Social Concerns Commission
Mission Statement
The Social Concerns Commission embraces Catholic Social Teaching, inspired by God’s Word, and seeks to Live the Gospel by offering our community educational and service opportunities to promote love, respect, social justice and advocacy.
Meetings
Social Concerns’ monthly business and educational meeting: Held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Parish Office conference room.
November 14 Fair Trade Fair
8 to 1:30 Parish Center
You can also shop online with our Fair Trade vendors. Fair trade is a global social movement aimed at reducing exploitation of workers and small business owners in the developing world. Each year, vendors representing both local and international interests gather to sell clothing, jewelry, handbags, toys, food and more. Click on this link for a list of the vendors St. Basil supports, a description of their projects, and links to their websites.
Visit the Virtual Fair Trade Fair.
Help provide another great summer camp for the children of
Holy Family Parish, Gaza
Please send checks designated for the “Holy Land Gaza” to:
Order of the Holy Sepulcher
c/o Tom Olejniczak
1543 Fox Ridge Court
DePere, WI, 54115
[Be sure to write “Holy Land Gaza” in the memo line of your check]
Order of the Holy Sepulcher
c/o Tom Olejniczak
1543 Fox Ridge Court
DePere, WI, 54115
[Be sure to write “Holy Land Gaza” in the memo line of your check]
Catholic Social Teachings
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. It is a central and essential element of our faith and is a call to action founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ. (USCCB)
Click on the teachings below to learn more about them.
Pictures
Service Projects
Parish Day of Service (Annually in April) Parishioners volunteer annually to serve at a variety of charitable organizations throughout the Cleveland/Akron area. Activities include painting, cleaning, organizing, providing meals, and entertaining seniors.
Fair Trade Fair (Annually in November,) Each year, vendors representing both local and international interests gather to sell clothing, jewelry, handbags, toys, food and more. All items are produced under fair trade guidelines ensuring that the laborer receives a fair wage while supporting environmentally sustainable practices.
Christmas Giving Tree (Annually in Nov/Dec) Parishioners select gift tags and purchase items requested by local charitable organizations. (In 2020, more than 1,000 gifts were distributed to needy children and adults.)
Collections/Fundraisers
Mother’s Day Collection for Womankind
Collection for Veterans’ Day (Annually in November)
RAHAB: Parishioners join in God’s Story of setting people free by preparing dinners for women/juveniles in safe houses once a quarter or less. RAHAB takes action against sex trafficking in concrete ways: through mentoring, retreat planning, awareness raising, capturing stories, doing street and strip club outreach, and serving at drop-in centers Trafficked women who have nowhere else to go are welcomed to this loving environment where they are protected and offered counseling and retraining services.
The Metanoia Project: Weekends during the months of November through April. Parishioners provide and serve dinner for up to 100 homeless individuals. Service is provided at St. Malachi. (Scheduling required).
Holy Land Committee works to build awareness of issues facing Christians in the Holy Land, and to enhance our relationship with Holy Family Parish, Gaza. St. Basil also has a prayer partnership with Good Shepherd Parish in Jericho.
West Side Catholic Center Women’s Shelter: Fourth Saturday of each month. A small group of parishioners provide a breakfast service for up to 36 women and children. (Scheduling required).
Download the free .pdf booklet with simple ideas you can put into practice for every month of the year.
Links and Resources – Click on the boxes below for additional information on these topics.
