Caring
SOCIAL MINISTRIES
Promoting Life, Justice and Peace through Service, Education, Advocacy and Community
Director of Social Ministry
Social Ministry Direct Line 703.730.1791
We in Holy Family parish are blessed by having so much of the Lord’s work so close before us. two distinct but related purposes. The first section (“Serving the Community through Works of Mercy”) presents specific services where members of not only our parish but also of our larger Prince William community may seek support to address personal needs which their own resources will not support.
We are also blessed so by having gracious and talented volunteers who are willing to serve Him by so selflessly serving others. And while the Lord’s blessings are always abundant, the supply of helpers is often a bit meager. All four sections of this brochure present opportunities for members of our parish community to volunteer their time and talents in service to others. Please carefully review all of the activities and services listed and consider where you might invest those talents given to you by the Lord in the service of others. Where you see a match or just have questions, reach out to the contact(s) listed to learn more.
— Fr. Gerard Creedon
Serving The Community Through Works of Mercy
Contacts for this ministry are Guadalupe Thompson (703) 878-7232 gcanch2012@gmail.com and Allen White
Allen White (703) 577-1968 whitea@pwcs.edu
Counseling
One-on-one bilingual counseling is provided through Catholic Charities to assist parishioners during periods of extreme instability including financial stress, mental health crises and incidents of domestic violence. Wednesdays from 9 am – 6 pm by appointment only, sliding fee scale. Click here to email Michael Eisenhauer, Catholic Charities, or call 703-224-1627 for more information.
Click Here to Email Maddie (English/Spanish) or call the Parish Office 703-670-8161.
Financial Support – Contact Ana Lemus at 703-730-1791 for support.
Emergency Assistance: Financial assistance is provided for one-time extraordinary needs such as prescriptions, utility cutoffs, emergency dental care, eyeglasses, wheelchairs, and canes. Click here to Email Social Ministries to set up an appointment. Monday-Friday, 10 am – 2 pm.
Christmas Giving Tree: Parishioners support children and elderly persons in extreme financial distress through donations of new toys, clothes and gift cards.
To obtain more information on this ministry Click Christine Chang
Hunger & Shelter – Ana Lemus
Food Pantry: Families and individuals are provided with donated groceries on a monthly basis. The pantry is open by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 10 am – 2 pm.
Contact: Ginny Rote, 703-730-1791, foodpantry@holyfamilydalecity.org
Backpack Snack Attack Program
Provides bags of healthy, prepared food each weekend for 25 students that the school has recognized as the neediest by organizing food drives, packing the bags and delivering them each Friday while school is in session.
Contact: (English) Debbie White, dkdwhite@gmail.com; Rachel Leifner, 571-435-2837
Gretchen Hagen-Gates, ghagen-gates@holyfamilydalecity.org
Contact: (Spanish), Breanna Amaro Junior, blu_eye_bre@yahoo.com, 571-263-3585
Homelessness Outreach
This program works in coordination with the Cooperative Council of Ministries to support the homeless population through scheduled donations of hot meals at the year-round Hilda Barg Homeless Prevention Shelter and the Bill Mehr Drop in Shelter.
Contact: (English) Judi Peacott, jpeacott@holyfamilydalecity.org 703-670-8161
Contact: (Spanish) Juan Martinez, 703-583-7440, juanmm@juno.com
Parish & Community Healthcare Services – Ginny Rote, 703-730-1791, virnard@comcast.net & Brenda Clark, (703) 583-8293, raybren@aol.com
Health Vans
By offering women the option of a mobile unit coming to the church, families and individuals can receive healthcare and screening for mammography, pregnancy, and chronic conditions.
Parish Nurses
Nurses and special health-related events aim to reduce disease and promote wellness. Events include blood pressure screenings and Walk to Bethlehem/Jerusalem.
Contact: Brenda Clark, (703) 583-8293, raybren@aol.com
Dental Care
Professional dentists provide pro bono services. By appointment only.
Click Here to email (English/Spanish) Maddie Lupo or call 703-670-8161 for an appointment.
A Best Choice
Supports expectant mothers through prenatal care, sonogram screenings and counseling provided onsite in a mobile ultrasound and pregnancy resource center. Events include Baby Bottle Fundraiser. http://abestchoice1.org/
Contact: Angela Clark, pecamh@aol.com
Parish Activities – Ana Lemus
Seniors
Contact: (English) Ginny Rote: 703-730-1791, foodpantry@holyfamilydalecity.org
Holy Family Crafters
Contact: Peggy Neville, mjnevill@erols.com
Black History & Heritage
To receive more information click here to Email Charles & Beverly Carroll
Engaging Youth
Contact: Frank Willy, fwilly3@gmail.com
Respect Life Ministry – Anne McInerney, (703) 304-6046, anniemac54@hotmail.com; Bob/Eileen Szerszynski, (703) 447-5178, szerszynski@comcast.net ; Kim Trapp, luvtrap@comcast.net
Project Gabriel: This Diocese of Arlington program helps pregnant women and new mothers with long or short-term needs by offering assistance at the parish level. http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/familylife/gabriel.aspx
Diocese of Arlington Helpline: 1-866-444-3553
Email: gabrielproject@arlingtondiocese.org
Project Rachel: A post-abortion healing ministry for anyone who seeks healing after abortion. We want to reach out to you with the mercy and love of Christ and help you be at peace with yourself and God. Locally administered by the Diocese of Arlington. http://hopeafterabortion.com/
Diocese of Arlington Contact: Josephine Referral Phone: 703-841-2504; or 888-456-HOPE
Email: projectrachel@arlingtondiocese.org
Serving The Community In Solidarity
Champions:
Carol Wilson (703) 786-2288 cmwilson110202@comcast.net
Teresa Ashmore (571) 285-1947 ashmore.teresa@gmail.com
(210) 621-7523
National
Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD): The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. http://usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/
Catholic Relief Services – Mary McNamara, mmacnamara@holyfamilydalecity.org
CRS Fair Trade
CRS Fair Trade works in partnership with organizations that are closest to the people we serve and whose values and competencies complement our own. A network of more than a dozen fair trade organizations helps Catholics in the U.S. shop with solidarity and builds community. Located throughout the country, these companies give you opportunities to “think globally and act locally” by supporting socially responsible businesses. http://www.crsfairtrade.org/
CRS Rice Bowl: Each Lent, the Church calls us into a season of spiritual renewal and reflection. Let CRS Rice Bowl inspire you in this journey! CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. http://www.crsricebowl.org/
State/Local
Action in the Community Through Service (ACTS)
A local non-profit organization committed to providing resources and support to people in crisis. http://actspwc.org/
Click here to email Larry Pemberton to learn more of ACTS services.
Catholics for Housing (CFH)
Dedicated to creating affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income individuals and families. http://catholicsforhousing.org/
Contact: Keith Henderson, keith@acaciafinancialservices.com; Charlie Aesman
Christian Council of Ministries (CCOM)
Holy Family is a founding member of this interfaith group of 27 churches in Eastern Prince William County. CCOM provides direct service at homeless shelters and advocates for our less fortunate neighbors in the areas of housing, homelessness and substance abuse. http://www.ccomcares.org/
Contact: Juan Martinez, 703-670-1313, juanmm@juno.com
Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE): Founded in 2008, VOICE is a non-partisan coalition of almost 50 faith communities and civic organizations in Northern Virginia working together to build power in middle and low-income communities. We organize in Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington counties as well as the City of Alexandria uniting people across lines of race, class, religion, political party and geography to take action on key issues in our community including but not limited to affordable housing, access to health and dental care, and immigrant rights.
Contact: Carol & Michael Wilson, cmwilson110202@comcast.net; Luis Lemus, luise9296@gmail.com; John Hughes, (703) 730-0780, johnunion@msn.com, Rose Marie Monaco, rosese@comcast.net, 571-492-7911
Advocating for Life, Justice and Peace
Pam Kovach (703) 338-2076 pkovach@verizon.net
Marsha Williams (571) 285-4869 marshaw@s3e.com
(571) 239-4454 cell
National Advocacy
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA): Working to reduce poverty in America. CCUSA is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Catholic Charities USA’s members provide help and create hope for millions of people a year, regardless of their religious, social, or economic background. CCUSA provides leadership and support for the work of local agencies in their efforts to reduce poverty, support families, and empower communities. http://catholiccharitiesusa.org/
Contact: Sherri Longhill, slonghill@ccda.net
US Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB)
USCCB is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The purpose of the Conference is to promote the greater good which the Church offers humankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place. Justice for Immigrants is the USCCB program for just and compassionate immigration reform. http://justiceforimmigrants.org/index.shtml
State/Local Advocacy
Social Action Linking Together (SALT): SALT is a parish based network of persons in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia trying to bring the social and economic teachings of the church to bear on public policy and legislation, especially at the local and state levels.
Contact: (English) Kevin Raymond, (phone), kraymond27@comcast.net
Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC)
VCC is the public policy advocacy organization representing Bishop Francis DiLorenzo, Diocese of Richmond, and Bishop Paul Loverde, Diocese of Arlington, on matters before the Virginia General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, and the state and federal administrations and their agencies.
Click Here to Jean Simpsonfor more information.Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP)
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is Virginia’s oldest faith-based advocacy group and works to unite faith communities to reduce poverty in Virginia by advocating for proven and effective public policies. For many years, the Center has advocated for state policies that protect consumers from the predatory practices of car title, payday and other lenders. http://www.vicpp.org/
Contact: Sue Jones, (phone), email
Empowerment Through Education
Champions:
Jean Simpson (703) 593-7676 missjeanie3@yahoo.com
Catholics for Housing
ESOL & Citizenship Classes
Volunteers help recent immigrants and others learn English, improve their written and verbal literacy, and provide instruction for those seeking American citizenship.
Contact: (English) Krupskaya Elliott, 703-534-9805
Contact: (Spanish) Jackeline Velasquez, 703- 534-9805
Fiscal Planning:
Teaching families the basic principles of stewardship. As Christian stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord. http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/stewardship/
Contact: Keith Henderson, keith@acaciafinancialservices.com; Peter Brown
HOGAR Immigrant Services:
Hogar Immigrant Services responds to the Church’s call for social justice by welcoming the stranger to this country, regardless of ethnicity, religion, nationality, or ability to pay. Our goal is for immigrants to achieve self-sufficiency and participate fully in the greater community. We achieve this goal by offering a combination of legal consultation & representation; English-language instruction & other adult education programs; and naturalization assistance. This program is available through Catholic Charities. http://hogarimmigrantservices.org/s1a.html
Contact: Krupskaya Elliott, Catholic Charities, Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services Manager, kelliott@ccda.net, 703-534-9805 ext. 252
JustFaith
JustFaith is an extended justice education/formation program that provides an opportunity for parishioners to study and be formed by the justice tradition articulated by the Scriptures, the Church’s historical witness, and Catholic social teaching. It is a conversion-based process that seeks to integrate personal spirituality and social ministry. http://justfaith.org/
Contact: Pam Kovach, pkovach@verizon.net, 703-338-2076 Cell
Peace & Justice Commission (Diocese of Arlington)
The Peace and Justice Commission works in collaboration with the Bishop and in conjunction with the other social outreach offices of the Diocese to support the sacredness of human life and dignity in accordance with the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/peace