Social Action News

 

Social Outreach/Action - Welcome

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.. . . liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free . . ." – Luke 4:18

The U.S. Catholic Bishops state, “Our work for social justice is first and foremost a work of faith, a profoundly religious task. It is Jesus who calls us to this mission, not any political or ideological agenda. We are called to bring the healing hand of Christ to those in need; the courageous voice of the prophet to those in power; and the Gospel message of love, justice, and peace to an often suffering world,”

To accomplish this work, we are invited into a welcoming community, fed at the “Table” in the Eucharist, and sent forth to “Love and serve God and one another”. This living of the “Social Gospel” is part of our daily lives.

At the Church of St. John the Evangelist we offer ongoing education and ministry around the social dimensions of the Gospel. For more information on Social Outreach within the parish, please contact: Mary Vlazny at the Parish Center, 288-7372 ext. 16. 

 

Back to TopSocial Action Committee

The committee sponsors educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and advocacy opportunities. The educational opportunities call us to look at relevant social issues with the eyes of Christ, through faith.. The committee sponsors educational programs and informs the parish of current and relevant social concerns in order to assist in making informed moral and Christian decisions on social issues.

Back to TopSt. John's read

St. John's read is an invitation to explore a book or other reading with others in the St. John Faith Community. This is a periodic event that usually lasts for about 6 weeks. It incluedes questions for reflection each week (Bulletin and website) and concludes with a discussion session at the parish.
Reading so far have included "How Much is Enough" and Pope Benedict's first encyclical, "Deus Cartias Est"/ Gos is Love. To coincide with the upcoming faithful citizenship dialogues October 2, 9, and 16, 2008, our current “St John Reads” selection is “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” the document about Catholic participation in the political realm as voters and voices for public policy. This booklet begins with Part I on forming of conscience for faithful citizenship and Part II is application of Catholic Social Teaching to present issues. This document will be read in conjunction with the city-wide Faithful Citizenship activities this fall and specifically the “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” Dialogues here at St. John.  A limited number of booklets are available at the Parish Center. 



Back to TopJust Faith

A program of formation and conversion based on issues of peace and justice as they effect our lives. How do we live justly in the world today? The program is a national offering through Catholic Charities USA. The program meets weekly at St John from September into May.Each 2 1/2 hour session will include reading a selected list of books, viewing videos, guest speakers, and lots of discussion. The process will also include retreats and hands-on experiences.

Back to TopRefugee Resettlement

Catholic Charities is in the process of helping to re- settle refugee families from Iraq.  Our first family is being welcomedwarmly by the St. John community.  Please introduce yourself to Raad, Fedaa, Zaid, Zenah, and Sarah if you see them after Mass at St. John.  There will be oppportunities to help settle this family and others into our Rochester community.  They need help in learning about our basic systems of transportation, shopping, basic services, job seeking, medical care, but most imporatnly, to be a friendly face and a welcoming conversation.  To offer your loving Christian Spirit, call Mary Vlazny at the Parish Center,
288-7372, ext.16.

Back to TopSunday Lunch Program

Sunday lunch is provided by combined efforts of all Rochester Catholic Parishes. It is held at noon each Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi 's McCarthy Hall. Volunteers usually arrive between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. and are done by 1:00 p.m. We also need dessert bakers for each time we host. St. John is responsible for the meal about every 6 weeks and some holidays. We usually need about 10 volunteers and families are welcome to serve together!

Back to Top Baking Ministry

Two months per year (March and September) we provide home baked ‘goodies’ for the Ronald McDonald House and the Gift of Life Transplant House.

Back to TopInterfaith Hospitality Network

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of greater Rochester (Minnesota) is a network of volunteers from 39 churches who offer food and shelter to families who find themselves homeless.

IHN is a program that supports families experiencing a housing crisis. IHN is a collaboration of faith communities who host families (up to a total of 14 people) in need of emergency shelter at a host church. These families are given shelter, food, transportation and resource counseling while looking for work and housing.

Families are housed at the "host" church, in our case Redeemer Lutheran Church, each evening and go to a Day Center, 811 7 th St. NW,  jobs or school during the daytime hours. St. John and Redeemer Lutheran host 4 times per year for one week at a time.

We will be in need of transportation, hosts, meal preparers and overnight hosts. The weekday times are primarily after 4:30 in the evening. It takes around 100 volunteers to cover the week because there needs to be someone available at all times at Redeemer when the guests are there.

St. John has opportunities for people to do the following services for our IHN guests:

Channel One Food Bank/Food Shelf - Donations are accepted year round at the food barrel in the Information Center.  We hold a special food drive in March for Minnesota Foodshare Month.

Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement and Habitat for Humanity are currently arranged on an individual basis. Other Community volunteer opportunities through United Way Volunteer Solutions.

Back to Top Seasonal opportunities

Include St. John Block Party, July 14, 2007; Work of Human Hands Fair, Dec. 2 and 3, 2007; Adopt-A-Family program begins November 2007; Chritsmas Anonymous volunteering Dec. 2007 and more keep checking the website!

What do you do best?  We will help steward your talents and passion into a ministry of service!  For more information on Social Outreach within the parish, please contact: Mary Vlazny at the Parish Center, 288-7372 ext. 16.