Main: Outreach

Outreach

To develop a plan of reaching out to disenfranchised and inactive members

Research, select, and develop available program(s) for lapsed Catholics

Progress/Updates 1/20/08: This is a sample update. 2/23/08: Here is another update.

Develop strong relationship with Catholic Charities

Progress/Updates Novemer 27, 2007:  Tami Dale, Catholic Charities Office in Marshall, and Tom Keaveny, Consultant for Catholic Charities in the Diocese of New Ulm, made a presentation to the Parish Council.

Identify and become aware of local social needs' agencies and the steps necessary for referral

Progress/Updates January 21, 2008:  Agencies contacted. Jeanine Antony,Western Community Action, consulted in the production of the Help Available Referral folder presented to Parish Council. Update:  Social Concerns Committee asked a member of the Partners in Justice to begin attending our meetings so that they can continue the progress on building relationships with the local help agencies and utilizing the referral system.

Research and identify needs for - and possible establishment of - support groups

Progress/Updates 12/19/07:  Eight (8) volunteers were added to the Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound (Hospital, Nursing Home, Apartments, and First Friday visits by the priest) in order to reach more parishioners for both short term and long term situations. Update:  3/4/08 Social Concerns Committee discussed the possibility of establishing a Grief Support Group at Holy Redeemer.  Members felt we should find out what groups are currently available in Marshall and review at next meeting.  Fr. Paul offered to facilitate a grief support meeting at Hill Street once a month if the committee felt it is needed.   Update 3/25/08:   Request made for a Divorce Support Group at HR.  A search will be done to find out what Divorce Support Groups are currently meeting in Marshall.  Social Concerns to review along with Grief Support Groups to determine next course of action. Progress/Update 4/03/08:  Social Concerns reviewed the list of grief support groups currently meeting in Marshall.  They include: 

• Compassionate Friends (meets monthly at the hospital for parents whose child has died)
• Prairie Home Hospice (monthly luncheons at The Hitching Post for anyone who has lot a loved one & a six session workshop 3x per year led by a Social Worker at Hill Street Place)
• Beginning Experience of Southwest Minnesota (an inter-denominational peer ministry support group for widowed, divorced, and separated people.  Sessions are broken up into levels of grief and meet at the 1st Lutheran Church of Marshall) 
• Widow & Widower Support Association (meets the 1st Wednesday night of the month at the Senior Center for supper and playing cards.  New people are welcome.  This is a social group) 
• Informal Wednesday morning Perkins Coffee Group (widows from Holy Redeemer go to Perkins after the morning mass for socialization)

At this time, Social Concerns decided not to start a new grief support group at Holy Redeemer.  Instead, someone from the committee will contact the survivor(s) of the deceased from our parish via telephone to let them know we care.  After a period of time, the committee will hold a gathering where the survivors are invited to come together as a group.  This gathering will  be separate from the All Souls Mass.  If the survivors show an interest, the committee will start a grief support group at that point.  This decision came as a result of speaking with the coordinators of the other support groups and asking their advice on how to start a group at Holy Redeemer.  The committee also discovered that the divorce support group, Beginning Experience of Southwest Minnesota, was started at Holy Redeemer over 30 years ago by a nun.  It has since become a non-denominational group, but still runs announcements in our parish bulletin.  (Diane Harraghy)

5/05/08:  Social Concerns Committee Chair has tabled the Grief Support Group at this time. (Diane Harraghy)

To provide opportunities to build a cohesive faith community

Create materials to educate parish on religious celebrations of other cultures

Progress/Updates November 2007:  "Day of the Dead" display (Hispanic Culture) placed in the church.  December 9, 2007: Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass and Potluck Dinner.  Worship Aid provided by the Office of Hispanic Ministry.  Note: Hispanic Masses are coordinated by the Office of Hispanic Ministry in New Ulm.

Research, select, and develop small group opportunities

Progress/Updates

Investigate and implement parish event

Progress/Updates 1/21/08:  Outreach Subcommittee to brainstorm ideas of how the event can commenorate the 125 Year Anniversary of the Parish (2009).

4/3/08: Harvest Fest committee formed with Cindy Sanders as 1st chair and Dave/Becki Johnson as 2nd chairs. The date for the event will be September 28, 2008 at Holy Redeemer. (Mary Nordstrom)

4/18/08: All sub-committees are formed and have chairs. The menu has been selected. We will have the roast beef purchased directly from Tysons and prepared by CJ's in Minneota (Holy Redeemer parishioners). The rest of the meal will be prepared in Carlin Hall, with the exception of possibly the deserts. Contact has been made with the owners of the old middle school look favorable for our use on the day of the event. (Cindy Sanders)

Provide a schedule of retreat opportunities

Progress/Updates November 27, 2007:  Information given regarding the Parish Mission, "Open Your Heart to Jesus," scheduled April 5 - April 10 2008.