MISSION STATEMENT of ST. BARTHOLOMEW
PEACE AND JUSTICE MINISTRY
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The Peace and Justice Ministry recognizes the Church as the Body of Christ.
- The goal of Peace and Justice Ministry is to provide leadership to St. Bartholomew parishioners to help them witness the Good News of Jesus Christ.
- Through education, prayer, reflection and direct communication, it helps parishioners to be effective in communities at local, national, and international levels, thereby enabling them to achieve meaningful and effective social action.
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September 2018 Events and Opportunities
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MEETING SCHEDULE AND PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
- Peace and Justice Meetings are the third Wednesday of each month, and as always all are welcome to attend.
- Peace and Justice Newsletter will publish monthly, reflecting ministry news and reports from the meetings and presentations.
October Fair Trade Sales October 20-21
- coffee, tea, chocolate
- after all four Masses
- benefits after-school tutoring at St. Anne Parish, teacher salaries and snacks.
- November next sale: date tbd
October 17
Peace & Justice general and team meetings, 7 PM church lower level Room 2
- Meetings are scheduled for Third Wednesday of the month
- Teams: Programming, Communications, Finance and Grants
- All are welcome to attend and become involved!
Blood Drive October 20
- 8 AM to 12:30
- St. Bartholomew School Building
Sundays Weekly Hot Meal Site 4 - 6 pm, Meal Site Teams
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Life and Dignity of the Human Person
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by Jan Banister
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We, as Catholic Christians, are guided by Catholic Social Justice Teachings. There are seven key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition, and this month we spotlight the work of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Batholomew Church. Living the Catholic Social Teaching of Life and Dignity of the Human Person, the Vincentians enter the homes of those in need as a reverent guest, with a prayerful attitude of respect for every person they encounter in their work.
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.”
From their Economic Justice for All, “Human personhood must be respected with a reverence that is religious. When we deal with each other, we should do so with the sense of awe that arises in the presence of something holy and sacred. For that is what human beings are: we are created in the image of God.”
We must strive to find ways to connect with our brothers and sisters. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is accomplishing those goals in our parish area and beyond wherever there is a need.
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Ministry Spotlight on St. Vincent de Paul Conference, by Jan Banister
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History of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Bartholomew
A series of presentations about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul were given to our pastor Father Clement Davis, parish staff and lay leaders in the summer and fall of 2010. Fr. Clem agreed that a Conference should be initiated and established in the parish with the condition that it would operate in collaboration with the Ecumenical Assembly Love Chapel.
The Love Chapel has been helping those in need in the city and county for over 50 years. It was created to provide a single source for those seeking help. The Conference works closely with the Love Chapel to avoid duplication and supports Love Chapel by making home visits to those in need referred by Love Chapel.The President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Archdiocesan Council has been instrumental in providing support and training necessary for those who have joined the Conference. Similarly the Director of the Love Chapel is providing on-going training for members in their methods of providing support to those in need. The trained members visit those in need using the information and introductions provided by the Love Chapel Case Managers.
The Vincentian Vocation and Mission Statement
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.
As a reflection of the whole family of God, members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic rule.
Organized locally Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ.
A Special Prayer to close meetings:
Almighty God,
We do not ask that you make life easy for us, but that problems will not intimidate us.
We do not ask for success in every venture, but that when we fail, we can still go on with a fresh beginning.
We ask for the grace to bring the love of God, the compassion of Jesus, to those who are poor and suffering.
And we ask for the grace to set our hearts on fire so that we will live the true spirit of a Vincentian.
Amen
For further information, please contact Mathias Kemnitzer, current St. Bartholomew conference president or Marilyn Clerc, conference secretary.
There will be an Ozanam training session (St. Vincent De Paul orientation) held at St. Bartholomew Church on Saturday morning, November 10, 2018.
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A Conference With A Purpose
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- Provide support to the case managers at Love Chapel and Ecumenical Assembly
- Facilitate spiritual development and fellowship among conference, district and council members
- Participate as active members in conference, district and council initiatives to implement systemic change initiatives
- Walk with those in need to assist individuals and families in seeking solutions to personal and family issues.
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We Are The Peace & Justice Ministry
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- Chairman David Harpenau
- Programming Team: Steve Audretch and David Harpenau
- Grants & Finance Team: David Harpenau
- Communications Team: Jan Banister
- Blood Drive: Greg Scherschel, coordinator
- Next drive Fall 2018
- Voter Registration: Steve Audretch coordinator
- Next drive Fall 2018
- Ecumenical Assembly: Rebecca Reeck
- Pro-Life: Kelley Snoddy
- Giving Tree: Theresa Westerfeld, coordinator
- Meal Site: Susan Chandler,
- Sundays 4-6 PM
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- Friends of Haiti: Judy Harpenau, liaison
- Bread for the World Offering of Letters: Rachel Rice coordinator
- Next campaign April/May 2019.
- Bread for the World, Fr. Marty Peter, Convener
- Second Tuesdays 7 PM at First Presbyterian Church
- Abolition Coalition: Donna Keogh, liaison
- St. Vincent de Paul: David and Hilary Baker, liaisons
- Women's Jail Ministry: Sevy Badgley, liasion
- Family Self Sufficiency: Jan Banister coordinator, December 8, 2018
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Peace & Justice Ministry Reports
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Su Casa guest speaker to be featured at October Peace and Justice Meeting
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Sylvia Babcock will present the services, challenges and successes of the local Su Casa organization. Assistance for all Latino immigrants and residents is the focus of Su Casa, and recent events have highlighted needs for legal counseling as well as ongoing assistance in housing, food and support.
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Friends of Haiti Ministry Report
for September 2018
Lilly Meyercord's senior project will be to coordinate Haiti gift certificates.
See the October newsletter for .news and information regarding the Haiti Gift Certificate program and its offerings
Submitted:
Judy Harpenau
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News From Saint Bartholomew Hot Meal Site
There is a hot meal provided in our community through Ecumenical Assembly each evening. On Sunday evenings the meal site is Saint Bartholomew School cafeteria.
The meal site coordinator for our parish,
Susan Chandler, is hopeful that more teams and individuals will consider assisting with meals this fall. Info here:
Sun 5pm-6pm
- SAINT BARTHOLOMEW CATHOLIC CHURCH
Mon 5pm-6pm
- FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Mon 5pm-6pm
Tues 5pm-6pm
Wed 5pm-6pm
Thurs 4:30pm-5pm
Fri 5pm-6pm
- FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
4th Fri 6pm-7pm
Sat 4pm-5pm (excluding the 3rd Sat)
2nd Sat 11:30am-12:30pm
- OGILVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
3rd Sat 4pm-5pm
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Ecumenical Assembly Update
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The Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches, otherwise known as Love Chapel, is an outreach program serving Bartholomew County.
For I was Hungry, and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.
Matthew 25:35
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50 Year Celebration:
The Ecumenical Assembly will be celebrating their
50
th
Anniversary.
The celebration will take place on Saturday, September 8 from 11-1:00 at The Commons. The committee is still requesting historic artifacts to share at the event. Any volunteers or church members that have artifacts please share.
with information and stories from people who have volunteered or received help over the 50 years that Love Chapel has been at work in this community.
New Staff for Pantry Warehouse:
Donna Barajas is the new Food Pantry Manager, and Janice has moved into Operations Manager position.
Onboarding for Volunteers
New Volunteer onboarding
takes place each month on every 2
nd
& 4
th
Monday 12:30 p.m. and 1
st
Thursday
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Volunteers:
Special Thank You to all the volunteers, and for the church representatives recruiting and encouraging volunteers. The Volunteers help mitigate expenses
for payroll and allow funds to go toward additional services.
- About 155 people attended the 2018 volunteer dinner this year
- Pantry 953 pantry visits, 118 additional for bread and produce
St. Bartholomew has approximately. 30 Volunteers
on a regular basis. The EA: Love Chapel & Brighter Days are both in need of more regularly scheduled volunteers.
Additional Needs or Changes:
Despite attempts to collaborate with other agencies with trucks, beginning July 8 we may have to rent a truck to begin picking up donated from Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
Please keep our Ecumenical Assembly Ministry in your prayers for their needs to be met to continue supporting the ongoing needs within our community.
– God Bless, Rebecca Reeck
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