Kinship
“We see the parish dimensions of social ministry not as an added burden, but as a part of what keeps a parish alive and makes it truly Catholic. Effective social ministry helps the parish not only do more, but be more—more of a reflection of the gospel, more of a worshipping and evangelizing people, more of a faithful community. It is an essential part of parish life.” - Communities of Salt and Light, Page 1
Mission Statement
Based on the demands of Sacred Scripture, responding to our Baptismal commitment, the Social Justice Ministries are called to guide Three Holy Women Parish to kinship with the human family through the pursuit of peace and justice.
Vision Statements
- Provide direct human service for individuals and families suffering the pain of poverty.
- Organize and join with those individuals and families to change the conditions that cause or exacerbate poverty.
- Create formation opportunities, ensuring the social ministry work remains rooted in Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching
- Develop ministries that address hunger, shelter, sanctity of life and dignity, local and global solidarity and pastoral care issues.
- Establish a good communication system that keeps the entire parish and community engaged.
Education and Formation Ministry
Mary Bowser, Coordinator
414-482-2816
email: mbowser4@wi.rr.com
- Education/Formation Ministry raises parishioners’ knowledge of and sensitivity to social
- justice issues.
- It seeks to transform people’s hearts and attitudes toward social justice.
- It creates educational materials, forums, and transformational experiences that will
- inform parishioners about social justice issues.
- It develops education/formation opportunities with the other Social Justice ministries. Major focus in on JustFaith and Engaging Spirituality programs as well as small faith sharing groups.
Local Solidarity
Sue Winkler, Coordinator
414-335-9780
Email: sue.winks@att.net
- Local Solidarity Ministry provides the opportunity to grow in faith through relationships with local communities and with individual members.
- These relationships would be mutual and reciprocal and intended to build bridges between communities separated by race, ethnicity, culture and economic disparity.
- Examines and responds to root causes of injustices that affect those with whom we are in partnership.
- Provides education and formation opportunities for parishioners relative to raising the awareness of justice issues.
Hospitality Center Ministry
Bob Schuelke, Director of Social Justice Ministries
414-271-6577
Email: bschuelke@archmil.org
Brenda Buchanan, RN, Parish Nurse
414-271-6577
Email: bbuchana@columbia-stmarys.org
In May of 2005 the parish converted the lower level of St. Hedwig Church to create a space for homeless and poor to rest, obtain simple food, clothing and referrals as needed, and to be engaged into our parish community. The goal is to welcome our neighbors in need into our parish community, meet needs, and create a vehicle to build relationships with our parishioners to build solidarity. Programs will be developed to give guests an opportunity to give back and engage in our parish community to foster dignity. It is open from 9:30 am to 10:30 am on Friday mornings after the 9:00 am Mass.
St. Vincent de Paul Conference
Joyce Talsky, Coordinator
414-962-8845
Email: joycetalsky@gmail.com
St. Vincent de Paul Society provides its members with opportunities to
participate in multiple volunteer services directed to the poor, with a unique
focus on one- to- one personal services through home visitation, aid, info/
referral services, support, and problem-solving. Members are active in
philanthropic and leadership activities. SVDP is dedicated to the support
of, and involvement in community service. The Conference meets on the
second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 6:30 pm at the Parish Office.
Global Solidarity
Shawn Alexander, Coordinator
414-263-4031
email: shawndalexander@gmail.com
Global Solidarity Ministry provides the opportunity to grow in faith through relationships with communities internationally.
- These relationships would be mutual and reciprocal and intended to build bridges between communities separated by race, ethnicity, culture and economic disparity.
- Examines and responds to root causes of injustices that affect those with whom we are in partnership.
- Provides education and formation opportunities for parishioners relative to raising the awareness of justice issues.
Northern Uganda Ministry
This Global Solidarity Ministry fosters the relationship with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Parish in Padibe, Uganda and to create education and formation opportunities that examine and respond to root causes of injustices that affect those with whom we are in partnership. Meets monthly for planning, training and formation.
Shelter Ministry
Betty Moran: Coordinator
414-962-2260
Email:bettymoran@wi.rr.com
Shelter Ministry explores the shelter needs in our community and discerns activity that would address these needs. Educates and provides opportunities for parishioners to raise awareness of these needs. It also examines and responds to root causes of injustices that affect those who have shelter needs. Meets quarterly.
Habitat for Humanity
The Habitat for Humanity Ministry coordinates the parish’s relationship with Habitat for Humanity in collaboration with the Riverbank Catholic Connection. Ministers are needed to plan and coordinate fundraising and help build homes. Volunteers build the Habitat home on two Saturdays per month (generally the 2nd and 3rd from 9am to 3pm). Volunteers are also needed to make lunches. Meets 2-3 times a year for planning and coordinating and once a year for formation of ministers building a home.
Culture of Life and Dignity
The Culture of Life and Dignity Ministry is rooted in the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Life and Dignity of the Human Person. This ministry:
- Creates awareness of and advocates for the uncompromising principle that every human life is valued and affirmed.
- Sponsors programs that provide pastoral care for women with problems related to pregnancy and others who have been affected by the culture of death.
- Provides prayer and worship experiences.
- Educates parishioners to deepen the understanding of the sanctity of human life.
- Advocates for public policies that protect the lives of the unborn and those vulnerable to the effect of a culture of death.
Mission Statement
Based on the demands of Sacred Scripture, responding to our Baptismal commitment, the Human Concerns Commission is called to guide Three Holy Women Parish to kinship with the human family through the pursuit of peace and justice.
Vision Statements
In service of our mission statement, the Culture of Life Ministry, as a vital component of the Human Concerns Commission will:
- Provide Public Information and Education to deepen the understanding of the sanctity of human life.
- Provide Pastoral Care for women with problems related to pregnancy and for all who have been affected by the violence of the culture of death
- Provide Public Policy efforts directed to restoring legal protection to the lives of the unborn and those vulnerable to the effects of a culture of death
- Provide Prayer and Worship experiences directed to participation in the sacramental life of the Church.
Advent Giving Tree
Kathy Chaney, Coordinator
414-332-8457
Email: mchaney2@wi.rr.com
Advent Giving Tree supports La Causa Crisis Nursery and The Guest House The parish is very responsive and has provided enormous amounts of gifts for these two agencies.
Healthcare Ministry
Brenda Buchanan, RN, Coordinator
414-271-6577
Email: bbuchana@columbia-stmarys.org
Brenda Buchanan, RN is our part-time Parish Nurse. She is sponsored by Columbia/
St. Mary’s Hospital and Milwaukee Catholic Home. Flu shots have been distributed
and blood pressure screening is in place during the hospitality weekend at each church.
Brenda works closely with our homeless and marginalized guests at the Hospitality
Center.
Mission Statement
Based upon the call of Sacred Scripture, responding to our Baptismal
commitment, the Healthcare Ministry fosters spiritual, emotional and physical
health by encouraging wholeness and harmony with self, others, the environment
and God.
Vision Statements
In service of our mission statement, the Healthcare Ministry, as a vital component
of the Human Concerns Commission will:
- Provide Personal and Home Health Assistance through home, nursing home and hospital visitation and prayer and healing services.
- Provide Health Education Topics to promote understanding of the relationship between lifestyle, attitudes, faith and well-being.
- Provide Health Monitoring and Screening to promote wellness and disease prevention.
- Provide Community Health Resources, Referrals and Advocacy to assist parishioners in utilizing community resources and services.
Prison Ministry
Bob Schuelke, Director of Social Justice Ministries, Coordinator
414-271-6577
Email: bschuelke@archmil.org
“I was … in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:34-40)
Prison Ministry involves going to visit those in jail or prison, letter writing, help correct
returned Bible Study material from inmates, tutoring, assisting with Eucharistic Servicesand Mass held in the prisons and more.
Training and placement of parishioners wishing to do this ministry is available. A
discernment process is also available for those who want to examine this ministry and
reflect on whether they feel called to carry out this ministry.
“Immediately after my first visit, I experienced the privilege of living out Jesus’
message that ‘when I was in prison, you came to visit me’. Visiting the prison
is a very humbling experience. I learned that there is really no difference
between me and the brother-in-Christ that I visited. Every one of us is a
beloved child of God.”
Four parishioners are participating in this ministry
- One is writing letters to the imprisoned
- Two are visiting the County Jail
- One is tutoring in the State facility
Environmental Justice Ministry
Bob Schuelke, Director of Social Justice Ministries, Coordinator
414-271-6577
Email: bschuelke@archmil.org
Environmental Justice Ministry addresses how to protect God’s creation and the
environment that sustains the human family and all the earth. We show our respect for
our Creator by our care for his creation. This ministry explores education opportunities,
advocacy-action, networking and partnering with existing programs. Our work is rooted
in Scripture realizing the poor and the marginalized are typically most effected by
environmental justice issues. Meets monthly.
Hunger Ministry
Jean DeVita, Coordinator
414-272-9802 email: devita.jb@gmail.com
The Hunger Ministry provides direct support to several food pantries and programs through food donations, coordinating programs and staffing food distribution sites. This ministry also educates parishioners about and responds to root causes of hunger.
Riverwest Food Pantry
Jean DeVita, Coordinator
414-272-9802 email: devita.jb@gmail.com
The Riverwest Food Pantry assists in sorting, registering and distributing food from 8:30 am to 11:00 am (winter) and 8:00 am to 10:30am (summer) Saturday mornings at the Pantry.
CROP Walk
Ann and Rich Rovito, Coordinators
414-727-4324
Email: arovito@chw.org
Ministry coordinates the parish’s participation in the Greater Milwaukee CROP Walk, which raises funds for local and international hunger relief. Ministers are needed to plan, coordinate and evaluate the walk, hunger Mass and meal and fundraising. Parishioners participate in the Walk and donate money for hunger relief. A Hunger Mass and fellowship is provided to raise awareness of hunger issues. Youth and children are encouraged to participate when accompanied by an adult. Meets 2-3 times a year for planning and 1 time a year for the walk.
Thanksgiving Baskets
Sue Winkler, Coordinator
414-335-9780
Email: sue.winks@att.net
This ministry prepares and distributes Thanksgiving food baskets to homebound and needy residents of our community. Ministers are needed to plan, coordinate, and evaluate the annual Thanksgiving Ministry. Ministers are also needed to contribute food and monetary donations and to prepare and deliver baskets to recipients. Youth and children are encouraged to participate when accompanied by an adult. Meets 2-3 times a year for planning and 1 time a year for preparing and delivering the baskets.
All Saints Meal Program
Ben Hubing Coordinator – Second Monday
414-630-5659
Email: bhubing@hotmail.com
Chris Macon Coordinator – Third Monday
414-916-3539
Email: ckm6530@sbcglobal.net
All Saints Parish initiated a meal program Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights in order to help to meet the hunger needs of their parishioners and people who live in the neighborhood. They currently feed about 100 individuals each night. The Hunger ministry joined All Saints Parish in solidarity to create opportunities for our parishioners to engage in a relationship experiences with individuals and families of different social and racial backgrounds. This ministry prepares and serves meals at the All Saints Meal Program on the second and third Monday of each month.
Share the Harvest
In late summer we ask parishioners to share their garden harvest and bring their food to Mass and process at Offertory time to the altar to Share the Harvest. This food is then delivered to the Riverwest Food Pantry.
Guest House Meal Program
Kathy Chaney, Coordinator
414-332-8457
Email: mchaney2@wi.rr.com
The Guest House provides emergency shelter for 86 men each night, providing education, training, case management and treatment, working toward eradicating homelessness. This ministry provides food and serves meals on the 4th Thursday of each month.
