Social Justice & Charity
The Social Ministry Committee meets monthly to study the Catholic Church’s teaching on social justice and charity, apply those principles to local, national, and world concerns and to coordinate action that enables parishioners to participate in the social mission of the Church.

The committee is always looking for new ideas to apply to this principle and new members are always welcome. Social Ministry meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm in the parish office.

Contacts

Patti Sotis
(952) 447-4584

COMMUNITY CARING FOR LIFE - RESPECT LIFE
This committee helps to implement Archbishop Harry Flynn’s pastoral letter “Abortion and a Failure of Community” in our parish. The goal is to offer care, support, and encouragement to women, men and families dealing with unplanned pregnancies and to help find the resources in our community they need to preserve the life of the unborn. Liaisons work closely with Alpha Women’s Center in Savage and provide opportunities for our church community to support and work together with Alpha. In addition, educational resources and legislative information is provided to the parish community.

The committee is supportive of the needs of the church community and also provides meals to people in need of help. When such a situation arises, it will appear in the Sunday bulletin.

HOLIDAY PROJECT
Our members distribute the food donated by the Prior Lake Lions Club to families in need during the holiday season. Volunteers are needed to help unload the truck and distribute the food. In addition several drivers are needed to bring the food to homebound persons. This program usually operates the Monday before Thanksgiving and the Saturday before Christmas. Families with older children are needed as volunteers.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
The Social Ministry Committee has made a commitment to join in the mission of Habitat for Humanity to eliminate sub-standard housing in the world. Volunteer opportunities to work on building or renovating homes for the poor families in the Twin Cities are available to persons of all skill levels.

Volunteers for the work should be adults. There is also a need to provide lunches and drinks to the volunteers. Families and organizations could fulfil the need for this service. Habitat for Humanity does one full week of work in the fall (usually September) and various one day jobs during the winter months.

ANGEL TREE PROJECT
During the Christmas season, volunteers are invited to join in making the holiday brighter for a young person whose parent is an inmate in a Minnesota prison.

Participants agree to purchase two inexpensive gifts on behalf of the inmate parent and deliver them to the child’s caregiver. A great ministry for families.

LOAVES AND FISHES
Loaves and Fishes is an opportunity for St. Michael’s Church Community to offer meals to those in need in South Minneapolis. Hot nutritious meals are provided six times throughout the year. Approximately 30 volunteers are needed for each visit. Volunteers will be needed in the kitchen to help prepare the meal, and about 25 are needed to help serve. We serve anywhere between 290-460 guests at this meal.

For the 2003/2004 season we will serve on October 23, February 26, April 22, June 24, and August 26 at Holy Rosary Church located on the corner of 17th Ave. and 24th St in Minneapolis. Cooks need to arrive at 2:00 pm and servers at 5:00 pm. In addition to the above dates, we will also serve a meal at Holy Rosary on Thanksgiving Day.

Volunteers are needed for the upcoming season. The minimum age should be 12 years old. The time commitment is approximately 2 hours. Please call or email to volunteer or keep your name on the volunteer list for 2003-2004.

Cheerful giveRs
Cheerful Givers is a new ministry at St. Michael. Our mission is to share God's love with the poor and the marginalized in our society by donating food, necessities, and gifts that help them maintain dignity and hope in their lives. If you are looking for a fun way to become involved at St. Michael, please call Jen at 447-4552.

TRANSITIONAL HOME
The purpose of the transitional home is to help families cross the bridge from dependency on support programs to independence. The homes are managed by Scott/Carver/Dakota CAP agency. The Church of St. Michael sponsors the three homes in Prior Lake. Volunteer opportunities include cleaning, painting, general maintenance, providing furniture and minor repairs.

FURNITUrE COLLECTION
Parishioners are invited to donate furniture and household items for the needy in the Prior Lake area and for charities in the Twin Cities. Items needed include sofas, beds/mattresses, microwaves, lamps, dressers, TV’s, etc.

MINISTRY HOME
St. Michael’s Ministry Home is used for the temporary resettlement of refugees. The family is assisted in various ways to promote their successful transition to independent living in the U.S.

Our experience in this first year of operation has taught us that it is better to have more volunteers specialize in certain areas, rather than to have a few generalists. So, we are seeking volunteers to share in the very rewarding adventure of working with the new family. No experience required! Read our Volunteer Opportunities document for more information.

HOMELESS COALITION
The Scott-Carver Emergency and Permanent Supportive Housing Task Force is a partnership of concerned citizens, faith-based organizations and representatives of social service agencies committed to providing housing to homeless families with children in the two-county area. Our intent is to combine the resources of private and faith-based groups with public sector investment to move these families from homelessness to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.