Justice and Peace Ministry at St. Andrew

To learn more about Catholic Social Teaching, check out our video page. 

The Justice and Peace Committee serves to vision and implement ministries that serve those in need in the Roanoke Valley. The committee typically meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM.

Below are some of the ministries we sponsor.

Angel Tree Ministry

The children represented by the angels hanging on our trees in the Advent season are from two different programs: Catholic Charities’ Therapeutic Foster Care Program and the New River Valley Prison Outreach Program. Christmas gifts are provided to these children through this ministry. 

Backpack Program (Feeding America)

The BackPack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. Backpacks are filled with food that children take home and can easily prepare. St. Andrew’s fills 35 backpacks each week for Morningside Elementary in Roanoke. 

Crisis Aid

Persons in need frequently come to St. Andrew’s in crisis situations.  Often they need assistance with utility bills, rent/mortgage, or food and gas.  The Justice and Peace budget provides for these occasions and is distributed by the Pastoral staff as funds are available. 

Family Promise

Family Promise is a program that utilizes area churches to house homeless families a week at a time while they work to find their own home or apartment. During their stay, we provide a good meal in the evening and rooms in the church to sleep.  Currently, St. Andrew’s hosts families for 2 non-consecutive weeks per year. 

RAM House Volunteers

A group of St. Andrew’s parishioners volunteer to prepare lunch one Saturday per month from 9:30 AM to 11:00AM at Roanoke Area Ministries.  RAM House is a day shelter for those who are homeless. 

Respect Life

The Respect Life Ministry at St. Andrew’s participates in the advocacy and promotion of the Church’s teaching on issues related to protecting life from birth to natural death.  Programs include 40 Days for Life and March for Life. 

St. Francis House Food Pantry Donations

Food and other items needed by St. Francis House are collected at our weekly masses.  

Society of St. Vincent De Paul

This ministry sends members of the society, called Vincentians, out to the homes of those in need to offer prayer and financial assistance.

Viet Toc Foundation

St. Andrew’s supports the mission of The Viet Toc Foundation which aids the minority Montagnard communities in Vietnam.  We are ‘twinned’ with a local parish in Vietnam (Ayunpa) to help provide resources for education, relief services and spiritual formation. 

Budgeted Support of the Following Ministries:

RAM House, Presbyterian Community Center, Viet Toc, Meals on Wheels, St. Francis House, Catholic Charities, Roanoke Catholic School Tuition Assistance, Refugee and Immigration Services and Madonna House.