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Monday, January 19, 2009 |
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Human Concerns—reviewing a year of giving--2008
By St Mary Administrator @ 2:02 PM :: 252 Views ::  :: Human Concerns
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FEBRUARY----Souper Bowl---->parishioner donated food (mostly soup items and $1,120.00) which was sent to Dominic
Republic.
MARCH----Lenten House---->Between both parishes, nearly $1,000 was raised from our Lenten House for the Possibility Playground. Matching funds became available, and so our money was been doubled. St. Mary's has their name, as St. Mary's Parish, on 13 pickets. St. Peter's has their name, St. Peter of Alcantara, on two large bricks. Only 17 letters/spaces were allotted on the pickets. Check them out at the park!
Easter Flowers for the Homebound: Living out our Mission!----->Each year, as part of Lent, parishioners have the opportunity to share the joy of Easter with the homebound of our parish. That was 167 deliveries made by parishioners and Port Catholic students! The beautiful spring plants were delivered along with Easter cards, made by 3rd and 4th graders, a palm and a bulletin. Again, our parish outreach was fulfilled by those who donated money, delivered the plants, made cards, and prayed for our homebound. Prayerful thanks.
AUGUST----School supplies for the Food Pantry---->Nearly 600 school supply items were collected for the children of the Food Pantry. Thanks for making their studies easier.
SEPTEMBER----Possibility Playground meal---->Parishioners are thanked for their great response for food donations. A chili lunch and sides were provided to over 300 volunteer workers, who were building the Possibility Playground in September.
OCTOBER----Respect Life Month Baby bottle project---->Nearly $6,500 was raised in the baby bottle project. It is difficult to find words to thank you for your extreme generosity. And some parishioners crocheted and knitted wonderful little layette items. There were beautiful, handmade blankets put by the cradle, too, along with purchased items. Proceeds benefited the Pregnancy Help Center of Milwaukee, serving moms and their unborn child. Continue to pray for the Center, the moms and their children, born and unborn, that they serve. Very impressive!
Yarn Drive---->A van load of yarn was delivered to the Pregnancy Help Center of Milwaukee, to be delivered to the Waupun Correctional Institute. The inmates their use yarn of all types to make booties, sweaters, Christening gowns and blankets for newborns. Please continue to save your yarn, as this is an on-going partnership.
Aluminum can drive----->Several hundred pounds of aluminum cans were collected, plus donations for a total of $198.50, to go towards the Habitat House, that the area Catholic Churches are building.
NOVEMBER----Blanket/quilt Drive---->Over 70 blankets, new and gently used, were donated and taken to the House of Peace. They were so over whelmed with the generosity. They had tears in their eyes...they couldn't believe it! Grateful thanks.
Sister parish: Human Concerns is in the process of selecting a local parish (SE Wisconsin) in which to become connected. Hopefully, by the end of summer, we should know more information, which we can then pass along to the parishioners. Our national outreach project is our sister parish (St. Joseph’s, in Virginia), and our international outreach is the Lenten House project.
Poinsettia plants---Parishioners, the Port Catholic Student council, and a Girl Scout Troop delivered 158 poinsettia plants to local Catholics who are homebound or in a nursing home. That is an increase of nearly 40 since Easter and 100 since last Christmas. They loved the visits and the cards from the children, as well. And some parishioners went to great lengths to make the Advent visits—going back several times! The cash donations received from parishioners, for the plants, was absolutely tremendous.
St. Nick toys—Over 600 new toys were collected and sent to our sister parish, St. Joseph's, in Virginia, for St. Nick's, December 6. That was a lot of great shopping done by parishioners and so many bright eyes for those children in need.
It is quite apparent that the parishioners of St. Mary's and St. Peter's do recognize that “Jesus is the reason for the season”. But, what is so inspiring, is the giving that is done all year long!
Thank you so very much, and many blessings to all of you, in the New Year! The Human Concerns Committee
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