Service and Justice
Schedules and Bulletin
1405 S. Washington St.
Serving Central Michigan University since 1959
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 773-3931
Service and Justice Commission
Our liaison with our Sister Parish
Thank you for your interest in social justice and the work that we do as a parish. Some of our Church’s most challenging and inspiring documents are those that are part of Catholic Social Teaching. Grounded in scripture, these documents remind each of us of the call of the Gospel to reach out to the poor, to work for peace, and to strive through our actions to help make the Kingdom of God manifest in our communities. It’s no small goal, but working with the Spirit of God that is each of us, we can do great things!
Our parish has a Service and Justice Commission that meets monthly and is charged with keeping the social mission of the church before the parish. Their mission and vision are as follows:
Our Mission (approved 4/03)
In order to affirm the dignity of all human life, St. Mary’s Service and Justice Commission will provide opportunities for parishioners to more fully enter into the reality of life throughout our world.
Our Vision (approved 9/03)
We, in accordance with our mission, believe:
-- that by changing the way we think and act, we ultimately change our world. Therefore, we commit ourselves to providing opportunities designed to expand the knowledge and experiences of those in our community.
-- in cultivating a faith that is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Therefore, we commit ourselves to providing opportunities for community members to develop their spirituality in ways that are both mindful of our interconnectedness as members of a global community and are oriented towards peace.
-- in following Jesus’ example of inclusivity, empowerment and love. Therefore, we commit ourselves to advocating for justice, embracing diversity and fostering the full flourishing of all life.
The commission helps to promote the dignity of all people by parish education projects, disbursing the parish tithe, generating and overseeing project development and funding, promoting our El Salvadoran Sister Parish relationship, promoting Fair Trade and legislative advocacy, organizing speakers, supporting the spring break immersion trip and through other activities that surface. Please call the office or email Karon at karon@stmarycmu.org to find out more about our work… or to get involved!
To tell you more, here’s a bulletin article that reviews some of the projects in which St. Mary’s has been active in 2005. It ran in our bulletin on 1/8/06.
St. Mary’s Supports Local and International Charities in 2005
Here at St. Mary’s, we are actively engaged in providing assistance to those in need. As this is Poverty in America Awareness month, I thought I would highlight some of the ways that we as a parish helped to support programs that serve poor and low-income individuals and families in 2005. I say “some” of the ways, since I know that many of you are involved in service work through your professions, charitable giving and/or volunteer work. Here are a few things of which we are a part -- the Spirit is definitely afoot!
Alms Fund
First of all, I want to point out that $3650.53 was contributed to our Alms Fund during the past 5 weeks alone. Thank you for your generosity! Our alms fund goes to assist those who are in need of emergency assistance. While we keep funds available for parishioners here, the majority of the funds are passed on to be distributed through the Goodrow Fund, a local interfaith emergency assistance program. The Goodrow Fund is accessed through Listening Ear, a crisis service center used by those who are in need. It is our belief that those in need are better served by a coordinated system, such as this.
Parish Tithe
Secondly, I have the latest update on our parish tithe disbursal. As you may recall, each quarter the parish tithes 5% of our Sunday collections to those in need. The Service and Justice Commission awarded our second quarter tithe of $2,493.56 as follows: $500 to the SHARE organization for hurricane relief in El Salvador, $500 to Catholic Relief Services to provide relief to those affected by the Kashmir earthquake, and $1493.56 to Mid-Michigan Community Action, to help with emergency assistance. (In 2005 our total tithe disbursement was $9,213!)
St. Mary’s Charitable Foundation
In December’s bulletins the Foundation Board provided an update on the $14,000 in earnings available for distribution in 2005. While $3,000 has not yet been awarded, $11,000 was awarded to local, national and international organizations who work with poor and marginalized populations. The foundation supports many good works and the endowment ensures this work will continue!
Since June 2000, the Board has awarded over $56,000 among the following: Mustard Seed House, Saginaw; Mayan Mission, Yukatan, Mexico; Rotary Club shipment of clothing to Africa; Refugees International; Christ House; Emmaus House; Doctors Without Borders; St. Vincent de Paul School, Mobile, AL; Boysville, MI; Volunteer Mission Movement; St. Francis Center, OH; Kenquest House, Grayling, MI; Our Lady Youth Center, El Paso, TX; Central Asian Institute for schools in Pakistan, China and N. India; Hope Clinic, Ypsilanti, MI; Big Brothers Big Sisters, Isabella County, MI; Goodrow Fund, Isabella County, MI; USA Harvest, Louisville, KY; St. Joseph's Indian School, Chamberlain, SD; Wheel Chair Foundation, Danville, CA; Red Cross, Isabella County, MI; Delores Mission, Los Angles, CA; East Liberty Family Health Care, Pittsburgh, PA; Commission on Aging, Isabella County, MI; El Salvador Youth Project; St. Mary University Parish Missionaries; and our own Sister Parish in Miramar, El Salvador.
Mission Projects
Because of grants we’ve written, this past year we were again able to send $7,000 for a youth development program and scholarships both of which benefit high school youth in the region of El Salvador where our Sister Parish is located.
Missionaries
Lastly, three of our alums are engaged in overseas mission work. John and Cristin Heinbeck, who graduated in 2004, are spending two years volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala. They are volunteering with Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos. Steve Pohl, another recent grad, has begun a 3 and 1/2 year term as a Maryknoll Missionary. His service will be in Venezuela. Please keep them in your prayers! (Oh, and if you’re interested in domestic or international volunteer work, let’s talk!)
What did I tell you? Our parish is doing some amazing work! Karon