ACTION TEAMS
Action teams are small groups of people who, with the support of the Love in Action Committee (LAC), organize people and activities around specific justice issues or one of the seven areas of effective of social ministry. They're the teams actually performing the different ministries required to address identified problems, issues, and needs in the community. Typical tasks and habits of an action team include...
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Recruiting individuals who share a passion for a particular cause and would join the team.
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Gathering as a team to pray, discern, and build community
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Sharing responsibility and leadership
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Participating in a catholic social teaching formation and community organizing training
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Choosing one of the Seven Areas of Effective Social Ministry to guide actions
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Creating and implementing a general plan for delivering the service, program, or action that is the focus of the team.
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Sharing ministry stories to fellow parishioners and invite others to participate in the ministry.
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Articulating the connection between the ministry and our faith
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Regularly communicating with the Love in Action Committee to inform, consult with, and coordinate.
Continue reading below for information about existing action teams. If you don't see an action team related to the topic you are most passionate about, consider starting one! You will receive all the tools, resources, training, and support you need to help you get started.
Mental Health
The Women's Justice Circle for Mental Health focuses on addressing the lack of mental health resources in Spanish, which is also culturally appropriate and affordable. In response to this issue, they have created a mental health resource list, organize educational workshops every first Wednesday of the month at 7 PM, provide financial assitance for counseling, and put on a one-day bilingual mental health conference. Next for the circle is inviting others in the commnity to take an action with them that addresses this issue at the city/county level.
Contact Person
Monica Vallejos
971-227-6789
Prison Ministry
In 2022 St. Anthony parishioners began a Pen Pal program with women incarcerated at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF). We continue to provide love and encouragement to women at CCCF, under this program.
In 2023, we expanded our love to these women with a parish-wide Toiletry Drive. We provide toiletries, put into backpacks for women who are returning citizens, when they are released. This year will mark our third annual Toiletry drive to provide the items for June 2026 releases.
In late 2025 we teamed up with an organization called CREW, Connecting Resources to Empower Women. CREW is part of Oregon’s Transformative Justice community.
Under CREW we provide Safe Rides to women on the day of their release from Coffee Creek. We pick them up at the CCCF and drive them safely to their Parole Office and new residence. We provide them their initial love and kindness as they reenter the community. The interest in this program from the women being released is growing exponentially!
Because of the success of this program, we are looking for more drivers and passengers to accompany the returning citizens. Do you have a heart for helping those trying to change their lives?
Contact Person
Cindy White
503-348-9131
Pro-life Ministry in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Every Saturday at 8 am a group of Hispanic men and women (and their children!) gather in the chapel for a holy hour. This isn't just any holy hour, however. Through a mix of prayers, singing, and silence, they offer up their hour of prayer in reparation for attacks against life and human dignity and the culture death. Moreover, they call on the Holy Spirit to guide their discernment on what concrete actions they can take together to promote the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. Their prayer is already bearing fruit. Their group has grown from 11 to 25 in under two months! They have visited a person who is in depression and another who lost her baby, and accompanied families who are going through difficult times such as a difficult medical diagnosis. Moving forward, in addition to continuing with the holy hour and the aforementioned actions, they are also considering how they can minister to the unhoused population and praying outside abortion clinics.
Refugee Welcome Team
Our refugee welcome ministry is done in partnership with Catholic Charities of Oregon. The goal of this ministry is to provide a generous welcome to incoming refugees by providing temporary housing and hospitality as they adjust to their new life in Portland and await the establishment of long-term housing. Please help us support refugee families and continue to keep Oregon a welcoming state for our newly arrived brothers and sisters!
Details coming soon!
The Senior Educational Series
We happily invite all seniors at St. Anthony, and our surrounding community to come to seminars about topics selected in a Parish Survey last Fall.
In 2026, topic experts will provide education on the following subjects:
Medicare - January
Technology - February - CLICK HERE
Fraud and Scam Protection - March - CLICK HERE
Smart Phone Smarts - April
Cutting the Cable - May
At the same time, we hope to build community and friendships among our senior population and the greater Tigard community!
Our challenge goal is to one day help form a “Village Without Walls” in Tigard. This Village would assist Seniors with everyday tasks to help them remain living in their homes.
Contact Person
Cindy White
503-348-9131