St Joseph's RC Church

Mission (St Joseph's Parish's Outreach Arm)

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Mission Team is to raise awareness of external issues that relate to the local community and beyond so as to further the mission of the Catholic Church.

Activities

This covers a multitude of activities, many of which are listed in the Parish Directory. Under 'Mission: Parish Activities' in the parish directory;there are 16 headings ranging from 'CAFOD' through to 'Footsteps' and beyond, including our young adult group: SUST.  Most of these areas are self-sufficient, often needing no more than help with publicity or a slot on the Second Collection Rota (see Financial Support below). Other activities involve raising the profile of campaigns and issues that arise, such as Bills going through Parliament, the Right to Life, the environment, fair trade, and justice and peace.

Financial Support

We seek to support a number of charities and organisation through a voluntary collection at the end of each of the Sunday Masses (except in August). These include local, national and Church related groups. Although, we try to plan these collections in advance, sometimes changes are required with little or no notice, especially if there is a disaster/urgent appeal.

Lapsed Catholics

We are conscious that at least two-thirds of the Catholic community are lapsed. There may be many different reasons why they no longer go to Mass. If you are such a person, please be assured of our continued prayers for you. Please read our Welcome Message, and our invitation to you. If you known of someone who no longer goes to Church, please invite them to come to Church (perhaps with you) and pray for them that we will be welcoming and non-judgmental. 

Fair Trade

The Parish has fair trade status which means that we are committed to using and promoting fairly traded goods, and promoting fair trade fortnight. We are privileged to have a shop in the porch area of St Joseph's that is open at the end of each Sunday Mass. They are always looking for volunteers to help out, and if you are interested, please enquire in the shop or contact Amanda Edwards via the Parish Office. Diocese of Arundel & Brighton www.dabnet.org/PastoralTeam/justicepeace/becomingafairtradediocese.htm CAFOD www.cafod.org.uk Fairtrade Foundation www.fairtrade.org.uk Traidcraft www.traidcraftshop.co.uk

Footsteps

Footsteps is a drop-in centre for the homeless, and is in its 18th year having started in 1990 as a result of RENEW. It is an organisation that we should be proud of as a parish.  However, Footsteps are in great need for more volunteers.  It operates on Sunday evenings between 5.30 and 8 p.m.  Potential volunteers are usually asked to come down to the Guildford Community Centre in Leapale Lane to see for themselves how it is run before joining the rota.  For more information, please see the Footsteps Appeal.

Environmental Issues

The environment is one of the most pressing issues of the day. How should we respond and deal with this issue? Initiatives for the parish have been prepared to enable parishioners to learn more and to get involved. Is there an option to do nothing? Please consider the following statements:  Nazmul Chowdhury (Practical Action, Bangladesh) said, "Forget about making poverty history.  Climate change will make poverty permanent".  The Pope spoke at the 'Save Creation Day' meeting of the need to make courageous choices "that will recreate the strong alliance between man and earth".

Zimba

Have we missed something?

The question we all need to ask ourselves is whether what we are doing is sufficient. Alternatively, as a parish, do we need to be challenged by the issues of the day, such as the looming debt crisis, and act appropriately?  Do we need to know more about the debate between the Right to Life and the Right to Choose, or even the Right to Die?  What other issues do we need to understand in greater detail?  Does ecumenism excite us, and if not, why not?  Can we develop new initiatives in working closer with the other churches in Guildford, such as a music festival?

The Mission Group is always keen to hear about any issue, organisation or activity that any member of the parish believes should be given a higher profile.  Whilst this may only involve an issue of publicity or fundraising, we are also keen for each and every parishioner to bring forward new ideas that we may take forward as a parish.

Get Involved

If you want to meet like-minded people who want to make the world a better place, do contact us and get involved. Mission really does matter, but it's not just one person's responsibility, neither is it just the responsibility of a parish group. We all have a calling and therefore we all have a mission. No matter whether it appears to be a large or small commitment, it does make a difference.

News and Campaigns

Iraqi Christians in Need:
Many Christian families in Iraq suffer persecution today - forced out of their homes and communities as refugees. They are the Iraq war's forgotten victims.

Please contact your MP (For Guildford constituents: By email - MILTONA@parliament.uk post - Anne Milton MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, or telephone - 020 7219 8392) asking for support in seeking our government to intervene with the Iraqi authorities to gain security guarantees for them.

Read more at: http://www.icin.org.uk