~ Social / Community Ministries (Page 1) ~

The Food Pantry Ministry provides food for people in need. Ministers are needed to help collect and distribute food for the needy. This should only take a few hours per month.

This ministry can be accomplished through donations to groups like Some Other Place, Catholic Charities, Hospitality Center, etc. And by direct donations as we do at Thanksgiving and Christmas. For further information please call Joe Brown at the St. Anthony Cathedral office, 833-6433.

The Right to Life Committee shares the Catholic Church's position on right to life by raising the awareness of people to what is happening around them, such as the Bishop's position on the Death Penalty, Stem Cell Research, Abortion and pending legislation on these matters. Raising awareness can be accomplished in many ways:

• Inserts in the Bulletin
• Flyers for the Bulletin
• Placing posters in conspicuous places
• Banners
• Roses for all mothers

The possibilities are endless. All that is required is a concern for others and a desire to help in some way For further information, or to join the Right to Life Committee, please call Katherine Curtis at the Cathedral Office (833-6433), or Greg Rice at 899-1816.

The ministry of helping our less fortunate sisters and brothers ins a basic fundamental teaching of Jesus Christ. Our Social Justice Ministry has a unique opportunity to serve the people of Southeast Texas, especially in the inner city of Beaumont.

Several years ago, St. Anthony Cathedral Cathedral began an active Social Justice Ministry. Assisted by Barbara and Jerome Fertitta, our Cathedral Community began a Food Voucher program for those in need. A portion of your monthly donation to the Poor helps fund this program.

Martin Scott and Father Jerry, recognizing a need for a lunch program at Some Other Place on Sunday mornings, collaborated with Paula O'Neill, Director of Some Other Place, started the Sunday Sack Lunch program in February 1998. Today our Cathedral volunteers provide lunches to approximately 50 people every Sunday. Each week our faithful volunteers fee a variety of people, ranging from young to old, men, women, some sick and frail - all of whom are our sisters and brothers.

Through our baptism, we are all called to minister to the less fortunate sisters and brothers. It takes 30 minutes per week to prepare and distribute the Sunday lunches. Lunches are prepared in the Cathedral Center kitchen after the 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning Mass and the lunches are distributed afterwards at Some Other Place in Beaumont.

Through your donations, the Social Justice Ministry also helps those in need find safety in Women and Children's Shelters and safe houses. We minister to those that are in ill health: people with cancer, AIDS, and mental illness. We minister to the homeless, the elderly in nursing homes, and displaced children and teenagers.

Due to the sensitive nature of this ministry, it takes a special person to effectively become involved. You will be asked to visit with Father Jerry and Martin Scott. You will also be asked to attend classes sponsored by the Diocese of Beaumont on Social Ministry and a mandatory background check will be conducted.

For more information please call Martin Scott at the Cathedral Office, 833-6433.

Most correctional facilities have a Chaplain who is responsible for the spiritual care of the offenders. However, ratios of one Chaplain to a thousand offenders is common. With administration and emergencies taking up much of the Chaplain's time, it is difficult to run programs.

Background - The Catholic Church has a rich background of ministry to the incarcerated in Texas. This is rooted in the Church's social teaching which directs the community to minister to those on the margins of society, including those in jail or prison. This attitude is taken directly from Sacred Scripture, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew where we are directed to visit those who are in prison (Matthew 25, 36).

Present Situation - In the state prison system, we presently have 150,000 offenders. County jails and federal facilities add substantial numbers as well. This is a huge mission field for the Church. Both male and female offenders, many unchurched, have broken faith with their families and community and need to hear the Good News of God's love and forgiveness. If nothing is done to restore these offenders, the cycle of crime will continue.

Volunteers - Volunteers are needed to assist the unit Chaplain in running a variety of programs ranging from devotional to educational, and including assisting with: prayer groups, rosary, Bible study, R.C.I.A. and administrative tasks.

Training - Volunteers work directly under the unit Chaplain who assists and supervises their work. In addition, training is provided by the Diocese and the federal and state agencies.

Social / Community Ministries - Page 2