Holy Cross Parish Social Justice Committee Focus

STEWARDS OF OUR EARTH

All of God’s Creation

Social Justice Committee, Holy Cross Parish, Mt. Airy, January 18, 2026

The Social Justice Committee (SJC) has identified four priorities for this year to enable us to be more focused, collaborative, and action oriented. We will build relationships with organizations and parishes in the Northwest that address issues of housing, feeding the hungry, and immigration. We will also continue to support Fair Districts PA’s anti-gerrymandering legislation.

Feeding the Hungry – Holy Cross parishioners continue to support our Hope Food Pantry team led by Diana Wood. Food and monetary donations are accepted each week. Our neighbors who visit us each Tuesday from 10:00 to 12:00 receive not only food but fellowship as well. 

Face to Face, a non-profit human services organization in Germantown, provides essential support to individuals and families experiencing poverty, homelessness, and hardship. One of their services is providing daily, hot meals in their dining room. Parishioners Dave and Meg Rafferty have volunteered their time and talents there for some years and have taken the lead to continue Holy Cross’ Meal Prep service initiated by Sr. Ruthann. Starting on February 8th and continuing the second Sunday of each month for the remainder of the year, a team of 6 people will be helping with Meal Prep from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. So far, there has been an excellent response! Check out the chart in the middle of the church as there are a few slots left. 

Assisting Immigrants – Judith Bernstein-Baker of Northwest Immigration Network (N-WIN) and Sr. Eileen McNally, Sister of St. Joseph, are leading efforts in this area. SJC members have already attended events hosted by N-WIN and will continue to explore ways to engage. Holy Cross parishioners also support and serve immigrants seeking education and citizenship at the Welcome Center in Kensington, headed by Olivia Sharkey. 

Affordable Housing – For almost 2 years, POWER Interfaith Philadelphia has been building a citywide campaign focused on housing and affordability, especially as rental costs and property taxes continue to rise, and funding for social services are increasingly being cut. 

Meg Cruz, the Northwest Philadelphia organizer with POWER will meet with the SJC on Sunday, January 25th after the 9:00 Mass to explore specific ideas for collaboration between Holy Cross and POWER Interfaith. Join us downstairs in our Community Room to listen and to share your ideas on how our parish could be a part of this work. See the link to POWER Philadelphia's website to learn more about the organization's history and model of faith-based community organizing. 

A city-wide meeting on housing and affordability will be held at Mother Bethel AME Church (419 S. 6th St.) on Sunday, February 1st from 3:00-6:30 pm. POWER Interfaith Philadelphia will host this city-wide assembly with City Council members and all our Philadelphia congregations in a public dialogue about the affordability crisis impacting our neighbors and the plan to ensure local programs are funded to meet the demand. Some of our SJC members plan on attending. Please join us.

Fair Districts PA – SJC member Moya Kinnealey, for some time now, has volunteered in this initiative to ensure that free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. A nonpartisan statewide coalition of organizations and individuals, Fair Districts has been working to map out a fair redistricting process that will help re-establish an accountable government that represents the people of Pennsylvania – not partisan politicians or outside interests. Stay tuned for more information.