St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church Social Concerns Ministry An invitation to serve.

 Statement of Purpose

-  Inspired by the values of the Gospel and the social teachings of the Catholic Church, the Social Concerns Ministry prayerfully serves as a resource to inform, promote, and implement works of charity and justice locally, nationally, and internationally. We invite all to share your time and talents to serve in our programs.

How Can You Help?

Is your talent…             Please consider…

Cooking                          Homeless Meals,

                                         Code Purple Food Program

Empathy                        Funeral Care & Comfort,

                                        Stephen Ministry

Medical                          Health & Wellness

Needlework                  Prayer Blanket Outreach,                              

                                         Prayer Shawl Group

Organization                 Special Gifting Programs

Social Justice                 Advocacy, Respect Life

See program listing and Interest Form below.

Social Concerns Programs:

ADVOCACY

• Educates community about social concerns and political responsibility.
• Joins with others in contacting state and local legislators to promote Catholic

Church positions on pending legislation.

CODE PURPLE

• Provides overnight shelter for up to 14 unsheltered men and 14 unsheltered women from Dec. 1 through March 15 with support of Code Purple Sussex Co.
• Offers volunteer opportunities each night during the season and more in sub-ministries including food, clothing, laundry, and bicycles.

FUNERAL CARE & COMFORT

• Extends comfort to those from the parish who have lost a loved one by sending a sympathy card and prayer remembrance.
• Provides greeters at visitation and funeral Masses at the Church.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Provides healthy lifestyle information via the weekly bulletin.
• Coordinates yearly fall flu shot clinic.
• Provides support and information for caretakers of dementia/Alzheimer’s patients through monthly meetings.
• Initiates activities to broaden community access to pertinent health information and programs.
• Participates in parish projects through supportive activities.

HOMELESS MEAL/NEEDS ASSISTANCE

• Coordinates meals for residents of Casa San Francisco, Lighthouse for Broken Wings, and temporary shelters sponsored by “A Sheltering Heart.”
• Assists with other needs of homeless through special donation programs.

PRAYER BLANKET OUTREACH

• Sews small quilts for those with a physical or mental illness so they are “covered in prayer.”
• Recipients are prayed for at Masses, Adorations, and Rosaries.

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP

• Knits/crochets prayer shawls & lap robes for homebound, hospice & dialysis patients, & nursing homes; and hats & scarves for Seamen’s Center.

RESPECT LIFE

• Informs, educates, and promotes awareness on abortion.
• Supports mothers and families in need.
• Coordinates initiatives to protect all human life from conception to natural death (eg.,March for Life, Prayer Chain).
• Coordinates annual Baby Bottle and other collections to support Birthright and area Pregnancy Care Centers.

SAN MARCOS HEALTH CENTER

• Supports the Diocese of San Marcos in Guatemala, a sister parish of the Diocese of Wilmington, with financial assistance to provide medical supplies.

SPECIAL GIFTING PROGRAMS

• Conducts Advent Giving, Spread the Joy, and other gifting programs as needed.
• Coordinates collection of knitted hats and scarves included in the welcome packets provided to sailors visiting the Port of Wilmington Seamen’s Center.
• Coordinates annual parish Stockings for Soldiers campaign.

STEPHEN MINISTRY

• Stephen Ministers are lay caregivers who meet weekly with a person experiencing life difficulties to listen, care, pray, and embody God's presence in their life.
• Ministers undergo many hours of training prior to meeting with their care recipient. All meetings are confidential.

 For more info about Social Concerns Ministry,

• Join us at one of our meetings (September, January, and May) OR
• Call the parish office 302-644-7300 OR
• Complete the Interest Form below and place it in collection basket or drop off at the office. OR Complete the electronic version of the Interest Form available below.

SOCIAL CONCERNS MINISTRY

INTEREST FORM

Thanks for your interest in the

Social Concerns Ministry programs.

Name _________________________________

Phone _________________________________

Email _________________________________

I would like information on the following

Social Concerns Ministry programs:

___     Advocacy

___     Code Purple

___     Funeral Care & Comfort

___     Health & Wellness

___     Homeless Meals/Needs Assistance

___     Prayer Blanket Outreach

___     Prayer Shawl Group

___     Respect Life

___     San Marcos Health Center

___     Special Gifting Programs

___     Stephen Ministry

Place completed form in collection basket or drop it off at the parish office. Thank you.