The Human Concerns Committee

The committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Church for about an hour and a half. These meetings provide a forum for all matters of social justice as well as coordinating parish education and response. Current members are: Terry McCaffrey, Susan Adams, Sasha Madison, Nancy Ng, Ruth Chippendale, Terry McCaffrey, Susan Adams, Ruth Chippendale, George Chippendale, Cliff Herndon, Laura Chiu,  Mary Fong, Paul Chestnut, Kamal Mansour, Carol Schaffer, Laurie Vavuris, Roberta Uebbing, and Mike Veuve. Contact: Paul Chestnut, 493-8237.

Occasionally, members help with our advocacy efforts after Mass in church vestibules and organize and attend pertinent lectures. Those members who are active in various causes are able to inform others in the HCC about current developments and actions to be taken in support of these issues, such as a moratorium on the death penalty.

Members of the HCC are involved in the following advocacy groups:

Food Closet

This group collects food and funds which are given to the three local food closets in Palo Alto: Urban Ministry Downtown Food Closet, South Palo Alto Food Closet, and the St. Vincent de Paul emergency food supplies program. Food is distributed to the homeless, the unemployed, and other individuals in need.

JustFaith

JustFaith is a yearlong formation program based on the study of the Church's justice and peace traditions. Participants meet weekly to discuss current problems and issues through the lens of those traditions. The program features videos directed readings, scripture, speakers, short retreats and personal contact with the underprivileged. Experienced facilitators guide the discussions, working from a prepared syllabus. The goal is to develop personal spirituality and create the desire and provide the means to effect change. Aided by their personal and communal prayers, participants find support, energy and companionship for their efforts. For further information, contact Patricia Markee at (650) 493-6242 or [email protected] To visit the JustFaith website, click the icon above.

Peninsula Interfaith Action (PIA)

Our parish Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of PIA is one of 27 interfaith communities on the mid-peninsula working to address local community concerns identified through personal conversations with parishioners and parish focus groups. The St. Thomas Aquinas LOC's efforts include support for affordable housing, more inclusive medical care, mediation between landlords and tenants, and increased parish awareness of and assistance to St. Elizabeth Seton School.  Click the icon for more information about PIA.

St. Vincent de Paul 

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a parish conference (part of an international organization) providing emergency assistance to those in need. The members coordinate services with other local groups and agencies. The parish takes a second collection on the fifth Sunday of the month for the Society's partial funding.  For more information about our St. Vincent de Paul Society Conference, click the icon above.