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.

Our Loaves and Fishes Coordinators are still serving “to-go” containers at Brunswick United during COVID-19. There is much less interaction with guests, and large groups are not able to put-together these meals due to social distancing, but an average of 65 guests are served each Wednesday. SJTW will provide a meal again in September.

“… the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that ‘the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person’ and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide.” (CCC, 2667)

Take Action to Stop Federal Executions

The federal government is attempting to restart the practice of executions for the first time in 17 years.

On June 15, the U.S. Department of Justice scheduled three executions to take place over a five-day span beginning July 13. A fourth execution has been scheduled for the end of August. The legality of the federal government's execution protocol is still being contested. Now is the time to take action. Click here to see how you can speak out against the return of federal executions.

Want to take further action? See our website for more information

This week we typically have the second collection for Helping Hands. This important collection helps provide a safety net for people within our parish and the wider community in emergency situations. A portion of all contributions are kept at SJTW for parish families and community members who are referred to us by social workers and the other portion goes directly into CROSS’ Peace of Mind Fund (emergency assistance fund) where experts are able to provide holistic care to people in dire financial need. 

You can drop-off your contribution at the parish office or in the box by door 2. You may also give your contribution online at pushpay.com/g/sjtwmaplegrove.

We stand against discrimination and social injustice.   The following us what we are doing and ways to help."

As faith leaders at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, we commit to learning more about the history of racial discrimination within our Church and Nation. We commit to learning more about black and brown leaders within the Catholic Church, both historical and in the present. We commit ourselves to examining our own biases, prejudices, blind-spots and accept the uncomfortably that will accompany this process. 

We will begin our commitment to this process of learning and self-reflection by studying and discussing Open Wide our Hearts: a Pastoral Letter against Racism together. From this foundation, we will follow the Holy Spirit’s direction for further action. We invite our entire community to pray and reflect on this important document that highlights the sin of racism and the Church’s role in making our communities and world a better place for each and every child of God. 

How we can help alleviate immediate needs together: 

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO HELP!




Pope Francis: No tolerance for racism, but without violence
Read more and watch video

Our Relationship with CROSS - 2019
Through Commitment to Parish Life (CPL), programs such as our partnership with CROSS and KidPack are funded. In 2019* the Parish tithed $7,000.00 to CROSS and spent $4,850.00 to provide 2,385 meals to children who are food insecure in Maple Grove. CPL also contributes to SJTW’s Tithe Grant program, which awarded a $2,500.00 grant to CROSS’ Peace of Mind Fund. Below you will see a more complete breakdown of food donations and finances that have been given to support CROSS, which is a vital organization in our community. This is one example of how your Commitment to Parish Life has a deep and resounding impact within our Parish and the larger community. Thank you!

• Kidpack: $4850.00 = 2385 meals
• Legislative Breakfast Food (Housing for All): $105.85
• Donations from Parishioners at SJTW: $9072.75
• Book Sale: $1617.00
• Parish Partnership: $7000.00
• Peace of Mind Fund (Tithe Grant): $2500.00

· “100% of this $2,500.00 from St. Joseph the Worker Social Justice Board will be used for rent/mortgage payments to directly assist a minimum of 4 local families to remain in their home and to work with CROSS staff to develop a stable plan for their future housing costs.”

TOTAL: Food Donation (1/8/2019-12/23/2019) 5168 pounds
TOTAL: Financial Donations (2/18/2019-12/18/2019) $25,145.60

*CROSS set the date parameters for this data. Financial Donations are recorded from (1/18/2019) and the pounds of food were recorded from (1/8/2019-12/23/2019.
 

Engage in civil dialogue. Join Civilize It: Dignity beyond the debate 
As Catholics, we have a long tradition of engagement in the political process as a means of putting our faith into action. Today, however, vitriolic rhetoric fills the public square. Join fellow Catholics in calling for all people to honor each other’s dignity by engaging in respectful dialogue. Take the pledge and find helpful resources at CivlizeIt.org.

The IGNATION VOLUNTEER CORPS (IVC) is offering an opportunity for semi-retired or retired men and women to share their skills, wisdom and life experience in direct service to those who are poor. In return for a commitment of 1- 2 days a week with a local service site, the IVC provides guidance for personal reflection and prayerful conversation with other IVC volunteers monthly.  Together, we hope to see God in all things and grow in our faith.  For additional information, please call Kathleen Groh at (651)777-0991 or e-mail kgroh@ivcusa.org. Check out our national website at www.ivcusa.org. IVC – the benefits are priceless!