Social Justice

The Social Justice Committee responds to the social problems within the parish, to the local community, and to the needs of the broader world. 

2020/2021 Activities

• Home and Away School Supply Drive
• Virtual Run for the Least 5k run to support Belle Fontaine area in Haiti
• Respect All Life display
• Remind parish of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship in election year
• Thanksgiving Food Collection for Southeast Linn Community Center
• Virtual Christmas Giving Tree for SE Linn and retired nuns
• Poverty Awareness Display
• Lenten Collection
• Earth Day Awareness
• Supply Fruit for Operation Backpack and Summer Backpack

Miscellaneous collections to support Southeast Linn Community Center programs.

Cards sent to parishioners of support or congratulations (ie. anniversary, sympathy)


 

                                                                     Lenten Alms for Haiti

“Within the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies anyone what is needed for a dignified life.”  “God Is Love” Pope Benedict XVI, 2005, #20.

On January 26, 2000, All Saints parish in Cedar Rapids was twinned with the parish of Notre Dame de Lourdes in Belle Fontaine, Haiti.  St. Mary’s, Vinton in 2004 and St. John in 2013. The goals of the yearly visits that have usually taken place vary a little on the people who travel and their skills, but the goals are always the same:
                 1.  To be present, to learn their needs and create a list of top ten priorities.
                 2.  To provide Teacher In-Servicing for the teachers and VBS for the Children.

The top priority needs have always been to support the education system in the village chapels.  In Notre Dame de Lourdes there are 24 chapels.  Each has its own school, teachers, and students.  There are 105 teachers and about 4,500 students.  Each teacher earns a salary of about $360 a school year if funds are available.  The student’s family’s pay what they can, the three parishes, (All Saints, St. Mary’s, and St. John) work to raise funds to cover the rest. 

It is January of 2018 and my first trip to Haiti.  We had arrived at the village of Durcabon, one of the 24 parishes.  I am excited because today we are going to visit the Sister’s school. The beautiful sounds of the children playing filled my heart with joy.   But once inside the school, problems of inadequate facilities with many distractions were but one of several obstacles that Haitians have to overcome as they strive to provide a better education for their children. 

The Ministry of Education provides little funding to support education, leaving it to private sectors to provide 90% of schooling opportunities.  At the Sister’s school the children receive a free education.  Many Children cannot afford to attend school.  Some children need to work to make money for the family. Many teachers are not trained, equipped and/or given the proper resources to be successful, AND meals provided for the children are not an option.  They do not exist for many schools.  Our Catholic Social Teaching “Option for the Poor and Vulnerable” instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.  Lenten Alms for Haiti will help do just that.
Picture 1: classroom at Sister's School.  Teacher has her child with her as she teaches.  
Picture 2: typical classroom.  If more then one class per room, wooden barriers or tarps separate them.  
Picture 3: Teacher In-service.  Teachers learning about classroom management.  
Picture 4: Sister's teach sewing classes and the students use materials we send over via sea-crates.  They are showing us what they have done.
Picture 5: Teachers In-service.  Teachers walk to Durcabon for the inservices.  Some travel seven hours one way.  
PIcture 6: VBS.  First day we hoped for 50 children. We had 110 plus. 
































 

Today we start our Lenten journey.  The St. John Social Justice Committee is inviting you to review the seven Catholic Social Teachings with a short video.  Then, on the next six Wednesdays, we will explore how these teachings apply to our relationship with our friends in Haiti.

We will conduct our Lenten Alms for Haiti education campaign as a way to show solidarity.  (Solidarity-We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethic, economic, and ideological differences.  We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be.)  Church online giving or envelopes are both available for your convenience.  You can also stop by to look at the display in the church gathering space.

Click to watch video