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And the King will say to them in reply, "Amen I say to you, whatever you did for
one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:40
Social Justice Commission-
The Social Action/Social Justice Commission oversees and
coordinates the parish's social justice and outreach groups and
helps establish new groups when needed. By informing
parishioners of Church teaching on social justice issues and of
opportunities to serve, the Commission will help parishioners become
involved in social justice ministries. The group meets for 1½
hours on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00 p.m.
Contact persons:
Deacon John Weber (419.784.9750) or
Colleen Jaski (419.784.0999)
Food Pantry-
The Catholic Food Pantry provides food on
an emergency basis to needy of the community. The Pantry is
open from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Volunteers, serving as many hours as they are able, stock and
organize donated food and distribute it to those in need.
Contact person:
Phyllis Newton (419.393.2869)
St. Vincent de Paul Society-
The Society offers tangible assistance to those
in need on a person-to-person basis. This aid may take the
form of intervention consultation, or often through direct dollar or
in-kind service. The Society recognizes that it must assume a
role of advocacy for those who are defenseless or voiceless.
In Defiance, these volunteers from St. Mary Parish also visit
Nursing Homes on weekends, distributing religious materials and
visiting with Catholic residents. The Society meets regularly
on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday and Friday at 1:00
p.m.
Contact persons:
Terri Overmeyer (419.784.3145) and
Steve Santo (419.784.5975)
Prison Ministry-
The Diocese of Toledo's Social Action Office
provides the Church's pastoral presence to the persons incarcerated
at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio. Jan Buckmaster
from Napoleon coordinates the Catholic Correction Ministers of
Northwest Ohio. Approximately 25
volunteers from five different parishes participate in the program through teaching, mentoring,
counseling, and conducting religious services on Thursday evenings.
The Ministry also includes support for family members, an after-care
program, and advocacy efforts against the death penalty. CCNO
requires a criminal record check, a 4-hour initial training period and a 4-hour yearly update
session of all volunteers.
Contact person:
Deacon John Weber (419.784.9750)
Pax Christi-
Defiance Area Pax Christi is part of Pax Christi,
USA, the Catholic peace movement. Pax Christi strives to
create a world that reflects the Peace of Christ by study, prayer,
and action; while witnessing to the call of Christian non-violence
and promoting the gospel call to peace making. Meeting once a
month at St. John Church, Defiance, members invest 1½
hours per month plus time spent on special events.
Contact person:
Linda Walz (419.784.2342)
C.R.O.P. Walk-
C.R.O.P. Walk's community-based fund raising
events raise money for local hunger-fighting agencies as well as
international relief and development efforts. They help raise
awareness and funds to fight hunger around the block and around the
world.
Contact person:
Shelly Shafer (419.784.9153)
R.A.V.E.N.S.-
R.A.V.E.N.S. is an ecumenical ministry that helps
local churches meet the area's needy in meeting emergency needs.
With funding from over 20 area churches and other sources, they help
with utility shut offs, impending homelessness and emergency medical
and food needs. Notified by mail as to meeting times and
locations, the St. Mary representative contributes to the planning
and evaluation of this ecumenical ministry.
Contact person:
Colleen Jaski (419.784.0999)
Habitat for Humanity-
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, nondenominational
national Christian housing organization that welcomes all people to
join them as they build simple, decent, affordable, houses in
partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Volunteer
committee opportunities include family selection, family support,
site selection, construction, church relations, volunteer
coordination, and development.
Contact person:
Sarah McCord (419.899.3989)
Mother Theresa Respect Life Committee-
This committee is a multi-parish group seeking to
protect and enhance human life from conception through natural
death. This newly formed committee approaches the issues of
abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, death penalty, the poor and
disenfranchised, etc. through prayer, study, and action.
Contact person:
Beth Brown (419.782.7898)
Path Center Programming-
A person in this ministry coordinates parish
involvement with Path Center activities. Our parish also
furnishes a meal on Monday evenings at the Center approximately
three to four times per year.
Contact person:
Laurie Coressel (419.393.4135)
Furniture Bank-
The Defiance County Furniture Bank is a faith
based service organization managed by St. Mary's Parish. Our
warehouse is on Spruce Street in Defiance with office facilities in
the Parish Ministry Center. Donations of furniture and other
household items are accepted from individuals and businesses.
The Social Agencies in the Defiance County Area fax referrals to the
Parish office for clients who are in need. Volunteers are
needed to help pick up and deliver furniture, warehouse work,
sorting and marking of items, cleaning and repairing appliances,
scheduling, coordinating deliveries, etc. as well as entering
information into the computer system.
Contact persons:
Deacon John Weber (419.784.9750)
Pete Gonzales (419.782.8783)
Otto Gerdeman (419.784.1084)
Steve Hageman (419.781.0177)
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