An affordable place to live is out of reach for many Rohde Islanders because the cost of housing (both rental and home ownership) is rising faster than incomes. At the RI Speical Election, March 2nd, Question #3 provides for a $65 million Housing and Community Bond which will finance the construction and rehabilitation of homes and apartments that Rhode Island workers, families, seniors and veterans can afford.
Our parish food pantry and Outreach program serve many members of the community who have difficulty paying their rent, are living with other households or are in danger of becoming homeless because they cannot afford their rent or have fallen behind in their mortgage payments.
Flowers for Advent and Christmas: - In conjunction with a forum on Elderly Issues and Concerns sponsored by the Social Justice Committee in December, 2019, the Committee decided to bring a small poinsettia and a card to any parishioner who had lost his or her spouse during the previous year. On the second Sunday of Advent in 2020 we continued this tradition. Members of the Social Justice Committee brought a poinsettia and a card with a message of remembrance for the person who had died during the past year and a message to his/her spouse that our parish community was thinking of and praying for them. The flowers and cards were very well received, and represent the entire parish’s support and prayers. Parish Outreach program: - We would like to thank parishioners who have donated to our parish Outreach program. Outreach helps people in the community who are experiencing a crisis such as potential eviction because of inability to pay back rent, help with utility bills when facing a shut off, emergency car repairs, help with food or medication. We work with Community Care Alliance to help individuals qualify for State or Federal assistance or referral to available programs. During November and December Outreach helped two families in crisis. One family needed help for back rent and had received an eviction notice. They also needed food and had very little for their son for Christmas. Outreach connected them to CCA and they are now in the process of applying for federal assistance with their rent. They also received a Thanksgiving basket and other food staples from our Food Pantry and several gifts and clothing for their son through our Giving Tree project. The second family was a single mother who needed help with back rent. She had been able to piece together some money from family and friends. Outreach reached out to the property manager at her housing and our funds were able to pay the balance. Chris Bijesse of the Social Justice Committee is our Outreach Coordinator. Thanks to Chris for his time, expertise and compassion. There are donation boxes at the church entrances for Outreach contributions or donations can be made in the parish collection baskets or directly to the parish office. Thanks again to all who have donated.
- The Food Kitchen news has been updated with January 2021 figures. Check here... - NEW MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME on our committee! Come and find out what we can do together to reflect on the Church's teachings on justice! - Our goal: To build awareness about current justice issues (poverty, homelessness, immigration, etc.) and how we respond as Catholics living out our faith. Social justice is a constitutive dimension of Catholic Christianity.
Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program: At the Advent 2019 Social Justice Forum on Senior Issues, our speaker outlined several programs for Seniors and their caregivers that the Diocese offers. One such program is the Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program, a community based program that provides weekly visitors to elders and disabled adults. To become a friendly visitor or find out how you might access this program for a neighbor or relative, call Linda A’Vant Deishinni at 274-6783. The Diocese also offers a training/support program for caregivers.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Are you or someone you know experiencing Domestic Violence (verbal, emotional, psychological or physical abuse)? One in three to four women have experienced some form of physical violence. Children exposed to domes- tic violence are negatively impacted in countless ways. Although to a lesser degree, men also are victims of domestic, emotional and psychological abuse. Let us help! The Office of Life and Family is offering women free counseling (as appropriate), emotional support, and advice from a Catholic perspective, re- sources, and referrals to outside agencies/Catholic Counselors as appropriate. Maybe you just want to talk! For more information, please call 4012782518 or 401-278-2517.
Useful resources related to our forum in March, 2019 related to Care for our Environment Catholic Climate Covenant: Online site that includes the U.S. Catholic Climate Declaration and has many of resources related to climate change. https://catholicclimatecovenant.org/
Our Presenter on Care for our Environment was Bill Patenaude. His resources: www.catholicecology.net Bill Patenaude's Novel: A Printer's Choice (web site: aprinterschoice.com)
