SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY AT
SAINT THERESE PARISH IN LANSING

Submitted by Betty Gaiss, OP

 

Like most things of special value, social ministry at St. Therese has evolved over the years.  A constant partner with the Holy Spirit in that evolution is Deacon David Borzenski.  Seeds of Dave's interest were planted during his diaconal formation in the early 80's.  Those seeds are nourished by countless numbers of diocesan mentors and St. Therese parishioners whose dedication and contributions to social ministry continue to inspire Dave. The fruits of his efforts and those of the Parish Social Ministry Commission have been many and varied.

 

A major element of his ministry is the “Advocacy Corner” which appears in the Sunday Bulletin each week.  The goal of this column is the blending of service and peace and justice in an effort to infuse education and advocacy into the parish for an integrated approach to social ministry.  These columns typically cite opportunities for direct service which currently are - or soon will be available - at the parish and in the Lansing community.

 

The topics for the Advocacy Corner are chosen to correspond to a topic or issue related to the National Bishops' concerns and/or to events occurring in the parish.  That general topic is featured for a month.  For example in October it would cover topics related to "Respect Life" and related principles of Catholic social teaching.  There is a framework for social ministry activities at St. Therese.  In the fall, September, October and November they have "Hot Food and Hot Topics."  Varied parishioners and parish groups prepare a meal following which there is a speaker on some current justice issue.  After Christmas they have "Winter Outreach Days."

 

One Saturday a month, January through April, a collection of parishioners, identified in the annual "Time and Talent Survey," goes to an organization and does whatever needs doing at that time.  For instance, they have cleaned offices and folded baby clothes at Pregnancy Services of Greater Lansing, painted at the Women's Opportunity House and assisted in the office of the Michigan Peace Team.

 

Since the summer of 1989, St. Therese parishioners have responded to the invitation of Cristo Rey Community Center by visiting migrant farm workers from Onondaga to DeWitt. On an ongoing basis the parish provides volunteers at "Loaves and Fishes" one night a month to provide a meal and staff the evening and overnight shifts. There is opportunity for theological reflection after each of these outreach events.

 

In 2008 another aspect of social ministry at St. Therese Parish is a
" Catechetical Reflection."  Two weekends a month the staff prepares a 200- to 300-word reflection on some social justice issue.  These reflections incorporate material from Church documents and the Bishops' pastoral letters.  This short essay is read before each of the Masses by one of the lectors or by the person who did the final preparation.

 

Joe Droste is a long-time member of St. Therese Parish whose faith journey has led him to social ministry.  For 18 years he has participated in the migrant farmworker ministry going out to the camps to help bring friendship and to gain an appreciation of a different culture.  He even learns a bit of Spanish along the way.  Another Hispanic ministry that Joe is involved in is the Guadalupe Circle.  This is a group of Hispanic parishioners who meet once a month for a potluck and fellowship.  They also plan two Hispanic celebrations for the parish each year.

 

Another long-time ministry for St. Therese as well as other local groups and parishes is the "Giving Tree Farm" which was born out of love and grief almost 20 years ago.  This farm is a strictly organic enterprise and currently consists of many gardens.  Joe Droste is responsible for one of these gardens which is taken care of by residents of private or group homes for people with various disabilities.  Transportation is arranged to bring them to the farm and under Joe's direction they become part of an important and enjoyable enterprise.  The whole parish has an opportunity to become involved by joining Joe at the Farm or by saving and donating all of the pots, flats and trays which they acquire when buying plants for their own gardens.  This is not only environmentally helpful but also saves money for the Giving Tree Farm.

 

Mary Jo Kinne is another parishioner whose faith journey led her in an unexpected direction.  In her own words her "interest was tweaked" when she began hearing about prison ministry.  One day she saw an opportunity for training being offered at Diocese, she attended and soon began visiting a prison twice a month.  Other people began going with her.  Opportunities for  parishioners to be involved in ways other than visiting became apparent.  At Christmas time the parish participates in the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship which provides gifts for the children of inmates which are given in the name of the incarcerated parent.  Some parishioners became involved in the "Prison Pen Pal" program, either by writing to an inmate or working with the diocese reading letters.  This sometimes comes full circle back to "Hot Food and Hot Topics" when they sponsor a speaker on prisons and the correction system.

 

In summary, St. Therese Parish in Lansing has found a myriad of ways to contribute to the Christian mandate to foster social justice in our world.  They have achieved a blending of Christian Service with peace and justice.  There are avenues for impact on the local, state, national and international levels.  Anyone who would like more information or assistance getting started in his/her own parish can contact Deacon Dave Borzenski  at borzenskid@aol.com.