Milwaukeean introduces social ministry to Georgians
Country in former Soviet Union welcomes model for parish outreach

By Cheri Perkins Mantz
Catholic Herald Staff

MILWAUKEE — When he became the director of human concerns at Three Holy Women Parish on Milwaukee’s east side three years ago, Bob Schuelke knew he wanted to take the parish’s social ministry outreach program in a new direction. He didn’t think he’d be taking it to the tiny country of Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union. But in September, that’s where he found himself — on stage presenting his model of parish social ministry outreach to parish leaders from Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

“I presented our model at the Marquette University Social Action Institute (in July) and then got a call from Catholic Relief Services in Chicago asking if I wanted to do a presentation in Georgia,” said Schuelke, who laughed that he assumed they were talking about the state of Georgia, not the country.

“They wanted to have parish leaders in these three countries experience how we do parish social ministry in America,” explained Schuelke. “They wanted a sense of solidarity that our church is with them.” During his presentation in Georgia, Schuelke read a letter from Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan.

With the help of translators and guides, Schuelke said he learned a lot about Georgia and understands why parish social ministry is needed there. The unemployment rate in the capital city is 20 percent, smaller towns have an unemployment rate of 50 percent and small villages have an unemployment rate of 100 percent, forcing villagers to live off the land. Others in the country are educated, but can’t find work. Even if there is work, the pay is low. Schuelke said teachers make $100 per month, while a banker makes only $300.

Schuelke explained that his pull toward social ministry work from his social work background as being inherent to his baptismal call.

“Our baptismal demand is to take care of the poor, the marginalized, the other,” he explained. “What typically happens is parishes do charity, they give out food, things like that. With Fr. Tim (Kitzke) here as pastor, with his vision and leadership, this parish has grown and there’s a lot of energy but there was no staff person to coordinate it and move it forward. So that’s how I came on.

“A strong human concerns commission is made up of four legs to the stool,” he continued. “One, there is direct service, giving food and clothing, the second is formation and education, giving the parish the opportunity to realize the issues — the fact that Milwaukee is the eighth poorest city in the country and informing them about social justice issues and giving them the opportunity to be transformed. Third is advocacy — finding out the cause of people being in need. The fourth is empowerment — being in solidarity and looking at how we can solve this problem together.”

The human concerns commission at Three Holy Women is a complex model with six subgroups and six volunteer parishioner leaders. The groups include shelter ministry, culture of life and dignity, local/global solidarity, hunger ministry, environmental justice and pastoral care. Advocacy is listed under the umbrella of each subhead. Other ministries listed under various subheads in the model include prison ministry, Habitat for Humanity, fair trade, the parish’s hospitality center for the homeless and the CROP Walk that raises money for the hungry.

“This is a unique model,” said Schuelke. “There’s nothing like this in the country. We’re doing advocacy for specific issues. It all hangs from kinship. We have to be building bridges, walking together, building relationships. The violence that happens in the inner city affects us here on the east side and affects me at my home in Menomonee Falls. We’re all interconnected.”

Schuelke noted that the parish model at Three Holy Women is not one he does alone. He credits parishioners and volunteers with making the model work.

“I set the parameters and throw out ideas, and get out of the way,” he said.

Schuelke said he thinks other parishes can learn from Three Holy Women.

“I encourage folks, as they explore parish social ministry, to know it all has to happen coming from parishioners,” he explained. “I believe you can have the greatest homily, the greatest writing in your bulletin, but what connects is a relationship. We’re trying to build a solidarity, a connection.”

Parishioners at Three Holy Women who feel strongly about an area of the Human Concerns Commission give “witness talks” at Mass following Communion during Human Concerns weekend, the second weekend of the month. A reception is held following Mass where parishioners can receive literature and information regarding a certain topic, and if they’d like, stay for a presentation about a specific topic. And hopefully, said Schuelke, volunteer to help.

“It’s all a faith journey for parishioners,” he said. “Hearing this on Sunday may cause them to write a check or stay after and listen to the presentation and then maybe participate.”

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