SERVICE


​Social Justice





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​Social Justice Committee Identity and Mission Statements

Identity
The Social Justice Committee of Immaculate Conception participates in a vibrant and diverse Franciscan parish located in downtown Durham.  We aspire to be servant-leaders within our parish; we are committed to live the values of Catholic Social Teaching and be vigilant and responsive to current issues affecting our parishioners, our community, and our world. 
 
Mission
Our mission is to engage and empower Immaculate Conception parishioners to live lives of justice, healing, compassion, and peace, manifesting the reign of God in our parish, our community, and our world.  We will do this by being attentive to the signs of the times, through dialogue, and through organized communal response to societal and individual human needs, always cognizant that all human beings are created in the image and likeness of God.


Social Justice Staff

Maryann Crea, Minister to the Community —The Minister to the Community is responsible for promoting and facilitating peace and justice activities and Catholic Social Teaching within the parish, as well as implementing Immaculate Conception's social justice mission in the greater community by networking with Durham congregations, social service agencies and community groups. E-mail or 919-281-0728
 
Katushka Olave, Latino Pastoral Associate - The Latino ministry is an ever growing part of Immaculate Conception. The Latino ministry coordinator is responsible for coordinating, training, and directing those involved in various pastoral and liturgical ministries, Spanish and English classes, adult faith formation, youth, social justice, parish life. Katushka devotes approximately one-half of her time to social justice education and organizing activities. E-mail or 919-281-0731


Social Justice Committee Working Subcommittees
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Homelessness and Housing
The Housing and Homeless Team works with Durham CAN, Families Moving Forward and other community partners to influence city and county housing policy for the benefit of those facing homelessness.  We also support new initiatives to keep vulnerable families from losing their homes. Catherine Pleil, 919-683-5878 x59.
 
Immigration Reform
We will continue as a parish to organize with community partners, including Durham CAN and the Congress of Latino Organizations, to demand the enactment of immigration reform that respects our common humanity and reflects the values — fairness, compassion and opportunity — we hold as Catholics and Americans.  We continue to work to provide immediate service to immigrants in our community through emergency assistance, advocacy in schools and immigration assistance. Katushka Olave, 919-281-0731
 
GreenFaith
Care for creation continues to be an important priority for the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province and Immaculate Conception Parish. Immaculate Conception achieved GreenFaith certification as a “Green Congregation” in January 2017. Janice Benjamin, 919- 358-2075  
​2017-18 Social Justice Calendar

​2017-18 Events and Formation Activities
For more information contact Maryann Crea, 919-281-0728

Advent “Alternative Gift Fair”… is an opportunity for parishioners to support fair trade and sustainable alternatives in their holiday gift-giving.

Valentine's Day Fair Trade Chocolate...is sold in the gathering space after each Mass the weekend before Valentine's Day in an effort to educate ourselves about the benefits of Fair Trade for farmers, child laborers and consumers, and to make it easy to "buy fair trade" for Valentine's Day.  

Earth Day Fair… is offered after each weekend Mass in conjunction with Earth Day.  Parish groups and ministries have an opportunity to showcase their activities in support of Care for God’s Creation.

Engaging Spirituality… invites faithful adults to break open their lives, penetrate the realities of our times, and explore the intersection between Christian spirituality and Gospel justice.  This twenty-one session intensive workshop invites faithful adults to break open their lives, penetrate the realities of our times, and explore the intersection between Christian spirituality and Gospel justice.  Immaculate Conception will offer a Thursday evening group beginning in September.  Pre-registration and a discernment process are required for all participants. The group is limited to twelve participants.  In addition to the $25 registration fee, participants will spend approximately $90 for books. Flyer Registration Form
 
Hygiene Kits for the Homeless and Farmworkers… hygiene items are collected during St. Francis Week in October for participants at Durham’s Project Homeless Connect and during Lent for farmworkers coming into North Carolina each spring to work in our fields.