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.

Fair Trade Coffee-Decaffeinated now available
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 from the lovely display cabinet made by Rich Pierret in the social hall for $10.00/lb. This is an opportunity act on our Catholic Social Teaching by being in solidarity with our Guatemala brothers and sisters. It provides a fair consistent wage for more than 650 families and allows only the highest quality of beans to be produced.
Coffee can be found in St. Joseph Hall

Roxanne Smithm 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

SJTW is looking for a ride for Homebound Senior in Maple Grove for Mass.  
He attends 10:30 mass. Contact Tarri Nelson at tnelson@sjtw.net or 763-400-7205 to volunteer.

Loaves and Fishes provides a nutritious meal to our guests in the South Minneapolis area in an atmosphere of hospitality. Your help would be appreciated to prepare, serve and/or clean up the 5:15 dinner to the guests. Holy Rosary Church is at 2424-18th Ave South, Minneapolis. Please contact Sharon Burns at sharonburns50@gmail.com if you are interested in finding out more details on a wonderful way to serve our guests. Parish groups are welcome to help. If you have been thinking about sharing your time in this ministry this would be a great time to come forward.

Helping Hands Justice Fund 
Our Parish has a Helping Hands Fund to help those in need in our community experiencing financial challenges. This past year you've help assist with car repairs, paid electric bills to keep lights on and paid rent that kept families from being evicted. Many of these families have faced significant health issues and job losses. The Justice Fund provided funds for Brooklyn Avenues Teen homeless shelter, assisted women leaving domestic violence relationships through Home Free Shelter and provided reentry and aftercare for ex-felons through Freedom Works. Thank you for your generous support of our Helping Hands/Justice Fund collection. You can still make a donation or turn in your envelople.


Together we shelter families
Each year, Beacon congregations provide temporary shelter for more than 50 families as they move out of homelessness. Many of these families enter our shelter program without critical hygiene items such as shampoo, deodorant, diapers, wipes, and more, and they may struggle to acquire them as they prioritize food, medications, and other essentials for their families. Without the right supplies, simple acts such as changing diapers, treating a cough or bandaging an “owie” can prove difficult. Being able to tend to personal hygiene choices is a source of empowerment and pride, and can be an important step in the journey toward self-sufficiency.
Our parish can help families preserve that dignity of choice.
During the month of June we will be collecting diapers and wipes for FMF guests. All sizes needed and appreciated!

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.

Our parish will be hosting guest families that are homeless here in the parish August 4-18. We will turn our classrooms into bedrooms for our guests. Your help is needed to provide the hospitality while there are here. We need volunteers to prepared dinner, grocery shop, do laundry of the towels and bedding, sleep over night and to have fun with the kids in the evenings. Many groups sign up together and we welcome your doing this. Questions reach to Roxanne Smith 763 400 7208 or rsmith@sjtw.net. Families Moving Forward Diaper drive In June we will be collecting all sizes of diapers and wipes to be shared with FMF guests throughout the year at the daytime shelter.

Habitat for Humanity Our coalition of churches will be partnering with a family to fulfill their dream of homeownership this summer July 15-19, 22-26. The home we will be working on it located at 609 Fillmore St NE, Minneapolis. If you would like to be part of the leadership team from SJTW please contact Roxanne Smith at 763-400-7208 or rsmith@sjtw.net.

St Joseph the Worker parishioners were living their faith out in the community in support of Cranberry Ridge development. Present were Roxanne Smith, Louise Rau, Jason Wittak, Deb Carlson and Jane Warren.
The Plymouth City Council approved the land use change to allow Beacon Interfaith to build a new 47 unit affordable housing for families. Providing these families with housing they can afford will create stable families that can care well for their families.