Our community understands that the church has a mission to work for mercy and justice in our world. Engaging in the Corporal Works of Mercy is an essential part of being a Catholic Christian. If we have excellent liturgies, a beautiful worship space, developed educational programs but do not act for mercy and justice in the world, we are, as St. Paul says, “tinkling brass and crashing cymbals.” The Social Ministry programs provide opportunities for engagement, education and advocacy on local and global issues.
Please join us!
The term “social justice” can conjure different meanings for different people. While there is certainly a level of study and advocacy that can be involved, on a day-to-day basis it simply services to those who are poor, vulnerable, and in need.
In addition to the programs outlined here, we also accept donations during the holidays for food baskets and Christmas items for parishioners who can use extra help at this time of year. We also accept donations of hats, mittens, and coats during the winter months.
For more information on social justice activities, contact our parish office at
585-271-7240.
The third Wedneday of every month sees members of our community cook dinner for residents of Bethany House -- a Catholic Worker House for Women. After an evening prayer service, the meal is shared with everyone. We also collect non-perishable food the last Sunday of the month after Masses at St. Mary's Church and deliver them to the house.
(Deacon Edward Knauf—[email protected])
The sale is an important outreach to city residents who may not have the finances or transportation to purchase new items from department stores and shops located in the suburbs. The sale is conducted twice a year, in the sping and fall, in the basement of the school building at Blessed Sacrament Church. Learn more about the sale and how you can help.
For more than 20 years, after a murder has be committed in our city or county, people have gathered in prayer near the site of the crime to pray for the victim(s) and families. This initiative was started by Deacon Bill Coffey during his time at St. Mary’s and continues to this day. It is a profound and sacred moment. If you can occasionally join the Prayer Vigil, please let us know. We will enter your name into our database and inform you of when and where a Vigil is to take place.
(Deacon Edward Knauf—[email protected])
Family Promise is a partnership among several Rochester area faith communities to provide temporary housing for families that have become homeless. St. Mary’s partners with First Universalist Church, located across Washington Square Park, to provide housing, meals, and support for homeless families housed at First Universalist Church. Parishioners help to provide support, fellowship, breakfasts, and dinners approximately three times a year for one week. (During the pandemic, the Family Promise program has been on sabbatical.) (Kathleen Little—[email protected] )
(Bruce Gorman—[email protected] com )
As a result of a special bequest, a tithing fund was established. This money is allocated to support organizations, ministries and agencies in our neighborhoods that benefit the poor other than those sponsored by the parish. The committee reviews applications four times a year and awards grants to organizations, ministries and agencies that meet the criteria. For more information, please visit our web site.
(https://southeastrochestercatholics.org/tithing-fund)
Kuc Majak, an experienced educator, St. Mary’s parishioner and native of South Sudan, in 2009 decided to work toward re-establishing an educational system in his home area of Aweil, Northern Bhar El Ghazal State. To this end, the community has supported Kuc in raising funds for a vocational school. This school (seen below) opened in August 2015, and while a significant accomplishment, the need to raise funds for the next phase of development is still very great.
(Kuc Majak—(585) 458-1993; [email protected])