Serving Those In Need
Here at Newman, we’re dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our community. As Jesus says in Matthew 25:35-36, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.”
We know if we have encountered Christ, our lives must change; we must do our part to console the heart of Jesus. Opportunities to serve others aren’t lacking here at Newman – just check out our ministries below!
Why does service mean so much to us? Consider the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching:
We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.
We believe the person is not only sacred, but social; marriage and family are central social institutions that must be supported and strengthened; people have a right and duty to participate in society, seeking the common good and wellbeing of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
Every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency; corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (mt. 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights must be respected—the right to productive work, decent and fair wages, organization of unions, private property, and economic initiative.
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and our sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Our love for all demands that we promote peace and justice in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions.
Care for God’s Creation
Pope Francis asks us in Laudato Si’, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?”
Care for God’s Creation is a ministry focused on select different projects: nature/city cleanup, birdhouses, St. Kateri Vegetable Garden, composting, and Parish energy audits. Volunteers are necessary for this ministry to thrive. Fortunately, it is a ministry where the more people we have, the more of an impact we can have on God’s creation! Please consider connecting with us today to help us care for our common home!
Catholic Action Center
The Catholic Action Center (CAC) in Lexington was founded in 2000 and serves as a house of hospitality that welcomes all who are in need. Prior to COVID-19, Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center participated in regular meal service at the CAC. While in-person service remains suspended, we are beginning a new commitment of monthly meal preparation and delivery.
Newman Center will provide lunch meals to serve 150 individuals at the CAC on one Saturday per month. We anticipate needing 20-25 volunteers for each monthly service, between food donations (sandwich items or uncooked casserole dishes), meal preparation, and delivery. This is a GREAT way to contribute to our Newman Serves activities with a limited commitment!
Congolese Ministry
The Congolese Ministry at Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center began in 2017 as refugee families from the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo first came into our community. Our mission has been to walk with these brothers and sisters in Christ to help them settle into their new homes and welcome them into our parish family. We have seven families in our parish who have enriched our lives, sent their children to CCD, received sacraments, and befriended us, forming especially close bonds with mentors.
The needs of the Congolese families have largely centered on assistance with English as a second language or transportation to Mass, CCD, and soccer.
There are many ongoing ways in which you can help:
- Mentoring a family or a child — being attentive to their needs and on call to assist them.
- Tutoring an adult or a child who needs help with the language, learning a new skill for work or helping with schoolwork
- Transportation for church or for soccer practice
- Helping with a one-time project like Christmas gifts for the family.
Some of these require a lengthier, ongoing commitment (such as mentoring), while some only require an hour of your time (such as tutoring or transportation). Please consider volunteering your time. We can promise you won’t regret it!!
Habitat for Humanity Catholic Build
Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center has participated annually in raising funds for the Catholic Build, with many parishioners also volunteering their time on the build site. Will you join us in making a difference again this year?
Habitat for Humanity is in the process of finalizing details on this year’s family and build details, with an anticipated start date of this fall. The on-site participation will be limited this year due to ongoing COVID-related safety restrictions, though we do anticipate needing volunteers for a few weekends. We also hope you will prayerfully consider donating to this year’s build. Across all participating parishes, we have a fundraising goal of $30,000. Click here to learn more and donate.
BUILD (Building a United Inter-Faith Lexington Through Direct Action)
BUILD is a dynamic group of 26 congregations that have joined together to address serious community problems in Lexington. BUILD’s design calls for gathering large numbers of people to attend a meeting in which leaders hold public officials accountable for policies that affect the poor and the marginalized. It gives Lexington residents the opportunity to shape policies that affect them and those they love. Last year, BUILD was able to secure a commitment for the city to put more money into affordable housing and a commitment from the school board to carry out a pilot program to promote consistent discipline in the schools for students of all backgrounds. Click here to learn more about BUILD.
As the pursuit of social justice is a key element of our Catholic faith, parishioners are invited to become Justice Ministry Network members, who participate in four major meetings a year:
- November: Community Problems Assembly
- March: Rally in March of the following year
- April/May: Nehemiah Action Assembly—the largest gathering of community support
- June: Celebration
Justice Ministry Members are also asked to bring 3 other people with them to the Nehemiah Action Assembly. Numbers are important because they build the power for change! Consider joining BUILD and be part of making Lexington a better community for everyone!
Ongoing Initiatives
We have many other ongoing and seasonal service initiatives under the umbrella of Newman Serves. These include Right to Life initiatives, Cropwalk, PeaceCraft sale, Christmas Giving Baskets, monthly Blood Pressure Screening, Warm Up America, and the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowls. We are also working on coordinating new, ongoing initiatives with our students such as the Backseat Homeless Ministry and service to Eastern Kentucky communities and parishes.
If you are already signed up for any service ministry, you will receive email updates when new service opportunities are available! You can also click the button below to sign up for general service opportunity updates! Click here to check out more student-centered service opportunities.
Care for God’s Creation
Pope Francis asks us in Laudato Si’, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?”
Care for God’s Creation is a ministry focused on select different projects: nature/city cleanup, birdhouses, St. Kateri Vegetable Garden, composting, and Parish energy audits. Volunteers are necessary for this ministry to thrive. Fortunately, it is a ministry where the more people we have, the more of an impact we can have on God’s creation! Please consider connecting with us today to help us care for our common home!
Catholic Action Center
The Catholic Action Center (CAC) in Lexington was founded in 2000 and serves as a house of hospitality that welcomes all who are in need. Prior to COVID-19, Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center participated in regular meal service at the CAC. While in-person service remains suspended, we are beginning a new commitment of monthly meal preparation and delivery.
Newman Center will provide lunch meals to serve 150 individuals at the CAC on one Saturday per month. We anticipate needing 20-25 volunteers for each monthly service, between food donations (sandwich items or uncooked casserole dishes), meal preparation, and delivery. This is a GREAT way to contribute to our Newman Serves activities with a limited commitment!
Congolese Ministry
The Congolese Ministry at Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center began in 2017 as refugee families from the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo first came into our community. Our mission has been to walk with these brothers and sisters in Christ to help them settle into their new homes and welcome them into our parish family. We have seven families in our parish who have enriched our lives, sent their children to CCD, received sacraments, and befriended us, forming especially close bonds with mentors.
The needs of the Congolese families have largely centered on assistance with English as a second language or transportation to Mass, CCD, and soccer.
There are many ongoing ways in which you can help:
- Mentoring a family or a child — being attentive to their needs and on call to assist them.
- Tutoring an adult or a child who needs help with the language, learning a new skill for work or helping with schoolwork
- Transportation for church or for soccer practice
- Helping with a one-time project like Christmas gifts for the family.
Some of these require a lengthier, ongoing commitment (such as mentoring), while some only require an hour of your time (such as tutoring or transportation). Please consider volunteering your time. We can promise you won’t regret it!!
Habitat for Humanity Catholic Build
Holy Spirit Parish/Newman Center has participated annually in raising funds for the Catholic Build, with many parishioners also volunteering their time on the build site. Will you join us in making a difference again this year?
Habitat for Humanity is in the process of finalizing details on this year’s family and build details, with an anticipated start date of this fall. The on-site participation will be limited this year due to ongoing COVID-related safety restrictions, though we do anticipate needing volunteers for a few weekends. We also hope you will prayerfully consider donating to this year’s build. Across all participating parishes, we have a fundraising goal of $30,000. Click here to learn more and donate.
BUILD (Building a United Inter-Faith Lexington Through Direct Action)
BUILD is a dynamic group of 26 congregations that have joined together to address serious community problems in Lexington. BUILD’s design calls for gathering large numbers of people to attend a meeting in which leaders hold public officials accountable for policies that affect the poor and the marginalized. It gives Lexington residents the opportunity to shape policies that affect them and those they love. Last year, BUILD was able to secure a commitment for the city to put more money into affordable housing and a commitment from the school board to carry out a pilot program to promote consistent discipline in the schools for students of all backgrounds. Click here to learn more about BUILD.
As the pursuit of social justice is a key element of our Catholic faith, parishioners are invited to become Justice Ministry Network members, who participate in four major meetings a year:
- November: Community Problems Assembly
- March: Rally in March of the following year
- April/May: Nehemiah Action Assembly—the largest gathering of community support
- June: Celebration
Justice Ministry Members are also asked to bring 3 other people with them to the Nehemiah Action Assembly. Numbers are important because they build the power for change! Consider joining BUILD and be part of making Lexington a better community for everyone!
Ongoing Initiatives
We have many other ongoing and seasonal service initiatives under the umbrella of Newman Serves. These include Right to Life initiatives, Cropwalk, PeaceCraft sale, Christmas Giving Baskets, monthly Blood Pressure Screening, Warm Up America, and the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowls. We are also working on coordinating new, ongoing initiatives with our students such as the Backseat Homeless Ministry and service to Eastern Kentucky communities and parishes.
If you are already signed up for any service ministry, you will receive email updates when new service opportunities are available! You can also click the button below to sign up for general service opportunity updates! Click here to check out more student-centered service opportunities.
