St. Mary's Human Concerns/Social Justice Ministries

HUMAN CONCERNS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Seeks to serve the community through outreach and
the promotion of Social Justice.

BeFriender Ministry: BeFriender ministry is a lay, pastoral care program. BeFriender ministers are trained in communication skills, faith sharing and ministry reflection. BeFriender ministers enter into caring relationships with others in times of special need, such as grief and loss, by visiting them, being with them, and bringing emotional and spiritual support. Commitment: A 35 hour training period; meeting twice monthly; and time spent with the BeFriended.

C.A.R.I.T.A.S.: Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter. Each year we open our parish hall to shelter 30-40 homeless people. During that time, we offer dinner, lunch, breakfast, hospitality and a warm place to sleep. Volunteers are needed for each aspect of the program and to serve on the core planning team. Always watch the bulletin for information and signups.

Children Helping Children: This is an opportunity for children at St. Mary=s to reach out to other children. During the Advent season, Christmas gifts are collected and sent to children in our diocese where the needs are great. Commitment: 2-3 weeks in Advent - Watch the bulletin for information.

Clothing Collection: Parishioners donate clothing. The clothing is then sorted and delivered to charitable organizations such as: Our Lady of Lourdes Clothes Closet; the Office of Refugee Resettlement; Freedom House. We are in need of Asorters@ and delivery people. Commitment: once a month on a rotating basis.

Door Ministry - St. Peter's: On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, a group of parishioners serves lunch to at least 200 homeless people at St. Peter's, a downtown Catholic Church. Four Achefs@ plan, shop for, and prepare the main course. The Adessert team@ prepares a dessert specialty. We can always use dessert makers. Commitment: one day per month or a dessert.

Endowment Fund: St. Mary's is blessed with an endowment used to fund our outreach to the poor and to those working to promote justice in our society. Parishioners are invited to submit suggestions of groups to be funded as well as to support the fund through financial contributions. Watch the bulletin for information

ESL (English as a Second Language) Tutors: Each summer in conjunction with Diocesan Refugee and Immigration Services, we offer English classes. The classes are offered two evenings per week for six weeks. Training is provided. Development of English language skills will enable refugees and immigrants to become economically and socially self-sufficient. Commitment: six weeks beginning at the end of June through early August. Watch our bulletin for details.

Freedom House - First Tuesday: We serve the evening meal, wash dishes, pots and pans, and clean the dining room and kitchen. Dinner is served from 5-6:15pm and volunteers are needed each month. Commitment: one evening per month.

Freedom House - Second and Fourth Saturdays: Volunteers cook the meal for 200 guests at Freedom House, a downtown shelter for the homeless. Volunteers rotate, serving every month from 12-3pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. Commitment: one Saturday each month.

H.E.L.P.: Help in Emergencies and Long-term Planning is a collaborative effort of Richmond area parishes and Catholic Charities to respond to people in financial crisis. Volunteers are needed to assist with telephones, intake, food pantry, and follow up. Training is provided. Time commitment is flexible.

Haiti: At the invitation of our diocese, we have established a Atwinning@ relationship with a parish in rural Los Polis, Haiti. Through this relationship, we try to foster visits, letters, as well as respond to requests for assistance. Commitment: Flexible.

Hispanic Ministry: We invite all Spanish speaking people to join in reaching out to Hispanic people throughout our community. This ministry seeks to host bilingual liturgical and social gatherings, offering educational opportunities, and seeking to empower people through our involvement with the Diocesan Hispanic Commission. Commitment: Flexible.

Human Concerns Committee: This group coordinates the outreach and advocacy efforts of our parish community. The group meets monthly to assess the various programs, plan parish-wide special events; such as educational activities and Christmas projects, and vision ways to lead the community in the ART (Act, Reflect, Transform) of justice and peace. Commitment: one evening per month plus involvement in direct service or advocacy as your schedule permits.

Human Concerns Steering Committee: Formed to set the vision and direction of Human Concerns and Social Justice Ministry based on the Gospel and Catholic Social Teachings. Commitment: Bimonthly planning gatherings and a willingness to vision for the future.

Job Assistance Ministry: Seeks to provide unemployed parishioners with the names and telephone numbers of people who have information regarding job opportunities, to develop interviewing skills, and assist in resume writing so that those seeking employment may find suitable jobs. Commitment: Flexible.

Legislative Advocacy: All of our outreach and Ahands-on@ ministry help to temporarily assist the poor. However, unless laws change, many problems affecting the most vulnerable members of society will not be addressed. We are invited to be a voice for the voiceless all year, but especially in January and February when the legislature is in session. Join our advocacy group. Commitment: Flexible.

Prison Ministry: We serve the James River Correctional Center - a prison facility for men in Goochland County. Liturgy is celebrated there monthly. A group of parishioners celebrate Liturgy and facilitate Scripture study. Commitment: 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings each month.

We serve the men at James River Work Center on the campus of JRCC. We provide Liturgy, prayer and study. Commitment: one Tuesday evening each month.

We serve the Womens Correctional Center - a prison facility in Goochland County. We visit each Saturday for Liturgy, prayer and sharing. Scripture study takes place the 2nd and 4th Tuesday evenings. Commitment: one Saturday morning each month and/or Tuesday evening Scripture study.

RCIA in Prison: We offer an RCIA experience for those women incarcerated at VCCW who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith and journey toward full communion with the Church. Training is provided and a team approach is used. Commitment: Training, plus one to two Monday evenings each month.

Meals on Wheels: Volunteers deliver nutritious meals and good cheer to the homebound and elderly. St. Mary=s parishioners cover four routes on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Commitment: once a month for two hours or as substitutes when needed.

TARGET: We participate in the three pronged diocesan TARGET program.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development - founded to uproot poverty, CCHD occurs in November and funds low income, self-help efforts in the United States.
Respect Life - supports services to pregnant women in crisis, education programs, and advocacy for public policies that protect human life. Taking place in January, we offer an evening workshop with Christian Formation.
Operation Rice Bowl - a Lenten program of prayer, fasting, learning, and giving - serving global development projects and local anti-hunger efforts.
Commitment: 1-2 months around each TARGET area.

Refugee Resettlement: The diocesan program has been assisting refugees for many years. Groups of parishioners join together to be be a friend to refugees, assisting with housing, transportation, tutoring, shopping, etc. The need is constant. Commitment: 6 months - 1 year.

What's Mine Is Yours: The 1st and 3rd weekends of each month we collect donations of food and money to distribute to various locations in Richmond, as well as to our own food pantry. Commitment: once or twice monthly, sorting and delivering food.