Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry Lightens the Burden and Addresses Important Needs

That person sitting next to you at Mass or walking in front of you in the line to receive Communion — their demeanor, their appearance is perfectly normal. But behind that normalcy could be a terrible financial struggle. And that struggle is why our Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry was created.

Mike Oakland serves in the ministry that has helped 160 families since its founding in 2008.

“Fr. Jim recognized during the recession of 2008 that some parishioners were having a very difficult time with money,” Mike says. “So, he created the Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry that serves only parishioners. We do have ministries that serve the whole community, but he wanted this just for parishioners. It helps with unexpected, unanticipated financial burdens.”

The name “Shoulder to Shoulder” means that we are standing side by side, helping our neighbors.

“My vision is standing side by side with those in need,” Mike says. “That has been one of the revelations for me. You go to Mass and talk and visit with people, and have communication with people, but you often don’t see the hurt behind them. You don’t know of their struggles, perhaps with eviction, or they are consumed with guilt because they can’t pay medical bills. You don’t understand the depth of hurt until you have a program like this.”

The Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry consists of five members with the parish administrator, Chris Peterson, as the staff representative. The ministry receives applications from parishioners needing financial help, with specific needs outlined and financial documentation provided. Chris reviews the applications and deletes all identifying information before the ministry members receive them. The members review the applications and make their recommendations to Fr. Jim.

The first grant was made on Aug. 10, 2009 — to date, $472,828.68 has been distributed.

Funding for the ministry comes from the rebate Saint Michael Parish receives Parishioner, Mike Oakland from the annual Catholic appeal.

“An important point is that we don’t write checks to the individual applicants,” Mike says. “We write checks to the service provider.”

Mike cites one case in which a single mother with a disabled son was dealing with a terrible roof leak. The leak was causing a serious mold problem that was complicating the son’s health. Shoulder to Shoulder recommended that the ministry pay for a new roof. Other typical cases involve families who are behind in their rent because their work hours have been cut.

“There have been people wanting to take additional classes so they can qualify for a higher wage at work,” Mike says. “They can get more pay to help their family. This is an example of a need we pay for.” The Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry provides an excellent means to practice stewardship within our parish. “People understand that when we exceed our goal during our annual Catholic appeal, that money comes back to the parish and is used to fund Shoulder to Shoulder,” Mike says. “We do have parishioners who are so supportive of the ministry that they contribute directly to the ministry, recognizing that all they have comes from God and they are willing to give back to God’s people during their time of need.”

If the ministry has sufficient funds in its account — which is kept separately from parish operating funds — the extra money can be allocated to other parish programs, such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society that serves the broader community.

The ministry members meet when applications are filed, and work to turn the application request around within that week. Fr. Jim is the only person who meets in person with the applicants.

“We do the turnaround quickly because often the applicant is in dire circumstances and needs an immediate response,” Mike says. “They might be facing eviction if they don’t have a check by the end of the month.”

The ministry members themselves experience a deepening of their personal faith as they witness the generosity of fellow parishioners. They also experience the gratitude of those who have been helped.

“It really gives you a deepened faith — you get to see the goodness of people, their kindness, generosity, and willingness to sacrifice to help the less fortunate,” Mike says. “It’s a call to take care of the poor, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless. It is answering the Corporal Works of Mercy, you see it played out in Saint Michael Parish life.”

As the Shoulder to Shoulder Ministry continues, Mike sees the possibility of expanding its work to compile a database of parishioners with specific talents who may be able to help fulfill some of the needs brought to the group.

“It would be matching parishioners’ talents with parishioners’ needs,” he says.

Anyone with questions about helping Shoulder to Shoulder or about making an application may call Chris Peterson, Parish Administrator, at 360-754-4667.

Parishioner Mike Oakland