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 Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
  The person is not only sacred but also social.  How we organize society — in economics and politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.
  The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
  A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring.  In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgement (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
  The economy must serve people, not the other way around.  Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in Gods creation.
  We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.
  We show our respect for the Creator by stewardship of creation.  Care for the earth in not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith.
 

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.
 

Our Outreach Activities Include:

 

Blessed Sacrament Supper Program

Since 1992, countless volunteers have provided supper to some of the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods. The problems are many for most of our guests but our mission is simple—to feed them a warm, nutritious meal and provide the nourishment of safe and hospitable social interaction. When the program first started, most of our guests were homeless. Today, many have housing and are working, but their limited income means assistance with a healthy meal is needed and appreciated. More than 300 volunteers help us prepare and serve meals to 450 guests every week.  There is also a monthly collection of food to support these efforts.  (Mary Jo Lightholder— [email protected])
  Click here for more information.
 

Alternative Christmas Fair

Our annual Christmas Fair features alternative fair trade gifts.  Through the sale, we support St. Michael’s Woodshop, One World’s Goods, Social Ministry in the Southeast Rochester Catholic Community, and other ministries working to build a more just world.    Click here to email Mary Coughtry           
 

Bethany House

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])

 

Christmas Giving Tree

Each Advent a giving tree is erected at each of our worship sites.  On the branches are paper ornaments indicating gifts for children and families in need.  The items listed on the ornaments are suggested by several social service agencies.  Parishioners take an ornament, purchase the listed items, and return the gifts under the tree.  The gifts are distributed so that these families may enjoy a joyful Christmas.
Click here to contact Mary Coughtry
 

Downtown Community Forum

The DCF, for over 30 years, has been a community service to the downtown community as well as the community at large.  It has been a place for folks to gather and be challenged as they hear about the most important issues of the day.   The programs are held at the Dugan Center at St. Mary’s Church in downtown Rochester.  (During the pandemic, the DCF has been on sabbatical.) 
Click here to contact Deacon David Palma

 
Homeless Outreach

Volunteers from our community and other faith communities go out monthly offering assistance and overnight shelter to those who find themselves homeless.  Along with volunteers, the team can include dedicated professionals: social workers/case managers, doctors, nurses, medical students, nursing students, social work students, agency representatives, a driver for the bus used for transportation and police officers as escorts.  The focus of this ministry is to help homeless people connect to the social service system so they might find permanent housing and access benefits for which they may qualify.  Click here to contact Deacon David Palma
 

Next Step

This program, offered in conjunction with the  Blessed Sacrament Supper Program, provides support for those trying to get back on their feet. Services include resume writing, options for affordable healthcare, and more.  If you can volunteer your time and services to our clients please click here to contact Mary Jo Lightholder.   (During the pandemic, the Next Step has been on sabbatical.)

  

Next-to-New Sale

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.

 

Prayer Vigil Ministry

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 of Rochester (Formerly called RAIHN)

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] )

 

Roc/ACTS (Rochester Alliance of Communities Transforming Society) 

St. Mary’s is a founding member of Roc/ACTS.  This is an interfaith, inter-denominational, inter-racial, urban-suburban community organizing initiative affiliated with the Faith in Action Network of community organizations.  Involvement with the initiative within the community and within the larger regional community is open to any interested parishioner.  Please help us confront the issues of poverty in our city. Folks are also welcomed to join the Core Team.  Click here to contact Deacon David Palma.

St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality

Several Saturdays a year a group of parishioners cooks and serves lunch to the guests at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, a Catholic Worker House founded almost 80 years ago.  Click here to contact Tom Pomidoro.

 

The People's Pantry (formerly known as the South Wedge Food Program)

This program fights hunger in Rochester. For years, St. Boniface has supported the program with food, supplies, and volunteers.   Now the entire Southeast Rochester Catholic Community is engaged. A monthly collection of food is taken up the last Sunday of the month after Masses at St. Boniface Church.  

(Bruce Gorman—[email protected] com )

 

Tithing Committee (St. Mary's)

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)
    

Vocational Institute for the Children of South Sudan

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])