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Social Concerns Ministries:
OUR VISION
The Social Concerns Ministry of St. Joseph Parish will engage the parish community in works of charity and outreach, advocacy, empowering the poor and vulnerable, and solidarity. It will provide education and information, opportunities for service, and will work to integrate social justice into all aspects of parish life.
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OUR MISSION
Recognizing our call to live the Gospel message more deeply, the Social Concerns Ministry of St. Joseph Parish actively responds to Jesus’ call to love our neighbor. This is accomplished by assisting others through charity and outreach, advocating for those without a voice, and joining with the parish community and the community at large in serving those in need.
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The Social Concerns Committee is comprised of five ministries, each committed to bringing our parish community together to more fully live out the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. We seek to continue developing and growing in our service to others.
The ministries include Outreach, Advocacy, Respect Life, Global Concerns, and Catholic Social Teaching Education and Parish Integration. Each ministry has a contact person(s) who will help connect people to programs. Whether you are in need of assistance or would like to become involved in brief or ongoing ways, please contact the person(s) indicated.
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OUTREACH MINISTRY
“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.” (Mt. 25: 35- 36)
St. Joseph Parish Outreach Ministry offers opportunities to provide direct care for those in need – to provide assistance to others in times of social and economic crisis.
There are many long-existing programs and groups in the parish, as well as developing ones that serve those with needs related to food, clothing, and shelter. For more information on ministries in Chesapeake City and in Middletown see contacts below.
Contacts: Those in need of assistance, please contact the Parish Office - 302-378-5800
For information regarding volunteer opportunities, contact:
Bethann Stanek - 302-449-6968; Eileen Viars - 410-885-3244 Kathy Dolde - 410-885-2240
To download our Outreach Brochure, click here.
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ADVOCACY MINISTRY
“In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation… The directions for our public witness are found in Scripture and Catholic social teaching.” (Faithful Citizenship: Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium.)
St. Joseph Parish Advocacy Ministry engages individuals to use our voices to speak for the voiceless, the poor, and the vulnerable; and to advance a just and compassionate social policy impacting people in our society and the environment .
Contact: Deacon Fred Wendt - 302-531-8099
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RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY
"Both as Americans and as followers of Christ, American Catholics must be committed to the defense of life in all its stages and in every condition." (Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics)
St. Joseph Parish Respect Life Ministry is committed to a consistent ethic of life. By peaceful activism, education and prayer we seek to protect all human life and promote human dignity from the inception of life to its final moment. Current ministries include: Lazarus (bereavement), Pro-Life, Birthright, Pregnancy Center, & Special Needs Ministries
Contacts: Judy Nazarewycz 302-598-7952
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GLOBAL CONCERNS MINISTRY
“God destined the earth and all it contains for all people and nations so that all created things would be shared fairly by all humankind under the guidance of justice tempered by charity.” (The Church in the Modern World)
St. Joseph Parish Global Concerns Ministry is committed to protecting the natural world and working toward global peace and justice for all God’s people.
Contacts: Deacon Fred Wendt - 302-531-8099
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CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING EDUCATION AND PARISH INTEGRATION
“We are called to share our social teaching in our parishes…Our social doctrine is an integral part of our faith; we need to pass it on clearly, creatively, and consistently.” (Communities of Salt and Light – A Reflection on the Social Mission of the Parish)
The St. Joseph Parish Catholic Social Teaching Education and Parish Integration Ministry provides materials and practical learning opportunities and communicates with other parish ministry programs to ensure that we are sharing our social teaching at all levels of parish life. We also communicate services available for those in need and opportunities for those who wish to serve.
Contact: Deacon Fred Wendt - 302-531-8099
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To download the above information in brochure form, click here
Additional Links
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St. Joseph Parish