Open Arms Ministry

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction. James 1:27a

Open Arms Ministry is a ministry to foster children in the state of Michigan. We promote an awareness of God’s heart for these children in the heart of all the parishioners at Saint Catherine

[At present, there are 19,000 children in the Foster Care system in our state alone.  All of them need foster homes that are safe, loving and faithful.  There is a serious lack of foster homes for children in our community.  These children stay in the foster system for an average of 48 months (four years!) before being placed in a permanent home, or, like 500 children this past year, age-out of the system and set out on their own at 18 with no family and no adult support.]

What Can We Do?

1. Promote, encourage and pray for children and workers in the Foster Care System

2. Communicate TWO things:

To the children: You are not alone. God loves you and we love you.

To the adoptive families:  You are not alone.  Our parish will support you.

3. Promote, encourage and support forever families

For parishioners who have adopted foster children, we want to wrap our arms around them and provide them support.  We offer trained parishioners who tutor, mentor, and befriend these children.  We offer respite to busy parents.  Our plan is to offer a Support Group for parents in these families.  We would love to start a scholarship program for foster children.

4. Support aged out children by working with the John Seita Scholars Program at WMU