Social Action
St. Wenceslaus Social Action Group
The St. Wenceslaus Social Action group usually meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 in the parish house dining room. Newcomers are always welcome.
Meetings this year: Jan. 26, Feb. 23, Mar. 22, Apr. 26, May/June meeting to be announced.
For more information on the St. Wenceslaus Social Action group, please contact one of the following: Mary Higgins 758-0464, Ann Christy 758-2811 or Bill Belkengren 758-3526.
Our mission:
1. Develop our own understanding of Catholic Social Teachings.
2. Promote awareness of Catholic Social Teachings in our parish.
3. Promote charity/service opportunities
4. Promote social justice/change opportunities.
Our current work is in support of the following:
- Habitat for Humanity
- Advanced health care directives
- Recycling efforts at our parish festival in August and Dozinky in September
- Parish collections for the Peace Center food shelf and our parish fund for the needy
- The Dorothy Day soup kitchen and soup supper
- The Joint Religious Coalition Day on the Hill
- The Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program
Social Action Meeting Report
December 1, 2011
Fr. Kevin joined us for soup and bread, and talked to us about the challenge of having so many fund raisers in the parish. Bill Belkengren and Joan Goggins volunteered for an oversight committee to help develop a policy and make decisions on which fundraisers to sponsor.
Mary Higgins reported on a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon conference she attended. The organization supports deployed and returned servicemen and their families and the local group is hoping to expand beyond Prior Lake to involve more churches and individuals.
Bill and Joan gave a report on Habitat. The Southwest Region Habitat organization suggested that our local group build a house in Montgomery, since two lots have been donated there. However, there is a lot in New Prague that is the preferred site.
THE JRLC Day on the Hill will be held on Tuesday, March 20th.
Mary gave information about a family of parishioners who have been living in Belle Plaine, but who are being evicted because they owe back rent. Their plight highlights the lack of affordable housing in Scott County for low income families.
The meeting was adjourned early so group members could go to a meeting in Shakopee on affordable housing.
The meeting in Shakopee brought together people from different churches and social service agencies. The needs and ideas were shared, but no conclusive actions were arrived at. Attendees gave meeting organizers their contact information for future communication.
What are Catholic Social Teachings? They are understandings of what it means to live the Gospel in our relationships with one another in family, community and the world. They call us not only to be charitable, but also to recognize, challenge and change social structures that are unjust.
Where do they come from? They come from the teachings of the popes and bishops, but even more basically from scripture and from the evolving understanding of the Jewish and then Christian peoples of how we are called to live in community.
Can you name them? There is no one definitive list of teachings, like there is for the Ten Commandments. The Catholic Bishops of the United States have summarized them as follows:
1. The Life and Dignity of the Human Person – All life is sacred, from conception to natural death.
2. Call to Family, Community and Participation – We humans grow and thrive only by interacting with others in friendships, families, and community. This principle emphasizes peace among all peoples.
3. Rights and Responsibilities - All people have basic rights. All people have the basic responsibility to respect other’s rights and to work actively and live for the common good.
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable - We are called as Christians to respond to the needs of all our brothers and sisters, especially the poor, by practicing both acts of charity and acts of social justice that encourage society to meet all people’s basic needs.
5. The Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers - Every person has the right to work as a way of contributing with dignity to God’s creation. The economy exists to serve people, not the other way around.
6. Solidarity - We are one human family regardless of race, nationality, or religion. We are obligated to work for peace and justice globally.
7. Care for Creation - The goods of this world are meant to be shared by all. We are called to respect and take care of our Earth, including preserving the Earth for the future.
How important are they? The bishops tell us that they are as important as studying the scriptures, following Church rules, receiving the sacraments, and attending Mass. They are not optional for Catholics. They are a necessary part of living out our Catholic faith.
How can I learn more? We have a parish social action group, people who are working with parish staff and programs to highlight Catholic Social Teachings. They have worked hard to share the story of our parish involvement with Guatemalan missions this weekend (see the showcase and displays in the Parish activity Center!), and they have other projects in line. Watch for their presentations. Or join them!
When? Where? Who? Our parish social action group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month in the parish dining room at 7:00. Visitors and new members are always welcome.
