Social Concerns
Annual Christmas Present Drive
name Friends in Faith SCC
Phone 303-973-3969
Funeral Food Ministry
name Carol Stokes, 303-973-1068
“Adopt A Highway” Project
name Suzanne Cross, 303-933-7578
Just Faith
name Joe Gamarano, 303-948-1299
Restoration
Phone 303-973-2855
Respect Life Committee
name Anita Haynes, 720-981-1675
Samaritan Sunday
Phone 303-973-3969
Second Helpings
Phone 303-973-3969
St. Thomas Aquinas Food Bank
Phone 303-973-3969
Sunday Lunch Bunch
name Mary Ann Barwick, 303-973- 5919
Thanksgiving/Easter Dinner Drive
Phone 303-973-3969
This ministry matches needy families with donors from our own parish. Individuals and/or groups have the opportunity to "adopt" recipients and shop for them. Volunteers are needed to perform the administration of this activity, including clerical, telephone, transportation and gift sorting. While adopting a family fills the critical part of this project, we do not need to know your intention to participate in that way now. Please sign up for this ministry now only if you would like to help in the organization and management of this drive.
We provide a meal to families of deceased parishioners after the funeral. Volunteers are asked to bring meat, cheese, salad or dessert. We are also looking for help to serve this meal.
Pope Paul VI said “If you want Peace, work for Justice”. The Just Faith Program is a life changing experience in which participants can grow in their commitment to be about the care of the vulnerable and to become advocates for justice. It is an extended justice education process that meets weekly and employs books, videos, lecture, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences. Just Faith recognizes the complexity of the call to compassion and provides the privilege of forming community with others, sharing a journey of faith and compassion that is both life-giving and challenging.
Reaching out to Assist You with special needs such as homemaker chores, cooking, cleaning, shopping, home repairs, basic nursing, haircutting, transportation or friendly visits for fellowship of prayer. Please fill out a yellow visitation request form located on the welcome table in the church foyer. If you can donate the gift of time or a skill fill out a purple form. Then place it in the slotted box by the magazine rack or call 303-973-2855.
Samaritan Sunday occurs several times a year as an opportunity to donate specific items to particular agencies.
“Expressed in the fundamental meaning of the Eucharist… there is a profound connection between discipleship and feeding the hungry”. From Broken Bread and Broken Bodies, J. Grassi. We, the family at Light of the World, have the opportunity to make our reception of the Eucharist more fully lived in our lives by sharing our food with the hungry in our community every week. Bring at least one, non-perishable food item when coming to Mass each Sunday and deposit it in one of the two special barrels at the west entrance to the Church. On Monday, volunteers will deliver the food collected to area non-profit agencies that serve our poor and our homeless brothers and sisters each day.
This ministry provides 300 Sack lunches for Denver’s poor and homeless. The Sunday Lunch Bunch meets on Saturdays 7-10 times per year. Many volunteers are needed to help assemble the lunches. Recruitment will occur in the bulletin and pastor announcements. Lunches are distributed the following day at the Volunteers of America Shelter downtown. This is a great ministry for the entire family. Come and share your love for the less fortunate.
Light of the World's commitment to Colorado's "Adopt-A-Highway" project covers Kipling from Bowles to Coal Mine. Individuals, groups and families (children 9 and up) are needed to collect litter. This activity can be scheduled otherwise, but currently the crew works one Sunday, 2-3 hours per month.
Respect life ministry promotes respect for human life from conception to natural death through four avenues: spiritual, educational, legislative and outreach to the parish & community. This committee sponsors a Mother's Day Card Sale to support local crisis pregnancy organizations. It serves as a resource for anyone who needs help in dealing with a crisis pregnancy, post-abortion reconciliation, and care for the elderly and terminally ill.
Aware of the lack of food by many in our community, volunteers pick up a variety of dated, nutritious food from approved grocery stores, restaurants and other food sources. Distribution and delivery is made the same day to non-profit agencies serving the poor and homeless, including needy families in our community. Two hours a day is usually sufficient to complete the pick-up and delivery. A vehicle large enough to carry multiple crates of food is necessary.
A highly focused effort to provide food baskets for Thanksgiving and Easter to people inner-city parishes and to those in crisis in our own community. These are both seasonal commitments and the opportunity to participate occurs just previous to the holiday's
The Social Concerns Ministries at Light of the World, acting as a unified body of servants, give witness to the love of God for all people, in our parish, in our community and in the world. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me,... as often as you neglected to do it to one of these least ones, you neglected to do it to me.” Matthew 25:40,45. As baptized Catholics, we link our faith with compassion by responding to the physical, financial, communal and spiritual needs of our sisters and brothers, both near and far.