SOCIAL ACTION MINISTRIES

“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

1 Peter 4:10

Social Action Ministry

At Saint Elizabeth Seton, our Social Action Ministry lives out the Gospel through service, advocacy, education, and prayer. Each month, we offer opportunities to serve those in need, support life at every stage, care for creation, and build bridges across faith traditions.

Want the full list of this month’s activities?
Email [socialaction@steseton.com] to receive monthly updates and find out how you can get involved.

MONTHLY Highlights:

  • Serve meals at the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen (3rd Sundays and 5th Saturdays)

  • Support our sister parish, St. Procopius, through seasonal donation drives and shared liturgies

  • Host annual drives for baby items (January), diapers (October), and Mother’s Day flowers

  • Participate in silent prayer witness on Life Chain Sunday and support crisis pregnancy centers

  • Promote environmental stewardship through our Creation Care Ministry

  • Collaborate with the Southwest Interfaith Team (SWIFT) to foster dialogue and shared community service

  • Support fair trade artisans through our annual Fair Trade Market in November

  • Attend adult faith formation and fellowship events like Wisdom and Wine in the summer

  • Participate in year-round outreach to Respond Now, serving families in need

There’s something happening every month—and there’s a place for you. Whether you’re interested in hands-on service, donation drives, advocacy, or learning more about Catholic Social Teaching, we’d love to connect.

Contact us to receive our monthly email of upcoming service opportunities and events

 

Saint Monica Ministry

In an effort to advocate for the prevention of Domestic Violence, Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish has formed the St. Monica Ministry of Compassion to the Family. Our role model, St. Monica, is someone who understands what it means to be a victim. Many people turn to her looking for support and encouragement. She is known to be a “compassionate companion” for those who suffer abuse of any kind—victims of abuse and those troubled with addictions, difficult marriages, verbal abuse, etc.

This ministry is open to all who have a calling to help prevent Domestic Violence through awareness, education, service, assistance, and the promotion of available services. Anyone interested in volunteering in any capacity can call the parish office at 708-403-0101, and ask to be contacted by a member of this ministry.

LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, WE CAN HELP.

To reach a parish contact please call 708-403-0101

(M-F: 9am-1pm, SAT: Closed, SUN: 8am-1pm)

OR CALL:

STATE OF ILLINOIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 877-863-6338

OR:

THE CRISIS CENTER FOR SOUTH SUBURBIA 708-429-7233 (SAFE)

OR

Resources and support are also available at the Domestic Violence Outreach website: https://www.domesticviolenceoutreach.com/

Creation Care Corner

The Creation Care Ministry is a cross-parish “Renew My Church” initiative taking action to promote positive environmental change through education, individual action and community outreach in the spirit of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.

The Creation Care Ministry typically meets on the third Monday of each month via ZOOM, at 7pm.

DISCERNING YOUR VOTE IN REGARD TO CARE FOR CREATION?

Considering Care for Creation in a context of voting discernment and conscience, we invite you to experience the following webinar from the Catholic Climate Covenant:

CLICK HERE FOR A WEBINAR FROM THE CATHOLIC

CLIMATE COVENANT ON HOW I SHOULD DISCERN

CONSCIENCE, DISCERNMENT, AND VOTING ACT OF LOVE

CLICK HERE for 50 SUSTAINABILITY TIPS that you can do for Creation Care.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

CLICK HERE for information about how to contact your congressman to take action on important CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION

CLICK HERE FOR

ST. FRANCIS PLEDGE INFORMATION

For more information please contact Andy Panelli, 708-301-8038.

Saint Vincent De Paul Society

Anyone within our parish boundaries who are in need may ask for assistance from the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Please call the Parish Office at 403-0101.

 

Divorced & Beyond

  • Divorced and hurting?
  • Divorce can be painful and often shattering.
  • Divorce does change every aspect of a person’s life.

The Archdiocese of Chicago provides divorce support groups at various parishes. The purpose of these groups is to provide pastoral care to Catholics and non-Catholics who have been effected by divorce with hope to overcome the grieving process in a healthy way. The approach of pastoral care may vary by parish. To obtain details or information, please contact Maryvel Torres at from the Office of Lifelong Formation of the Archdiocese of Chicago, 312-534-8353 or mtorres@archchicago.org.

 

Hope Employment Ministry

The HOPE Employment Ministry is available to provide assistance to anyone who is seeking employment or a career change. 

If you require assistance with the job search process, including resume review, networking or interview skills, please contact Arnie Skibinski at:  askibinski@steseton.com.

Are you considering a job or career change? Are you entering the job market or a soon to be graduate? If you are in need of guidance with the job search process, The HOPE Employment Ministry can assist you with career, resumes, and networking advice.

If you any questions, please contact Arnie Skibinski at askibinski@steseton.com.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

  • Do you knit or crochet?
  • Would you like to learn?
  • Would you like to receive a prayer shawl?
  • Do you now someone who could use a prayer shawl?

Shawls in the Prayer Shawl Ministry are prayerfully created, blessed, then distributed to those who have a need for their intended spiritual, physical or emotional comfort. This is a very rewarding ministry which can be accomplished in spare moments at home and/or at the twice-monthly meetings. If interested or for more information, please call 708-403-0101.

Seton Sowers Chapter of Newborns in Need

If you knit, crochet, or sew, we can use your skills to make clothing and blankets for the premature newborn babies who are in the neonatal department at the University of Illinois Hospital. 

Additionally, we can use donations of yarn, fabric, baby toiletries and supplies. The Seton Sowers Chapter of Newborns in Need meets monthly in the downstairs O’Mara Church Hall. 

For more information/or meeting dates, please ask to contact Carol Dimer at 708-403-0101.

For information about the Newborns In Need organization please visit: www.newbornsinneed.org

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

If you have a problem with alcohol and feel a sincere desire to stop drinking, you are welcome to attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) in the downstairs O’Mara Church Hall on Thursdays from 7:30-8:45pm. Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover. The only requirement is a sincere desire to stop drinking.

 

SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE

If you know someone who is struggling, do not hesitate to find help for them. No matter what problems you are dealing with, we want to help you find a reason to keep living. By calling 988 you’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7.

When you dial 988, you are calling the crisis center in the Lifeline network closest to your location. After you call, you will hear a message saying you have reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You will hear hold music while your call is being routed. You will be helped by a skilled, trained crisis worker who will listen to your problems and will tell you about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free.