Social Concerns Commission

This ministry team connects the dots between St. Mary's outreach ministries. We coordinate a variety of outreach initiatives throughout the year.

If you are committed to living out the beatitudes within our Parish and community, there are many methods and levels of commitment to participate.

• Saint Vincent de Paul – SVdP
• St. Ben's Meal Program
• South Side Meal Program
• Mission Community Garden
• Lunch for Repairers of the Breach
• Haiti
• Circle of Love
• Respect Life
• Prayer Works – Sacramental Sewing
• Prayer Shawl Ministry
• Lumen Christi Employment Network
• ESL Tutoring
• JusticeWalking
• Bread for the World
• Pastoral Care
• Pastoral Counseling
• Immersion Opportunities

St. Ben's Meal Program

Serving the homeless and poor the second Thursday of every month. We need cooks (directions provided), food donations and people to help serve the meal.

South Side Meal Program

Serving the homeless and working poor in the largely Hispanic near south side community every third Monday of the month. We need desserts, milk and hospitality ministers.

Mission Community Garden

Help to grow fresh vegetables and produce for the pantry and meal program at the Xaverian Mission grounds located at 51st and Rawson (Fr. Dominic’s beloved garden). Individuals, families and small faith groups welcome. Contact the Social Concerns office.

Lunch for Repairers of the Breach

Help prepare warm meals for Repairers or get a group together to make brown bag lunches. Contact the Social Concerns office.

Circle of Love

During the Christmas season, parishioners are encouraged to give the names of needy persons and families to “Circle of Love” volunteers. Envelopes are prepared with information about the needy families based on sex and age; identity is withheld.

Other parishioners then have the opportunity to choose an envelope from the gathering space and purchase gifts based on the enclosed information.

Specific details can be found in the weekly bulletin.

Respect Life

The goal of this group is to educate, witness and promote the sanctity and God-given dignity of all human life, from beginning to end. Meetings are the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM. Activities include Monday morning prayer, promoting Archdiocesan initiatives, Spiritual Adoption, Life Chain and 40 Days for Life.

Prayer Works – Sacramental Sewing

Individuals are needed to sew baptismal stoles and Eucharistic packets. If you are nimble with a thimble this one’s for you. Contact Parish Office.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Ministry is an opportunity to share your simple knitting/crocheting skills while praying for those in need. The time commitment is completely up to the individual and is usually met at home with no pressure to produce any set number of shawls. Yarn is available for your use. The shawls are very much appreciated by the recipients.

Lumen Christi Employment Network

Meets every Tuesday morning at 7:30am at either St. Mary or St. Martin of Tours. Those seeking employment are joined by those who have talents and resources to help.

ESL Tutoring

A dedicated group of parishioners have worked as English as a Second language tutors at Prince of Peace for two years. No Spanish is required. Classes are held Fall, Spring and Summer on Tuesday evening and Saturday mornings. To volunteer for this rewarding ministry contact the Social Concerns Ministry.

JusticeWalking

Specifically designed for high school students and young adults, “J-Walkers” broaden their awareness and live out the compassionate spirit of Gospel justice through prayer, retreats, reading, dialogue, and encounters. To learn more about this life changing program contact the Social Concerns Ministry.

Bread for the World

Every May the parishioners participate in the annual Bread for the World letter writing campaign. Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad by changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist.

Pastoral Counseling

The priests and pastoral associate are available to help individual family members heal during times of difficult losses through listening and prayer.

Immersion Opportunities

In addition to Haiti immersion (adult), Just5Days (middle school), and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (high school) Immersion experiences, the Social Concerns Ministry team can help find additional opportunities to serve.

If you are interested in participating or if you have a connection where parishioners can serve, please contact the Social Concerns Office. We need young adults to help with the middle school and high school activities.

Join the many who are part of this service!

Complete the Interest Form