The Compassionate Ministry of St. Catherine’s
Parish involves over 60 parishioners who are involved in
touching the lives of others who are on our "Special Person’s
List." These are people who are basically homebound and are
alone much of the time. Our effort is to reach out as stewards
of God and show them they are indeed special and that others
care about them. We want to bring a smile to their day, a touch
of love, and a sense of being special.
Some of our volunteers are involved in making
homemade gifts for our special people. They make shawls, lap
warmers, slippers, scarves, etc. and deliver these gifts to
them. The Handmade Gifts group is expanding this year to reach
out to others whom they feel would benefit from a gift that says
someone cares.
Other volunteers are involved in sending
greeting cards, visiting and phoning our special people,
offering rides to drive people to church, etc. They also deliver
poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter.
The Compassionate Ministry is working on a
new idea this year to do house cleaning and yard work for our
special people, perhaps in the Spring and Fall. It would be a
great way to spruce up their homes and to say St. Catherine of
Genoa Church really cares.
Other volunteers are involved in the "Welcome
New Parishioners" part of the program. New parishioners receive
welcome bags with different items, such as a greeting card, a
pen, etc. along with a loaf of bread and a bottle of wine. This
year we will be including in the welcome bags some of Father
Tim’s writings called "In Joyful Hope". It is our way of saying
welcome to St. Catherine’s Parish and that we are glad you are a
part of our family.
Another part of this ministry works with
sending letters, cards, and packages to our military men and
women who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year we
would like to open up this ministry to send cards, perhaps small
gift cards, to those are serving our country even if they are
located in the states.
For a new part of the ministry we are looking
at sending cards to new parents on the arrival of their baby, to
patients at hospitals, and parishioners who have lost a loved
one. Barb Bensinger has offered to do this for the Compassionate
Ministry. It is in the start up phase and we are very excited
about this part of the ministry.
If you know of anyone who could benefit in
any way from any of the above, please call one of the people
below for the type of service you would like to request.
Should you be able to and want to help us in
any of the areas listed above, please contact:
| Betty Burke |
Kristin Flesher |
Gail Spranger
|
| 815-784-3517 |
847-714-6234 |
815-784-2050 |
| Handmade Gifts |
Welcome Bags |
Cards, Visits,
Phone Calls, Military |