Contact: Mike DaPonte: justice@stbernadette.org

Responsible for calling us to put our Gospel values into action as a community. The committee brings Catholic social teachings into the daily lives of parishioners through education and community action through the following projects. New members are always needed and welcome.

Homeless Shelter Volunteer Opportunities and Sign-Up

Arundel House of Hope Winter Relief - Saint Bernadette Parish - Video

Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.

"Charity will never be true charity unless it takes justice into account ... Let no one attempt with small gifts of charity to exempt themselves from the great duties imposed by justice."
Pope John XXIII, Peace on Earth, 1963.

Adopt-A-Family:
Christmas-time sharing project with St. Gregory the Great Parish in Baltimore City, Women at the Jessup Correctional Institution, Mariner Nursing Home and local residents.
2017 Adopt-A-Family Report

Casseroles Project:
Collects casseroles the third Sunday of each month for hungry families.

Christian Assistance Program
Volunteers from twelve (or more) Christian churches in Severn, Odenton, and Gambrills participate in THE CHRISTIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, INC. (CAP) which provides the food services to the poor.

Dorcas Collection:
Monthly collection of food and money to respond to requests for emergency needs for the area poor. Assistance is given to St. Bernadette parishioners in need and funds are distribited to the
Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency,
Christian Assistance Program,
HOPE (For All),
My Brother's Keeper and
St. Gregory Parish.

The food collected to taken to the North County Emergency Outreach Network (NCEON)

Helping Neighbors Ministry
The Helping Neighbors Ministry serves individuals within our community who are experiencing financial or other difficulties in maintaining their homes.
Click here for more information.
Click here to sign up to help our neighbors.

Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Gonaives, Haiti:
Provides financial support to our sister parish, Our Lady of the Visitation in Gonaives. Our main focus is providing a daily lunch for the students so that they are not only fed one main healthy meal each day, but also educated in hopes of one day improving their lives.

School Supply Drive for Sarah's House:
A collection during August that provides school supplies, shoes and monies to cover other school expenses for children at the shelter. The Sharing Fund Collection in July goes to Sarah's House to help cover the cost of school related items during the school year.

Sharing Fund:
A monthly collection to help groups in our county, state, country and the world. Allocations of these funds are sent to organizations that represent our community's commitment to the gospel values of peace, freedom, justice, charity, and compassion.

Winter Homeless Shelter
Sheltering area homeless men and women in the parish hall for one week, providing them with fellowship, a warm place to sleep and three meals. Volunteers are needed to help provide meals for 35 guests and to be there in the evening and over night to provide support.
Report for the 2016-2017 Sheltering Season