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Justice with Peace @ St. Tom's
St. Tom's parishioners seek to live out their baptismal promise by loving our neighbors through a commitment to corporal works of charity and justice.
- Review the Church's longstanding principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
- Explore St. Tom's programming and outreach ministries in support of them, including the 2022-23 Catholic Social Teaching Series
- Meet our Justice with Peace Team led by our student- and resident-parishioners.
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News & Updates
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December 4 - December 9
Help end the cycle of homelessness in our community by participating in the Family Promise ministry. St. Tom's volunteer weeks for 2023 are March 13 to 18, May 8 to 13, October 16 to 21, and December 4 to 9. Learn more!Read More -
Sunday, January 7
This weekend is the first Sunday of the month when we collect items for the campus food pantry. Items can be placed in the southeast corner of the sanctuary. The second collection will benefit our Mother Teresa Fund, assisting community members in need of rent and utility assistance.Read More
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Catholic Social Teaching
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Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is:
- “A central and essential element of our faith. … It is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came ‘to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind’(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with ‘the least of these,’ the hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45).”*
- It is based on and inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity.
- CST creates an awareness and understanding of our baptismal commitment – to love God and our neighbors, especially the poor and vulnerable.
*See USCCB - https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-peace-human-development/catholic-social-teaching)
CST Resources:
- USCCB CST 101
- Indiana Catholic Conference - The Public Policy Voice of the Church in Indiana
- Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si - "Protect the Earth, Dignify Humanity"
- Catholic Relief Services - Fath. Action. Results.
- Pax Christi USA
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Programming - 2022-23 CST Series
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Sessions meet from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in Newman Hall
Schedule Month Theme Topic/Presenter September Solidarity Immigration - Dr. Dora Tobar, director Pastoral Office for Family Life/Hispanic Ministry Coordinator, Diocese of Lafayette (September 12 due to Labor Day Holiday)
- LUM Hunger Hike - September 18
October Call to Family, Community, and Participation The Elderly - Erica Stephen, executive director, Caregiver Companion (October 3)
- Caregiver Companion, Make a Difference Day - October 22 and Service Day at St. Tom’s - October 1
November Call to Family, Community, and Participation Mental Health - Our Catholic Social Teachings tell us that We have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all. This month, we will seek to debunk mental health stigmas and come together to support the needs of our community by offering a candid six-member panel discussion about mental health on Monday, Nov. 7, starting at 7:00 p.m. in Newman Hall (downstairs).
- Purdue Winterization - November 12
December Option for the Poor and Vulnerable Charitable Giving - Due to the holiday events and student parishioners departing for the holidays, St. Tom's will not have its monthly CST presentation. Instead, we will share stories about stewardship in our Christmas Newsletter.
- Jubilee Christmas - December 9-10. St. Tom's will serve 50 families and 125 children this season.
January Life and Dignity of the Human Person The Unborn - How can we provide women with the hope and support needed to choose life, despite life's challenges? Join the discussion to answer this big question while learning from these area organizations that support mothers during pregnancy and beyond. Gifts of Grace Adoption Support Center, Bravely Women’s Health, and Boilermakers for Life student organization (Scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, due to the Purdue semester schedule.)
February Rights and Responsibilities St. Tom’s Racial Equality & Justice members, led by Zelda Flye and Lou Kendall (February 6) March The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers Working Women Leaders
Carolyn Woo, the former CEO of Catholic Relief Services, Dean Emeritus of Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame, AND Boilermaker and Boiler Catholic alumna, will speak about the theme in her latest book, "Rising: Learning from Women's Leadership in Catholic Ministries," on Monday, March 6. Also, Brenda Renaldo, director of the YWCA's Empowerment Programs, will share more about its STRIVE and Dress for Success programs, which are helping community members gain living wage employment and advancement opportunities.April Care for God's Creation Conservation of our Planet - "The Purdue Challenge: Caring for Our Common Home in a Time of Great Abundance," presented by Boiler Catholics alumnus John Mundell. Join us Monday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. in Newman Hall for a discussion about “Laudato Si,” Pope Francis' letter to us (and the world) about our global ecosystem and the urgency of caring for it. Leading the discussion will be Boiler Catholics alumnus John Mundell, appointed by Pope Francis last summer as director of the Laudato Si Action Platform. Learn more about Laudato Si by watching the YouTube original movie, "The Letter."
- Millie's Thrift Store - As you go about spring cleaning and changing out your wardrobe, seek to reuse, recycle, and repurpose and remember Millie's for items needed or no longer needed. Note: To contribute items to Millie's, please drop them off at the main location, 101 Plaza Lane, Lafayette, IN. Note: Millie's is unable to accept items at the St. Tom's location.
- PeaceCYCLE Hand- and Tote-bag Sale: Purchase bags created from recycled materials by a company that also provides a living wage for its Haitian employees. Founded by Boiler Catholics alum Amber Rose Heimann, who was inspired by her mission trips as a student, parishioners Duane and Jane Sellers will share PeaceCYCLe items available for purchase after April 29-30 weekend Masses. Proceeds benefit St. Tom's Haiti Ministry.
Click the "Listen Notes" icon below to learn more about Amber.
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St. Tom's Service Ministries
One of the most simple ways to love is helping when we see someone in need. And even a small act of kindness can draw someone closer to God.
St. Tom's 20+ service ministries offer ways to address social justice and serve at the church, in our community, and beyond through mission trips. Explore the options and reach out to one of the ministry contacts to learn more and get involved
Explore them all under the "Service" menu on St. Tom's website.
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St. Tom's JwP Team
The Justice with Peach (JwP) Team works with the Uniting in Heart "Witness*" pillar to:
- Create conscious Awareness of and educate about Catholic Social Teaching among our faith community
- Facilitate participation in JwP ministries and activities
*To Inspire our parishioners to desire an encounter with Christ and model His example to others by offering our time, talent, and treasure. -
JwP Team Members
- Teresa Cecil (R)
- Liz Droege (R), co-chair
- Alice Hession (R)
- Owura Kuffuor (S)
- Javier Melo (S)
- Jane Sellers (R)
- Fr. Peter Lewitze, OP*
R = Resident Parishioner
S = Student Parishioner, * = Staff Liaison
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