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St.
Mary Refuge of Sinners Social Concerns Committee April
12, 2011 7:00 PM Minutes Opening prayer - Oración de apertureBro. Paul Miville OCSOAttendance:
Margarita Marquez, Isidro, Carol and Bill Griffith, Liz and Frank
Lawlor, Jenny and Patrick Nugent Approval of minutes: Having received no objections
to the minutes of the March gathering, they were approved. Continuing Business · Whites collection for county jail – Margarita suggested,
earlier in the year, that we collect white underclothes for the guests of the county jail. The jail policy
is that only white underwear may be worn. Many of the men, especially Hispanic men, cannot get the requisite
whites. We agreed at this meeting to do such a collection for men’s garments. (Evidently
there is not a comparable need for women.) The Committee will hold a “whites collection” as
soon as we can get it organized. · Immigration Policy Matters and Hispanic Ministry – update
We discussed the passage by the MD General Assembly of the Maryland “DREAM Act”,
with ensures instate tuition at Maryland public colleges and universities for undocumented students. The
bill awaits the Governor’s signature, which is certain. We discussed the unlikelihood of any favorable immigration+ legislation
this year Margarita reported that Leila Borrero Krouse, in offering professional assistance to
immigrants, is seeing approximately 20-25 people monthly in her office hours at St. Mary. Carol offered discussion
of a proposal, funded by the MD Dept. of Education, to teach English to very young Hispanic children, intended to give them
an advantage when they begin school. Griffiths will make inquiry as to whether this might be a good project
for the parish. Carlos and Daniel, members of our parish, each needed eye surgery recently and
the St. Vincent de Paul Society assisted in paying for the surgery. St. Vincent de Paul is also providing some funding to purchase
tableware for the migrant workers on Hoopers Island. Margarita reports that the cost of the bus to transport the migrant
ladies from Hoopers to Mass is being funded by a second collection at the Saturday night Spanish Mass. Isidro, President of
the Mexican Committee, advised of the activities of the Committee. They are assisting in organizing the
Hispanic liturgies, assigning lectors etc., and organizing work around the parish grounds. Eventually they
will organize Hispanic participation in various Parish committees. The members of the Mexican Committee are happy to cut the grass
around the parish grounds, but they have no lawn tractor. The committee suggests to the Parish Council
that it consider purchasing a tractor for their use on the parish grounds. An alternative suggestion was
to adopt a growing approach to landscaping by planting wild flowers all around the grounds. The committee
suggests that the Council consider that as well. · Readdress solidarity among our parish community – to be
addressed after Easter ·
Plan for Day of
Reflection – considerations attached – November, 2011 Patrick reported that Sr. Pat of St. Margaret
Monastery, Ridgeley, MD, said one of their nuns would be happy to do a day of recollection based on “living the Gospel”.
We discussed having such a day at the monastery or hosting it here, perhaps at Golden
Hill. The Committee could provide transportation to either venue in the parish vans. Suggestion
was made that lunch at a Golden Hill venue could be provided as bag lunches from Bay Country Bakery. Each
participant would be asked for a nominal contribution to cover costs. We
would invite all members of Parish committees, including the St. Mary Star of the Sea Council, and St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Nugent will pursue organization of the day with Sr. Pat, including all that would be
involved in doing it at the monastery, including cost involved. New Business· Concerns outside the Hispanic community, besides Habitat?o Jail ministry§
We will inquire
that needs/opportunities exist.o Public housing§
We discussed developing
a project involving improving housing regulation for underprivileged in Dorchester County. There was broad
interest, but recognition that this would be a major undertaking. Nugent will develop an outline to consider
at our May gathering to consider whether we want to consider it further.o
Other · Recycling for St. Maryo The Committee agreed to suggest to the Parish Council that it
establish a recycling policy for the parish grounds and buildings. If the Council will adopt a recycling
policy, the Social Concerns Committee will work with parties of the parish to develop a plan to implement the policy. · The Committee considered inviting the Christian Formation Committee
to a joint project that would enable “living the Gospel” formation of our parishioners including a concomitant
service to the poor/marginalized. The discussion led to a consensus that it would be best to begin with
development of small sharing groups in the parish, perhaps regional as the Neck District, leading to adult faith formation
and eventual service activities. Next Social Concerns Committee gathering – May 10, 2011, 7:00 PM, Refuge of Sinners Hall. Closing Prayer – Oración final
Dom Christian de Cherge OCSO
St. Mary Refuge of Sinners Social Concerns Committee March 11, 2011 7:00 PM Minutes Opening Meditation – Prayer for Those Who Migrate: Jane Deren, PhD Attendance: 7 members were present Minutes of the prior meeting were approved. Revision of Roman Missal George Vojtech, Chairman
of the team to familiarize the parish with the revisions to the Roman Missal presented an explanation of the revisions which
will be effected the first Sunday of Advent this year. George is visiting each committee of the parish
asking for a volunteer to assist his team. Bill Griffith volunteered Carol Griffith as the representative
from this committee. Immigration Policy We discussed the Maryland state “DREAM Act” providing instate tuition
for certain immigrant students. The bill has very favorable prospects in the Maryland
General Assembly. Solidarity –
Hispanic Parishioners We discussed ways to further the integration of Spanish- and English-speaking parishioners.
Isidro Ecethuro, advised us of formation of a committee among the Hispanic parishioners designed to
“staff” and work with parish committees, leading to further integration. Isidro is the President
of the committee. Lent will include bi-lingual stations at Cambridge, a bi-lingual first Eucharist Mass,
and other steps to be considered after Easter. The Hispanic parishioners will be celebrating the Rosary together
between March 11th and March 19th in their homes. English-speaking parishioners are
warmly invited to join them. Leila Borerreo Krouse’s monthly visits to the parish
are very effective and drawing a substantial clientele. We will inform the Marydel community that
professional help with immigration issues is available without going to Baltimore or Wilmington. Leila’s
assistance is for any and all immigrants, not only Hispanic persons. Support for Hoopers Island migrant
workers will be led by Leila. She will advise when and if assistance from this committee will be helpful. Day of
Reflection The Social Justice Committee will host a day of reflection, focusing on “living the Gospel,
this fall, likely in October. We will arrange for a professional from outside the parish to lead the reflection.
All committees of the parish will be invited. Committee Portfolio The question
of broadening the work of the committee was introduced. We will consider doing so at our next meeting. Next Regular Social Concerns
Committee meeting –Tuesday,
April 11, 7:00 PM, Refuge of Sinners library. Closing Meditation –“I Am Ready, I Accept”, Charles de FoucauldSt. Mary Refuge of Sinners Social
Concerns Committee December 14, 2010, 7:00 PM Minutes The Church is meant to be: 1. A proclaimer of the Kingdom of God already begun; 2. A sign revealing God’s Kingdom or redemptive
presence now; 3. A servant of the continuous unfolding of the Kingdom. The Church fills this last
role by acting on behalf of the poor, the oppressed, the despised and the persecuted. (Richard McBrien, What
is the Kingdom of God?) Opening prayer - Oración de aperturePsalm 45
Attendance: Seven members were present Minutes of November gathering were approved. Continuing Business · Immigration Policy Matters Insofar as the DREAM Act
was before the Senate, there was nothing more to be done on it. (The Republicans have since killed it.) And
it was anticipated that the new congress will not take up immigration reform for some time. So the Committee agreed to readdress
solidarity among our parish community before undertaking another immigration policy activity. A discussion
of an approach will be discussed at the January gathering. · Habitat for Humanity update – a report was not available · Prison ministry – Margarita has resumed
visiting prisoners in the County Jail. She asked that we undertake a “white” drive for prisoners.
They are in need of white underwear (the only color permitted by the jail officials.) Plans will
be developed at the January gathering. · At the January meeting we will critique our year and reevaluate our long-term
plan. New Business · Margarita asked that the Committee develop a program to give direct
support to the migrant workers who work at the Hoopers Island facilities. A plan will be discussed in January.
Next Social Concerns Committee gathering – Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 7:00 PM, Refuge of Sinners library. Closing Prayer – Oración final
Canticle of Simeon
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