Lenten Layette Project
Sacred Heart Community Services and our Community Pregnancy Centers
Thank you for your generous response to our Lenten Layette appeal. We will be assembling the layettes on April 5th at 10:30am in Hofmann Center. If anyone is interested in helping contact Terri Trotter at 354-4061 ext 122.
Catholic Charities Volunteer Opportunity
“The lives of the poor he shall save.” Psalm 72
Catholic Charities story: Tom had been homeless for several years when he moved into a studio apartment of his own. With a secure place to live, he had time to focus on his health, control his depression, and return to work. He had the guidance of the on-site case manager and volunteers who shared their experience in healthy living choices, job search methods, networking, and job skill training.
Volunteer opportunity: The professional case managers who worked with Tom are in the Navigator Program and Supportive Housing Services. To learn about these services visit our web site www.catholiccharitiesscc.org . To volunteer with the residents in apartments with supportive services contact Sally Phillips, 650 941-4219, sphillips@ccsj.org
Share-A-Meal Raises $1434.00 For the Hungry and Homeless
You can join St. Mary’s monthly donation program to help people in need — read more.
Martha’s Helpers
Martha's Helpers have been providing food for funeral receptions for over 30 years to parishioners who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Helpers are asked to bring a tray of food to Hofmann Center and are called about once a year. If this is something you would like to be a part of, contact Rita Fisher 354-9103 , rgfisher@earthlink.net or Molly Mahoney at 395-2905 mmahoney@themahoneycompany.com
Help newly arrived refugees get settled
“You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat.” Isaiah 55
Catholic Charities opportunity: Refugee Resettlement case managers are working with 86 newly arrived refugees. To learn about opportunities to help with their adjustment to our community –practicing English conversation, shopping, setting up an apartment, transportation, etc. - contact Archana Sharma, 408-325-5215, asharma@ccsj.org. To organize a group activity, contact Rubén Solorio, 408-325-5129, rsolorio@ccsj.org.
St. Mary’s Shelter Supper Program
Prepare and Serve Dinner to Homeless Women and Children
The Commercial Street Inn is an emergency shelter for women and children in downtown San Jose. Meals are provided by churches and volunteer groups on a weekly basis. Here at St. Mary’s parishioners provide dinner for the Shelter on the last Wednesday of every month. This is a wonderful way to reach out to our neighbors in need and truly be the hands of Christ to others. If your family is interested in serving a meal to the women and children of the shelter (usually about 25-30 people), please contact Karen Izzo at karenizzo2002@yahoo.com or 309-9076.
Catholic Charities: Kinship Resource Center
“Let us see your kindness.” Psalm 85
Volunteers in action : Bruce brought a “tug of skill” game to the summer picnic for the care-givers who take care of their relative’s children. After demonstrating it and playing with a few kids, he sat in the shade of a tree and was coach and referee for the next three hours. The children played, took turns, gained confidence and skill, the adults visited, everyone was refreshed.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Relative care givers find raising children is often tiring and stressful especially with limited resources. Kinship Resource Center provides many supports including foster care funding. If you need this support or would like to volunteer to help with crafts or games for a special event, like the picnic, contact Kathy Kellet, 408-200-0982, kkellet@ccsj.org
Catholic Charities Opportunity: Washington United Youth Center
“I will fix him … to be a place of honor for his family.” Isaiah 22
Jose’s life changed when he became a father. A former gang member, he knew that he had to change other parts of his life, too. He found the mentor and friends he needed at the Washington United Youth Center in downtown San Jose.
Catholic Charities opportunity: Learn about the recreational, counseling and group leadership programs in the Washington neighborhood (south east of 280 and 87, near Sacred Heart) that provide a safe place for families. Arrange for a site visit with Tony Rodriguez at 408-938-6731, trodriguez@ccsj.org.
St. Mary's Outreach Opportunities
Below is a sample of many ways parishioners can become involved in outreach.
- Peace & Justice Council puts Catholic Social Teaching into action by creating opportunities for parishioners to learn, advocate and contribute to a peaceful, loving and just world. The Council adds four new members each year through a rotation process. Would you like to consider serving a three-year term?
- St. Luke’s Outreach to Homeless offers a meal and other services to the Los Gatos homeless population each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Consider helping out in this ministry.
- JustFaith is a weekly prayer and study group reflecting on Catholic social teaching. Would you like to be part of this personally transforming small group process?
- Share-A-Meal offers you the opportunity to help feed hungry people in Santa Clara County by donating via our monthly newsletter. Would you like to contribute to this program? No donation is too small.
- St. Vincent de Paul serves people in need locally through their annual Truck of Love clothing drive, Thanksgiving drive, and direct service to the poor. They meet monthly. Would you like to be part of this group?
- Shelter Supper invites parishioners to provide a supper at Commercial Street Inn for homeless women and children. Would you like to cook and serve a supper one night?
- Christmas Giving Tree annually gathers more than 1200 presents donated by parishioners to give to children in need in our county. You can help buy a gift or as a volunteer for the event.
- Handicapables is an annual luncheon hosted by St. Mary’s in February for local people with disabilities. Parishioners cook and serve the lunch. Would you like to serve at this luncheon?
- Lenten Soup Supper is a time for parishioners to gather for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. A simple soup supper is served. Donations are collected for a social cause.
- Lenten Layettes for homeless mothers and their children in Santa Clara County are filled with donated items from parishioners. Would you like to help organize this event?
- Crisis Pregnancy Outreach collects and distributes gently used baby clothing to local shelters for pregnant mothers the fourth Sunday of each month. Donate clothing or help in other ways.
- Red Cross Blood Drive the first Tuesday of every other month in Hofmann Center helps the Red Cross continue to provide vital services.
- Share The Care provides meals and transportation to doctor’s appointments to parishioners in a crisis situation. Can you help with meals or transportation?
- Catholic Charities serves the poor and vulnerable in Santa Clara County in many ways and invites you to volunteer to help them reach out to others.
- Sacred Heart Community Services serves the poor and vulnerable in San Jose and invites you to volunteer to help them.
- Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick offer communion to those in our parish who are not physically able to come to church. Would you like to be trained to be a minister to the sick?
- Martha’s Helpers provide food for a funeral reception for a parishioner or a member of their family. You can volunteer to bring food for a reception.
- Health Ministry Team meets six times a year to reflect on whole-person health and is instrumental in promoting parish programs such as the flu shot clinic and grief support. Would you like to be a member of the team?
To volunteer or for more information contact Carol Thornton at (408) 354-4061 x121, or cthornton@stmaryslg.org.