SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE

January 31, 2010

Activity Reports:

St., Vincent de Paul – has helped approximately 52 families per month with food, and 20 – 25 facilities per month with either rent, electric or water bills.

The St. Agnes Luncheon has generated $1260 for the food pantry. SVdP has spent $1721 for the food pantry during this same period, from Sept. to Dec..

SVdP participated in the recent school flea market and made a profit of $172.

Some committee members discussed practice of having parishioner bring in food items every first Sunday of the month. This practice had been in effect in the past but has not been active recently. SVdP will discuss this matter.

Our Daily Bread – The number of chili donation has diminished. We should place information in the bulletin reminding parishioners that these monthly donations would be appreciated.

Prayer Line – the list of participants for this activity should be revamped. Marilyn will contact Lee Breslin regarding this topic.

Pro-Life – Lori reported that the Pro-Life group will sponsor a speaker this spring. Rachel Watkins, an expert on Family Planning, has been identified as the speaker. The group also needs donations of diapers and wipes. It is also supporting birthright groups in Bel Air and Elkton. The Pro-Life group also plans to participate in the forthcoming Lobby Night in Annapolis.

Christmas-in-April - Prosper Boudart and Bill Paré have inspected several applicants. Job sites will be approved in February for work in April.

Eucharistic Ministers – There are 8 – 12 people being served.

New Business:

Homeless – The SVdP recently provided a meal for the Rotating Shelter which was held at the Janes Methodist Church in Rising Sun. They also plan to do a meal for the “hot” homeless in Elkton. The Rev. Keplinger, of the HOPE (Help Our People Eat) ministry, has been helping the homeless. Both the school and the CCD classes have provided canned goods for this effort and the SVdP personnel will deliver the food items to Rev. Keplinger.

Mission Statement – There was considerable discussion in response to the Parish Council’s charge that each committee should identify goal(s) to pursue. In the past we had clear goals (example – providing water wells in Guatemala, etc) Now we are concerned with keeping the school open, educational efforts in respecting life, and in general simply helping people. The committee was in agreement that our committee goal was simply “helping people”. However we do a poor job of communicating this objective to our parishioners and they are, generally, unaware of our outreach efforts. Consequently we adopted, as a goal, of doing a better job of communicating to our church community, that as Christians, we should be dedicated to helping other people and should engage in those activities which address the needs of our neighbors!

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Paré