Social Justice Ministry

The Social Justice Commission convened for the first time in August, 2005. As a newly formed commission, evolving into its mission, the tasks are threefold at this time.

First, the commission hopes to serve as an umbrella for the many outreach projects that the parish is already performing. Information that is gathered and analyzed will facilitate communication and coordination among the many parish projects. Compiling a list of, and describing, each of these projects also serves to acknowledge the many ways in which parishioners exercise compassionate love, both within and beyond the geographic boundaries of St. Julia Parish.

Second, the commission hopes to serve as a clearing house for new service opportunities as they present themselves for consideration. The commission will help the parish prioritize among the many local, regional and global needs that cry out for justice and provide a forum to help assess the talent and resources that are realistically available at any given time.

Third, the commission hopes to provide opportunities for all members of the parish to live up to our call to be 'salt of the earth'. The Roman Catholic Church has well-developed teachings on social justice, and we hope to reflect on the Gospels, social encyclicals and pastoral letters that challenge us, and to share these opportunities for information and growth with the parish at large.

Sandra Tollos is the Chair of the Social Justice Commission.

Rebuilding Together Boston - A New Venture

Rebuilding Together is a national non-profit organization which works to help low-income people remain in their homes, by endeavoring to stabilize and revitalize homes in the community at no cost to the recipient. It seeks to partner with the community by bringing together homeowners, volunteers from all walks of life, giving time, talent and skills, materials-time, talent and treasure-in order "to preserve home ownership and reduce the risk of homelessness by improving the quality of the lives of [the] recipients." Each year there is a National Rebuilding Day in April, when volunteers gather to work on rehabbing one house.

Rebuilding Together Boston is one of its over 200 affiliates nationwide. In solidarity with National Rebuilding Day (Saturday, April 26, 2008), the Social Justice Commission invites volunteers to join this effort. The site supervisor the project is Tom Antonellis, a local carpenter, contractor and businessman. The skills used are varied as painting, digging, coordination, provision of a willing atmosphere (etcetera, etcetera). The timing is perfect-a Saturday in Spring, a great time to demonstrate that action for justice is an essential part of the preaching of the Gospel. Faith gives each of us reason to rejoice, and calls us to share with others that rejoicing.

If you wish to participate in this new venture in any way, contact Sandra Tollos. Download the Fact sheet for more information. Volunteer forms must be submitted by March 24 to participate on the April 26 day.

Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen

Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, located at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Waltham, serves supper for 40-80 people every evening at 5:00 p.m. The soup kitchen is administered by Dick Rogers, of the Middlesex Human Services Agency of Waltham. About half of those served are residents of the Bristol Lodge Shelters, one for men and one for women. A number of local community and church groups cook and serve the meals provided at the soup kitchen.

Members of St. Julia Parish provide a meal three times per month at Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen: the first Thursday of each month (Cheryl Kelley), the third Tuesday of each month (Kathy Lane), and the third Sunday of each month (Jackie Athas). The meals are brought over to the soup kitchen warm and ready to serve. Sunday evening C.R.E. classes are often involved in cooking ansd serving the Sunday meals. Volunteers from the parish provide any of the following: salad, fruit, casseroles, desserts. Other volunteers come just to serve the meal. We would love to have you join us in this ministry of service. Please contact one of the individuals listed above.

Sandwich Sundays

On the second Sunday of every month, sandwiches are delivered to Sandra's Lodge, a temporary shelter for mothers and children in Waltham. Marco Alagna organizes this ministry. Volunteers are asked to prepare and individually bag 20-25 sandwiches, and to drop them off in the parish center kitchen by noon. The sandwiches are delivered to Sandra's Lodge that Sunday afternoon. The sandwiches are distributed as school lunches for the children who live at Sandra's Lodge, or as after-school snacks. Your help with the ministry is greatly needed. Please contact Marco if you can participate.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The St. Vincent de Paul Society assists poor or troubled parishioners who are in need of emergency assistance or advice about resources, regardless of religious affiliation. Donations from parishioners have enabled the Society to provide emergency help with rent, telephone and electricity payments, pharmacy and dental bills, automobile insurance and car repairs, clothing and food vouchers, and help with tuition for summer camp and after school programs. On the last Wednesday of each month, we distribute bags of nonperishable food and other essentials from St. Joseph Church. Please consider helping with this ministry with your time or financial support. Contact Susan Bayard. Click here to find out more about the many ways to participate in this outreach program.

Ongoing Food and Clothing Collections

There are many ways to help with providing food and clothing to those in need both locally and in neighboring communities. Each month there is both a food and a clothing delivery made to Catholic Charities in Lowell. This is coordinated by Kathy Lane, and is announced in the bulletin. Donations can be left in either of the churches for delivery by volunteers to Lowell. There is a special winter clothing collection for St. Patrick's Parish in Lowell in November, and one in January for Bristol Lodge. On the last Wednesday each month there is a food distribution program in Lincoln coordinated by Cindy Bouchard on behalf of the St. Vincent dePaul Society. Semima Karasch organizes volunteers to deliver food to parishioners in need through the Parish's Friends in Need group.

Special Service Projects

Throughout the year there are a number of organizations that need specific help or particular items that to which St. Julia parishioners generously respond. Through the Religious Education Office, there are collections for Thanksgiving Baskets, Easter Baskets, and a toiletry drive for needy families in Waltham ( Carol Ritter). Paul Karasch organizes a Book Drive for PEN New England and for Hands Across the Water. Marie O'Brien runs a baby shower collection for needy mothers in February. In addition, as needs arise, parishioners volunteer to coordinate disaster relief collections.

At Christmas there are two special donation programs. At St. Julia Church in Weston there is a Giving Tree/Sprit of Christmas project to benefit St. Patrick Parish in Boston and Woman's Place. This is coordinated by Bonnie Blanchfield. In Lincoln at St. Joseph Church, Kathy Lane organizes the Christmas Gift giving program to benefit St. Patrick's Parish in Lowell.

Monetary Donations

There are a number of specially designated Masses during the year in which collections for particular needs, both for the church and for the poor, are gratefully received. Donations for specific intentions are always welcome. Many donate additionally to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston, which serves needy families in the Boston area, and to Catholic Relief Services, which sends aid all over the world.

Special Collections at selected Sunday liturgies.
Church in Latin America
Holy Father - Peter's Pence
Catholic Relief Services
Holy Land Shrines
Clergy Benefit Trust
Communications
Seminaries
Black and Native American churches
Church in Central and Eastern Europe
Home Missions
Catholic University
Overseas Missions
Campaign for Human Development
Retired Religious

Links

US Conference of Catholic Bishops
USCCB Social Justice Issues
Office for Social Justice of Archdiocese of St. Paul
Social Justice and Peace
Catholic Commission for Social Justice