A Community of Collaboration
St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community, Congregational Spotlight. Written by Dylan Novacek – Content Specialist
“Collaborating with Beacon has taught us that every congregation and every person has the potential to be powerful,” exclaimed Julie Madden, a leader on the Beacon leadership team and the Peace and Justice Ministry Director on staff at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community (SJA) in Minneapolis.
For years, the congregants at SJA have been working to address the housing crisis in our state. Through their history of justice, equity, and housing initiatives, they have realized how the power of faith communities can make even greater change for our neighbors.
“Home is at the core of everything we do,” remarked Julie Andberg, another longtime congregant, and a member of SJA’s Beacon leadership team. “Our congregation has done a lot of work over the years and home is at the center of it. There are so many ways people can get involved.”
“The keyword is power,” added Theresa Dolata, a seasoned advocate for home at SJA. “We have more power as a collaborative!”
Collaboration is at the heart of this congregation’s work. From supporting partner organizations and individuals struggling with stability through their Care Committee, leaders like Theresa, Julie Madden and Julie Andberg have seen how far our neighbors can get with collaborative support.
“I’ve met individuals we’ve supported in our Care Committee who have done ‘everything right’. But too many people are one car repair, one illness or one family tragedy away from losing their home,” Julie Andberg said, reflecting on the need for housing justice. “Too many of our neighbors struggle to make their rent each month. It’s not right.”
“I think we’re all obligated to fight for housing justice,” Theresa asserted. “When I look at my faith as a Christian, it is what we’re called to do. I know that when I was homeless my congregation rallied around me. We need to rally around all our neighbors statewide.”
With an understanding that we all go farther when we work together, they celebrate the power of faith communities.
“Working alongside Beacon for so long, we began to ask what a formalized commitment to the collaborative meant to us,” Julie Madden said. “We realized this is the power of faith communities. This is church, this is synagogue, this is mosque! We all have the power to make change. Beacon helps us navigate it and celebrate it!”
From young adults in their youth group rallying for home, to their congregants growing in their advocacy through Beacon workshops like Power Tools, the leaders at SJA see their collaboration with Beacon as a vehicle for greater advocacy.
Emily Goldthwaite Fries, the congregational organizer working with SJA, appreciates what these engaged leaders contribute to our interfaith collaborative.
“St. Joan’s members bring a clear moral voice of justice based in Catholic social teachings,” Emily noted. “The dignity of every person and the priority of society to address the needs of those most vulnerable in our systems. They take seriously what is required of us when we follow our deepest values. We welcome them!”
“Formalizing our partnership with Beacon is an intentional step,” Julie Andberg said. “It helps us articulate who we are, where we have been, and who we want to be. We’re expanding our circle and taking action for home!”
This action for home includes supporting the creation of Emerson Village, which will provide families in North Minneapolis affordable housing with on-site services. There is an understanding at SJA that a place of worship should support those outside the congregation. By working with Beacon, SJA is a part of a network of congregations committed to addressing the needs of our neighbors statewide.
“Home is where you get to choose,” Julie Madden smiled.
“Of everything that has been taken away from me in life, I’ve never lost my voice,” Theresa took a powerful pause as she reflected on this work. “Just one voice can make a difference. We are all stronger together.”
Energized by their organizing work, SJA is proud to officially be a collaborating congregation. We’re growing our collaborative and you can be a part of it too! Contact Deb Rodgers to learn how your congregation can join the collaborative.
