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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December 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. December 5 was a combined November/December meeting.
- Peace and Justice Newsletter will publish monthly, reflecting ministry news and reports from the meetings and presentations.
Family Self Sufficiency annual dinner, Saturday December 8, Noon to 2 pm
- Dinner served with assist by Knights of Columbus, thank you!
- Gift baskets for families
- Crafts for children
- Family Holiday photo sessions
- Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Sandy Hook Memorial/Vigil for victims of gun violence, Tuesday, December 11, 6:30 at North Christian Church. See flyer below.
December Fair Trade Sales December
15 and 16
January Fair Trade Sales January 19 and 20
- coffee, tea, chocolate
- after all four Masses
- benefits after-school tutoring at St. Anne Parish, teacher salaries and snacks.
January 16 Peace & Justice general and team meetings
7 PM church lower level
- Meetings are scheduled for Third Wednesday of the month
- Teams: Programming, Communications, Finance and Grants
- All are welcome to attend and become involved!
Sundays Weekly Hot Meal Site 4 - 6 pm, Meal Site Teams
Sundays Women's Jail Ministry visits 1 - 3 pm, classes 6 - 8 pm
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Rights and Responsibilities by Donna Keogh
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Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an active component of our Catholic faith. The most basic concept of the social teachings of the Church is Solidarity. Solidarity is standing up for and with our fellow human beings in the search for peace and justice.
In a world where some speak mostly of "rights" and others mostly of "responsibilities," the Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if
human rights are protected
and
responsibilities are met
. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities, to one another, to our families, and to the larger society. While public debate in our nation is often divided between those who focus on personal responsibility and those who focus on social responsibilities, our tradition insists that both are necessary. "Seek the welfare of the city, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." - Jeremiah 29:4-7
This month in particular offers each of us the opportunity to respond personally to both principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The Family Self Sufficiency Dinner provides affirmation and support to those in our community who may be struggling financially. Fair Trade teas, coffee and chocolate sales contribute to the basic human rights of those in developing countries. The Giving Tree extends to us the chance to have a huge impact on a family; not only could you send a much-appreciated gift to the child of an inmate, but the possibility of a long-term relationship by letters to the inmate in the federal penitentiary. "Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." -Isaiah 1:16-17
These are just three ideas for living our Catholic faith through action. "When someone is reduced to poverty, we have an obligation to help." - Leviticus 25:35
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Ministry Spotlight on Jail Ministry by Patrick Badgley
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Jail Ministry at Saint Bartholomew
Saint Bartholomew supports both men’s and women’s jail ministries, in which male volunteers minister to men and women volunteers minister to women. The women’s jail ministry group is part of the Peace and Justice ministry.
The four women in this group visit with the women in the open and locked down cell blocks at the Bartholomew County Jail on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00. In addition to providing the Word of God they share their love and provide communion to the Catholic inmates. On Sunday evenings they have a classroom with twelve inmates where they provide scripture study and offer prayer together. During the week they attend court sessions with the inmates to provide support at these very difficult and emotional times.
The male ministers have classes at the Bartholomew County Jail and at the Edinburgh Correctional Facility. Father Clem Davis also visits inmates to hear confessions and occasionally attends court with inmates. The ministers would like to thank God for furnishing them with this wonderful ministry, and are grateful for the support of the parish for this important work.
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Vision
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is a Christ-centered Catholic community that upholds the dignity of every human person touched by crime in order to practice mercy, and foster hope and peace.
Mission
The mission of corrections ministry in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is to create an environment of trust through a lens of Catholic social teaching by witnessing the Gospel to the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated and victims/families, through healing and mentoring processes. The Archdiocese is committed to actively engaging parishes and parishioners to educate and advocate for policies that help reduce violence and provide for the pastoral needs of all affected by crime.
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Priorities for the Corrections Ministry:
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- Foster education: for parishes to gain a increased understanding of Catholic Social Teaching
- Extend pastoral care to those in prisons and jails: effectively minister to persons in prison or jail.
- Assist persons in re-entry: provide services and effectively minister to returning citizens.
- Engage parishes: seek greater involvement of parishioners in corrections ministry.
- Build for success: establish an infrastructure with resources to lead, coordinate and communicate.
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The Corrections Ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis hosted a conference: "My Heart Near to Your Heart" at St. Paul's Catholic Center, which was attended by eight representatives from Saint Bartholomew Parish.
The day began with opening comments from Archbishop Thompson, followed by Liturgy of the Hours. Participants then listened to a presentation by Father David Link, lawyer, dean of the Notre Dame Law School, husband, father, grandfather, widower, and now Catholic priest; Father Dave Link’s story is an inspiration and challenge to all. In his priesthood, Father Dave does more than visit the incarcerated; he truly transforms their lives. His inspirational book,“Camerado, I Give you My Hand” shares his story and how God can be found anywhere.
A very inspiring presentation was made by Mr. Chris Stimac, who was a hit and run driver that struck and killed a young girl, and Ms. Britt Garner the mother of the child. After serving his time they became close friends and helped each other heal, with God’s help.
The day included interactive concurrent breakout sessions, networking with successful programs and ministries across the Archdiocese, and the opportunity to hear directly from those in re-entry and their families. St. Bartholomew Jail Ministry volunteers all took the opportunity to network with others in jail ministry
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We Are Your Ministry: Love Chapel Ministries
The Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches – also known as
Love Chapel Ministries has been providing help to those in need since 1967.
In celebration of our
50
th
anniversary
, we are launching a campaign aimed to increase both funding and volunteerism
“50 for 50”.
The objective of our campaign is to
raise
$50,000 and solicit 50 new volunteers
over the next 6 months.
We are thankful that many of you have given generously over the years in both volunteerism and donations! Our work is not possible without you.
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The Giving Tree at St. Bartholomew
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BY THE NUMBERS:
- As of today St Bartholomew is sponsoring 117 children which is the number of names received to date.
- 3 parishioners who have offered to shop for children with gift cards purchased through Scrip program with donated funds. If there are funds left, children will then be accepted from the wait list.
- This year we received 43 names of children/grandchildren from death row inmates, the largest number received in the past 7 years.
- All 43 children were selected from the Giving Tree before and after masses, a first!
- Many of the children previously sponsored have aged out of the program and there seems to be a new generation of little ones.
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We Are The Peace & Justice Ministry
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- Chairperson Donna Keogh
- Programming Team: Steve Audretch
- Grants & Finance Team: David Harpenau
- Communications Team: Jan Banister
- Blood Drive: Greg Scherschel, coordinator
- Next drive Spring 2019
- Voter Registration: Steve Audretch coordinator
- Next drive Spring 2019
- 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
- Indiana 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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St. Bartholomew Hot Meal Site
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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:
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Sun 5pm-6pm
- SAINT BARTHOLOMEW CATHOLIC CHURCH
Mon 5pm-6pm
- FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Mon 5pm-6pm
Tues 5pm-6pm
Wed 5pm-6pm
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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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