In Saint Pope John Paul II's encyclical, “The Gospel of Life”, he appeals to every human person, in the name of God to respect, protect and serve, every human life. The Church calls
us to respond to people’s present needs such as hunger and homelessness, but
we must not stop there. We are also called to work to change the policies,
structures and systems that perpetuate injustice through legislative advocacy,
community organizing and work with social change organizations.
The Social Concerns Network work on the following projects:
1. Haiti Ministry: We continue to support the Dental Clinic.
2. Grace’s Kitchen - Grace’s Kitchen is located at Trinity
Lutheran Church on Liberty Ave. Our church (along with 5
others in the area) are responsible for making dinner on the
4th Tuesday and Thursday of each month to those who need a
hot meal or just for fellowship. Contacts to help are:
Ann Beursken (967-4517) for Tuesdays
Kathie McBride (967-8981) for Thursday volunteers.
Our committee also supports this by placing it on the Tree of Hope.
3. Special Needs Account - Our parish is visited a number of
times by people of our area who are in need of assistance for
gas bills, water bills, medicine, electric bills. We have a special
account in our church which assists those in need. If you
would like to contribute to this fund, simply send in cash or a
check made out to St. Mary’s with “Special Needs” in the
memo. You will be doing what we are called by Christ to
do...”feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless”.
4. Health Ministry - Regular blood drives are scheduled on Sundays sponsored
by the parish and Life Share Blood Bank. Our School receives $500 for every 25
units of blood donated.
5. Book Bag Sunday - In conjunction with the Salvation Army, we assist to
secure school supplies for the needy. This drive takes place in late July or early
August.
6. Turkey envelopes - The Network provides envelopes in the pews for
parishioners to donate funds for needy individuals in our parish who ask for help
during the Thanksgiving season.
7. Tree of Hope - A tree is placed in the gathering space with ornaments
indicating various ways in which parishioners can become involved in assisting
those in need.
8. Easter Flowers to those who are homebound - Each Easter, potted flowers are delivered to
those in nursing homes and homebound parishioners. The entire nursing home’s
patients receive a plant from the churches of Vermilion.