Vision:
To embrace the local community in such a manner that the needs of the people that are not fulfilled by existing agencies may in some way be addressed by St. Catherine’s parish. It is our mission and vision to encourage, support, and train parish volunteers to meet these challenges by focusing on spiritual growth and the development of attitudes that complement the need of the community in such a way that benefits the common good.
Please contact Mary Hunt, Steward of Charity of Justice, at 269-978-2338 for more information.
Goals:
- Work to develop unity among the various Agape groups to see that the person that we serve is Christ in all of our ministries.
- Partner with the other parish Stewards to coordinate groups that may have cross-over needs or events that affect more than one mission area.
- Meet on a quarterly basis with the Agape members to discuss upcoming events and financial needs.
- Support the continual needs of our sister parish, El Sitio, and Casa Hogar and Amparo.
- Develop a quarterly news letter to send to all of our Casa and El Sitio sponsors as well as update news to all Agape members.
- Look in to the possibility of developing a Christian Service orientation training school for parishioners that may want to volunteer for outreach opportunities but have never done so in the past.
Casa
Catherine’s parish supports two orphanages in Mexico Casa Amparo in Reynosa, Mexico and Casa Hogar in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Casa Amparo is run by the sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the refuge and Casa Hogar is run by the Sisters of Mercy.
Each year St. Catherine’s collects items for back to school supplies and at Christmas with various medicines and personal care items. Both have a sponsorship program at a cost of $300 a year to sponsor a child and remember them on their birthday and Christmas.
Several delegations have traveled to Mexico to open their hearts and embrace those girls who are without mothers and fathers. For more information on how you can help contact Mary Hunt at 978-2338.
The Kairos Dwelling
Located on Gull Road is a home for the terminally ill. Several members of St.Catherine’s volunteer on a regular basis. Parishioner JimLewis is on the board of directors and his wife Sue is a volunteer. The home is supported by donations, memorials and grants. Several supplies are needed for everyday use such as:
Pillows, Stamps, Napkins, Kleenex, Paper Towel, Toilet Paper, Baggies (all sizes) Liquid Laundry Soap, 2 Liter Bottles of Pop, Liquid Dishwashing Soap, Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags, Gift Certificates to Meijer
If you are interested in donating items for Kairos Dwelling please drop off donations at the Agape table located in Marian Hall or call Mary Hunt at 978-2338. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Sue Shaw at 381-3688 or send an e-mail to kairosdwelling@aol.com.
Meals on Wheels
Several people of St. Catherine’s parish volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers are needed to deliver once every six weeks for about a 2 hour commitment. Meals are delivered in the Portage city and lake areas during the lunch hour. Usually working in pairs as one would drive while the other hops. If you are interested in joining this rewarding ministry contact Maribeth Stanley for training at 375-4972 or e-mail mbstan@att.net
Migrant Ministry
In 1999, St. Catherine’s Migrant Ministry program was established. Members of the parish gather in groups to visit the migrant camps in southwest Michigan to provide migrant families with support in both a spiritual way as well as providing necessities, such as blankets and food, first aid kits and welcome kits.
Volunteers provide activities for the children such as storytelling, arts and crafts, games and a light snack. This allows the parents a short break from their hectic and hard working day. It is not necessary to know Spanish but helpful. Typically we carpool from St. Catherine’s parking lot at 6pm and return around 10pm
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Any adult not only interested in helping the poor but also in developing their spirituality in seeing Christ in those we serve. We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 5PM in the Rooms 9-11 at St. Catherine’s Church. Our society has been in existence in the parish for over 33 years. In the past 4 years our membership has grown to 20 people. Our outreach interviews families every weekend who may have electrical shut-offs, evictions and relocations. In addition we offer emergency groceries to clients from our small food pantry. We work in conjunction with other St. Vincent Societies in the area, as well as local agencies to assist families in Kalamazoo County. In some cases we partner with St Catherine’s to help our own parishioners.
We have three large service projects during the year:
1. Every 2 weeks we deliver personal care items donated by our parishioners to local agencies for distribution. These agencies include Ministry with Community, Open Door Next Door, the Ark, YWCA Women’s Domestic Assault Program and the Gospel Mission.
2. Lenten Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Drive - Lent brings us the opportunity to provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the needy who rely on Ministry with Community for their daily midday meal. The homeless and low income families can rarely afford to have these foods on their table. We can help our neighbors by donating fresh produce items before the Mass that you attend. We will deliver the produce on Monday morning to Ministry with Community.
3. Our biggest project is our Thanksgiving basket distribution. The parishioners of St Catherine’s donate food and money to purchase and fill 100 baskets for Thanksgiving dinner for families in need. Names are received from those who sign up through the Portage Outreach Center, South County Services and families that are recommended to us in our own parish. Together with our St Vincent members, our parish families sort, pack and deliver the baskets of food.
El Sitio, El Salvador, Our Sister Parish
If you would like to learn more about our brothers and sisters in El Sitio, El Salvador and/or how you can get more involved, check out this great new website:
La Directiva: This is a committee made up of St. Catherine’s parishioners that meets quarterly to organize projects and better the future of El Sitio. We would love fresh perspectives and interest! If you are interested in becoming a part of the Directiva, or would like more information, contact Bryan Hill at bryan_in_mex@yahoo.com.
Operation Education: All of the approximately 120 students attending kindergarten through high school in El Sitio depend on us, their Sister Parish, to sponsor his or her education. Our annual fund drive, Operation Education, makes education a reality for these children and teens. If you would like to help for the 2012 school year (they are on calendar years, so their school year begins in January), watch for Operation Education information in the narthex and bulletin in May 2011.
Hand-in-Hand: This is a wonderful way to form a bond with a family in our sister parish! Each time a delegation from St. Catherine’s is about to visit El Sitio, you will receive a reminder to write a letter to your specific, paired family. In it, you can tell about your own family and provide pictures. Don’t worry; letters can be translated if you don’t speak Spanish. By writing just twice a year, you can make a big difference in helping to maintain the relationship of family that we’ve built with the people of El Sitio. Since delegations only get to visit twice per year, these letters mean so much to our brothers and sisters so far away. If you or your family is interested, please contact Jan Wilcox at 327-3441 x150 or jwilcox@stcatherinesiena.org.
Medicines: All luggage checked by each delegation that visits El Sitio is to provide human aide, much in the form of over-the-counter medicines. If you have access to such items as pain relievers, allergy and cold medicines, fiber laxatives, etc. drop them off anytime in the church office.
Summer Delegation: This life-changing experience is open to interested adults ages 19 and up. Our next 10 day trip will be in June 13-22 2012, with a cost of just $400 plus airfare (approx. $600-700) covering all of your expenses (food, lodging, ground transportation, etc). We spend most of the time living with families in El Sitio, praying and reflecting and building community, followed by a short stay at the nearby Peace Center in Suchitoto, with visits to important and holy places in the capital of San Salvador. Applications and payment for this year’s delegation are due March 1, 2011. If you are interested and would like an application or more information, contact Bryan Hill at 269-998-9954 or hill.bryand@gmail.com
Fall Delegation: A delegation from St. Catherine’s will depart early each November for a one week to visit with our brothers and sisters in El Sitio. This is open to adults of all ages. Costs will be airfare, plus food and lodging for a week. If you would like more information and an application, contact Patrick O’hara at 372-5900 or paddyo17@sbcglobal.net.