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: