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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to
proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let
the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19
At St. John the Baptist we strive to continue this mission of our Lord through our social concerns ministries. We see social concerns as integral to the life of our parish and strive to reflect on the social mission of the Church in all that we do. Recognizing that Baptism calls us all to mission, social concerns ministries strive to involve the entire parish in the mission of educating in Catholic social teaching, reaching out in service, and working for a just and peaceful world through advocacy and solidarity with the poor and vulnerable.
A full-time member of our staff, Cynthia Norris, and a large cadre of volunteer parishioners direct social concerns ministries. Our ministries are divided into the following categories. You may click on each category for detailed information.
Community Fund
Community Service
Ministries
Eco-Ministry
Education & Liturgy Ministry
Prison Ministry
Respect for Life
Sister Parish in Haiti
Mission Statement
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw
you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And
when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you
clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'
And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one
of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.' Matthew
25:37-40
A parish community exists for many reasons; one important reason is to live
out the Gospel mandate of service to God's people. We are called to be merciful
as God is merciful and to give to others as God has given to us. The Community
Fund is one important way in which the St. John the Baptist community hears
this call and answers it, by striving to be sensitive and responsive to the
immediate needs of those suffering temporary or continuing misfortune.
The Community Fund is supported by a second collection to be taken at every Mass on Community Sunday. Private donations or memorial contributions will also be accepted. The Fund is available to anyone in need. The Fund will be administered by a Board of Directors who will represent a cross-section of the parish. The Pastor prepares guidelines for the appointment of the Board and operation of the Fund.
Guidelines for the Operation of the Community Fund
I. Community Fund Board
A Board of Directors will advise the Pastor, Associate Pastor, and/or the Director of Social Concerns concerning the allocation of money collected by the Community Fund. The Board will consist of: the Pastor and/or Associate Pastor, the parish Director of Social Concerns, a representative of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a representative from the Pastoral Council, a representative from the Community Service Ministry of the Social Justice Committee, the parish C-4 Representative, and two other at-large members to be appointed by the pastor. Each at-large member will serve for a three-year term.
The Board will meet monthly during the week following the Community Fund collection. The Board will strive to operate as a team, making decisions whenever possible based on consensus. If no consensus can be reached, and it is necessary to make an immediate decision due to a financial emergency, a vote will be taken.
II. Emergency Assistance
The bulk of the Community Fund collection will be used for emergency assistance to individuals requesting help, or to local agencies providing such assistance. Through its emergency assistance program, the Community Fund strives for a personal, rather than institutional, approach to individuals in need. Members of the Board will keep confidential the names of all persons helped.
Applicants for emergency assistance may contact any of the Board members. Normal procedure would require proof of need in the form of an eviction notice, unpaid utility bill, proof of income, proof of need, a referral from the applicant’s case manager (where applicable), and then presenting each applicant's case at the monthly meeting for a decision by the Board on the merits of the case and the amount of funding to grant. In cases that must be decided before the next meeting, the Board member will contact the Social Concerns Director, who will then poll at least two other Board members for approval. If the amount requested is less than $200, polling the other members is not necessary. The Social Concerns Director handles almost all calls for assistance.
Guidelines for types of assistance follow:
A. Food
1. Applicants for food assistance can be referred to Manna for a food box. Referrals must be submitted the day before to Manna’s Rockville office at 301/424-1130.
2. The Community Fund maintains its own food certificates accepted by Safeway in Cloverly to be used when the Manna allocation is insufficient for the month. These certificates are usually limited to $40 for a family and $25 for an individual and used very sparingly due to the possibility of fraud.
B. Rent and Utility Assistance
Clients with an eviction notice or a utility cut-off notice will be referred first to Montgomery County Emergency Services and second to EMEAN or the non-profit emergency service provider that covers their zip code area. The Board will work with these providers to help cover bills that are greater than their funding limits. In addition, on a case-by-case basis, the Board will provide assistance to those who have already exhausted their eligibility with the County or other agencies. Clients without an eviction or cut-off notice who have late bills will be considered for assistance on a case-by-case basis by the Board at its monthly meeting.
C. Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets
The parish Thanksgiving and Christmas basket program is coordinated by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which works closely with EMEAN and the County to determine the families or individuals in need and to minimize duplicate basket delivery. St. Vincent de Paul will also honor all requests by the Board or parish staff for baskets to needy individuals or families.
D. Other Assistance
Requests for prescription assistance can be referred to EMEAN, MUSST, or MUM if the client lives in their zip code areas, or the Spanish Catholic Center. Other requests for assistance, such as legal assistance, ESL studies, job training courses, rental of storage space or a moving truck for those facing eviction, etc. will also be considered by the Board at its monthly meeting.
E. Repeat Callers
Clients will generally be considered for assistance no more than once in a 12 month period. Exceptions can be made to this guideline with approval of the Board.
III. Allocation of Funds to Agencies
Each month a portion of the Community Fund collection may be allocated to agencies
that provide direct service to the needy. The Board will determine which agencies
are funded based on a review of the agency's annual financial report, mission
statement, and list of other donors. Preference will be given to agencies that
meet the criteria laid out in our mission statement, as well as those with other
ties to the parish, such as recipients of in-kind donations or volunteer groups.
The Board will conduct an annual review of each organization funded.
Contact: Cynthia Norris at 301-622-1122 or at socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org.
Community Service Ministry Group
Give to everyone who begs from you; and if
anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you
would have them do to you.
Luke 6:30-31
Purpose of the Community Service Group
The Community Service Group seeks simply to serve those in need in our community. The group provides opportunities for members of the St. John’s community to reach out to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Silver Spring and Washington, D.C. area. We organize parish-wide community service projects, such as Blanket Sunday and Share the Cross, and we support the many community service ministries that serve the needy year round.
Parish-Wide Community Service Projects
Our major community service projects have become a familiar part of the church year at St. John the Baptist. The special seasons of Advent and Lent are times when many in the parish want to reach out to those in need, and the Community Service Group organizes these opportunities for service:
Blanket Sunday: Members of the parish are asked to bring warm blankets for the homeless to Mass on a designated weekend in Advent. Worshipers bring their blankets to the altar during each of the Masses on Blanket Sunday, and the Community Service Group collects and brings them to Shepherd’s Table in downtown Silver Spring. We receive hundreds of blankets each year, and Shepherd’s Table distributes every one of them to the homeless who come to the Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen or other services.
This year, Blanket Sunday is on the weekend of
December 13/14. Please bring your blankets to Mass. Also, if
you can help to deliver the many blankets that we collect to Shepherd’s
Table after the 12:00 Mass on December 14, please call JoAnn Goedert at 301-593-5193
or Cynthia Norris at (301) 622-1122 or at socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org.
The Community Service Group also seeks out other opportunities for parishioners to be of service at Christmas time. Many of our social concerns ministries—including the Prison Ministry, Shepherd's Table, Eastern Montgomery Emergency Assistance Network (EMEAN), Mid-County United Ministries (MUM), Ministries United Silver Spring Takoma Park (MUSST), and St. Camillus CatholicSchool,--have special needs for gifts, contributions and food donations during Advent.
Everyday Christianity - Share the Cross - Lent 2008
Share the Cross: Throughout Lent, crosses with hundreds of service, prayer, fasting and almsgiving opportunities are available for parishioners in baskets in the church. They include projects for adults, children and families to aid our parish ministries and other organizations that serve those in need. Opportunities range from providing needed items, like diapers and baby clothes for infants served by the Gabriel Project and medications for members of our Sister Parish in Haiti, to volunteer service possibilities at Shepherd’s Table and the C-4 Clothes Closet. You are invited to choose a service activity before or after any Mass during Lent. Items may be left in the gym during the weekend before Palm Sunday, and the Community Service Group then delivers them to the organizations where they are needed.
Parish Day of Service: In March 2001, St. John the Baptist held its first parish-wide Day of Service. The Social Concerns Committee offered opportunities for parishioners to serve their community in many different ways, from helping the Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition clean up and repair a new transitional home for formerly homeless individuals to sorting clothes for the Interfaith Clothes Closet to cooking meals for programs served by our Casserole Project. Participants signed up for morning, afternoon or all-day service, and more than 100 members of the St. John the Baptist Community offered their help during the 2001 Day of Service.
If you have questions, or would like to offer your help, in any of these activities,
you are welcome to contact JoAnn Goedert: 301-593-5193, email: joann.goedert@verizon.net,
or Cynthia Norris: (301) 622-1122, email: socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org.
Many of us at St. John the Baptist also serve our community by working with one of the parish’s community service ministries. They are:
The St. Vincent de Paul Society
The C-4 Clothes and Toy Closets
Shepherd’s Table
The Casserole Project
The Spanish Catholic Center
The Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition
Meals on Wheels
CASA of Maryland
Joining the Community Service Group
The Community Service Group welcomes new members at any time.
Members organize the projects described on this website, working closely with
the Social Concerns Director and coordinating activities with the community
organizations that we serve. The Group also serves as the liaison between the
parish’s community service ministries and the Social Concerns Committee.
If you would like to join the Community Service Group, or help out with any
of our projects, please contact JoAnn Goedert: 301-593-5193, email: : joann.goedert@verizon.net
or Cynthia Norris: 301-622-1122, socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org.
Eco-Ministry
God saw all that had been made, and indeed it was very good.
Genesis 1:31
The St. John's Eco-Ministry group responds through prayer, education and action to the understanding of God's creation. We hold monthly meetings and engage in various practical and spiritual efforts:
We welcome all those who have an interest in making connections between our Catholic faith tradition and environmental issues. We work with the assumptions that protecting the life and dignity of the human person cannot be separated from the care and defense of all creation; that the poor bear the burden of environmental carelessness and greed; and that the Catholic concept of the common good must expand beyond the nation to the whole planet, extending our love to all future generations and to the flourishing of all earth's creatures.
We invite all parishioners to join us by bringing their gifts and resources
to caring for the beautiful earth as God's creation and to acting on environmental
problems as part of our Catholic community of faith.
Contact: Bill Dinges (301) 388-2472
Education & Liturgy Ministry
Then [Jesus] sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When
he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water
and let down your nets for a catch.”…When they had done this, they
caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. …[Simon]
and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken…Then
Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be fishers
of people.” Luke 5:3-10
I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; In the midst
of the congregation I will praise you; You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him; Stand in awe of him, all you offspring
of Israel! For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted;
He did not hide his face from me, But heard when I cried to him.
Psalm 22:22-24
The Liturgy Ministry recently joined the Education Ministry to enhance their works to improve the condition of our community, our nation, and the world through the power of prayer. We assist the Coordinator of Liturgy and the Director of Social Concerns in planning special prayer services with social justice themes, and with incorporating social justice themes into the regular Sunday liturgies.
Special services include:
Prayer Service. This service celebrates our special relationship with our sister parish in Haiti. It features a Haitian choir and readings in English, French, and Creole. A reception following the service features Haitian food, and crafts and coffee from our sister parish are offered for sale, with all proceeds benefiting our sister parish.
The Education & Liturgy Committee is committed to integrating Catholic Social Teaching into all the parish educational and sacramental programs for children, youth, and adults.
The Education & Liturgy Ministry, along with the Director of Social Concerns, collaborates with the Director of Elementary Religious Education and the Youth Minister to provide information on Catholic Social Teaching to the parents whose children are participating in the sacramental programs and to the religious education catechists and curriculum planners. We collaborate with the Youth Minister to plan and staff an annual high school justice and service retreat. We also collaborate with the Director of Adult Faith Formation to sponsor adult education programs on topics related to Catholic Social Teaching.
Events:
Lenten Supper Talks 2008
You are invited to the Lyon Center to observe the Lenten fast by sharing a
simple supper of soup and bread. During the meal, we listen to a presentation
on a topic related to the social concerns of our parish and our Church. This
year’s theme is “Our Place in God’s World.”
Supper will be served beginning at 6:00 pm. The presentation will begin at 6:30,
followed by time for questions and discussion. Dismissal is at 7:20, in time
for Stations of the Cross, which begin at 7:30 in the church.
Upcoming Talks
February 8: "Roles and Responsibilities of Catholics in God’s World"
with Joan Rosenhauer
February 15: “Solidarity in Action: The SJB Sister Parish Project;”
Members of SJB’s 2008 mission team to Baradères, Haiti
February 22: “Justice for Immigrants: Compassion, Communion, and Solidarity;”
Jill Gerschutz, Jesuit Conference USA
February 29: “Be the Voice of the Poor and Vulnerable;” Larry Couch,
Archdiocese of Washington
March 7: “Prudence, Poverty, and the Common Good: A Catholic Approach
to Climate Change;” Daniel Misleh, Catholic Coalition on Climate Change
March 14: “Living the Mystical and Social Dimensions of the Gospel;”
L.J. Milone, Arlene McGarrity, and Dolores Ritter, SJB
Ministry Fair 2008 Information Sheet March 1 & 2, 2008
Alternative Christmas Bazaar December 6 & 7, 2008
Shop for Social Justice - You can promote economic justice for poor people simply by making thoughtful choices about what you eat, drink, and buy. This holiday season, consider giving “fair trade” gifts, and gifts that provide economic opportunities for the disadvantaged.
The Advent and Christmas season should be a time of quiet anticipation and hope for Christ’s simple, yet profound rebirth in our lives. Unfortunately, too often our focus is turned elsewhere, as we get caught up in the frantic preparations for the secular “holiday season” and seemingly endless searches for gifts for family and friends.
Instead of spending too much time and money buying things for loved ones who already have a lot, consider giving a gift that reflects the true meaning of Christmas – a gift of caring for God’s children in need! We can find the Christ child in those around us who are in need and can celebrate his birth by supporting our local service agencies in the missions of comfort and healing.
Education Resources
Seven
Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Sharing Catholic Social
Teaching
Members: Cynthia Norris socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org.
Maggie Conley, Co-Chair magconleyi@verizon.net
Joan Rosenhauer, Co-Chair jrosenhauer@usccb.org
John Bangert jbangert@verizon.net
Geri Garvey george.geri@verizon.net
Michelle Rathbun michellerathbun@yahoo.com
Prison Ministry
Subcommittee
" ...I was in prison and you visited me...Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to one of the least of the those who are members of my family,
you did it to me." MT 25:36,40
"We are still a long way from the time when our conscience can be certain of having done everything possible...to offer to those who commit crimes a way of redeeming themselves and making a positive return to society…" Pope John Paul II
"...we believe that the current trend of more prisons and more executions, with too little education and drug treatment, does not truly reflect Christian values and will not really leave our communities safer." U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops
Inspired by Scripture and Church teachings, the Prison Ministry Subcommittee
promotes opportunities for education, service and advocacy in support of bringing
God's peace to prisoners.
Ministry Activities/Opportunities
Letter writing/pen pal. The SJB Prison Ministry Subcommittee coordinates letter
writing to male inmates of the D.C. Jail. Here is a chance to make a profound
difference in the lives of men trying to survive spiritually, mentally and physically
in jail or prison. Pen pals are encouraged to share spiritual thoughts and experiences
as well as stories from daily life, corresponding at least once a month. Anonymity
of pen pals is maintained.
Life Skills Workshop, Inc. SJB parishioners have served both as mentors and instructors for this program, which assists women transitioning from jail or shelters into the workforce by teaching employment skills through a series of workshop sessions. Mentors attend six training sessions held on Saturday mornings and keep in touch with a participant following graduation for a period of 6-12 months.
Christmas Outreach Project--packages for D.C. Jail inmates. The SJB Prison Ministry coordinates an Advent appeal in the parish for contributions to the Prison Outreach Ministry, which provides packages to inmates of D.C. Jail at Christmas time as well as emergency support to needy prisoners and their families throughout the year.
Lenten "Share the Cross" appeal--D.C. Jail "Lockdown" unit. During the season of Lent, useful items are collected for inmates of the "Lockdown" unit of D.C. Jail as part of the parish "Share the Cross" appeal. Inmates in the "Lockdown" unit do not circulate in the general jail population and spend most of each day alone locked in their cells--some for their own protection. The inmates often have no money and need pens, paper, stamps, combs, deodorant and other personal items that the Jail does not provide.
Tour of area jail. The SJB Prison Ministry coordinates tours of area jails. The tours typically involve a briefing about the facility and its programs, a physical tour of the facility, and a meeting with a small number of inmates. Tours have been arranged at D.C. Jail, Montgomery County Detention Center and the Montgomery County Pre-release Facility.
Legislative advocacy. The SJB Prison Ministry supports advocacy on prison reform issues before Maryland and Federal legislators--through letters, telephone calls and emails on pending legislation.
How to Get Involved?
Contact Prison Ministry Subcommittee Chair Richard McGinnis at 301-384-1038, email SJB Director of Social Concerns at socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org , or complete the Prison Ministry Interest Sheet at the Prison Ministry display on community Sundays.
Schedule of Events:
Alternative
Christmas Gift Catalogue packages through Prison Outreach Ministry
Spring Life Skills Workshop
Lenten "Share the Cross" appeal for D.C. Jail inmates
Links to Resources
OMBUDSWOMAN for prisons issues, Office for Social Concerns, Archdiocese of Washington, Pegeve@aol.com
Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants, a national effort to reduce crime through criminal justice reform, http://curenational.org
Life Skills Workshop, Inc., nonprofit organization that provides job readiness training to women transitioning to the workforce from incarceration or homelessness, LSWinc@msn.com
"Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective
on Crime and Criminal Justice", a statement of the Catholic Bishops of
the United States, http://www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/criminal.htm
For it was you who formed my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
Psalm 139:13-14
It is the mission of the Respect Life Ministry to respect and protect human
life from the moment of conception until natural death. To this end, we support
legislative efforts to end abortion and euthanasia in this country and throughout
the world. Additionally, we support the US Catholic bishops in their effort
to end capital punishment and work for peace. We engage in efforts to assist
those in crisis pregnancy situations, the mentally handicapped and the sick
and dying.
Activities -
March for Life – On January 22,1973, the Supreme Court
decided in Roe vs. Wade that abortion on demand was legal in the United States.
Each year, on the anniversary of that decision (the date is moved forward if
it occurs on a weekend) concerned parishioners and students join thousands of
concerned citizens from across the nation in the March for Life along Constitution
Avenue from the White House to the Capitol and Supreme Court buildings. Meetings
are held with our congressional representatives to express our support of pro-life
legislation. We also attend an Archdiocesan sponsored Rally for Life and Youth
Mass prior to the march. Busses leave SJB on the morning of the march and return
in the afternoon. Public transportation can also be taken to and from the march.
Contact Pat Young (301-622-2745) for details.
Mass for the Innocent – In the evening following the March for Life, SJB Council of the Knights of Columbus sponsors a Mass for marchers, those that could not attend the march, and Father Kindall’s youth group - about 70 students from Florida who come each year for the march. A reception is held in the parish hall following the mass. Contact Jack Sherman (301-384-8071).
Support for the Mentally Handicapped – During the Month of October each year, the SJB Knights of Columbus are involved in the Tootsie Roll Campaign to raise funds to support organizations in Montgomery County involved in working with our mentally handicapped citizens. Donations are accepted at the entrances to local supermarkets, at the Knight’s Sunday Breakfast, and after the masses on one Sunday. The Knights also staff the Bingo at the Center for the Handicapped on the fifth Tuesdays of the month. Contact the Grand Knight.
Gabriel Project – The Gabriel Project is a pro-life
ministry in the state of Maryland, Washington, DC and parts of Pennsylvania
and Virginia. It is a Christian church-based network of volunteers who offer
practical, emotional and spiritual support to women coping with crisis pregnancies.
The SJB group offers transportation, assistance in obtaining material support,
furniture, clothing (for mothers and babies), food, equipment, encouragement,
friendship and prayer. Expectant mothers in crisis are assigned to our group
by the state office based on geographical area.
Contact Shari Argue,
301-625-8136. View
the pictures from the service day at the new Gabriel home
Gabriel House-Transition Home – A new ministry affiliated
with Gabriel Project to create a transitional group home in Montgomery County
for pregnant women needing housing. We will undertake this ministry in partnership
with several other congregations. Volunteer duties may include counseling, teaching
home-making skills, teaching baby care, teaching computer skills, transportation,
babysitting. Volunteers will also be needed to serve on the parish steering
committee.
Contact
Jack Sherman (301-384-8071).
Opposition to the Death Penalty - The Commandment of God -
“Thou Shall Not Kill”- from the Old Testament and the nonviolent
example of Jesus in the New Testament provide the moral underpinning for our
efforts to eliminate the taking of human life as a measure of punishment. Believing
that all humans are creatures of God, we respect the God-given life of all including
those whose crimes call for "capital punishment.” We seek, through
education, meetings, writings, and advocacy, to promote the views of the Catholic
Bishops and Pope John Paul II calling for elimination of capital punishment.
Activities include representation at local and national hearings where death
penalty issues are involved; working with the Archdiocesan Legislative Network
and Maryland Catholic Conference on death penalty issues and alerts; and joining
in prayer and silent protest at the site of such death penalty killings (e.g.
at the Maximum Security Prison in Baltimore, or at the governmental offices
which promote capital punishment).
Contact: Bill Wellington (30l 384 9376) or Cynthia Norris,
301-622-1122 or at socialconcerns@sjbsilverspring.org.
Haiti Medical Mission 2008 Reflections