Human Concerns
The following ministries operate as sub-committees under the Humans Concerns committee and are listed and described in alphabetical order in this web page.
Please click on the
following links to get more information on each of the ministries.
Advocacy for Social Justice [return to top]
The Advocacy/Justice Education committee helps inform parishioners about justice issues, including information about the annual Archdiocese Social Justice gathering in Milwaukee, and assists those who wish to advocate for or against an issue.
Contact:
Jim Carlson 473-3130
James.Carlson@wicourts.gov
John Zbikowski (920) 568-1579 jmz@idcnet.com
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American Red Cross Blood Drive [return to top]
St. Patrick assists the American Red Cross Blood Drive once a year, usually in the fall of the year. Volunteers provide services in the canteen and kitchen during the day and early evening. A shift consists of two hours of making sandwiches, cutting up fresh fruit and distributing cookies and beverages to the donors and nurses. Keeping track of a donor’s well-being in the canteen is as important as keeping the canteen full of food. The Armory kitchen is cleaned and put back in order for the next group.
Contact: Gloria Madsen 473-8948 njmad@idcnet.com
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Angel Tree [return to top]
This ministry enhances and spreads the love of Christ to children of prisoners. The ministry focuses on rebuilding families and giving them the gift of Christ through the proclaiming of the Gospel, which is presented to the children in a small story book. The children also receive a Christmas gift, delivered to the home. Prisoners are asked if they would like their children to receive gifts at Christmas. Parishioners are asked to select an “angel” from the Christmas tree at church and to purchase a requested gift from the prisoner to his or her child. Committee members call caretakers to confirm gifts and date of delivery, tend the tree after Mass to place and record who has taken angels and deliver the gifts to the home.
Contact:
Jim Carlson 473-3130
James.Carlson@wicourts.gov
__________________________________________________________________
Bell Ringers [return to top]
This ministry operates in conjunction with the Salvation Army. Volunteers ring bells at designated times and locations during the Christmas season, soliciting funds for charity work. The chairperson will receive direction as to where and when volunteers are needed and may be asked to collect funds from the St. Patrick volunteers.
Contact: Chairperson Needed
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Bethel House [return to top]
Committee members provide assistance to Bethel House in a variety of ways: cleaning, painting and making repairs in housing units; helping families move into and out of housing units; picking up and moving donated furniture and other items; assisting Bethel House families with transportation to work, medical appointments and other destinations; translating for Hispanic families. These activities are shared throughout the year by local churches, with each church being designated as the principal church for a specific month. June is the designated month for St. Patrick Parish; volunteers may be needed at other times as well. The Bethel House Board of Directors needs parish representatives, as well as volunteers to perform described tasks.
Contact: Jim Leaver 473-5602 jrleaver@sbcglobal.net
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Catholic Student Coalition of Wisconsin [return to top]
This organization gathers college students wishing to pursue spiritual growth and to learn more about the Catholic faith. Activities provide students with an opportunity to build leadership skills, exchange ideas and have fun. In addition, participants may choose to participate in the campus chapter of the Habitat for Humanity, building homes both locally and as part of a mission trip.
Contact: Brian Zanin 473-5555 zaninb@uww.edu
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CROP Walk [return to top]
Every year more than 300,000 people nationally put their hearts and soles in motion to help stop hunger and to
provide clean water, one step at a time. We join in one of the 1,900 plus CROP Walks across the nation. Parishioners agree to gather sponsors and walk a selected route on a particular Sunday. Committee members are needed to sign-up walkers, register walkers at the event and set up the church hall for sign-ups and refreshments.
Contact:
Mariann Scott 473-4219
watertowerlady@hotmail.com
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This committee organizes and presents activities to celebrate Earth Day. These activities include children’s programs, educational materials and other events as planned.
Contact: Mariann Scott 473-4219
watertowerlady@hotmail.com
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The Food Pantry is an organization that helps local people in need of food. A collection of money and food is accepted on the first Sunday of the month at all Masses. Participants in this committee will assist in advertising the project, collecting food at Masses and delivering food and money to the pantry.
Contact: Jeff and Laurie Miller 473-6485
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The Gathering [return to top]
The Gathering is a food program sponsored by area churches to help feed people in need and to gather them together to build a sense of community and caring. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church holds the meal, and each church that participates in the event takes turns in setting up, preparing the meal and talking to people who come to eat. St. Patrick provides volunteers two or three times a year on the 1st of the month.
Contact:
Gloria Madsen 473-8948 njmad@idcnet.com
Patricia Parr 473-3083 ppatchy@prodigy.net
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Habitat for Humanity [return to top]
Committee members work with the Campus Ministry Habitat volunteers to build affordable housing for lower income families in the Whitewater area. Participants may choose to donate funds, as well as work at the site.
Contact: Brian Zanin 473-5555 zaninb@uww.edu
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Members of the parish are told which parishioners are in area hospitals or recuperating at home and wish to have visitors. Visits can be made in person or by phone, as needed.
Contact: Mary Carpenter (920) 563-5037 qcarpent@wisc.edu
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St. Patrick Parish is responsible for delivery of meals in town during the months of March and October. Meals are picked up at Fairhaven at noon Monday-Friday and delivered to participating individuals. A map with the delivery route is given to volunteer drivers. Delivery should take no longer than 45 minutes per day.
Contact: Mary Steele (920) 568-8658 mfsteele@charter.net
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Meals to Families (Respite Care) [return to top]
This committee provides meals to families whose main caretaker has been hospitalized, has a terminal illness or is unable to provide for the family. A hot meal and dessert are provided and delivered to the family. Volunteers work together to provide the meal as needed.
Contact: Chairperson Needed
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Mulberry Glen [return to top]
Mulberry Glen is a senior campus on land owned by St. Patrick Parish. It consists of 52 residential apartments and an assisted living facility of 21 rooms. Committee members visit residents on request and provide transportation to appointments for individuals as needed.
Contact: Chairperson Needed
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The Optimist Club receives the names of children whose families cannot provide holiday toys. Using information from the stars on the Christmas tree for individual children, parishioners buy a present for a specific child. Optimist members pick up and deliver the presents.
Contact: Gloria Madsen 473-8948 njmad@idcnet.com
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Committee members help individuals with prayers, support and comfort when they are in need. The phone tree is activated by the chairperson, and the last individual on the phone tree reports back to the chairperson. This is a good project for the homebound and elderly.
Contact: Rita Reinke 473-5194
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Relay for Life [return to top]
Members participate in the Whitewater Relay for Life/American Cancer Society fundraiser once a year by gathering sponsorships and walking a specified course. Several fundraisers add funds to the team’s contribution.
Contact:
Judy Binning 473-0214 binningdickens.com
Mary Carpenter (920) 563-5037 qcarpent@wisc.edu
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Right to Life [return to top]
As Catholics, we believe that everyone has the right to life, even the unborn. Committee members are involved in a number of activities: selling roses on Mother’s Day, informing voters on related issues and volunteering for the Walworth County 24-hour Pregnancy Helpline. Pregnancy Helpline is a pro-life, non-profit organization that helps pregnant women. It offers free pregnancy testing, adoption information, parenting classes and other services.
Contact:
Mary Aleckson (Right to Life) 473-6163 marydon68@hotmail.com
Marguerite DeMott (Helpline) 473-7447
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Steering Committee [return to top]
The Steering committee meets quarterly or as needed to coordinate other committees, assess ongoing Human Concerns needs and evaluate and review sub-committees’ needs. The Human Concerns Steering committee reports to the Parish Council. Members’ names are those that are listed as contacts under sub-committees.
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Transportation to and from Mass [return to top]
The goal of this committee is to provide transportation to and from Mass, be it weekday, weekends or Anointing of the Sick.
Contact: Jim Carlson 473-3130 James.Carlson@wicourts.gov
