Social Justice Team
This ministry is an outgrowth of the “Year of Encounter with Pope Francis” program that invited parishioners to engage in a series of reflection sessions on Pope Francis’ teaching in “The Joy of the Gospel” about poverty and those who are marginalized or de-valued by society, and how our Catholic faith calls us to encounter them and take action to positively change our world. The team's work focuses on serving and advocating for the hungry and homeless in our community.
CLOTHING for Brother House
St. Rose invites your dnations of warm clothing, undergarments and footwear for the men experiencing homelessness that visit the Legion of Mary Brother House in Norristown. New, and clean gently used items may be dropped off to the Parish Center or put in the Brother House donation basket in the church vestibule.
Needed items include:
New or Lightly Used and clean: Jeans, Boots, Sneakers, Sweatshirts, Hoodies, Flannel Shirts
NEW only: Underwear, Undershirts, Socks
CARE BAGS for the HOMELESS
Anyone can prepare a Care Bag for adult men and women experiencing homelessness. You can help at any time by filling a jumbo zip-top bag with personal care and snack items. We will deliver the bags to local homeless shelters. Care bags may be prepared and dropped off to the donation bin outside the Parish Center throughout the year. Information flyer, click HERE
OUTREACH PARTNERSHIPS
Your Way Home (the unified and coordinated crisis housing response organization for Montgomery County) is seeking donations to help provide shelter and alleviate crowding in homeless shelters for men and women and children in Montgomery County experiencing homelessness. For information on how you can help click HERE
Consider making a monetary donation to support local food cupboards click HERE
Homeless Outreach Activitis
To help with an outreach activity, contact the parish office 215-699-4617 or Dave Vossen at davossenec@verizon.net
Pictured above: St. Rose parishioners joined with Inter-Faith Housing Alliance staff as a "move crew". The new IFHA van helps to transport families daily.
Family Promise Montco PA
SUMMER BUDDY CONGREGATION
Each summer, St. Rose parish partners with Family Promise Montco PA and nearby churches to provide transportation, daily dinner meals and shelter assistance to families experiencing homelessness. The next opportunity to serve will be June & July 2023. To volunteer or learn more, contact Amanda McDonald at mcdonaldamandajoy@gmail.com
Other outreach activities include: providing home-cooked dinners for the families living at Hope Gardens, collecting personal care and other household items needed by families moving from emergency shelter into their own homes, conducting donation drives for bedding, food and other resources needed by those moving from homelessness to independence, and participating in the holiday gift program.
Parishioners shared a Saturday morning to clean the Brother House
LEGION OF MARY BROTHER HOUSE
We welcome SNACK DONATIONS - the 2nd & 4th Wednesday each month, St. Rose parish men visit the Brother House in Norristown (6-9 pm) to deliver snack bags filled with nutritious food and spend time visiting with homeless adult men who come to the Brother House for a time of respite and refreshment. Adult male parishioners are invited to help as visitors. Everyone can be part of this outreach by donating snacks (fruit, fresh-made sandwiches, snack bars and trail mix for 50 persons are needed twice each month.) To donate snacks or join our team of visitors, contact the Parish office at stroselima@srol.org or 215-699-4617.
Learn more about our efforts to help end homelessness by contacting team leaders Mary Reilly reilly.m@gmercyu.edu or Dave Vossen at davossenec@verizon.net