This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Catholics Connect Through Social Justice Network

The St. Charles Deanery Social Justice Network is a ministry formed to inform and to provide options for action on issues of peace and justice.

It began with a chance meeting in Target.

Mary Harrison, of , and Kate McCoy, of All Saints Catholic Church, ran into one another at Target and started talking. Both are members of the social justice committee at their respective parishes.

"They decided that social justice groups in individual parishes can’t do much, so let’s get the groups connected,” said Brenda Galloy.

Find out what's happening in St. Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Soon after, the St. Charles Deanery Social Justice Network (SCDSJN) was born.

Galloy, chair of the SCDSJN, started connecting the various parishes in the area with a simple post in the Sunday bulletins inviting people to attend a meeting. All 24 parishes in the St. Charles Deanery were invited to join.

Find out what's happening in St. Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From the first collaborative meeting in late 2010, the SCDSJN is now a working network of Catholic parishes, promoting events for education, awareness and action on social justice issues and volunteer opportunities in St. Charles County.

The presentations are open to anyone and are offered three times a year.  “We will be guided by the teachings of Jesus and by Catholic social teachings,” Galloy said.

Galloy told me that about 90 people attended last year’s presentation on the issue of homelessness.

Last Thursday the SCDSJN hosted Advocacy, Immigration Healthcare and Human Trafficking atAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, O’Fallon, MO. It was powerful. Three well-spoken, well-informed presenters spoke to more than 60 people about those challenging issues of social justice and public policy.

These are concerns of people of faith. The event opened with prayer by Sarah Beams, lay pastoral associate at Assumption Church. There were sisters and at least one priest attending, as well as a group of students from a social justice class. I noticed that they were attentive and taking many notes throughout the evening.

The first speaker was Pat Dougherty, senior director of advocacy at Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of St. Louis and former Missouri state senator and representative.

“It only took a small number of people, a few dozen, to get our attention in Jefferson City,” Dougherty told us. “Your phone call, email and your letter matter,” he said. These actions can have an effect on policy at the state level of government.

Next to speak was Dr. Kevin W. Minder, the executive director and founder of the Center for Immigrant Healthcare Justice (CIHJ) in St. Louis. He began his presentation with Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10: 29-37. This story begins with someone asking Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” and ends with the answer, “The one who showed mercy.”

Jesus then says, “Go and do likewise.”

Minder connected this parable with immigration healthcare. I’d not heard that before but Minder knows his subject thoroughly. He spoke on immigration and healthcare separately and their combined impact on individual and governmental decisions.

Minder is a compelling presenter. He answered only one question which asked about illegal immigrants. I confess, I heard the word “criminals” in the question and was stunned. Minder was not stunned, but answered calmly, saying, “I’ve heard this asked before,” and wrapped his response back to the answer Jesus gave of showing mercy and compassion.

The final presentation on human trafficking was by Abby Howard, a social worker for the St. Louis Rescue and Restore Coalition, Catholic Charities Southside Center. Howard gave an overview of the basic dynamics of labor trafficking, such as forced begging and sex trafficking. “It is easier to smuggle people than drugs or weapons,” Howard told the group.

People are exploitable, pliable, reusable and resalable—more than drugs or weapons, Howard said. Her subject was difficult but delivered directly and provided information on how to help stop it in eastern Missouri.

Galloy wanted me to know that these presentations are not for Catholics only. “We will be guided by the teachings of Jesus and by Catholic social teachings,” Galloy said.

She stressed that the organizers want to educate and increase awareness among the parishes of the many needs and concerns of our brothers and sisters so that more people might find a way to serve. “We want to be like a springboard to action,” Galloy told me.

The evening provided a springboard. The organizers had opportunities available for getting involved.

It was a valuable, worthwhile evening of faith finding ways to act.

On January 25, the SCDSJN will present information on mission trip opportunities at  at 7 p.m.

In February, Juan Melendez will share his story of being freed from death row with evidence of innocence. The April presentation will be on prison ministry. For information on the SCDSJN, contact Brenda Galloy at 636-219-6767.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from St. Peters