Parish Peace & Justice Committee

Committee Members

Meetings

• Time: Second Monday each month (October through May), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Location: OLIH library.
• Who is invited: All OLIH parishioners are invited. We urge any interested parishioner to join us at any meeting. Whether you just want to check out the committee, or to share a concern, or wish to become a regular member, we welcome your interest.
• Contact:  Jane Alderman, 965-5944, jlalderman@mchsi.com

Committee Goals and Activities

Since its start at OLIH in the 1970s, the committee has been dedicated to the belief that doing justice, especially for the least powerful people, is an essential calling of Christianity.

Jesus said that we should feed the hungry, cloth the naked, shelter the homeless, free the captive, welcome the stranger, protect the widows and children, in short, defend victims against those who take advantage of those who are vulnerable. The calling includes doing works of mercy, healing the wounds that happen, and working to change the way social institutions work to cause injustice.

Examples of some of the activities that the committee has nurtured and that parishioners can get involved with include: 

• IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network): Homeless families stay at OLIH for one week each quarter.  Many volunteers are needed during our host weeks.  Here is a link to more information about this ministry.
• Habitat for Humanity: OLIH helped to start the Ankeny Circle of Faith, a coalition of Ankeny area churches that work together to build and raise funds for homes for families.  Here is a link to more information about this ministry.
• JustFaith:  offers an opportunity for participants to experience a spiritual journey into compassion.  JustFaith, now offered in hundreds of parishes across the country, provides a lively and challenging format to read, view, discuss, pray, experience and be formed by the justice tradition, which changes lives, inspires faithful witness, and transforms the world through love and service.   Groups start in the fall.   Watch the bulletin in the summer for how to participate.  Contact:  Dixie Webb, 963-9560, dixiekrat@mchsi.com.
  
  One of the outreach opportunities the JustFaith community organizes are trips to New Orleans and Cedar Rapids for post flood rebuilding.  For information contact Barney Webb, 963-9560, Bmwebb@mchsi.com 

• Des Moines Catholic Worker House: Monthly meals are prepared and served in Des Moines the 4^th Friday of the month.  Contact Phyllis Burget, 965-5944, phyllisb66@mchsi.com, if your group is interested in serving.
• Catholic Charities:  Support and promote Catholic Charities services and events including the annual Iowa Cubs game and the No Room at the Inn event, which supports St. Joesph’s Family Shelter.   
• Connection Café: Meals are prepared and served in downtown Des Moines.  Contact:  Jane Alderman, 965-5944, jlalderman@mchsi.com, if you would like to join a group.
• Coffee Project:  Coffee direct from El Salvador is available for purchase the 1^st weekend of each month.  Purchasing this coffee ensures the farmers and laborers are paid a just wage and supports local community projects.  Contact:  Jeanette Bauer, 963-318, jeanettepb29@msn.com
• Outreach to women’s prison at Mitchellville: Cards and gifts are sent to residents each Christmas.  
• REC: Another outreach to the Mitchellville women’s prison, providing a religious retreat weekend similar to CEW.
• Alternative Gift Mart: Gift ideas that support “fair trade” products and several charities are offered for sale.  The gift mart is held every other year in November. 
• Bread for the World Offering of Letters: a letter-writing effort to rally legislative support for combating world hunger and poverty.
• Ankeny Substance Abuse (ASAP): Members have been creators and supporters of this long standing program in Ankeny.
• Annual Justice Tithing: The committee recommends to the parish a list of financial donations for justice causes each year.
• DMACSAC (Des Moines Area Catholic Social Action Coalition) Member: This coalition brings together social action committees from Des Moines area parishes for prayer, education and sharing. Our committee hosts one of its meetings a year.
• Support for Catholic Peace Ministry in Des Moines including the annual Bishop Dingman Peace Dinner.
• Support for ecological concerns and just land use in Iowa. 
• Support for youth activities related to justice issues.