Outreach (Human Concerns)

Human Concerns Overview
The purpose of the SFB Human Concerns ministries is to discern the needs of persons in the parish and wider community, especially the poor, and identify resources to meet those needs enlisting the active cooperation of parishioners. The goal is to fulfill the justice dimensions of scripture and our church tradition, acknowledging that every Christian is called to service and to work for justice, including Respect Life efforts. The scope is twofold: to meet immediate needs and to work for changes in the structures of society that are oppressive. Those involved in the human concerns ministries work with parishioners, community groups and other parishes to help solve related problems. They keep parishioners aware of issues relating to justice, peace, hunger, the homeless, etc. on local, national and international levels so that appropriate Christian action on such issues can be determined.

Cathedral Center Outreach
Our mission is to reach out to help single women and families who are residing in the emergency shelter at the Cathedral Center in downtown Milwaukee. We provide and serve evening snacks, visit with guests and prepare sandwiches for their lunches the next day. Volunteers may either donate items to be taken downtown or they may help with food set-up, serving, sandwich preparation and clean-up. Four to six volunteers are needed to travel to the site for each volunteer. For more details and contact information, see the Cathedral Center Outreach Volunteer Flyer. Read about the Cathedral Center at www.cathedral-center.org.

House of Peace Brunch
Every December, our youth travel to Milwaukee to bring a bit of Christmas cheer to the inner city. A delicious meal is served and presents are given to all, thanks to the generosity of our parishioners. Volunteers are needed to help with the fundraiser in the fall, solicit and wrap gifts, provide food for the event, and serve at the event. Watch the "Share Your Gifts" page in fall each year for ways to help.

Inner City Ministry
The Inner City Ministry helps the poor and homeless in Milwaukee. Clothing is donated and distributed by parishioners throughout the year. Volunteers also pick up and deliver leftover bakery from area businesses. For more details and contact information, see the Inner City Ministry Volunteer Flyer.

Interfaith Caregivers
Interfaith Caregivers is a faith-based non-profit organization, providing voluntary supportive services to seniors and to adults with disabilities. Volunteers provide transportation, shopping, visits and reassuring phone calls, help with paperwork and bills, light housework and yard work, and respite care. Scheduling is flexible. For more details and contact information, see the Interfaith Caregivers Volunteer Flyer. Read about Interfaith Caregivers in Ozaukee County at www.interfaithozaukee.org.

Justice for Immigrants
SFB’s Justice for Immigrants committee is part of the Milwaukee Archdiocese’s and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' "Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope" campaign that is designed to unite and mobilize a growing network of Catholic institutions, individuals, and other persons of good faith in support of a broad legalization program and comprehensive immigration reform. The primary objectives are:
• To educate the public, especially the Catholic community, including Catholic public officials, about Church teaching on migration and immigrants;
• To create political will for positive immigration reform;
• To enact legislative and administrative reforms based on the principles articulated by the bishops; and
• To organize Catholic networks to assist qualified immigrants obtain the benefits of the reforms.

For more details and contact information, see the Justice for Immigrants Volunteer Flyer.

Knitting Ministry
People who knit or crochet at all ability levels are invited to join us to make items for those needing comfort, including new mothers, people suffering from depression and those undergoing cancer treatment. The group also makes new baby hats and blankets for crisis pregnancies, and hats, mittens and scarves for the House of Peace. The group meets every Tuesday afternoon in the parish hall. For more details and contact information, see the Knitting Ministry Volunteer Flyer.

Lasata Monday Mass Volunteers
Our mission is to provide assistance at the Lasata Nursing Home so that residents can attend Mass and/or receive communion. Masses are on the second Monday each month at 2:00 p.m. Volunteers help from about 1:15-3:00 p.m. and can choose how often they would like to help. For more details and contact information, see the Lasata Monday Mass Volunteers flyer.

Mercy’s Mission
We tend to the spiritual needs of our parishioners who are elderly, homebound, and in assisted living or nursing homes. We keep contact with these parishioners; in a sense we become their advocate to the parish. There are three different ministries: visit the institution-bound, visit the homebound, and be available as an alternate. The homebound may need help with grocery shopping, fixing meals, washing or just visiting. The time commitment is one hour per week. For more details and contact information, see the Mercy's Mission Volunteer Flyer.

Respect Life Ministry
Our mission is to support the teachings of the Catholic Church on respect life issues through parish education, outreach, and prayer, and to support local organizations that respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, especially those organizations that provide crisis pregnancy support. For more details and contact information, see the Respect Life Committee Volunteer Flyer.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Cedarburg Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is part of a worldwide organization dedicated to helping people in need, regardless of religious affiliation. There are usually 15 to 20 families and five to seven individuals needing help. The group offers temporary assistance based on referrals from pastors, social agencies, individuals and our Thrift Store in Port Washington. The aim is to help them become more self-sufficient with one-time or on-going aid. Four big outreaches happen at Easter, Back-to-School, Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus a program for residents of Lasata around St. Patrick's Day. During Bundle weekend, parishioners can donate clothing and other items at church. Meetings with new or returning clients are held on an as-needed basis throughout the year. The Society meets for an hour and a half every second Tuesday of the month at the St. Francis Borgia North Parish Center. For more details and contact information, see the St. Vincent de Paul Volunteer Flyer.

Additional Information
For more information, contact the Office of Stewardship and Development at 262-377-1070, ext. 229 or send an e-mail.

For those in need of outreach services beyond the organizations and ministries listed above, see the archdiocesan website for Catholic Charities.

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