GIVING SCHOOL

SouthWest Interfaith Team (SWIFT)

Outreach Ministry

www.swiftinterfaith.org
info@swiftinterfaith.org

The mission of SouthWest InterFaith Team (SWIFT) is to promote dialogue among the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious communities and to work together on common community projects. The hope is that the efforts of SWIFT will promote mutual respect and will build understanding among these religious communities.

Membership of SWIFT is made up of Christian churches, Jewish synagogues and Muslim mosques. SWIFT is made up of groups centered around but not restricted to the South-West suburbs of Chicago, IL. SWIFT provides a forum for the Christian, Muslim and Jewish people in the area to educate, interact with and learn from each other.

It is not the goal of SWIFT to convert any group to the beliefs of another. Also, SWIFT does not take stands on political issues.

Members of SWIFT include St. Michael (Orland Park), St. Stephen (Tinley Park), St. Elizabeth Seton (Orland Hills) , St. Isaac Jogues (Flossmor), the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart (Frankfort), B’Nai Yehuda Beth Shalom (Homewood), Faith United Methodist Church (Orland Park), St. Paul Community Church-UCC (Homewood), Peace Memorial United Church of Christ (Palos Park), The Mosque Foundation (Bridgeview),the Prayer Center of Orland Park Mosque (Orland Park), The Mosque Cares (Hazel Crest), and the American Islamic Foundation (Frankfort).

The SWIFT Board meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr Parish.

For more information contact St. Michael’s representative, Michael Gaichas at mgaichas@msn.com.

Our Outreach Ministries

Bereavement

The “How to go on After a Loved One Has Died” program is offered twice a year to people experiencing grief.

Grief Support

These groups give grieving persons an opportunity to talk about what they are struggling with in their grief.

HOPE (Jobs Ministry)

Helpful outreach for people seeking employment through networking, speakers and open forums.

Martha Ministry

This ministry offers support and meals brought home to those who have been ill or incapacitated for a while.

Prayer Shawls

Talented parishioners (Hooks & Needles) share their love of crochet and knitting by making items with prayer.

Knights of Columbus

Fraternal Service Organization Council #10858 dedicated to faith, community, family, youth and fellowship.

St. Vincent de Paul

We help all those in need who are registered parishioners and within our Orland Park Community.

Food Drives

Usually held in the summer when pantries are low or around Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.

Soup Kitchen

High School students prepare and serve lunch at the Shepherd’s Table – Soup Kitchen in Joliet.

Appalachia Outreach

High School students spend a week of service in Appalachia in Charleston, West Virginia in June.

Christmas Sharing Trees

As we approach the season of Christmas, we delight in our ability to bring joy to others through gift giving.

Lenten Crosses

Paper Crosses with labels requesting items needed by members of our sharing parish and other local charities.

Pro-Life

We value and guard all human life from conception to natural death by participating in various Pro-Life events.

SouthWest Interfaith Team

SWIFT promotes projects and dialogue among the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious communities.

Immigration Ministry

This Catholic Social Teaching Team serves a vital role towards fulfilling the mission to “welcome the stranger.”

Pastoral Migratoria

This ministry invites immigrants to be engaged in service and justice actions in our parish community.