Social Justice Ministry E-News October 2024

Holy Hour for Racial Healing

Please join us for the third annual Holy Hour for Racial Healing on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 10:15 a.m. following the 9 a.m. Mass.

November is Black Catholic History Month when we take time to recognize the unique contributions and struggles of our black and brown brothers and sisters. We acknowledge the racial tensions that continue to fracture Church and society.

In addition to celebrating the beautiful culture, gifts and talents of the black community, we take time to pray for God’s mercy and for healing of divisions. All are encouraged to join for a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This event is sponsored by the Social Justice Ministry, Racial/Criminal Justice Priority Group. Deacon Clarke Cochran will preside over the hour-long service.

Habitat for Humanity:

St. Peter Helps Local Woman Build a Home of Her Own

At the end of 2023, the median home price in Charlotte was $415,000. And it has only gone up from there, making more than 75 percent of regional households unable to afford a home of their own. Tabitha would have been one of them had it not been for Habitat Charlotte Region, St. Peter and other partners helping her realize her dream of home ownership.

A volunteer at the ReStore, Tabitha joined St. Peter parishioners in September to help build the house where she and her 10-year-old son Rondreaus will live. More than two dozen St. Peter volunteers pitched in to provide refreshments/supplies and to roll up their sleeves to build the home.

Through Habitat's Financial Literacy program, Tabitha has gained valuable knowledge

about money management and credit building to prepare her for homeownership.

A Charlotte native, Tabitha currently rents an apartment. As housing and apartment

rental costs have risen dramatically, she has been heavily impacted.

Because of Habitat Charlotte, St. Peter and her own efforts, Tabitha will begin to build

generational wealth for herself and her son. She will be the first of her siblings to own a home. Through hard work, dedication, education and lots of sweat equity, Tabitha will achieve her longtime dream of being a homeowner and having a place she can call her own.

Why Housing Is Out of Reach for Many

The median rent for a one-bedroom 745-square-foot apartment in Charlotte is $1,445, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition Out of Reach Report. For this not to exceed 30 percent of income, the housing cost burdened threshold, someone would need to make about $4,816/month or $57,792/year.

A modest two-bedroom 1,077-square-foot rental in Charlotte is $1,749 per month. Earnings would need to be $5,830/month or $69,960/year. The state and national legal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. The minimum wage for people earning tips is $2.75. With minimum wage so low and rental rates so high, no wonder renting, let alone owning a home, is out of reach for so many of our neighbors. Last year, only 2.5 percent of the houses sold in our region cost less than $150,000 and about 22 percent were less than $300,000.

-- Contributed by Gina Carroll Howard, St. Peter Habitat Ministry Leader

From left are Teawan Gausi with Habitat Charlotte and Stephanie Nelson of St. Peter.

Pictured above is Caitlyn Cano of St. Peter.

Parishes tour International African American Museum

On Oct. 5, 50 parishioners from across the Diocese of Charlotte embarked on a journey to Charleston, S.C., to visit the International African American Museum. This powerful experience was a joint venture between the diocese’s African American Affairs Ministry and the Social Justice Ministry of St. Peter Catholic Church.

The trip’s purpose aligned with the ministries’ shared mission of evangelization and community outreach, while also educating participants on the African American journey and how African Americans have shaped U.S. history and culture. The group represented five parishes: Our Lady of Consolation, St. Peter and St. Matthew in Charlotte, Queen of the Apostles in Belmont and St. James the Greater in Concord.

-- From the Catholic News Herald

"Let us pray that each of us listen with our hearts to the cry of the Earth and to the victims of environmental disasters and climate change, making a personal commitment to care for the world we inhabit."

— Pope Francis, For the Cry of the Earth

Urge Congress to Boost Funding for Long-term Assistance

Thousands of people across the southeastern United States are starting to rebuild their lives after the devastation wrought by hurricanes Helene and Milton. The federal government says there is enough funding for short-term disaster assistance, but money is running low for longer-term recovery efforts. Take action now to urge your legislators to prioritize funding for disaster recovery when they return to Washington in mid-November. Adding your own concerns and experiences will strengthen your message.

Send a Message Now!

Death Penalty First Friday Prayer Vigil is November 1

Join with others in our parish and across the country for our next prayer vigil on Friday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 3 p.m. On the First Friday of every month, through prayerful petition, Scripture reflection, and contemplative silence, we pray for an end to the death penalty and for all those affected by capital punishment: victims, accused, their families, and those carrying out the execution.

To join the live-streamed Zoom or Facebook, register at the following Catholic Mobilizing Network link:

https://catholicsmobilizing.org/first-f riday-v igils.

The next Social Justice Ministry meeting is Monday, Nov. 18, via Zoom. All are welcome. Learn more or get the link at stpetercatholicsocialjustice@gmail.com.

"This is what Yahweh asks of you: only this, to act justly,

to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God." - Micah 6:8

In the spirit and tradition of St. Ignatius, we live out our faith through justice and reconciliation. Members of St. Peter serve our sisters and brothers of greater Charlotte who live on the margins, are forgotten or under served. God encourages us with discerning hearts to find how we can use our talents to share justice and His love with others.

Social Justice Ministry Mission Statement:

As men and women for and with others, we promote peace, stand with the poor and marginalized, and educate and advocate for social change wherever injustice exists.