CHRISTIAN SERVICE MINISTRIES
|
WELCOME
FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SEE BELOW: For more information contact: Cathy Van Kula DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE Email: service@stvparish.org Phone: 610.525.4801 x 221 |
|
INFORMATION
ITEMS NEEDED FOR ST. FRANCIS INN
You may have seen the recent articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the challenges facing the Kensington community in Philadelphia, particularly with respect to reduced social services due to the constraints presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many years, our parish has sent a team of volunteers to St. Francis Inn in Kensington to help serve the midday meal one Sunday a month. While we are unable to continue this ministry for the foreseeable future, we have been asked to help support those who continue to provide "take away" meals to this very vulnerable community. Our SFI coordinator, Sheila Holst, will be taking supplies to the St. Francis Inn this week and if you could help contribute any of the following supplies, it would be greatly appreciated:
Individually wrapped items such as: cheese crackers dessert snacks (e.g. Tastykake varieties, individual puddings, etc.)
snack bags (e.g. goldfish crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.)fruit cups and other healthy choicesgranola bars
In addition, they need juice boxes and small water bottles.
Please bring your items to the parish center during office hours, M-Th, 9-12:30pm. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Holst at hagan1126@verizon.net or Cathy Van Kula at service@stvparish.org.
FOOD FOR THE FOOD PANTRY
The most vulnerable members of our community are particularly affected during times such as these due to lost wages, school closings and inadequate medical care. Please remember those in need when you are out shopping for your families, and pick up a few extra items. If you bring them to the Parish Center during office hours (M-Th, 9-12:30), we will deliver the items to the food pantry of our sister parish in West Philadelphia, St. Cyprian. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
HELP FOR THOSE AT HOME
While we have canceled all activities at the parish and are following the directives from the government, the Archdiocese, and healthcare professionals, we are mindful of those of you who, due to age or health restrictions, are staying at home and may be in need of volunteer help with things such as grocery shopping, running errands, or picking up medical prescriptions. Any contact will be provided with appropriate care and conscientious attention to the health of both those in need and our volunteer helpers and will heed to "social distancing" as needed. If you are in need of any assistance during this time, please contact Cathy Van Kula at (610) 525-4801, ext. 221 or email service@stvparish.org. In addition, if you are in good health and willing to help out, please contact Cathy as well. If you know of any parishioners who might be in need of this service, please pass this information on to them.
CASSEROLES FOR ST. JOHN'S HOSPICE
For the time being, St. John's Hospice is continuing to serve meals daily and could use more casseroles. For recipe ideas, go to St. John's Hospice Casserole Recipes.
We will leave casserole tins and lids in the lobby of the parish office which will be open M-Th, 9-12:30pm. If you drop off your casseroles during that time, we can put them in the freezers downstairs in the Rosemont Auditorium. If possible, please freeze the casseroles at home before you drop them off.
CRS RICE BOWL DONATIONS
During Lent, we prayed, fasted and gave alms—and now we celebrate the Risen Lord! Our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl challenges us as we begin the Easter season to share what we have with our global family. Supporting CRS RICE BOWL is even more critical during the current COVID-19 pandemic when food shortages are going to particularly impact those less fortunate around the world. Each year 25% of all donations stay within the United States to offer help locally. In our Archdiocese, the 25% is shared with Nutritional Development Services which supports a network of 50 food cupboards and soup kitchens, including that of our sister parish, St. Cyprian. Please turn in your Rice Bowl donations today. You can convert your money to a check payable to St. Thomas of Villanova with “CRS Rice Bowl” on the memo line and either drop it off or mail it into the parish center. If you did not use an actual CRS Rice Bowl, but wish to simply give online to Catholic Relief Services, go to crsricebowl.org/give.
You may have seen the recent articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer about the challenges facing the Kensington community in Philadelphia, particularly with respect to reduced social services due to the constraints presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many years, our parish has sent a team of volunteers to St. Francis Inn in Kensington to help serve the midday meal one Sunday a month. While we are unable to continue this ministry for the foreseeable future, we have been asked to help support those who continue to provide "take away" meals to this very vulnerable community. Our SFI coordinator, Sheila Holst, will be taking supplies to the St. Francis Inn this week and if you could help contribute any of the following supplies, it would be greatly appreciated:
Individually wrapped items such as: cheese crackers dessert snacks (e.g. Tastykake varieties, individual puddings, etc.)
snack bags (e.g. goldfish crackers, chips, pretzels, etc.)fruit cups and other healthy choicesgranola bars
In addition, they need juice boxes and small water bottles.
Please bring your items to the parish center during office hours, M-Th, 9-12:30pm. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Holst at hagan1126@verizon.net or Cathy Van Kula at service@stvparish.org.
FOOD FOR THE FOOD PANTRY
The most vulnerable members of our community are particularly affected during times such as these due to lost wages, school closings and inadequate medical care. Please remember those in need when you are out shopping for your families, and pick up a few extra items. If you bring them to the Parish Center during office hours (M-Th, 9-12:30), we will deliver the items to the food pantry of our sister parish in West Philadelphia, St. Cyprian. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
HELP FOR THOSE AT HOME
While we have canceled all activities at the parish and are following the directives from the government, the Archdiocese, and healthcare professionals, we are mindful of those of you who, due to age or health restrictions, are staying at home and may be in need of volunteer help with things such as grocery shopping, running errands, or picking up medical prescriptions. Any contact will be provided with appropriate care and conscientious attention to the health of both those in need and our volunteer helpers and will heed to "social distancing" as needed. If you are in need of any assistance during this time, please contact Cathy Van Kula at (610) 525-4801, ext. 221 or email service@stvparish.org. In addition, if you are in good health and willing to help out, please contact Cathy as well. If you know of any parishioners who might be in need of this service, please pass this information on to them.
CASSEROLES FOR ST. JOHN'S HOSPICE
For the time being, St. John's Hospice is continuing to serve meals daily and could use more casseroles. For recipe ideas, go to St. John's Hospice Casserole Recipes.
We will leave casserole tins and lids in the lobby of the parish office which will be open M-Th, 9-12:30pm. If you drop off your casseroles during that time, we can put them in the freezers downstairs in the Rosemont Auditorium. If possible, please freeze the casseroles at home before you drop them off.
CRS RICE BOWL DONATIONS
During Lent, we prayed, fasted and gave alms—and now we celebrate the Risen Lord! Our Lenten journey with CRS Rice Bowl challenges us as we begin the Easter season to share what we have with our global family. Supporting CRS RICE BOWL is even more critical during the current COVID-19 pandemic when food shortages are going to particularly impact those less fortunate around the world. Each year 25% of all donations stay within the United States to offer help locally. In our Archdiocese, the 25% is shared with Nutritional Development Services which supports a network of 50 food cupboards and soup kitchens, including that of our sister parish, St. Cyprian. Please turn in your Rice Bowl donations today. You can convert your money to a check payable to St. Thomas of Villanova with “CRS Rice Bowl” on the memo line and either drop it off or mail it into the parish center. If you did not use an actual CRS Rice Bowl, but wish to simply give online to Catholic Relief Services, go to crsricebowl.org/give.
ABOUT US
Parishes are called to reach out to the hurting, the poor and the vulnerable in our midst in concrete acts of charity. Just as the gospel tells us our lives will be judged by our response to the 'least of them' so too our parishes should be measured by our help for the hungry, the homeless, the troubled, and the alienated in our own community and beyond"
(U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light)
The scriptural call to love our brothers and sisters is clear. Scripture messages represent not just a mandate to perform certain acts, but a prescription for living a Christian life. They challenge each of us, individually and as a community, to alter our lives so that they are truly marked by Christ's spirit of love and compassion.
The outreach ministries strengthen our parish and put faith into action. These ministries put names and faces on issues; they strengthen our prayer, touch our families, and give direction and urgency to our efforts to work for greater justice. For more information on any of these ministries please contact Cathy Van Kula service@stvparish.org
(U.S. Catholic Bishops, Communities of Salt and Light)
The scriptural call to love our brothers and sisters is clear. Scripture messages represent not just a mandate to perform certain acts, but a prescription for living a Christian life. They challenge each of us, individually and as a community, to alter our lives so that they are truly marked by Christ's spirit of love and compassion.
The outreach ministries strengthen our parish and put faith into action. These ministries put names and faces on issues; they strengthen our prayer, touch our families, and give direction and urgency to our efforts to work for greater justice. For more information on any of these ministries please contact Cathy Van Kula service@stvparish.org
SERVICES PROVIDED
St Frances Cabrini Regional Catholic School Mentors - TBD
New volunteers are welcome to join us on Tuesdays, October to early May, to Minister with the students: TIME of service commitment, 1:00-3:00pm which includes traveling to and from the school in West Philadelphia.
New volunteers are welcome to join us on Tuesdays, October to early May, to Minister with the students: TIME of service commitment, 1:00-3:00pm which includes traveling to and from the school in West Philadelphia.
St. Francis Inn - Sunday
Volunteers needed to serve the midday meal. This ministry is open to anyone 16 years or older. For more information and to sign up, contact our parish coordinator, Sheila Holst at 610-659-5828 or hagan1126@verizon.net
Volunteers needed to serve the midday meal. This ministry is open to anyone 16 years or older. For more information and to sign up, contact our parish coordinator, Sheila Holst at 610-659-5828 or hagan1126@verizon.net
Habitat for Humanity Faith Build
Next Build TBD
Join our parish team from 8:30am- 2:00pm. Robert.schreiber1@verizon.net
Call / text 610-357-2708
Next Build TBD
Join our parish team from 8:30am- 2:00pm. Robert.schreiber1@verizon.net
Call / text 610-357-2708
List of Current Christian Service Ministries
"Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." St. Augustine