Welcome to the Faith Doing Justice Ministry at St. Mary Student Parish!
Informed by Catholic social teaching and the example of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Faith Doing Justice Ministry at St. Mary Student Parish seeks to provide opportunities for students and parishioners to grow in faith and love through acts of justice and charity. Please join us as we strive to live out the Gospel in our own lives!
Faith Doing Justice Ministries
Men’s Rotating Overnight Shelter
St. Mary is hosting the Men’s Rotating Overnight Shelter for the unhoused November 10-17. Volunteers are needed to serve as welcome and overnight hosts, and provide snacks and meals to guests.
Hope Clinic Thanksgiving Fixin’ Bags
Support Hope Clinic in their effort to supply families with Thanksgiving fixin’ bags the holiday season.
Feast Day of Service
St. Mary is hosting the annual Feast Day of Service every year in December.
Contact Faith Doing Justice Coordinator, Julia Novotny (jnovotny@smspnewman.org), with questions or for more information.
Alternative Spring Break (ASB)
- The Alternative Spring Break Program (ASB) is a service immersion program for undergraduate students during Spring Break. Through this week-long immersion, students go to the margins to walk with the excluded, learning from those most impacted by injustice, and deepening their understanding of Catholic social teaching and the root causes of complex social issues. Our trips explore a wide range of justice issues, including homelessness, environmental justice, immigration, racism, and restorative justice among others. Through this experience of encounter, solidarity, and mutual giving, students find God in all things, build community with one another, and are challenged to go forth from their trips to live a faith that does justice.
Some words and phrases ASB alumni have used to describe their experience:
- Life-changing
- Unforgettable
- I saw God each and every day
- ASB reinforced what I want to do with my life
- I grew deeper in my faith and relationship with God
- I returned from the trip with a whole new perspective, and full of zeal for my faith
Care for Our Common Home
- The Care for Our Common Home Team seeks to implement Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si and the Universal Apostolic Preference of the Society of Jesus of “Caring for Our Common Home” at St. Mary Student Parish. This ministry offers educational, prayer, and action opportunities which aim to help individuals grow in understanding of their role as stewards of God’s creation and inspire ongoing conversion of heart to live in greater harmony with all of creation. Contact: Julia Novotny (jnovotny@smspnewman.org
Homelessness Ministries:
- Alpha House
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- Alpha House provides temporary shelter, food, and support services to families experiencing homelessness. Local congregations support Alpha House throughout the year by providing meals and children’s activities to guests for a week at a time. St. Mary participates for one week in September and March.
- Daytime Warming Center (DWC)
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- Each winter, in partnership with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, St. Mary Student Parish hosts a warming shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. The shelter runs Monday through Friday from 8:30am – 4:00pm in Newman Hall. We strive to provide a welcoming and safe environment where guests can find food, clothing, and companionship. St. Mary’s will host the DWC for four weeks in January 2025, beginning January 6 and ending January 31. Food and clothing donations will be collected throughout the month. Volunteers are also needed to help host, prepare and serve meals, and assist with other projects as needed. Here is the SignUp to volunteer: DWC link. Please note that we will have an orientation meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday January 9, to help people understand the roles available
- Mercy House
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- Mercy House is a house of hospitality located near downtown Ann Arbor. Mercy House provides meals, clothing, laundry, showers, and community for individuals experiencing homelessness. This ongoing ministry needs volunteers to assist with preparing and serving meals, cleaning, and other projects as needed. Contact: Julia Novotny (jnovotny@smspnewman.org)
Immigration
- Immigration support and accompaniment to immigration court and check-ins. The team also offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at St. Mary. Contact: Rosa Luz Postigo (rpostigo@smspnewman.org)
- Upcoming Events:
- Strangers No Longer Webinar – Catholic Social Teaching and Our Responsibility as Citizens.
- Upcoming Events:
LGBTQ Outreach Ministry
- A community of care, support, formation, reconciliation, and witness to justice with and among gay and lesbian persons, parents, family members, and friends. Join for a private and confidential meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. An annual LGBTQ retreat is also organized. Contact: Rodrigo (rodri_cg@hotmail.com) or Cynthia (jcynthia@umich.edu)
Post-grad Service Opportunities
- Faith Doing Justice is in communication with a number of domestic and international Catholic post-grad service programs. If you are interested in a post-grad year of service and would like to learn more, please reach out to Faith Doing Justice Coordinator, Julia Novotny (jnovotny@smspnewman.org)
- Post-grad Service Fair
- St. Mary will host a Post-grad Service Fair on Thursday, September 19, from 7-8:30pm in Donnelly Hall. Speak with recruiters from around the country, compare programs, connect with program alumni and more! You need not be graduating this year to participate. No registration is required. Stay for as long or as little as you like. We hope to see you there!
Pro-Life Ministry
- St. Mary Pro-Life Ministry is dedicated to protecting and promoting the sanctity of life in all stages through education and volunteer opportunities. Contact: David Mutone (dmutone@smspnewman.org)
Join our mailing list! Click HERE to subscribe to the monthly Faith Doing Justice newsletter featuring upcoming events and opportunities, both at St. Mary and externally.