Human Concerns
​The Catholic Community of  
St. Alphonsus - New Munster, Holy Cross-Bristol & Wilmot, St. John - Twin Lakes 

This committee discerns the needs of the people in the parish and our wider community and investigates the resources that are available to us. The committee’s goal is to educate parishioners on social justice issues, to meet any immediate need a parishioner may have, and to work for necessary changes in our societal structure. There are many areas to help. Perhaps there is one that’s right for you.

Bereavement/Consolation Ministry: This is a ministry of volunteers willing to reflect the caring presence of God and the community to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. We do this by sending cards, providing booklets on grieving and home visits. Training will be provided.
Funeral Luncheons: A group of caring parishioners who plan, shop, prepare, and serve a luncheon provided after a funeral Mass for the parish family who has suffered a loss.
Prayer Network: Volunteers who are part of a telephone/email network willing to pray daily for those in need of prayer. A monthly letter is sent to members.
Prayer Network Caller: Contacted by Coordinator when there is a prayer request, you then call three or four members with the prayer request.
Good Cookie: Member s who are willing to bake cakes, pies, breads, cookies for our homebound members, summer bake sales, the Cookie Walk and other special occasions
Hospitality Committee: These volunteers host Hospitality Sundays and work with other committees when refreshments are needed.
Respect Life: This ministry raises awareness of issues that involve social justice in the workplace, the community and the world around us.
Visit the Sick: Volunteers who visit parishioners who are hospitalized in local hospitals, in local nursing homes or at their homes on behalf of the parish community.
Communion to the Homebound: Volunteers who are willing to bring Holy Communion on a regular basis to parishioners who are homebound but wish to continue their participation in Eucharist.
Human Concerns Outreach Farm of the Child: We have the unique opportunity to continue developing a relationship with this amazing mission school in Honduras. In the past, during Lent, we have raised money to cover basic needs (such as shoes or money for their dairy budget). We have been fortunate to have a few parish groups travel to the Farm to paint homes, build storage areas and help repair where the children live and learn. We continue to grow in our understanding of missionary work as we reach out to this beautiful, hope-filled community.
Holiday Giving: Provide a holiday meal to a family in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We participate in this program through the Sharing Center/Trevor and Love Inc/Burlington. Prior to the holiday, we are provided a specific number of families to help. Envelopes with instructions (and at Christmas, wish lists) can be selected and you do the shopping and drop off the packages at a specified drop site. It’s a great way to give to those in need. The family is completely anonymous. It will be announced at Mass when the envelopes are available in the back of church. This is a popular ministry and could be done jointly with some friends or other committees wanting to share with those in need.
Fall Coat Drive: Each year we collect clean, gently used coats for those in need. Watch the bulletin for details.
Blood Drives: The drives are held in the spring and fall. Many needed units of blood are added to the Blood Center’s supply by the efforts of these Blood Drives. Love Inc.
Meal Volunteer (In Burlington)
Food preparation: Prepare or purchase food to be served on the second (A) and third Monday of the month at the Meal Site. (Please note how often you would be willing to prepare/purchase food).
Serve: Volunteer to serve on the second and third Monday of the month from 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. (please note how often you would like to work).
Food Collection: We participate with two food collection centers; The Sharing Center in Trevor and the Twin Lakes Food Pantry housed at St. John. Food collection barrels are in the back of church and donations are rotated between the two locations. Non-perishable items can be placed in the receptacles anytime. It is getting increasingly more challenging to keep food pantries shelves stocked. Your donations are greatly appreciated.