Social Justice News

Social Justice invites us to live the call of Catholic Social Teaching for further engagement as community to live out our faith.

Pope Francis shifted the Catholic Church’s annual World Day of Migrants and Refugees from January to September 29, and this year will be the 105th year of celebrating this important day. As part of living out Francis’ call to “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” migrant people we will be hosting an event after the 10:30 a.m. Mass on September 29 and it will highlight migration stories within our own community. More information about this event will be posted September 1.

“Pope Francis makes his vision for World Day of Migrants and Refugees clear: “It is not just about migrants: it is also about our fears.” For the full text of what Francis has to say, download the Message from Pope Francis for World Day of Migrants and Refugees

Share YOUR story!
Did you immigrate to the United States? Are you the son or daughter of an immigrant? Did your family come to America long ago, but you hold their stories and would like to share it with others? We are still looking for story-tellers to share their migration story. You will NOT be speaking in front of everyone, and our team has been diligent to make sure that you will be able to share your story in casual, fun, and safe space.

If you would like to share your migration story, please contact Alex Blechle, Director of Social Justice, at alex@sjtw.net.

Dear SJTW Parishioners,

I am truly grateful for the warm welcome that has been extended to me by so many of you since the beginning of my transition as the new Director of Social Justice. I am a recent graduate of St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary with a Masters of Theological Studies in Systematic Theology. While pursuing my degree at St. John’s, I also served for the past year as the Director of Social Outreach at St. John’s Campus Ministry. Before moving to Minnesota, I completed my undergraduate degree in Theological Research and Bible & Leadership at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kansas. I spent the last two years at MCC working as a Pastoral Ministry intern at St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, which is the University Parish for Kansas State University. Social Justice has been one of my passions since my high school years back home in Missouri, and has shaped and formed the way in which I do theology and ministry. I am committed to working with other faith leaders to advocate for and serve those who are on the margins, especially the young and most vulnerable. I look forward to working alongside you, and building upon the well-established, robust Social Justice program at SJTW.
Outside of the office I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and loved ones, especially my fiancé, Maria.
If you have any questions about Social Justice or how you could get involved in the parish, I invite you to send me an email alex@SJTW.net or schedule a meeting with me. I would be glad to meet you.

Peace to you, Alex Blechle

Roxanne Smith Director of Social Justice at SJTW is retiring after more than 30 years of work for the parish.  She began shortly after the parish began to do some of the work in this field.  It was probably more pastoral ministry in terms of taking care of the needs to parishioners.  She has grown the program to where we now are engaged in changing social structures so folks will not fall into those situations where they need our help is immediate needs.  Roxanne has become well known in the city of Maple Grove, within the Archdiocese, and at the State level of government.  Because of her great work in galvanizing voters in the area, when she speaks, people listen.  She has done outstanding work in education, housing, just wages and many others.  She cannot be replaced.  We are losing an efficient, articulate, and a well-respected voice for the parish but especially for those who need to be heard.  We are celebrating her decision to retire NEXT Sunday between the 8:30 and 10:30 Masses so folks from both Masses can attend.  Please stop in Fellowship Hall and thank her for years of dedicated service, and for many more years of enjoyed retirement.  

Fr. Mike

Fair Trade Coffee 
We have added decaffeinated 1 pound French Roast Decaf – Ground, French Roast Decaf – Whole bean, Peru Decaf and Peru Decaf – Whole bean. We still have fair trade coffee from San Lucas Mission. It is available in the social hall for $10.00/lb. This is an opportunity act on our Catholic Social Teaching by being in solidarity with our Peruvian and Guatemala brothers and sisters. It provides a fair consistent wage for more than 950 families and allows only the highest quality of beans to be produced.