Social Concerns Ministry
Church of the Madalene Social Concerns outreach is under the guidance of our parish’s Social Concerns Committee members who strive to promote and enact spiritual and corporal works of mercy. Committee members work with our priest and parish to identify and assist wherever a need exists. Decisions are made for allocation of the monies received from the monthly Social Concerns offering (gold envelope in your monthly collection packet or a donation through the website), and for ways to benefit the community. Meetings are held monthly on the Third Wednesday at 1 pm in the Library.
For information, contact Rachel Boeckman at 918-260-6314 or rachboeck@gmail.com.
A Brief History
The Social Concerns Ministry began in the summer of 1988 at the direction of Church of the Madalene’s Pastor, Msgr. Cecil Finn. He had $2500 in funds which he wanted to use to help those in need, and invited a group of parishioners to form a committee to provide guidance and to help promote works of mercy in the community. The group decided that the committee would be called the Social Concerns Committee.
Through the years, the committee has supported and accomplished many good works.
Here are a few examples –
- Provided from the beginning, a monthly meal for the Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless; this program is currently on hold pending kitchen renovations.
- Renovated and furnished an apartment at St. Elizabeth's Lodge. The work included plumbing, painting, refinishing the floors and cabinets, and furnishing the apartment for a family.
- Raised funds to build and furnish a classroom in Guatemala and raised funds to help build three tsunami safe homes in Sri Lanka.
- Run special collections and fundraising events to provide for the needs of children and families at Catholic Charities Madonna House, Catholic Charities food drives, school supplies drives, and BUS (blankets, underwear, socks) supplies.
- Angel Tree / Christmas for Kids –
o She Brews Coffee & Transition Program and Birthright of Tulsa (2024)
o St. Francis de Sales Church in Idabel, OK and Children of Incarcerated Parents in McCurtain County (1997 – 2010)
o Mission Parishes of Heavener and Stilwell, OK (2011 – 2019)
o Sacred Heart Church in Heavener, OK and Counseling and Recovery Services of Oklahoma/CALM Center of Tulsa (2020)
o Sacred Heart Church in Heavener, OK, Holy Rosary Church in Hartshorne, OK and Emergency Infant Services in Tulsa (2021)
o Emergency Infant Services in Tulsa (2022)
o Catholic Charities/Madonna House and Birthright of Tulsa (2023)
- Provided information on Catholic teaching about social justice and political issues, held seminars, and had guest speakers. In 2010, Social Concerns sponsored a Forum on Crime and Criminal Justice.
- In 2014, Pastor Fr. Bryan Brooks asked the committee to develop guidelines and implement a program to provide financial assistance to those in need. The Emergency Aid Program ran for a time and has since been redesigned as the Care Packs Program, providing snacks and supplies to people in need.
The Committee has supported many organizations, including: Birthright, GoLife Mobile Medical, Emergency Infant Services, Clarehouse, Porta Caeli House, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, CRSOK/CALM Center, Dayspring Villa, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, The University of Tulsa Newman Center, Project Elf, Meals on Wheels, Second Chance Prison Education program of TCC, She Brews Coffee & Transition Program, A New Leaf, In His Image, Good Samaritan Health Services, and so many others.
Our fiscal year-end report has a complete list of financial details and charitable works accomplished that year through the generous support of Church of the Madalene parishioners. Contact the Social Concerns Committee if you have feedback or questions.
Meetings of the Social Concerns Committee are held on the third Wednesday each month at 1 PM in the Library. Membership in the group is open to any Church of the Madalene parishioner. For details, contact Rachel Boeckman at 918-260-6314 or by email at rachboeck@gmail.com.
The Social Concerns Committee serves as a bridge between the parish and the community,
showing Christ's Love by extending support to those in need.