Pastoral Life

PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY

          Parish Social Ministry promotes the social mission of the parish. 
Its emphasis is two-fold: 
           1) education and formation of the parish community and
           2) organization of parishioners into four complementary ministries:
                      charity and direct service
                       legislative advocacy
                       global solidarity
                       community organizing/empowerment.

          The Social Ministry Planning Committee gives direction
to social ministry at St. Aloysius Parish.  It assesses needs,
plans, coordinates, communicates, reviews and evaluates
parish social ministry efforts in light of Scripture
and Catholic Social Teaching.

          For more information:  Rita Amberg Waldref:  (509) 313-7003

A. Educational and formational opportunities:
          Journey to Justice Retreat (September)
          JustFaith (8 month formation process)
          Beyond JustFaith for JF grads
          Caring for Creation Committee
          Social Ministry Weekends
          JustFilms (films focusing on justice issues)
          Parish Health Ministry
          Social Ministry Library

B.  Charity and direct service opportunities:
          Monthly collection for the poor (Second Harvest Food Bank and local
                 social agencies)
          House of Charity lunch (Catholic Charities)
          Interfaith Hospitality Network for the Homeless
          November food collection
          Volunteer Chore and Work Party  during Advent (Catholic Charities)
          Advent Project
          Gonzaga University/St. Aloysius Parish free Thanksgiving dinner

C.  Legislative advocacy:
          Voter registration, WA state legislative conference, letter-writing
                  campaigns to legislators

D.  Global solidarity:
          Sister Parish relationship with Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Parish,
                       Bajo Lempa, El Salvador
          Fair Trade coffee, tea, chocolate, crafts
          Work of Human Hands Sale (Catholic Relief Services)
          Operation Rice Bowl (Catholic Relief Services)
          CROP WALK

E.  Community organizing/empowerment:
          Spokane Alliance