February 5, 2010
Parishes offer outreach during tough economic times
Benedictine Sister Donna Marie Herr lifts cans of food donated by parishioners at Christ the King Church, Evansville. She is the coordinator of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Evansville. Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
These are rough economic times, and parishes throughout the Diocese are offering help to their own parishioners as well as the poor and the homeless.
BRAMBLE
St. Joseph Church is a rural parish and part of the Martin County Community of Churches and continues to sustain its Christian community both Catholic and others in need, reports Deacon Mike Morris, parishioner.
“The hub of our community outreach is the St. Vincent de Paul Society and our youth group. The society is an active supportive organization working in conjunction with the St. Vincent de Paul Washington Council providing food, bills support for heating, labor when able, and spiritual visits to Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
“We have a strong active youth group that visits nursing homes, serves breakfasts for Relay for Life and Cancer research and supports Habitat.”
Deacon Morris added, “When people need employment, we utilize networking to help find them jobs. While people do suffer in our midst, we work as a community to provide relief, utilize email prayer chains as well as sharing the burdens of life while providing support. It is a great community to live in, worship and play.”
EVANSVILLE
• During the weeks of Advent, Christ the King church and school went “all out” to help the poor and homeless, said Deacon Vince Bernardin, pastoral associate.
“Ginny Cook, wife of Deacon Dave Cook, conceived a plan to assist the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and even composed a jingle to go with it: If you can, bring a can.
“Bins were placed in the narthex for collecting canned goods and other imperishables. The parishioners’ response was overwhelming. Each Monday morning, Ginny delivered a carload of food to the food pantry.
“The response was so heartening, we are planning on repeating the If you can, bring a can project in Lent and again in mid-summer.”
Deacon Bernardin added, “In addition to assisting St. Vincent de Paul, Christ the King came along side Aurora in its efforts to assemble ‘Housing Starter Kits.’ Each kit contains dishes, silverware, glasses, cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, linens, personal items and more.
“While they were out buying Christmas presents for their families and friends, many of our people took the added step of buying items for Housing Starter Kits and depositing them in the narthex.
“For a while there, our greeting space began to look like a warehouse. But, it was a happy warehouse indeed. Approximately a half-dozen kits were delivered to the Aurora office in time for Christmas.”
• “Nativity continues to tithe 10 percent of our Sunday offering to the St. Vincent De Paul Society to help our own neighborhood poor,” said Father Henry Kuykendall, pastor.
“This guarantees our St. Vincent de Paul $20,000 to 25, 000 per year to use for the poor or other local worthy causes. We reach all the poor, including our own members who are Latino.
“We also opened up a Clothes Closet for poor families who need clothes for babies, children, youth and even adults who need clothes for job interviews or jobs. So many want to celebrate a Quinceaneras when they turn 15 but don’t have the gowns or money for the celebration. We provide free gowns on loan for 15-year-old Latino girls. We are also collecting First Communion outfits and wedding dresses.
“Our members also bring food almost every week which we distribute to the poor who come to our door for money for groceries.”
He added, “For the last 23 years I have made a pledge that anyone who comes to my door will get $5 from me to help with gas or food or medicine. I never give more than $5 because if they need more they need to come to our St. Vincent de Paul.
“I read a story about Jesus coming to our door dressed in the clothes of the poor and I never wanted to turn Jesus down just because I did not believe the story some tell when they knock on my door.
“If they are going to use it for less than good then they won’t get enough from me to do much damage. If they are going to use it for good, maybe it will tide them over till tomorrow when other sources will be available.”
JASPER
“In Dubois County the parishes have joined with other churches and civic groups and established the Dubois County Community Meal,” said Michael Hagerdon, high school CRE at St. Joseph Church in Jasper.
“It is an ecumenical program to feed the hungry that are finding it difficult at this time. It started the Saturday before Mother’s Day and has grown to the point we provided over 2,200 meals in December.
“Our entire mission is based on Matthew 25: When I was hungry you fed me. It has proven to be a never ending story of the goodness of the Holy Spirit.”
MOUNT VERNON
• “Here at St. Matthew, we are fortunate that we have an endowment set up to help with St. Matthew School tuition payment when parishioners are faced with an ongoing or special financial need,” said Donett May, parish manager at the Mount Vernon parish.
“Our parish as a whole gives generously to the St. Vincent De Paul Society. What a wonderful organization! We also contribute continuously to our local food pantry.
“Our St. Matthew Youth Group runs a soup kitchen once a month. They have recently taken it on the road and served 27 residents at a local residential home. The only thing better than being helped and comforted when in need is being able to help and comfort those in need.”
SULLIVAN
“All that I can report is that we have helped three families in our parish with their utility bills and mortgage,” said Father Frank Renner, pastor at St. Mary Church in Sullivan.