Home Visit of a St. Vincent
De Paul Conference

In the Archbishop’s response to our Cry of the Poor Petition he makes the argument that the mission of the three Church properties sold by Archdiocese to make the 1.1 million dollars we are seeking for the poor, is now the mission of St. Catherine’s where the money resides. Thus he says St. Catherine should use the money for its mission in this geographic area. This would make sense if it was correct. With one minor exception the mission of St. Catherine has not incorporated this area, which is large part of the area of North Central Milwaukee. The minor exception is that the St. Catherine Vincent De Paul serves with home visits the neighborhood around the former Blessed Trinity church.

However, even if the Archbishop’s statement was true it still misses the main point for use of this money for vouchers to help the poor in North Central Milwaukee. The main reason for the Catholic Church to spend this money for the poor is what we now call “the preferential option for the poor”, preference being given to the well-being of the poor and powerless of society, that is at the heart of Catholic Social teaching.

The “preferential option for the poor” demands both individual and collective action, including the acts of the state, church and groups. In the words of People John Paul II, the preferential option for the poor affects “our daily life as well as our decisions in the political and economic fields;” placing demands upon individuals as well as “leaders of nations.” I would add placing demands on leaders of Christian churches and all would call themselves followers of Jesus. Many major religions, including Muslim, Jewish and Hindu faiths have similar options for the poor.

I think there can be little doubt that in North Central Milwaukee, the poorest and most segregated part of the city of Milwaukee, the Catholic Church has pulled out is presence and mission. There is nothing much we can do about the past but in the present we can take the money, 1.1 million dollars, left from the sale of three Catholic Churches in the area and thru the remaining three St. Vincent De Paul conference make available this money for vouchers for beds, stoves, refrigerators, clothes and other basics of life for those in need.

The Cry of the Poor Petition is below. No matter what you faith or lack of religious faith, no matter where you live or do not live, if you are male or female, no matter your race, you can join the ‘cry of the poor’ and choose the (preferential) option for the poor. God thru Jesus says to all nations, churches, community groups and individuals “what you do for the least of these you do to me.”

We request Archbishop Listecki of Milwaukee dialog on the

Cry of the Poor Petition

We request that the 1.1 million dollars realized from the closing and sale of three Catholic Churches (St. Nicholas, St. Albert, Blessed Trinity/Holy Redeemer) in North Central Milwaukee be used to support vouchers for three St. Vincent De Paul conferences that serve those in need in the area, St. Catherine, All Saints and St. Martin De Porres.
Don Timmerman, Jane Hoffman, Patricia Zealley, Bob Graf, Ted John, Bill Sell, Daniel Di Domizio, Jacqueline Haessly, Kathleen Koneazny, Regina Marie Maibusch, SSSF, R.N.,M.S., Sharon Kusmirek,

For background information read the three essays in The Catholic Church in North Central Milwaukee: [[Main/TheCatholicChurchInNorthCentralMilwaukee | Separate but Unequal St. Vincent De Paul Stalled

To sign the petition or for more information email: .

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