Social Ministry Commission
Our mission is to oversee the various Social Ministry projects in the five churches that comprise Prince of Peace parish and to provide education on social issues to our fellow parishioners. We do this by providing teachable opportunities for parishioners to care and serve others.
The parish projects work in concert with the Knights of Columbus, Local Leadership Councils and parishioners who want to assist to put the Church’s social teachings into action.
Contact Betty Turgeon at betty.turgeon@outlook.com for more information on Catholic Social Ministry in our parish.
Cross the Street Ministry- This is a new ministry to assemble teams of trained parish volunteers to go engage the homeless population in Lewiston by providing a caring hand along with a small bag of essential supplies. Another team of volunteers will assemble bags of essentials and supply them to the street crew. Contact person- Street Crew- Paul Gastonguay-207-576-0715, Bag Crew- John and Amy Poulin- 207-576-6200
Hope House
LACO
St. Martin de Porres
St. Mary Nutrition Center
Trinity Soup Kitchen
Hope Haven Gospel Mission
Tree Street Youth
Safe Voices
Angel's Wing
Thanksgiving Food Drive- In conjunction with the Knights of Columbus and parishioners who have graciously delivered the food to the organizations. We are collecting food for St Mary’s Nutrition Center, Lisbon Area Christian Outreach (LACO), Trinity Soup Kitchen and Loaves and Fishes.
Ways to help:
-Set up church display and make sure all food bags are in designated area.
-Deliver food at the end of the drive.
Christmas Giving Tree- Each church has chosen different organizations to partner with in 2023:
Basilica- Hats, gloves, mittens, socks and sweatshirts for adults and
children to help the homeless and children.
Holy Family- St Anne’s Society- AIDS project and area refugees
Holy Cross- Store Next Store- Teen Resource Center
Holy Trinity- Safe Voices and New Beginnings
Our Lady of the Rosary- Sabattus families in need
Ways to help:
-Suggest organizations that need help
-Make tags and set up tree display
-Help keep returned items in neat display in designated area
-Deliver gifts to organizations at the end of the drive.
Giving Cross- Parish wide effort during Lent to keep an underserved group or organization. Next year’s goal has not been determined yet. We are looking for a large group that could use a boost and may be overlooked.
During Lent we strive to give to others by provide nourishment to minds, bodies and spirits.
Ways to help:
-Set up display and help to make tags and display them on cross.
-Help organize returned items in designated area and after Mass move to storage area if needed.
-Deliver items to organization at the end of the drive.
Some of the other Parish led initiatives include:
Social Ministry Committee- This committee is tasked with bringing together the various outreach ministries of Prince of Peace to help serve our communities. We oversee and offer assistance to each church location to fulfill their individual aims while coordinating with the parish as a whole.
Contact person- Betty Turgeon- 207-240-2838
Calvary City Mission- Each Saturday and Sunday breakfast and lunch are served. Help is needed to serve food and to provide baked goods each week.
Contact person- Barbara Moran- 207-576-8619, Cara Moya- 978-430-8460
St Martin’s and St Catherine’s Homes- Sign up to cook a meal weekly or monthly for residents. Consider a $10 or $15 ongoing monthly donation to help fund operations. Contact Andrew Phinney-207-786-4690
Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry- Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday volunteers stock items donated by Hannaford’s and others. Over 60 food boxes are given out each week helping over 900 people a year. Help is needed from 7:45-10 each of these days. Contact person- Faye Neal- 207-754-1229
Loaves and Fishes Hidden Treasures Thrift Store- Need volunteers to cover store hours and people with trucks willing to be called to pick up or deliver donated furniture. Contact person- Marie Hebert- 207-333-5100