Social Justice

Our mission is to engage the entire community of St. Mary’s Parish in the work of charity and justice in the spirit of the gospels and in the light of Catholic social teaching. Many of our activities are designed to alleviate the effects of injustice. As these activities deepen our understanding of the problems, we hope to engage the community in actions that address root causes. We strive to use every dimension of parish life—liturgy, communications, speakers, and opportunities for service— to build awareness, express love and concern, and make a difference.

Our social justice team consists of over 30 active members and hundreds of parishioners who share their time, talent, and treasure.

Refugee Welcome Ministry

Through partnership with Worcester Catholic Charities, we assist refugee families moving into the Worcester area to seek a new and stable future. These families come to Worcester from all over the world. They arrive with a handful of possessions, usually very little or no knowledge of English, and often no familiarity with our culture. Catholic Charities finds them an apartment, but the families still have many needs. We start out by supplying household goods. Other things, like providing transportation and making home visits to establish relationships, are equally important and our members provide this assistance on a regular basis, often several times a week.

Learn more about this ministry by clicking here or contact:

Cecile Cote: 508.829.5422
Martha Serafin: 508.842.6704

Haiti Covenant Ministry

For 25 years, the Haitian Apostolate Ministry of the Diocese of Worcester, MA (HA) has worked side-by-side with the people of Les Cayes, Haiti. Sr. Marie-Judith Dupuy, a Haitian born Sister of St. Anne has been the Director since 2006 and through her faith, hard-work and knowledge of the Haitian language and culture has accomplished amazing things. The HA coordinates twinning covenants between 17 Worcester parishes and parishes in Haiti. Twinning is a relationship of sharing and solidarity with the Haitian people.

Since 1994 St. Mary’s Parish has extended a helping hand to St. Michel’s Parish in Roche-a-Bateau, Haiti. Through our twinning partnership, we provide $1,300 a month in support to this very large parish in the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Last year we celebrated our 25th Anniversary of our twinning relationship between the Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Les Cayes, Haiti. Members of our Haitian Covenant Ministry joined Bishop McManus at this special celebration held last October at the Cathedral.

The weekend of November 5th & 6th, members of our Haiti Covenant Ministry spoke at all Masses to provide an update on the impact of Hurricane Matthew on our brothers and sisters in Haiti.  Through their words, posters, and the video below. they share with us how the poor and underprivileged in Haiti are suffering even more. The photos and stories of loss of life and destruction of towns as well as ongoing disease and hunger has subsided from the news, but is still very real. Learn more about this ministry here.

 

Share the Bounty

Fresh vegetables are collected in a harvest basket located at the front of the church during the summer. Volunteers collect the produce and bring it to St. Anne’s Food Pantry and the Worcester County Food Bank for distribution.

Cindy Kerekon: 508.845.9786

St. Anne's Food Pantry

Volunteers organize food drives, the proceeds of which are donated to St. Anne’s Food Pantry.

Mike and Marisa Mitchell: 508.421.5290

Furniture & Household Goods Drive

Volunteers run a drive to gather furniture and other household goods, which are then donated to Donations Clearinghouse, a program of Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance which provides furniture and other household goods to families moving from shelters and temporary housing to more stable living conditions.

Mike & Marisa Mitchell: 508.421.5290

Dismas House

Volunteers clean, cook and serve food at Dismas House, a traditional home in which former prisoners can re-establish productive lives.

Gina Kuruvilla: 508.842.9226

Walk for the Homeless

Volunteers obtain sponsorships for the walk, which raises money for the Central Mass Housing Alliance.

Jeanne Vacarro: 508.842.0282

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)

IHN works with faith communities in the greater Worcester area to provide shelter and assistance to families with children who are homeless. The program’s primary goals are to assist families in increasing their income and to help them secure permanent housing, while providing the critical support services necessary for them to succeed.

IHN is one of our newer ongoing ministries where we provide support during a scheduled week of the year in 2 shifts per day. The first shift provides companionship to the young families living in the house; visiting with them during and after dinner from 6-9 PM.  They prepare the meal.  This shift is ideal for families with children 6th grade and up. 

From  9PM - 6:30AM a second team of volunteers from our parish serves by spending the night.  The support we provide over night is 'just being there'.  A private room with two cots is available.  This shift is a great opportunity for an older or empty-nester couple to serve. 

If you would like more information, please email Bridgid Rubin at rubin@townisp.com.

Bridgid Rubin: 508.523.2951