Social Justice

Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel, or, in other words, of the Church’s mission for the redemption of the human race and its liberation from every oppressive situation. Justice in the World, Synod of Bishops 1971.

At St. Mary’s we understand that the Church has a mission to work for justice and mercy in the world.  Doing personal and group work for justice is an essential part of being a Catholic Christian.  The Bishops called justice “constitutive” of the preaching of the good news.  If we have excellent liturgies, a beautiful worship space, developed educational programs but do not act for justice in the world, we are as “tinkling brass and clashing symbols.”  St Mary’s Social Justice program provides opportunities for education and advocacy on local and global peace and justice issues. The committee meets the 4th Monday of the month in the Rectory to set a structure for parish activities. Katie Kantz is our Social Justice Coordinator. For more information please call 232-7140 or email.

The following activities are part of our year round program:

Bright Red Bookshelf

The Bright Red Bookshelf program re-circulates gently used children’s books back into the community where they are made available free for families to own.  Books are collected in red crates at St. Mary’s Church and other community locations through book drives organized by the Social Justice Committee of St. Mary’s.  These books are then sorted, cleaned and affixed with a label, and set out on bright red bookshelves at sites where low-income families will have easy access to them.  We currently maintain bookshelves at Mercy Outreach Center, Browns Square Health Center, Strong Pediatric Psychiatric Department, Bethany House, School #14 and St. Joseph Neighborhood Center.

Coordinator: Diane Dailey 586-8420

Bethany House

On the second Wednesday of every month the St. Mary’s Community brings dinner to share with the house.  Parishoners each bring a dish to pass.  After an evening prayer service we enjoy a meal with the residents and staff of Bethany House.  We also collect clothes and food for Bethany house and deliver the collection on the 4th Sunday of the month.

Coordinator: Katie Kehoe 232-7140 or email.

St. Joseph House of Hospitality

Three Saturdays a year a group of St. Mary’s Parishioners cook brunch for the clients at St. Joseph House.  In addition, parishioners can participate in Bread for All, a Community Supported Bakery sponsored by St.  Joseph’s, that offers fresh-baked, organic bread to subscribers in Rochester. Not only do members enjoy 10-weeks of whole wheat bread, they also support a valuable job training program. Please consider signing up for a subscription of whole wheat organic bread.  A single $40 payment will provide you with 10 weeks of delicious bread. Your support also allows them to bake fresh, healthy bread for St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen.  Bread will be available for pick up at St. Joe’s House of Hospitality, Mondays from 5:00-7:00, and Tuesdays from 2:00-4:00.  Click here for more information.

Coordinator:  Bill Pickett 732-1832 or email.

Tithing Committee

Each week 10% of collection is put in tithing fund.  This money is used to support ministries and programs other than those directly sponsored by the parish.  A committee composed of  Katie Kantz, Barbara Englert, Tom Hayley, Bob Hughes and Pat Goonan meet quarterly to review requests and award grants.  There is a set of programs and agencies that receive support each quarter:   A-Meal & More, Bethany House, Blessed Sacrament Supper Program, House of Mercy, Mercy Outreach Center, Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN), Southeast Ecumenical Ministeries, St. Andrews Food Cupboard, St. Joseph’s House of Hospitatility, St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, St. Martin’s Place, St. Peter’s Kitchen, and SWEM Community Services, Inc.  In addition we take requests from a variety of additional agencies and contribute to various other charities depending on the agencies need and our financial resources.  For more information on the Tithing Program and to obtain guidelines for submission of requests, contact Katie Kantz 232-7140 or email.

St. Mary’s Door

The staff at St. Mary’s answers several calls a day for food and assistance from the needy in the downtown area.  On Monday mornings the staff is available to meet with people who are facing eviction or having their RG&E shut off.  We make a plan and look at different resources and options to help meet their needs.

Alternative Christmas Fair

Our annual Christmas sale offers alternative fair trade gifts are available to purchase.  Through the fair we support St. Michaels Woodshop, Woman’s Coffee Connection, Healthy Sisters Soup and Bean Works, and Catholic Relief Services Work of Human Hands.

Alternative Christmas Giving

We collect gifts at all of the masses in December to be distributed to local agencies.  This year over $10,000 in gifts were donated to the following agencies: St. Joseph Neigborhood Center, St. Joseph House of Hospitality, Mercy Residential Services, St. Martin’s Place, Birthright, Catholic Family Center, Eastern Service Workers, La Casa, and Bethany House.

RAIHN – Rochester Area Inter-Hospitality Network

We partner with First Universalist Church to provide housing, meals and support to homeless families in the Rochester area.

Coordinator: Joanne McFadden 232-7140

Adult Education

We provide several on-site opportunities for our parishioners to learn more about local and world peace and justice issues.  Several times throughout the year we offer programs such as JustMatters, Fair Trade education, book discussions, presentations by local social service agencies and films about global issues.