Excerpts from the Communities of Salt and Light…Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Holy Family Catholic Worker House located at 912 E. 31st Street in Kansas City MO serves 150-200 meals each day six days a week. St. Sabina parishoners serve meals monthly. Please contact Terri Standley at 331-1297 for further information. www.holyfamilycwhouse.org
Heart-n-Hand Ministries is an ecumenical ministry in Belton that provides emergency assistance to those in the Belton, Raymore area. St. Sabina parishioners assist with food pantry on Fridays and the Thrift Store throughout the week, as well as, school supplies, Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions. If you would like further information, please contact Becky Fenske at 331-4713 ext. 226. www.heartnhand.org
An immersion experience mission trip through the Guadalupe Association to Anapra Mexico each summer provides Vacation Bible School to the children who live in the colonia there. Parishioners from St. Sabina are encouraged to attend and provide supplies for the Vacation Bible School. For further information on the Mexico VBS mission, contact Sandy Katzer at 322-2230.
Each year Migrant Farmworkers come to Lafayette County in Missouri to harvest the apples. A program sponsored by Legal Aid of Western Missouri and funded by various religious organizations offers social, legal, health care and educational services to the migrant farm workers there. St. Sabina parishioners provide beans, rice, blankets and other necessities for the workers during the month of September. For information contact Sandy Katzer at 322-2230.
The second Saturday in October St. Sabina parishioners volunteer their time and talent to repair homes in the Kansas City area to those who lack the skills or resources necessary to undertake the repairs themselves. www.christmasinoctober.org.
Christmas In October Photos
Uplift Organization
Uplift Organization takes care and compassion to the homeless in the Kansas City area. St. Sabina coordinates volunteers to go the second, fourth and fifth Monday of each month. We also collect donations of white underwear, socks, bug spray, empty water and soda bottles. These can be left in the barrels outside the Parish School of Religion doors or in the box in the South Alcove of the church. Contact Kirstie Ruffini at 331-4713 x 227 for further information. www.uplift.org
During the Advent season St Sabina parishioners contribute to the Jesse Tree located in the sanctuary of the parish. Donations from the parish go to provide Christmas gifts, outer wear and food for local families in need.
During the Lent season, St. Sabina reaches out in solidarity with those in need by participating in Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl. We put our faith into action to make a positive difference in the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and giving alms while we learn about the joys and challenges in the lives of our sisters and brothers around the world. www.orb.crs.org
A thirty-week justice education/formation process with a focus on the intersection of faith, spirituality and social responsibility in a world wounded by poverty. Meeting weekly, the process employs books, videos, guest speakers, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences all set in the context of a small faith community. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the remarkable justice tradition of our faith. Groups begin in September of each year. For further information contact Becky Fenske at 331-4713 x 226 www.justfaith.org
US Bishops Social Development and World Peace
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/
Catholic Relief Services
http://crs.org/
Center of Concern (Washington, DC)
http://www.coc.org/
Network Justice Lobby (Washington, DC)
http://www.networklobby.org/
Pax Christi Peace Group
http://www.paxchristiusa.org/
Salt of the Earth; Claretians
http://salt.claretianpubs.org/
Catholic Worker Movement
http://www.catholicworker.org/
Bread for the World
http://www.bread.org/
Poverty USA – The Catholic Campaign for Human Development
http://www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/
Our Catholic teaching not only calls us to serve those in need, it also calls us to work to change the structures that deny people their dignity and rights as children of God. We believe we have a political responsibility to be informed, active citizens, who participate in the debate over the values and vision that guide our communities and our nation. We are called to use our talents, the resources of our faith, and the opportunities of democracy to shape a society more respectful of the life, dignity and rights of the human person. Voices of parishioners need to be heard on behalf of those who suffer discrimination and injustice, on behalf of our land and water, our communities and neighborhoods. We must advocate to make the system work for ALL people. Communities of Salt and Light, USCCB pg 9
In the Catholic Tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. This obligation is rooted in our baptismal commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. Faithful Citizenship, USCCB
www.catholiccampaignagainstglobalpoverty.org