St. Pascal's Social Justice and Caring Committee

St. Pascal Baylon parish members have many opportunities to help make the world a better place. Service projects coordinated for parishioners include feeding and clothing the poor, and scheduling semi-annual visits of the Red Cross Bloodmobile to the parish. Our Social Justice & Caring Committee also keeps parishioners informed of current social justice issues and activities. They work both independently and collectively with other churches to address the needs of those who are unable to care or speak for themselves. Several times a year, the SJCC organizes the We Care Campaign, an outreach program to allow parishioners to learn about and contribute to carefully selected charitable organizations.

For more information about St. Pascal's Social Justice and Caring Committee, please email Kim Roering or call her at 651.774.1585 ext. 128.

Donation Closet

February Collection: Listening House

During February, items will be accepted for Listening House, a day shelter and community center located at 464 Maria Avenue in St. Paul (in the lower level of the First Lutheran Church). It provides hospitality, practical assistance, and counsel to people who are unsheltered or in need. This includes offering light food, clothing, help for those looking for employment and/or housing, and veterans' assistance. Staff and volunteers aspire to create a sense of community and connection by promoting respect for all and to help guests make changes to improve their condition. NOTE: Listening House is only accepting the following urgently needed items at this time.

Requested Items:

Warm Gloves
Handwarmers
Winter boots - All Sizes
Winter Coats, Medium - 3XL
Hoodies and sweatshirts, Small - 3XL
Thermal Undergarments
Sweatpants - All Sizes
Men’s jeans, sizes 32 to 48, and women's jeans, sizes 4 to 16
Belts
Backpacks & duffle bags with WORKING zippers
Warm Blankets

Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative

Action Alert: Affordable Housing

Bring it Home, Minnesota will have its first hearing in the House Housing Committee on Tuesday, February 7 at 3:00 PM.

There is a lot of growing momentum to pass Bring it Home, Minnesota this year, and we want to demonstrate that energy at this hearing. What demonstrates a bill's energy the most isn't the presentation, it's a hearing room full of people. Please attend in person if you can. An online option to participate is also available. It makes a real difference for legislators to see support for the bill from constituents. Join us at the hearing!

Register to attend in person or online.

Contact Ann at [email protected] for more information.

Rally at the Capitol

Ice Shall Not Deter Them

Despite icy roads on January 11, members of the parish's Beacon group attended a rally at the Capitol in support of increased state funding for affordable housing. The rally encouraged Legislators to sign up to support Bring It Home, Minnesota. If you want more information or to join this action-oriented group, contact Ann at [email protected].

Rally at the Capitol

Beacon Update

Beacon Interfaith Housing Cooperative just had their yearly Convening at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, in St. Paul. St. Pascals' was well represented both in person and on zoom.

The evening discussed all that was accomplished in the past 5 years and then kicked off their new 5-year plan.

Beacon will continue to build deeply affordable supportive housing in the Metro area. Beacon is proud to be part of the Homes For All Coalition and will carry shared policy forward to the legislation. We will also support legislative initiatives introduced by Minnesota Housing Partnership, Catholic Charities and other non-profit housing organizations with shared goals.
Continue with Bring it Home Minnesota legislation. This is a $1.5 billion legislation that would transform housing and make statewide rental assistance available to every eligible Minnesotan.
Continue to push hard for $500 million+ Housing Infrastructure Bonds, to create affordable housing--and would be the only state housing bonds available to non-profit organizations like Beacon.
In 2023 Beacon will introduce The Homeless Families with Children Act (HFCA) as an extension of the benefits of the Homeless Youth Act, originally passed in 2006. Families with children who have experienced housing insecurity depend on high quality trauma and DEI informed services to meet their specialized needs.

Unlock the Metro: This new campaign is to urge the Met Council to pass a 30-for-30 Project Based Voucher Policy to expedite the creation of deeply affordable housing in the suburban communities--and give every family real housing choices. More information to follow....

Get active! On January 11, 2023, there will be a Rally for Housing in the State Capitol Rotunda. Everyone is encouraged to show their support for Affordable Housing for All! Everyone will meet in the Rotunda from 1:30 - 2:30 PM. Please REGISTER if you are going, so organizers have an idea of how many supporters will be there. Here is the link to register:

Questions? Contact Julie Moore or Ann Karner.