Justice and Peace

This committee assesses and responds to the needs of the deprived, disabled, neglected and oppressed in the parish, community and world at large. It promotes legislative advocacy, peacemaking and efforts to change and transform hearts and social structures.

AIDS Ministry
This ministry attempts to meet the needs of our own parishioners as well as others within our community who have been affected by HIV.

Appalachian and Migrant Ministry
This ministry collects clothes and toys several times a year for the various mission parishes in Appalachia and the Eastern Shore Migrants. A financial contribution is also made to the migrants to help with transportation, food and emergencies.

Christmas Gifts
In conjunction with Social Services, gift wishes of individual children are posted, taken by the parishioners, filled and returned to the church for distribution. Gifts are also asked for and provided for nursing home residents, children with AIDS, the incarcerated and the homeless.

Community Assistance
This ministry provides financial emergency assistance to parishioners and residents of Virginia Beach. Often because of sickness, joblessness or some misfortune, people need help with rent, utility bills, food and other living expenses.

Employment Ministry
The focus of the employment ministry is to provide support to the unemployed and the underemployed. We have setup a Job Network which tries to connect job applicants and employers, especially within our own parish. Our ministry is comprised of volunteers who are willing to work with prospects seeking a new or better job.

EQUI-Kids
Therapeutic horseback riding program for children who are mentally and/or physically challenged.

Family Network
Family Network is a ministry designed to bring gamilies together spiritually and socially as well as reaching into our community. We have wonderful opportunities for families and children to reach our to others.
Family Fellowship: Fun times and outreach projects for the whole family. Includes softball games, Christmas celebrating, Lent celebration, Family Fun nights.
Family Meal Support: Families who are going through a crisis such as a sudden illness or death may find comfort in knowing that meal proparation is one less thing to have to think about. Volunteers are called upon to prepare a meal and take it to the family in crisis.
Funshine Kids: Children of all ages are welcome to shre their smiles and talent with the elderly at M.E. Cox Adult Day Care located next to St. Nicholas. Whether your talent is playing an instrument, dancing the hokey pokey, singing a nursery rhyme, or showing off your toddler's first steps, the joy in sharing is priceless.
Gleaning: This ministry, that started in biblical times, combines the service of helping feed those in need and outdoor fun for the whole family. After the harvest, local farmers invite us to pick the remaining crops, which are then donated to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, food banks, or battered women's shelters.
Seton House: The mission of Seton house is to reunify families with teenagers who are struggling through teenage years. Professinal counselors work with the teenagers as well as their parents during their two-week stay at Seton House. St. Nicholas supports this mission by helping with yard work, cleaning supply drives, chaperoning the teenagers to Mass, and the annual walk-a-thon.

Food Pantry
This ministry provides food for those in need. About ten times a year, in conjunction with Virginia Beach Social Services, food is provided for one week to Social Services referrals.

Gays & Lesbians - Friends & Family Friends and Family of Gays and Lesbians meet on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:30 P.M. in the Commons. Discussion of Gay and Lesbian issues is held; handouts, and bibliographies are available; and speakers are invited to give input. There are several books in the parish library on various topics related to this issue. This ministry provides support, reflection, fellowship and education.

Habitat for Humanity/Virginia Beach Covenant
This ecumenical ministry seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. The Covenant mission is to provide 2 houses per year. All levels of support are needed. You do not need building experience to participate. A heart for helping people is the only criterion.

Haiti Twinning (click here)
St. Anne’s Maissade, Haiti is the twin parish linked with St. Nicholas. We have visited our twin parish and support and continue to support projects to increase the self-sufficiency of the Haitian people.

Homeless
For one week each year, St. Nicholas prepares and serves breakfast and an evening snack, provides sleeping space, clothing, underwear and toilet articles for the homeless people who are participating in the emergency winter shelter program in Virginia Beach. We also support the Lighthouse Center/Volunteers of America (year round daytime support for the homeless).

Legislative Advocacy
Legislative Advocacy is a nonpartisan issue-oriented effort to promote human dignity and to protect creation by shaping public policy. Church Sponsored legislative advocacy is based on consistent ethic of life. This ministry is rooted in the PLAN (Parish Legislative Advocacy Plan). It promotes basic human needs, anti-discrimination, economic justice, human life, and international justice and peace.

Meals on Wheels
This ministry delivers meals to those in need. St. Nicholas provides teams (2 people - a driver and a map reader) to support this community program.

Ministry to the Incarcerated
This ministry is provided to support those in the Virginia Beach Jail. This ministry is not for everyone, but very rewarding for those who feel called to serve those with special needs.

Respect For Life
This ministry promotes the sanctity of all human life through awareness and education. Direct service involvement is in support of agencies such as Catholic Charities, the Virginia Society for Human Life, Virginia Against the Death Penalty, and protection of the unborn, youth, and the elderly.

Soup Kitchen
The soup kitchen consists of volunteers from St. Nicholas who give their time to cook and serve a hot meal to the homeless in Virginia Beach one evening every two or three months.

Sowers of Justice
Sowers of Justice is a network of Catholic people and groups who seek to connect their faith with justice and peace in their daily lives. They share a commitment to the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching. Sowers work with others in circles of collaboration for the common good.

Special Olympics
This ministry provides information about sports activities for children with physical and mental handicaps. Persons involved in this ministry host a Christmas party for the children and volunteer to help with sports events.

Thanksgiving Baskets
This committee, through the generosity of St. Nicholas parishioners, collects, buys, packages and delivers approximately 200 baskets at Thanksgiving.

Voices That Challenge
Team of youth actively involved in outreach and social justice projects. This ministry is the youth training ground for Sowers of Justice.