Advocacy Involvement

At Christ, Our Light!, many of our Christian Service groups are advocates for the vulnerable. On this page, we will provide information and requests for action pertaining to support of those in need of advocacy help and protection. To learn more, contact: Elaine Cervera; 248.649.5510, ext. 105   or    elaine.cervera@coltroy.org.
Here is a video of the most recent Mercy in Action Day; Christ, Our Light! crew is near the end of the video:
Click here for Mercy in Action video.
Please also see our "Upcoming Events" page.

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Saint Vincent de Paul 

AN INVITATION TO SERVE as part of the Saint Vincent de Paul/Christ Our Light! Conference
We would like to invite everyone to consider becoming a Vincentian! The Saint Vincent de Paul/Christ, Our Light! Conference works as a team.We are friends who have spiritually grown through helping others. We help our parishioners - and all of our neighbors within our Conference area - with food, rent, utilities, and a myriad of other needs. Sometimes we need to help when there is a gap in other services. Each need is individual to our neighbors. Anyone can become a Vincentian! We greatly appreciate and honor your donations to our program; we are also hoping to attract willing, living bodies of Christ with “boots on the ground” to help us assist those in need.
We meet the Fourth Thursday of each month at 7 PM. We welcome you! For further information, please call the Saint Vincent de Paul phone line at 248.649.5510, ext. 112, and leave your contact information. Someone will return your call. Thank you!

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LADIES OF CHARITY (Men are also welcome!)
“LADIES OF CHARITY” NEEDS HELP  Oakland County Chapter
 We are an all-volunteer organization (founded by Saint Vincent de Paul in the 17th century!) aiding over 5,000 area families each year. We have a Clothes Closet and Food Pantry (in a building behind Saint Hugo of the Hills on Opdyke Road in Bloomfield Hills) receiving donations that we provide to agencies helping those in need, especially in emergency situations.
We are in search of a director (uncomplicated training provided) as well as volunteers willing to learn how to help us there in their spare hours: men and women are welcome!
Longtime member and former Saint Columban parishioner Joanne Cross says, “I started with a simple, one-year membership ($30), which helps provide funds for food and emergency items. I ended up getting involved more deeply and am so grateful.
This unique group has become like family as we truly help so many people that we’ll never even meet. Help us empty our shelves while opening your heart to others! You will be so glad you did!” 
For questions or to volunteer, please contact Joanne  Cross at 248.540.8328.
 To become a member, please visit the website at:
theladiesofcharity.org and click “get involved,” or leave a message for them at 248.646.0920.

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Please feel free to also explore these advocacy groups that Christ, Our Light! supports:

A Vision For Clean Water at https://avisionforcleanwater.org also know as AVFCW, is a non-profit (501c3) with the goal of teaching and training others how to design, implement, and sustain clean water and sanitation projects in countries around the world. Here is one of the handwashing sinks for the Navajo Nation that donations from our parishioners helped to fund:

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From a parishioner re: https://www.kenyarelief.org/ that provides medical care and medical supplies

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Gianna House: Located in Eastpointe, Gianna House at giannahouse.org responds not only to the needs of housing pregnant women and new mothers, but is the base for their Community Outreach Program -- a vibrant and growing ministry that has served hundreds of women and children on the margins through educational classes such as parenting, childbirth, personal growth, nutrition, sewing, and finance management. 
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Strangers No Longer:

 

Strangers No Longer (501c3) is a network of parishes and congregations in our Archdiocese and Wayne, Oakland and Livingston counties. Circles of Support in more than 20 parishes provide assistance to immigrants in the Michigan area and  advocate for comprehensive and humane immigration policies. strangersnolonger.org Parish Circle Leader: Kay Sulfaro, SNL board member;  kcsulfaro@gmail.com
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Saint Dominic Outreach: Located at Warren and Trumbull near Wayne State University and serving the needs of eligible individuals and families in the Detroit community, Saint Dominic Outreach, a ministry supported by our church, continues to supply food pantry groceries (and much more). Donations may be made on their website: https://www.stdominicoutreach.org/donate.html The outreach will also be grateful for the food items brought to our large blue bin at our church entrance: pull-tab canned salmon, ham, chicken, ravioli, spaghetti; stovetop, boxed-rice and macaroni-and-cheese meals; packets of tuna, etc. With any questions, please feel free to call the center at 313.831.6070. 

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Catholic Community Response Team:  ccresponseteam.weebly.com/
Saint Vincent de Paul: HOW THEY HELP: During these trying times, your SVdP (Saint Vincent de Paul) Conference can help individuals and families experiencing hardship. Please direct calls to the church office to leave a message on our SVdP line at 248.649.5510, ext. 112.  A Vincentian will call within 24 hours. We can help with evictions, food and clothing needs, and utility shut-offs for parishioners and anyone living within our parish boundaries. People who live outside our parish boundaries will be referred to the SVdP Conference that serves their area. All communication and inquiries will be held in confidence.