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Social Mission

As a Jesuit parish, Social Mission is at the heart of our community’s life. Informed by the Gospel (Mt 5:1-10; Mt 25: 31-46, Mt 22:36-40), Catholic Social Teaching, and the Jesuit’s Universal Apostolic Preferences, we believe we are transformed by our Eucharistic gathering, sent to serve those in need, work for justice, and welcome all with love. We embrace a faith that does justice and preferential love for the poor and the earth manifest in service and relational solidarity, parish-wide education, intentional giving, and advocacy. 

Through our Social Mission Core Team (SMCT) and the leadership of so many parishioners like you, we leverage our time and talents for the common good. Together, we work towards the beloved community, towards building the realm of God.

Social Mission Newsletter

The chart and accompanying explanations below will help you to better understand the structure and activity of our Social Mission ministries. We invite you to use it as a tool to discern how you can best live into Christ’s call of active discipleship.  

Our issue-based action teams meet regularly and provide a strong foundation for sustained parish engagement in the social and environmental issues of our day. Teams function as open groups and are always eager to accept new members. Teams organized around relationship-building, education, and advocacy. You can find more information about each of these Teams below

Our Service and Solidarity Teams complement and collaborate with our Issue-Based Action Teams. These Teams offer a variety of weekly and monthly service opportunities for you and your family. Each of these groups would welcome your involvement. You can learn more about the organizations we serve below:

  • The Bellarmine Conference of St. Vincent de Paul meets Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. Our Vincentians meet with our neighbors to pray with them and assist with rent, food, transportation, and more. 
  • The Shalom Coalition of Habitat for Humanity works seasonally on constructing affordable housing for low-income, first-time homeowners.  
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network volunteers assist with meals and social activities for families experiencing homelessness during four hosting weeks each year.  
  • Our Kairos Prison Ministry team is an ecumenical group of men who offer semi-annual 4-day Kairos retreats to prisoners in Lebanon and Lucasville.
  • Tender Mercies volunteers provide a meal to residents challenged by homelessness and mental illness one time per month.
  • Lydia’s House volunteers offer a variety of support for this local Catholic Worker House, which serves formerly homeless women and their children as they reach self-sufficiency.
  • Casa de Paz volunteers likewise offer a variety of support for Latina women and their children after experiences of domestic violence and trauma.
  • Fresh is Better: Evanston Garden Project and NEXUS Community Garden and Urban Farm volunteers work to build relationships with our neighbors while decreasing food insecurity through growing healthy, organic food.
  • If you are interested in serving your fellow parishioners, please visit our Network of Care page.

Our Social Mission Core Team comprises leaders from ministry teams meeting monthly to coordinate across ministry areas, providing fertile ground for cross-pollination and greater, parish-wide efforts, including Parish Giving, Advocacy Partnerships, and Education and Growth Opportunities.

Our parishioners make parish Giving, both financial and in-kind contributions throughout the year. We highlight a different ministry partner or organization each month through our Outreach Collection. Some of these collections are annual, and our Issue-based Action Teams determine some. You can learn more about our current Outreach Collection here.

Each quarter, we offer Outreach Grants of up to $1,000 to local nonprofits and start-up initiatives. You can learn more about our Outreach Grants and apply here.

Advocacy Partnerships allow us to actively collaborate with larger coalitions active on city, state, and national issues. You can find more information on our advocacy efforts on our Ignatian Advocacy Team here.

Education and Growth opportunities abound for the year, from immersion trips to one-off events to more in-depth JustFaith experiences in small faith groups. The bulletin and the Social Mission Newsletter are the best way to stay on top of available opportunities. Sign up here!

Join Us

We would love to have you engaged in our parish’s Social Mission. If you would like to learn more about or discern participation in any of these Social Mission ministries, please reach out to our Director of Social Mission.

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