Contact: Jack Norris, [email protected]
Meet: Monthly (Every Third Sunday at 9:15AM)

Social Justice Ministry                                                Winter, 2025

Fall and Winter Social Justice Projects

   *56 Boxes of Joy were delivered to St. Mark’s drop-off site.   They are on their way to Florida to be screened and processed for delivery.  There were over $500 in donations to pay for international delivery and to support the Catholic ministries work in the communities of children receiving boxes.   Many St. Leo seniors donated so extra boxes could be sent.  The boxes were lovingly packed with necessary items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shirts, dresses, hairbrushes, band aids, socks, soap and school supplies.   There were also “joy” items such as puzzles, jump ropes, balls, hair accessories, candy, dolls and toy cars.

    *In November, Social Justice organized a free dinner open to the public (Publik Suppah). 31 people volunteered. Knights of Columbus provided gift cards, Columbiettes helped with baking and cooking and youth of our parish served the food.  Ham dinner was available to take out or eat-in at beautifully decorated tables. 

   *Social justice arranged an Opioid/NARCAN Education. 10 people attended the Monroe County Dept. of Public Health presentation.  Participants were able to receive a Naloxone kit and learn about its use.

  * Socktober: 1137 pairs of socks were collected.  They were distributed to the following organizations:   Salvation Army Women’s Center, House of Mercy, Hilton Clothing Closet, Hilton Food Pantry, Rochester Hope at St. Michael’s and to a ministry that does foot care for the homeless.

   *Thanksgiving Baskets: St. Leo’s contributed 150 boxes of instant mashed potatoes to the Hilton Food Bank.  Thanksgiving gift bags were filled and delivered to St. Leo homebound parishioners.

  * Volunteers for Cabrini Lunches: Social justice members volunteered on two Saturdays to help prepare, serve and clean up from Saturday lunches.  About 400 were served at each lunch.  St. Leo volunteers were inspired by those who share God’s love through this ministry, welcoming all and treating all with dignity. (rochesterhope.org).

Christmas Baskets, December 2024

     114 Christmas baskets were distributed to Parma families.   St. Leo Social Justice volunteers packed and distributed 22 of those.  Food was from St. Leo donations (brown box at the church entrance) and perishables from Food Link. Giving Tree gift cards were given to those families.  

     Gift bags filled with cookies, tea, fruit and other goodies were delivered by volunteers to the homebound.

Poverty Awareness Month

     January is Poverty Awareness month.  The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has daily reflections and other resources.  There are daily reflections and challenges about poverty in America.   Sign up for alerts about legislation and information about taking action to support the poor and vulnerable.  

     PovertyUSA.org is another resource for education and prayer.   It is an initiative of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to help individuals and communities address poverty in America. See ‘Stories of Hope” for information and advocacy opportunities.

Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl

     Beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 5, St. Leo families will participate in CRS Rice Bowl, a Lenten program that invites Catholic communities in the U.S. to encounter God and our global family through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Rice Bowl boxes will be available in the parish center before and during Lent. The website (www.crsricebowl.org) has videos about CRS work around the world, a Lenten calendar and meatless recipes.