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HUMAN CONCERNS PROGRAMS
Through our Human Concerns Committee, parishioners share their faith and touch many lives by being active in numerous outreach ministries.
AGAPE Meal Program
Sponsored by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, this meal program helps feed the poor. Volunteers make a casserole or donate milk on the 1st Wednesday of every other month and deliver it to church by 4pm. Other volunteers deliver the food, help distribute it and clean up.
St. Ben’s Meal Program
St. Mary parishoners provide food on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Menu assignments are rotated. Prepared food is brought to church by 3:30 p.m. and is transported and served to 350-450 guests by 8 -15 volunteers. To volunteer in providing for, or to assist as a meal server, call Ben Goetter at (262)242-9028.
Community Banquet
Started as a way to provide a healthy meal and a social atmosphere to people in the community, this program is held at St. James Parish in Lannon on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. It is open to anyone who would like to share a meal. Volunteers from 7 different churches provide the meal or serve and clean up, on a rotating basis. Help is needed 6 to 7 times per year. The volunteers set up, make desserts, cook the meal or clean up. Those interested in helping should contact Cathy Jahn at (262) 246-6211.
Menomonee Falls Food Pantry
Ongoing contributions of non-perishable food and household supplies can be dropped off weekly in the west wing of church. Individuals experiencing financial difficulty are eligible to visit the Pantry twice monthly to receive food and grocery items. In addition, there is a great need for parish volunteers to help distribute food at the Pantry when our parish is scheduled to work. Time commitment is 2 hours (noon to 2pm or 5 to 7pm) on a Tuesday or Thursday in our scheduled week. Open to adults and youth 7th grade and older.
SHARE
St. Mary’s participates in the SHARE Program where a large bag of groceries can be purchased for $18.00 in exchange for two hours of volunteer work in the SHARE warehouse, Church or School. This program is for everyone regardless of financial status. Distribution dates are the 4th Saturday with exception of holidays. For more information, please call Mrs. Deb Schommer at 252-3750.
Franciscan Peacemakers Sandwich Drop
This ministry assists the Peacemakers in providing food to the poor, to victims of violence and to other at-risk individuals. St. Mary volunteers provide lunches, consisting of a sandwich, chips, fruit, soda or juice box and cookies on the second Monday of each month. Those wishing to do so, can provide family packs which can be homemade (per instructions) or purchased at the local Sentry store. Contact Mike Reesman for more information at 262-253-0814.
Sister Parish in Honduras
Since 1992, St. Mary’s has had a sister parish relationship with Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Puerto Cortes , Honduras. We provide monetary gifts as well as supporting the catechetical missionary efforts of Sr. Dorothy Pelt, a Sister of Mercy. We also send school and household supplies, Christmas gift packages, sports equipment and other items as they are needed.
Honduras Missionary Trip
Each year, since 1998, a missionary team has traveled to Honduras to build or repair houses or church structures and provide needed medical aid. St. Mary parishoners have an opportunity to work in close proximity to our Honduran brothers and sisters and get to know their life struggles and to share faith with them. The trip usually takes place in February. Any parishioner interested in participating should contact Monica Goetter at 262-255-2486.
Milwaukee Area LifeChain
The LifeChain is a peaceful, prayerful demonstration against abortion. LifeChains do not break any laws and can be done by young and old alike. LifeChain participants stand along a predetermined roadside, holding a sign and praying in silence for one hour on the first Sunday in October. During the past 15 years, millions of people have stood in "LifeChains" across the United States and Canada. The LifeChain is organized by individual churches within our area.
Pro Life Ministries
Our Human Concerns committee is dedicated to the principle of being pro-life in all stages. To that end, we support a number of sources that promote the dignity of the human person, particularly in instances of pregnancy. Some of the outreach charities we support are Daystar, Rosalie Manor, Operation Rachel, Eyewitnesses for Life, Wisconsin Right to Life, Women’s Care Center of Milwaukee, and CORE/El Centro.
Shelter Organizations
Our outreach to the central city includes donations and assistance to the following groups: The Guest House, Repairers of the Breach, Hebron House, Waukesha Women’s Center, and St. John Cathedral’s Open Door Café. These non-profit organizations are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the homeless and near-homeless people. They include leading or contributing to clothing and food drives, providing assistance with transportation, and helping people become ready for employment through training, tutoring and counseling.
HOPE Network
This Menomonee Falls based non-profit organization provides assistance to single mothers and their children. St. Mary’s holds an annual “Christmas in July” collection drive to provide clothing, formula, toys, blankets and the like for these families. Contact Jodi Reesman at 262-253-0814 to assist with this annual project.
The Giving Tree
This is St. Mary’s annual gift-giving program for needy families of the parish and the immediate area. Names and needs of the families are put on tags on trees in all church entrances during early December to provide a happy holiday for those in need. Children at the Bruce Guadalupe school on Milwaukee’s South Side, also receive gifts, which are wrapped and tagged appropriately. Cash donations also help support some of our charity outreach, including our sister parish in Honduras. To help with project setup and gift sorting and distribution, contact Laurie Becker at 252-2662.
Inner City Parishes and Schools
Since 1978, St. Mary’s has provided financial assistance in under-funded Catholic schools in Milwaukee’s inner city. We continue that outreach to this day, donating to All Saints and St. Michael’s parishes, the Messmer Schools (including Messmer High, Messmer Middle School and St. Rose and St. Leo grade schools), Nativity Jesuit Middle School, and Bruce Guadalupe School.
Cash donations are always appreciated. For more information, contact Deacon Tom Monday.
Good Samaritans
This parish outreach ministry is supported by our Heart to Heart fund and offers assistance in the form of food and gas cards to those who are unable to provide for their personal needs during these difficult financial times. Special funds are used to support parish families in need.
Interfaith
This faith-centered volunteer organization works to maintain the dignity and enhance the quality of life for the elderly in Waukesha County who are in need of services because of age or disability. We provide funding for special Christmas holiday gift baskets which are delivered in our area. If you need assistance or would like to volunteer, contact Deacon Tom Monday.
International outreach
Our parish provides special funding, through specified collections, in the event of national or international disasters. Funds are distributed through Catholic Relief Services or the American Red Cross.
Missionary Funding
When appropriate, St. Mary’s supports the missionary work of parish members. We have assisted students working in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador and Central Africa. Our Heart to Heart fund also provides funding for our annual High School student Mission trip.
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