Mission: The empowerment of the parish as the people of God to fulfill the Church’s mission of love, justice, freedom and peace by communally responding in an organized way to societal and individual human needs.
Goals: To promote and respond to the Catholic social tradition by engaging the parish community through education, service, advocacy and community organizing. To establish programs and services that respond to the social needs of the community.
Notre Dame
Parish Social Ministry
To offer healing and consolation to the suffering members of our community. To be attentive of the spiritual and social needs of our diverse community and find ways of engaging them in the life of our parish and its social ministry.
Contact Us: The Social Ministry Office is part of the Notre Dame Parish Campus, it is located at the house on the corner of Aberdeen and New Hyde Park Rd. 1 Aberdeen Road New Hyde Park, NY 11040 Phone: (516) 325-3403 Email: jdgonzo73@gmail.com Web: www.ndnhp.org
Volunteer With Us:
SOCIAL MINISTRY OFFICE
Notre Dame Parish Social Ministry is always in need of volunteers and donors who would like to join our mission to serve the people of God. Please call as at the above number and see how you can be part of our ministry.
Mission, Services and Resources
Table of Contents Our Holy Mother........................................................................................................... 2
Community Agencies Project Independence:
Parish Social Ministry................................................................................................. 5
A North Hempstead initiative that responds to the needs of seniors seeking support and assistance in order to age-in-place with optimal good health. They provide: Social & Recreational activities, Home maintenance, Nursing and Social work services, and Transportation. Contact their central line by dialing 311 or (516)869-6311 http://www.northhempsteadny.gov/pi-home
Notre Dame Social Ministry...................................................................................... 6
Catholic Charities:
Charity and the Church.............................................................................................. 3 Catholic Social Teaching............................................................................................. 4
Services........................................................................................................................ 7 Programs..................................................................................................................... 8 Events....................................................................................................................... 10 Multi-Cultural Ministries....................................................................................... 11 Parish Societies......................................................................................................... 12 Local Community Services and Agencies........................................................ 13
A social service agency of the Diocese of Rockville Centre that addresses the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community. Catholic Charities services include: Chemical Dependence services, Mental Health Residential Services, Women, Infant and Children assistance, Immigrant and Refugee Resettlement services, Maternity and Senior Services. Contact their Central Information and Referral line at (516) 733-7045 http://www.catholiccharities.cc/
Nassau-Suffolk Law Services Committee Provides free civil legal representation and advocacy for low income and disabled residents of Long Island. They work to secure Social Security and public benefits; advocate for seniors and veterans; prevent foreclosure and evictions; and provide legal assistance for domestic violence victims and people with cancer, mental illness, and HIV/AIDs. (516) 292-8100 http://nslawservices.org/wp/
Fidelis Care: A Catholic affordable health care provider in New York State that is committed to providing resources and quality healthcare to people in need. Programs include: Child Health Plus, Medicaid Managed Care, a basic Essential Plan and Meta-level products based on income. Contact an affordable care advisor at 1-888-343-3547 14
Community Services Essential Services: Police Department: Nassau County: (516) 573-7000 Third Precinct: (516) 573-6300
Fire Department: New Hyde Park: (516) 742-3300 Garden City: (516) 746-3194
Public Libraries: Our local public libraries often provide community services. Visit their websites to see what programs they may have by visiting their community calendar. Hillside Public Library 155 Lakeville Road (516) 355-7850 www.hillsidelibrary.info
Floral Park Public Library 17 Caroline Place (516) 326-6330 www.floralparklibrary.org
Heating and Electric Customer Advocates: Providing assistance on programs and services to low and fixed income customers. PSEG: (516) 454-4331
National Grid: (800)930-5003
The Safe Center LI: Assisting victims of domestic abuse and child abuse. Hotline - (516) 542-0404 Able-Ride-Long Island Bus: Bus services for people with disabilities. (516) 228-4000 Public Assistance Department of Social Services: (516) 227-8519 Office of Housing and Homeless Services: (516) 572-1900 Nassau County Drug & Alcohol Addiction: Hotline – (516) 292-3040
13
Our Holy Mother:
A Champion of Social Ministry Notre Dame parish is named in honor of Mary the mother of Jesus our savior. Many acknowledge and revere her in this role but what some of us may forget is that in the Gospel of Luke we are given a glimpse of her own prophetic role. This can be found in a prayer known as the magnificat. In this passage Mary offers her own prophetic theology of God and declares God’s vision of justice: He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. In this powerful theological declaration, and in the ensuing role that Mary plays out in the Gospels, we can identify Mary as one who is filled with the Spirit of God. We know that Mary has the parental responsibility of teaching Jesus who God is for the struggling human community. For the Galilean Jewish community who experience oppression and marginalization in the context of Imperial Rome God is one who is merciful and just. The magnificat declares God to be the hope acts in Mercy, the God of Justice, the God of Hope. Mary will even be the one who launches Jesus’ public ministry at the wedding in Cana and she will accompany Jesus in life, suffer with him in death, and be glorified with him as well. For many of us who have devotions to the Virgin Mary we treat her as one who continues to accompany the struggling human community and who is constantly in solidarity with those who suffer marginalization. What better way to bring parishioners into the spiritual commitment of social ministry then through the one who taught our own Savior and 2
Charity and the Church
Parish Societies
The Catholic Church has always identified charity as an essential aspect of the Church’s mission. This is found in our own sacred Scriptures where St. Paul the Apostle defines for the Corinthian community the purpose of charity for the early church and he reminds them of their obligation to serve the poor. “Your surplus at the present time” St. Paul tells them, “should supply their needs, so that their surplus may also supply your needs, that there may be equality” (2 Cor. 8: 14). Before leaving office Pope Benedict XVI wrote a letter exhorting all parishes to adopt some form of social ministry saying:
St. Vincent DePaul Society:
“The Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold responsibility: of proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacraments and exercising the ministry of charity. These duties presuppose each other and are inseparable.” Catholic Social Teaching: In 1891 Pope Leo XIII wrote the first social encyclical to address social injustice in our own day through the lens of our own social tradition. That encyclical, Rerum Novarum, looked at the state of the economy and pronounced on worker’s rights and freedom of association. This tradition has continued and in 2015 Pope Francis contributed to this with his encyclical, Laudato Si’, in which he considered the ecological issues impacting our community. These teaching have pronounced on the following 7 social principles that the Church recognizes.
3
Our parish has a St. Vincent DePaul Society Conference. The Conference organizes a food drive at our parish on the first Sunday of every month. Through the conference we have access to other financial resources that can help members of the community who have emergency needs. The central St. Vincent DePaul council trains local conference members in doing house visits to clients who may not be able to come to our social ministry office. Through the St. Vincent DePaul society members of the parish community can meet at monthly meeting where they grow in the Vincentian spirituality of charity and service. The society blends prayer and spiritual formation with actual opportunities to serve the community.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Society: Our parish also has a group who meets on Tuesday mornings from 9:30am to noon. This group goes through formation on the life and example of the Blessed Virgin Mary and engages in devotional practices related to her role as Queen of Peace. This community also relates to the social ministry office by volunteering and offering donations.
Los Servidores de Jesus: Los Seguidores de Jesus is a Spanish movement of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Their aim is to be guided by the Holy Spirit and bring a community to know, love and serve our Lord. We help each member find their gifts and talents and put them to the service of others in our church and in their daily lives. 12
Multicultural Ministries New Hyde Park is undergoing a changing demographic. We have an aging Caucasian community here and we do what we can to be attentive to their needs. We also realize however that there are emerging ethnic communities in our communities and we would like to be attentive to the spiritual and social needs of these communities. Our parish community welcomes all of God’s people and we celebrate the cultural diversity within our community. Here in New Hyde Park we are especially attentive to the following communities.
Hispanic Community: South of New Hyde Park and in Floral Park we have a growing Hispanic community. Notre Dame parish has a Spanish Mass at 7:00pm every Sunday night. Charismatic Prayer Group – Every Thursday night the Hispanic community has a Charismatic prayer gathering and on the first Thursday of the month they have a local Spanish speaking clergy providing them with confessions and a Mass.
Indian Community: In New Hyde Park we have a growing Indian community. Currently we have a clergy from India who is with us during the summer months. We are developing a parish group for the Indian community. They celebrate the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle which they celebrate on the first week of July. This year we are engaging in organized discussions to further integrate the Indian community into the life of the parish.
11
Principles of Catholic Social Teaching Dignity of the Human Person The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
Family, Community and Participation Marriage and the family are the central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined.
Rights and Responsibilities Human dignity can be protected only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. Our tradition instructs us to put the needs of the poor first.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation.
Solidarity We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences.
Care for Creation We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. 4
Parish Social Ministry
PSM Events
According to the U.S. Bishops parish social ministry is “an integral part of the entire parish. They weave the Catholic social mission into every aspect of parish life.” Here are six components of social ministries.
Christmas Events
Prayer and Worship: In the liturgy that we find the fundamental direction, motivation, and strength for social ministry. Worship must reflect the Lord's call to conversion, service, and justice.
Preaching and Education: Preaching that reflects the social dimensions of the gospel is indispensable. Our social doctrine must also be an essential part of the curriculum of our schools and religious education programs.
Direct Service: Our parishes are called to serve the “least of these.” Food pantries; shelters; and uncounted outreach programs for poor families, refugees, the elderly, and others in need are an integral part of parish life.
Legislative Advocacy: Parishes and parishioners are called to be political without being partisan, joining legislative networks, community organizations, and other advocacy groups.
Community Organizing:
The Social Ministry Office organizes two parish events for the Christmas season. Through the “Christmas Giving Tree” and “Family Helping Families” programs parishioners are invited to bring the spirit of the Christmas season to families in need.
Annual “Healthy Sunday” Fair In October the Social Ministry office organizes a fun fair for individuals and families that includes local and regional organizations who offer free healthcare and human services to the community.
Thanks-giving Meal Drive The Social Ministry office organizes a Thankgiving meal drive to members of the community who are in need or homebound.
Lent 4.2 A seven-week faith formation program during lent that includes prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that responds to the call of Pope Francis to care for our common home and adopt a spirituality of Christian simplicity.
Notre Dame Walk for Hunger The Family Mass Committee coordinates this annual “Walk for Hunger” after Easter to raise awareness and to raise funds to address issues of poverty and hunger in our community.
Parish participation in such community efforts develops leaders, provides concrete handles to deal with key issues, and builds the capacity of the parish to act on our values.
Building Solidarity: Programs of parish twinning, support for Catholic Relief Services, mission efforts and other global ministries are signs of solidarity in our world. 5
10
PSM Programs Moms and Tots A group for mothers and children the ages of newborn through kindergarten, providing various activities such as arts and crafts, prayer, story time and more. The playgroup is held on Friday mornings during the school year
Denton Green Eucharist and Social Ministry Provides a weekly Communion Service at our local senior residence and provides our food services to members of the community as needed.
Caregivers Support Group The Social Ministry office is developing a support group for caregivers in the community to help them face the challenges in taking care of infirmed and sick family members.
Divorced/Separated Support Group The Social Ministry Office is currently looking at developing a support group for wounded families to find healing as they accompany one another in the difficult journey of broken relationships.
Faithful Citizenship Our Parish is looking at promoting legislative relationships with our political representatives to address issues that affect the community.
Back to School In July and August we collect school supplies. In coordination with our school we distribute these supplies to help families who may be struggling in the community.
Kenyan Solidarity Program A parish sharing program where we journey with a Salesian parish in a Kenyan refugee camp where persecuted Christians are fleeing the violence and civil unrest in those areas.
9
New Hyde Park Parish Social Ministry Catholic Charities, DRVC The Diocese of Rockville Center has organized parish social ministry under the auspices of Catholic Charities. Social ministry offices like our own receive training and support through Catholic Charities through regional developers and a central intake personnel that helps us serve our clients. Through our relationship with Catholic Charities we have access to the services and programs that they provide throughout Long Island. We also have access to resources related to legislative advocacy, community organizing and global solidarity through Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
New Hyde Park Each individual parish social ministry collaborates with the parish and the local community to provide resources and services to the community. Through the social ministry office our parish collaborates with local community organizations and institutions to promote the general welfare of the community and to advocate for changes on issues that affect the community.
Local Parish Communities Notre Dame Parish has a very generous parish community who donate to our social ministry with their time, talents and treasure. Our social ministry is always looking for volunteers to help us in our mission of serving the local community. Holy Spirit Parish is the other Catholic parish in New Hyde Park, wherever possible social ministry will collaborate with our neighboring community to the south with programs, services and events. 6
PSM Services
PSM Programs
These are the services provided or arranged by our office. We will gladly accept volunteers from the parish community who can assist us in organizing these services to the community.
The following list of programs are organized by our parish to serve to community. In the spirit of our Catholic social teaching we are particularly attentive to the wounded members of our community and we look to provide the following support services through our ministry office.
Food Pantry: Thanks to the donations of our parish community we are able to run an emergency food pantry to members of the community who are in dire need. We allow members to the community to have access to our food pantry once a week.
Medical Equipment Supplies: The Parish Social Ministry Office accepts donations of medical equipment from the community and we offer this equipment to members of the community in need.
Rainbows For All God’s Children: Rainbows is a support group curriculum for children who have suffered a significant loss in their lives, either by death, divorce or any other painful transition. The Rainbows program is offered in the Spring and Fall of every year for eight weeks. The program runs on Sunday from 9:30am to noon. This program includes a Single Parents Rainbows Group which is led by a trained professional who assists the single parent with coping strategies and a community of support as he/she faces the challenges of being a single parent.
Emergency Intake and Referrals: The Parish Social Ministry Office will conduct intakes and provide emergency support and referral to parishioners experiencing a socioeconomic crisis.
Transportation Ministry: Our office coordinates volunteers to drive members of the senior community to their medical appointments.
New Evangelization: The social and youth ministries coordinate to organize the website and social media presence for the parish community. Our office also promotes Catholic social teaching to our parish community, school and religious education. 7
Bereavement Support Group This is a support group facilitated by trained professionals for seniors and adults who has experienced the death of a loved one. These one and half hour eight-week sessions are held in the Spring and Fall. They are held in the evening during the spring and in the afternoon during the summer. 8