Social Justice Ministry
The Social Justice Ministry gives attention to those issues that demand our concern in order that the dignity and rights of each person may be preserved.
Activities on Social Issues—Identified issues are followed, acted on, or developed for parish education or participation.
Food Collections—Parishioners donate suggested food and other items, that are collected by volunteers and delivered to a local agency and made available to those in need. In November and December the food collected is delivered to parishioners in need at Christmas time.
Giving Tree—A Christmas tree is decorated with paper ornaments upon which are written gift requests from families in need. Parishioners pick off the ornaments and buy the requested gift. The gift is wrapped and returned to the church. Delivery of the gifts is completed before Christmas by members of the parish.
Mailings/Visitations to Shut-Ins—Members of the Council of Catholic Women (CCW) from time to time mail greeting cards to the shut-ins at home or in nursing homes. Eucharistic Ministers visit shut-ins and parish members in hospitals and nursing homes, bringing the Eucharist and brief greetings. In addition, Parish volunteers visit the sick and shut-ins. Volunteers are always welcomed.
Missions (Home and Abroad)—There are numerous diocesan collections and occasional visits by a missionary requesting aid. Opportunities for peace corps type volunteer work with Roman Catholic organizations are encouraged.
Prayer Chain—A phone tree is in place whereby requests for prayers for the sick or those with a special intention are accepted and passed along to those volunteering for the prayer chain. Any parishioner may participate.
Pro-Life—This area involves the promotion of the sanctity of life “from the womb to the tomb.” Anti-abortion and anti-death penalty activities come under this area.
The Lunch Place, Meals-On-Wheels, Waynesboro Human Services—These are community wide programs of service. We aid these programs either by donation of goods or money or by parishioners volunteering to help in their activities. The Lunch Place provides noontime meals, donation optional, to all who come in.
Tithing—Saint Andrew Parish sets aside one percent of every weekend collection. These funds are distributed between an overseas missionary activity and our Parish Poor box. Our current overseas mission activity is with a Maryknoll Missionary Sister, with ties to our parish, who is stationed in Cochabamba, Bolivia.