PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY
Facilitating Gospel Justice in our City, State, Country, World via local and archdiocesan action!
Direct Hands-on Service Described Below:
FOOD PANTRY
This sub-ministry sorts and distributes foods to those who register as a client.
- Help is needed on Thursdays from 10 am to 2 PM in our Church Hall.
- Call Joe or Barbara Johnson at 203-783-1774 to volunteer.
HOMEFRONT
This sub-ministry rehabs a home of a needy homeowner who cannot afford to make the necessary repairs to make their home warm, safe and dry.
- This event will occur on May 1, 2010 from 7 am to 4 PM.
- Preparations take place from September through April.
- Skilled and unskilled volunteers paint, do carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and yard work.
- A HomeFront Task Force made up of a House Captain, Assistant House Captain, Volunteer Coordinator, and committees to handle Fund Raising, Publicity, On-site Food Coordination and the Volunteer Dinner.
CLIMATE CHANGE
This sub-ministry is charged with holding educational forums on the science, ethics, justice components as well as the effects of climate change on our coast, our city, state, nation and the world. Learning about the scriptural principals and Catholic Social Teachings on the issues as they affect our economy, homes and health is a primary goal. Then learning what to do about it through advocacy and altering lifestyle.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
This sub-ministry comes under justice for our parishioners. "As a people of faith, we are sisters and brothers, not economic units. We come together around the values of our faith to shape economic policies that protect human life, promote strong families, expand a stable middle class, create decent jobs, and reduce the level of poverty and need in our society." (from Economic Justice for All, 1996) The goal is a just economy that serves the people. It is a right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. This area is in a stage of development for our Parish Social Ministry. It is now focused on a educational forums to assist parishioners:
- to become familiar with Catholic Social Teaching on the Economy *
- to analyze the "new economy" since its meltdown in 2008
- to find ways of handling family issues
- to downsize family debt **
- to join together in "common security" groups to creatively interact, relate to and build an alternative economy that supports and provides a net for the most vulnerable.
* Read The Moral Measure of the Economy by Chuck Collins & Mary Wright
Published by Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York
** Click on the News and Events button above to read the minutes of the last Parish Social Ministry meeting, held Nov 10th in our Church Hall to see a new initiative to assist families downsize debt.
PRO LIFE
This sub-ministry is understood to be larger than against abortion. Its activities fit under Advocacy in three areas.
- First, Respect for Life: respecting life in all stages and in reproduction technology, moratorium on death penalty, family protections.
- Social Justice Pro Life issues: affordable housing, hunger relief, legal immigrant assistance.
- Healthcare issues:end of life care, provisions for vulnerable children, immigrants, and elderly, the national health care legislation.
This page was last updated: April 8, 2011
ST. GABRIEL MINISTRIES
Photos of Parish Social Ministry Members
(Tap on photos for a full view)
Helen Della Rocco Joe, Barbara Johnson Sue Lyngaas Br. Larry Lussier, CSC
Rose Marie Marmolejo John Marmolejo Patricia Pritchard Joan Urban Jonlynn Vancho
MINUTES of PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY Nov 10, 2009
(Click on the icon below)
PARISH NURSES
Our Parish Nurse Program is directly connected to St. Vincent Hospital Nurse Program, Bridgeport. Also known as "Faith Community Nursing, our program began in 2000 and has as its mission health care with respect for the dignity and value of life. It includes ministering to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of parishioners.
Some duties of the Parish Nurses:
- visits to church members at home, in nursing homes or during hospitalization.
- Health screenings, health fairs and health-education programs based on the needs of the congregation.
- Initiating referrals for support services
To volunteer call Rosaleen Vaccaro 203-874-8374 or e-mail ct8413021@aol.com
To Become an Active Member of Parish Social Ministry
Fill in the form below and then click on Submit button.
ADVOCACY Sub-ministries Described Below
Activity consists of e-mailing political leaders, writing letters to the editor.
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Archdiocesan Social Justice: www.catholicsocialjustice.org
Health Advocacy
