Church’s teachings on life, justice and peace, and never wavered in his understanding that that witness can transform our world.” Dolores Meehan, co-founder of the Walk for Life West Coast, said, “George loved the Church and served her faithfully. He was a quintessential gentleman but could also muster righteous anger when rights of the poor and May 27, 2014 19 Volunteers for Life! Make a life-saving difference in YOUR community. George Wesolek died April 28 at his home in Sonoma. He is pictured in a 2007 photo at a Stand Up for Freedom event. (CNS photo/Catholic San Francisco) vulnerable were threatened.” In the early 1990s, Wesolek served as overall planner and coordinator of a four-year pastoral planning process in the archdiocese, culminating in “A Journey of Hope Toward the Third Millennium.” He developed programs to educate lay leaders through leadership formation and conferences on social justice, affordable housing, life, human rights and peace. Linda Batton, Director of Social Ministries for the Diocese of San Jose, noted, “While gentle in spirit, George was unafraid to challenge the corridors of power on behalf of the poor and marginalized; to speak out courageously for the rights of the immigrant, the sick, the unborn, for all those fighting for their human dignity. He will be missed as a friend and colleague and as a powerful voice for the poor.” Join us for our Summer Volunteer Orientation 2014 Saturday, June 7th, 2014 3315 Almaden Expwy Ste. 25 San Jose, CA 95118 9am-1pm RSVP at www.friendsofrealoptions.net/volutneer Senior Home Care Directory AFFORDABLE IN-HOME CARE Hourly/Live-In Services • Companionship • Personal Care • Transportation Services • Light Housekeeping • Meal Preparation • Child Care • Alzheimer’s Specialists & More • Screened, Bonded, & Insured • Pet Care • Mommy Helper One FREE Week! Call for details. ® 408-504-6992 www.actikare.com Your Ad Here Advertise in The Valley Catholic and reach 75,000 households! Rates starting as low as $100! Contact Mario Peña (408) 983-0262 · [email protected] www.dsj.org