Our Justice and Peace ministry attempts to respond to needs of the poor and marginalized in Tulsa and throughout the world.  It is coordinated and chaired by Deacon Richard Campbell.  Accomplishments during the past twelve months (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005).
 

We responded 238 times in the amount of $12,088.81 to needy individuals and families.  The help provided was for housing rent, utility bills, medical expenses, transportation needs, etc...   Of this amount, $1,369.89 was used to assist parishioners. 

Food commitment Sundays took place two times during the year and 398 parish families participated in providing   groceries weekly to Catholic Charities and/or Western Neighbors.  An additional $9,575 was donated to Catholic Charities Food Pantry and Western Neighbors.  The groceries came from food items you brought to Mass on Sundays.

Numerous donations of clothing, school supplies, blankets and household items from special collections were provided for the needy.

At least 20 of our parishioners continue to pack and/or deliver meals to the sick and elderly through the Meals on Wheels program in South Tulsa in the Jenks area.  In addition   $4,800.00 was donated to this program.

On the fourth Sunday each month, parishioners provided and served meals to the homeless at the Day Care Shelter.  Each Tuesday a parishioner transports donuts from the various pastry shops to the Day Care Center for the Homeless.    In addition, the parish also donated $3,600 to the Day Care Center to help with day to day expenses. 

Thanksgiving Day collection of $3,043.32 was used for construction of Habitat House #6 which was constructed during the spring of 2005 and was dedicated June 5, 2005.    Funds are currently being collected to build the parish’s seventh Habitat House.  To date we have collected $22,292.91 of the $40,000 needed to begin construction.  We hope to have the necessary funds available during the calendar year 2006.

St. Bernard’s volunteers hosted two parties during the year, one at Christmas and other in the spring for our friends from Jenks Riverview Association.  Everyone who attended had a great time with good food, special entertainment and individual gifts. 

$7,250 was sent to the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging for the twenty-five Guatemala children or young adults whom St. Bernard’s parish sponsored during the year.  . Pictures and addresses are available at the Justice and Peace Office for any parishioners who would like to correspond with one or more of these children or young adults. In addition, several parishioners sponsor, other children from CFCA on a monthly basis.

266 parish families (approximately 18% of registered families) pledged $95,856 to the Catholic Charities annual appeal in October 2004.  

413 parishioners pledged $98,628.65 to the Annual Diocesan Development Fund.  This is an increase   from the previous year when 253 parishioners contributed $65,510.40.

505 parishioners have participated in the Diocesan Fund for the future and the total of pledges paid to date amounts to $613,036.53.