Social Justice
St. Thomas More Social Justice Commission: Faith in Action
At St. Thomas More, we believe that faith is more than words—it’s action. The Social Justice Commission is dedicated to living out the Gospel by serving all of God’s people and His creation in every season of life. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, we work to uplift the poor, protect the vulnerable, and advocate for justice and dignity for all.
Through charitable works, advocacy, and awareness, we seek to create a community where compassion meets action and love transforms lives. Whether through hands-on service, educational initiatives, or outreach programs, we invite you to join us in bringing Christ’s light into the world.
Together, we can be a voice for justice, a hand of mercy, and a heart of love.
Want to get involved? Contact our Chairperson, Linda Myers, at cherryamesrn@icloud.com.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SECRET SANTA SERVICE PROJECT
Hosted by STM Social Justice Commission & More IMPACT Youth Group
This Christmas, we’re adopting local families who need a little extra help & hope. Our IMPACT Elves will be wrapping, writing personal notes, filling gift requests, and stuffing stockings on Sunday, November 16, 2025—and we’d love YOU on the team!
How you can help (by Nov 12):
Adopt a family
Adopt an individual family member
Give gift items (new/unused)
Donate $$ (we’ll shop for needed items)
Ready to jump in?
Contact Kim Novak to adopt, give, or donate:
Let’s make it a joy-filled Christmas—together.
CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE
Service & Volunteer Opportunity - Catholic Worker House
Mark your calendars: The STM Social Justice Commission will be serving our next meal at CWH. Upcoming Date and Sign up to help here:
Season of Creation Events at St. Thomas More Parish
Celebrating Peace and Creation!
We had a wonderful time at the Peace Pole blessing on September 20th, part of our Season of Creation celebration! It was a beautiful gathering, emphasizing our commitment to peace and stewardship of the Earth. Here are a few pictures capturing the moments of joy, reflection, and unity. Thank you to everyone who joined us in this special event as we embrace our responsibility to care for creation and foster peace in our community!
Habitat for Humanity Opportunity
PUT YOUR FAITH INTO ACTION
Help a low-income family build their dream of home ownership by working with Habitat for Humanity.
St. Thomas More is working with St. Mary’s and other faith communities by participating in the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build Project.
March 8th, the Catholic Worker House and St. Thomas More Social Justice Commission cosponsored “A Symposium: Dorothy Day and the End of the Forever War.” Keith Soko, PhD, Professor, Theology Department, and Keri Manning, PhD, Professor, History Department from St. Ambrose University were dynamic speakers. Their talks demonstrated what an activist Dorothy Day was for nonviolence from her teens in 1917 to her death in 1980. She not only gave to the poor – providing hundreds of thousands of meals, she also provided lodging in hospitality homes and farms on which they could live and work, empowering them to learn skills to provide for themselves. She fought all aspects of war, including burning draft cards, paying taxes (which paid for the war effort), saving tallow during WW II to assist in the bomb-making effort, and protesting nuclear disaster drills, to name a few. She lived what she preached and she had clashes with the Catholic Church who supported the “just war,” J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI who investigated her for un-American activities, and politicians, who denounced her anti-war sentiments. Dorothy Day stood by her principles and lived her convictions. She was and is an inspiration.
About 70 people from our Parish, Catholic Worker House, and the community attended the symposium that took place at the lower level of our church. The participants were very engaging. After the symposium, many of us agreed that there is a lot that we can do to follow the path of Dorothy Day. St Thomas More Social Justice Commission is strategizing to identify additional ways we can empower the poor.
A huge THANK YOU from Your Social Justice Commission for the parish’s recent generosity of donations and financial contributions collected during the (fourth annual) Shelter House toiletry drive. We transported two and half car loads of requested items to be used at the main site and the emergency overflow facility!! A special thank you to all those who also took the time to hand-knit warm quilts and scarfs. The emergency facility will provide shelter to an additional 30 people per night during the cold winter months. Our donations will be used by those most in need. Once again, St. Thomas More answered the call to assist those less fortunate in a very tangible way!!
Check out the Shelter House website for great information and additional ways you can help.
The Green Team is a sub group of the St. Thomas More Social Justice Commission which includes parishioners whose primary focus is respect for the environment.
"FAIR TRADE SALE"
Your purchase of Fair Trade products at St. Thomas More has many benefits!
- Promotes fair wages and trade, safe working conditions and sustainable farming practices
- Provides fair trade coffees and paper cups (compostable) for St. Thomas More parish events
- Contributes to the funding of tithing grants for entities such as Shelter House, the Crisis Center, Catholic Worker House and others.
Fair trade sales are held the first weekend of the month after each mass. Cash and checks accepted.
Thank you to all who recently came to hear Kathy Kelly speak at St. Thomas More. Kathy is a coordinator for Chicago-based Voices for Creative Nonviolence and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize several times. Her remarks helped to paint a vivid picture of war torn regions of the world including Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen and the plight of innocent women and children. As Father Adam described, Kathy is a "prophet among us" and shared stories from refugees based on numerous trips to the region that we need to hear.
Kathy asked that we act and reach out to our elected official to ask where they stand on House Resolution 81. This is a resolution to help remove the US Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Yemen. See attached link for more details.
Volunteer Opportunities With The Social Justice Commission
- HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK DAY. Check back here for additional work days with Habitat for Humanity.
- What you need to know:
- Days are divided into 4 hour morning and afternoon shifts. You can choose to work either a half or whole day.
- Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to be on the construction site.
- Everyone ages 17 and under must provide a waiver signed by their parent or guardian.
- Everyone must fill out an annual safety waiver. You must be there at the start of your shift to review safety instructions and daily tasks.
- Everything you need will be at your volunteer location, but you are welcome to bring your own tools &/or materials.
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes.
- No prior knowledge or skills in construction is necessary.
- For more information, contact Peggy Lyon at
lyon1013@gmail.com or
(319)230-3059 or Mark Ray at
(804)243-0562 or
markdavray@gmail.com
Domestic Help