Social Justice Committee Minutes Deacon Peter advised that finances are strained at this time. Donations are down at both parishes, probably due to the economy. Parish assessments to the diocese must still be met at previous levels so it is unsure where cuts must be made. Mike Meverden advised that Lent is earlier this year. There will be a meeting soon about the Wednesday Soup Suppers. Deacon Peter suggested that the Social Justice Committee members again consider serving at one of these events and there was unanimous agreement. Deb Hoppa advised that Catholic Charities has been very busy with its food pantry, winter coat program and basic needs program. They do not have their yearly budget yet. There is a significant need for non-perishable food, toilet paper and diapers. They are open 9 to 3 Monday - Thursday and 9 to noon on Fridays. Monetary donations to the local office need to be in the form of gift cards, since cash or checks must be sent to the diocese to be processed. Deb will work on a wish list to be placed in the bulletin. Deacon Peter closed the meeting with a prayer for the journey by Thomas Merton. Next meeting - Feb. 7, 2012
January 3, 2012
The meeting opened with Evening Prayer in the chapel at 6:30, followed by committee meetings.
Members attending - Deb Hoppa, Mike Meverden, Deacon Peter Burek and Terry Delavan.
Subcommittee Reports -
Signs prohibiting weapons have been placed on both churches but have not yet gone up on the other parish buildings.
Connie Michlig advised via email that several boxes of Christmas donations were given to Northcentral Health Care Center, as well as 2 large afghans. Parishioners were very generous this year.
Barb Mullen advised via email that this Saturday, January 7th, will be the next time Eastside Parishes will be serving the noon meal at the Salvation Army. She said there was an amazing response to requests for Bell Ringing this year - over 40 families from the two parishes participated.
Bruce Chopp advised via email that the Weston Board turned down holding a spring referendum on bus transportation there, and Schofield backed out of its participation. The Community Foundation decided not to grant the request for matching funds. Everyone Has a Place raised over $18,000 in 3½ weeks for this initiative and they are committed to using the funds for transportation. The Community Foundation told them to come up with an alternate plan and they would reconsider matching funds. Everyone Has a Place will meet soon to discuss this.
The Right to Life Signature Ad will be coming up in the next few weeks at both parishes. Phil and Cathy Hackel have coordinated this in the past and will be looking for someone to do this in the future.
Social Justice Committee Minutes
November 2011
All committees met following the 5:30 PM All Saints' Mass and a short video on the new changes coming with the Roman Missal in November.
Members attending - Fr. Bill Grevatch, Deacon Peter Burek, Bruce Chopp, Sue Grunow, Mike Meverden, Tess Mitchell, and Terry Delavan.
New Business -
Fr. Bill passed out copies of the Wisconsin Bishops' statement on the new Concealed Carry Law that is going into effect. The committee discussed the statement and unanimously voted to have signage put up at the Eastside Parishes that would prohibit people from carrying weapons on all parish grounds and within parish facilities. Fr. Bill will contact the diocese for recommendations on the signs.
Subcommittee Reports - Connie Michlig advised via email that the donation of items for Northcentral Healthcare for Christmas will take place in early December. She will place a notice in the bulletin.
Salvation Army - Barb Mullen advised via email that the Eastside Parishes will be serving the Saturday meal at Salvation Army on November 5th. Anyone interested in helping serve may contact Barb for further information.
Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 10 AM to 5 PM at Washington Square, Younkers and Penneys, and on Friday, Dec. 9th from 10 AM to 5 PM at Penneys and Younkers. Angel Tree volunteers (inside the Mall) will be needed Wednesday, Dec. 7th from 10 AM to 5 PM and Thursday, Dec. 15th from 4 to 8:30 PM. She will provide sign-up sheets at the parishes.
Giving Trees at Eastside Parishes - Glenn and Denise from the Education Committee will do this activity with the Youth this year.
NAOMI - Bruce Chopp advised that NAOMI is requesting as many people as possible to attend the Weston Board Meeting at the Weston Town Hall on Monday, Nov. 7th at 6 PM in support of continuing bus service in Weston for those who must rely on this service to meet their transportation needs. Bruce also advised that the TIP Task Force is doing a project called "11 by 15" to reduce the prison population by 11,000 by 2015 through community programs rather than incarceration. Rev. Gary Froseth continues to be the president of NAOMI and Bruce is the vice-president.
Wisconsin Bishops Statement on Social Justice - Terry will check with Phyllis about the monthly excerpts being put in the bulletin.
Empty Bowls - The Empty Bowls project at the Rose Garden was a success again this year to raise money and awareness of hunger issues in the local area.
Jubilee House - Sue Grunow advised that most dates are covered for January, February and March. She would like to meet with the parents of the Confirmation students in January to go over the duties for the dates the students will be preparing and serving the meals. The handouts the parents were given were too complicated for the duties involved and she would like to clarify them.
Weekly Food Donations - Sue indicated that the food donated at St. Michael's on the last weekend of the month is given to the Women's Community. They are in need of toiletries and diapers as well as food.
St. Vincent de Paul Society - There is now a dumpster for recycling paper in the St. Michael's parking lot. There will soon be another one located at Resurrection. Proceeds from this recycling go to the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The suggestion was made that a reminder be put in the bulletin about this once a quarter.
Youth Advisory Team -Tess Mitchell advised that the Youth Advisory Team will be meeting next week.
USCCB Action Alert - The US Bishops have put out an action alert asking people to contact their US Senators in regard to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Deacon Peter will write this up to be placed in the bulletin.
The meeting closed with prayer at 8:00 PM.
Next Meeting - January 3, 2012 at 6:30 PM.
Social Justice Committee Meeting Minutes
(Committee does not meet in June, July, August, or December)
January 2012
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
May 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
SOCIAL JUSTICE
The Social Justice committee provides service to our parish family and others in our community through: St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army Saturday Meals, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Jubilee House, Neighbor’s Place, Weekly Food Collection, Resurrection Parish- Circle of Love, Resurrection Lenten Soup Kitchen, Right to Life Advertisement, Mother’s Day Rose and Father’s Day Carnation Sale, Baby Bottle Collection for Hope Pregnancy Center, WISDOM-NAOMI, & Stewardship Ministry. We welcome you to join us. Please click on the link below to review a form that details our service opportunities and return the completed form to your parish office, or, call the office for more information.
Click Here for the Social Justice Time & Talent form
