Just Faith: Hunger for Change 2019

This fall, St. Mary invites you to grow deeper in your faith by participating in the Hunger for Change program.
Hunger for Change is a program of JustFaith Ministries which invites participants to recognize the biblical promise of abundance while listening to the stories of people all over the world who struggle to feed themselves and their children.  Working with a small, supportive community, participants will engage in spiritual practices that illuminate the realities of food insecurity, and work toward positive change to end hunger.

Hunger for Change consists of eight 2 ½-hour sessions. All sessions include prayer, dialogue, active listening, and relationship-building.  Some sessions may include videos and/or a guest speaker. In addition to the readings, there is a spiritual practice each week, and some weeks there are suggested actions to take on.

The call to a quiet, reflective, prayerful space is an integral part of all JustFaith Ministries programs. Each session includes an opening and closing prayer experience; scripts and instructions are included in the session outlines. These provide a transition from participants’ daily routine into a place of deep listening and sharing from the heart.

To help gain understanding of the experience of those living with food insecurity in the U.S., the group will participate in something called the SNAP Challenge between Sessions Three and Four. Since 2008, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) has been the name for

 the federal Food Stamp program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. Families eligible to receive SNAP gain an increase in the food purchasing power of their household through this program. 

The SNAP Challenge is to live on the average food stamp benefit amount, which is about $1.80 per person per meal (for a family of 4). This will give participants insight into the struggle that millions of low-income Americans face to obtain food. People receiving SNAP benefits do not typically have a stocked pantry or a variety of seasonings with which to supplement their cooking. Living on the average food stamp benefit will lead participants to face difficult challenges and decisions about what to purchase on such a limited budget. Finding healthy, nutritious food will likely be a struggle with such limited resources. Many who rely on SNAP benefits are limited not only by the amount of money they have to make purchases, but also very often by the selection they have wherever they are purchasing.
At the end of this process, participants will be encouraged to continue this participation in Hunger for Change by being involved in local, national, or international advocacy efforts.
Join us at St. Mary, Mondays for 8 weeks: Sept. 30 – Nov. 18 from 6:00 – 8:00pm. Childcare is provided. The cost per participant is $13. Please contact Mollie at mollie@stmarysfamily.com by Sept. 16 to register.   
- Lindsey Kuhlmann

Hunger for Change is a national program of JustFaith Ministries that explores the realities of food insecurity in the United States and around the world, through the lens of our Christian call to “feed the hungry” (Mt. 25).  This 8-session module invites participants to learn more about local and global hunger, and then inspires them to take concrete actions to end hunger.  The Hunger for Change program will be offered at St. Mary Church on Monday evenings from Sept. 30 through Nov. 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m.  If you would like more information contact Mollie at 352-2493 or Mollie@stmarysfamily.com.  Download the registration form here:  hunger_for_change_registration.pdf

Congratulations to our parishioners, who were athletes in this year's Special Olympics!
Check out this great organization at the link below:
SpecialOlympics.org

***Charity Spotlight***

Special Olympics

Due to the generosity of our parishioners, we will again give $500 to the Special Olympics.   The mission of the Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympic athletes and the community. Founded in 1968, the Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people.

Dates to Remember:
October - Respect Life Month

Links:
U.S. Catholic Bishops
Archdiocese of Dubuque
Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Catholic Charities
Special Olympics

Peace & Justice Committee Members:
Chuck Carlin
Becky David
Nancy Edwards
Wayne Green
Eleanor Hilbert
Val King
Jan Kriener
Lindsey Kuhlmann
Ted Mulert
Mollie Muntefering
Phil Paladino