Human Concerns & Social Justice

CABRINI MINISTERS participate in ministry to those who are homebound or in nursing homes and hospitals; assist in care of the poor and needy and serve in liturgical ministry. Candidates participate in initial training from mid-October through mid-March and receive certification as a Cabrini Minister at the end of the training. They also receive excellent ongoing training that applies to many areas of their lives and opportunities for service. After the training is completed, St. Benedict Cabrini Ministers are asked to give two years of service to the parish, which is renewable. For more information, contact Jean Clancy at clanje5@aol.com
 

Esperanza International Program helps build houses in Tijuana, Mexico. Each year we have been sending a group of parishioners for one week to Esperanza for over a decade, and those who have gone can tell you that its one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. Participants span nearly all ages. You must be 16 and older to attend. For more information, please contact Lucy Gillett at l.gillett@stbens.net or 206.632.0843.

Trip Dates: We will not have a delegation in 2017. Please check back for our 2018 dates.

As a parish, we make it a priority to collect food for the FamilyWorks Food bank (www.familyworksseattle.org) right here in Wallingford.  Our goal for 2015 is to collect 10,000 pounds of food.  As of October 13th, we have collected 6,820 pounds.  You can help the parish reach it's goal in three ways!

1)  Bring food donations to Mass on Sunday and place in one of the food baskets as you walk in.

2) Make a financial contribution by donating online through the parish website HERE.  

3) New! Purchasing a case of food through the customer service counter at the Wallingford QFC (NE 45th Street and Wallingford Ave N) which will be delivered straight to the food bank and added to our weight total.

To purchase a case of food through QFC, download this form and bring in to QFC.

 

FRIENDS OF LIMULUNGA is a committee of the Human Concerns and Social Justice Commission that oversees our relationship with St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish in Limulunga, Zambia, and our parish. This committee is responsible for maintaining up-dated information about our two parishes, raising funds as needed to support St. Lawrence parishioners, and working with other parishes in the Archdiocese that have an African connection. The committee meets regularly and is always open to any-one who is interested in exploring this international connection. For more info, please contact Tim McGinnis at jeanniemcginnis@comcast.net
 

Updated 01/27/2016

Using funds raised from St. Benedict School's Christmas candy sales, the Parish was able to purchase incubators for raising chicken and quail eggs. This self-sustaining project provides parishioners with food security and a potential source of income.  In addition to the incubators, scholarship funds were sent to the parish and will be distributed under the direction of Father Francis, the parish pastor.

PEACEFUL CRAFTERS meets every Thursday morning September through May to make craft items including quilts, lap robes for the homebound and Christmas gift boxes for Catholic Community Services’ clients. Members enjoy gathering to share their talents and cultivate friendship. 
 

New in 2017 is our Respect Life Committee, which will focus on life issues from conception to natural death. Members participated in the March for Life in Olympia on January 23, 2017. and will also attend the Catholic Advocacy Day in Olympia on March 16, 2017. For more information, contact the parish office.

ST. MARTIN DE PORRES SANDWICH MAKERS prepare sandwich lunches for homeless men who live at the St. Martin de Porres shelter in downtown Seattle. Lunches are made on the first and third Monday of each month beginning at 9:00 am in the Parish Center lower level. All parishioners can share their sandwich making skills with fourth graders from St. Benedict School. For more information, contact the parish office at 206.632.0843 orparish@stbens.net.
 

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY carries out the dream of its patron by assisting the poor and needy who live within our parish boundaries. Members visit those in need and meet monthly to discuss their service to the needy. Members need to be 18 years of age or older and benefit not only by bringing Christ to others but seeing Christ in those they serve. For more information, contact Len Andrews at (206) 557-7046 or leonardjandrews@gmail.com.

Read more about our St. Vincent de Paul ministry here: