Social Justice & Charity

Special Upcoming Discussion Group On Racism: Wednesdays in October, 6:30pm

Sign-up and join in the conversation as we examine the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts.

Register

Open Wide Our Hearts
By our baptism, we are members of Christ’s body and sharers in his mission. Imitating Christ, we must care for all members of our communities, honoring each person as unique, sacred, and created in the image of God. We know that the evil of racism cuts to the core of God’s plan for humanity, devaluing the diversity God created within the human family.
You have the option to login to the Zoom meeting or call in on your phone.

  • Join the Zoom meeting on your computer, tablet or smart phone by clicking this link
  • Use the Zoom app and enter Meeting ID: 878 6497 9299
  • Dial 1 (312) 626 6799 on your phone for audio only; enter Meeting ID: 878 6497 9299

Download and read the letter or find other resources from the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism.

Many of our ministries have been affected by the COVID-19 quarantine. Below are some of the ways to keep involved with the ministries and organizations supported by our Social Justice Commission.

Dudley Emergency Fund

St. Edward has an emergency assistance fund called the Dudley Fund. It is funded by parishioners and is available for both parishioners and community members that find themselves in financial need. During this pandemic you may find yourself in unprecedented financial need. You are not alone. There is no shame in asking your parish for help, especially when there is an emergency fund created especially for this purpose. If you would like more information about receiving help please call Mia Ah Sani in the parish office at (952) 835-7101.

If you would like to donate to the Dudley Fund, please visit our Donate/Give page for options on how to give your gift. If giving by check make sure to include “Dudley Fund” on the memo line.

Respect Life

Do you have a heart of compassion for women and couples who think that abortion is their only option? Caring, pro-life people are needed to pray and sidewalk counsel outside Twin Cities abortion clinics to save babies and women from abortion. If you would like more information visit:

Pregnancy care centers offer  pregnancy tests, counseling, diapers, baby clothes, pregnancy information, Earn While You Learn programs and referrals to community resources. All their services are free and confidential.

Loaves & Fishes

Loaves and Fishes continues to serve at both St. Stephens and Creekside locations. While St. Edward is not coordinating volunteers for these locations during the pandemic, if you are interested in volunteering for them, you can access their sign-up genius sites below:
St. Stephens: Sign Up Here
Creekside:  Sign Up Here

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels is continuing to deliver meals to the homebound during the pandemic. While St. Edward is not coordinating drivers during the pandemic, if you are interested in volunteering as a driver for them, you can contact them directly to sign up via this link: Bloomington Meals on Wheels

Sister Community

This year our annual trip down to our sister community in the Dominican Republic did not happen in the traditional sense. But Campamento still happened, thanks to the Carmelite Sisters who run the Teresa Toda Home, and the older girls who live in the home.  Read about it by checking out the Campamento blog.

Sister Parish

In the midst of the political unrest, economic insecurity and COVID-19, St. Edward has continued to support our sister parish; Our Lady of the Angels in Jinotega Nicaragua. Our deliveries of FMSC MannaPack Rice are helping nourish the poor in that region. For more information about our sister parish click here.

VEAP

St. Edward is continuing to collect non-perishable food for VEAP, as well as toiletries and paper products, but are also now collecting home made masks for both the volunteers and the patrons of VEAP. There are bins in the chapel vestibule and in the church foyer for you to put your donations in, and volunteers deliver it to VEAP once or twice a week.

If you are interested in volunteering to pick up the donations at church and deliver them to VEAP, please call Mia Ah Sani in the parish office at (952) 835-7101.

VEGGIES 4 VEAP

Each summer our “Giving Garden” grows fresh, healthy food for the hungry!

Throughout the spring, summer and early fall, we tend the garden; including planting, weeding and harvesting. The produce we harvest is donated to the VEAP food pantry each week. If you would like to spend some time in the garden, join the Wine & Weeding group starting each spring. Please bring your own gardening tools, beverages and snacks, and a lawn chair for relaxing after the work is done.