Social Action Commission

Funding & Support

The St. Mary Social Action Commission awards funding to local organizations three times a year. Please complete the form using the link below to provide the Social Action Commission with details to determine possible financial support. These requests will be reviewed in October, February, and June; deadlines for consideration are September 30, January 31, and May 31.

St. Mary Social Action Contribution Request Form

Faith in Action: Supporting Father Charles’ Parish in Kenya

In spring 2025, Father Charles Gituma, who served at our parish while studying at Central College, returned to Pella seeking donations to construct a parish center for his growing parish in Kenya. The Social Action Commission donated $1,000 from their allocated budget (from parish contributions), and many parishioners also contributed generously.

Those gifts helped create a beautiful Our Lady of the Rosary Prayer Garden, giving parishioners a peaceful place for prayer and reflection. “She is the Patron Saint of our Parish,” said Father Charles. “Together with our parishioners, we decided to have a place where people can sit and pray in a garden, just like Jesus did.” Additional funds are being used toward the construction of a new parish conference center that will include offices, meeting rooms, a kitchen, restrooms, Youth and Children Center, among others.

Father Charles reports, “We erected a perimeter wall around the piece of land where it will be built. Since we never raised enough money, this year we plan to do more fundraising to try and meet the target. It is very hard for me and my Christians because it’s a small parish.  Please pray for a breakthrough, a miracle! Any amount donated will be appreciated and used purposely for this noble parish project. God bless you for your generosity and charity.” The goal for this year is $40,000, with a total project goal of $120,000. To learn how to contribute to this project, please email Father Charles:  kagurucatholic@gmail.com (parish email) or  mwongechalo@yahoo.com (personal email).

See a video of the prayer garden here

Social Action Newsletters

The St. Mary Social Action Commission focuses on one of the Catholic Church’s Seven Social Teachings each month in a newsletter to parishioners. See the most recent newsletters below: