Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
Social Ministry/Outreach Program
 
"Our faith calls us to work for justice, to serve those in need, to pursue peace and to defend the life, dignity and rights of all our brothers and sisters. This is the call of Jesus, the challenge of the prophets, and the living tradition of our church." 

A Century of Social Teaching - U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1990

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Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Ministry programs were begun in the dictate of Jesus to love others as we would ourselves be loved, to reverence life as the temple of the Spirit, and to live out the life of service described in Matthew 25. We offer a number of programs in our efforts to serve those in need.

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Outreach Office/Pantry
The Outreach Office serves the emergency and temporary needs of citizens in our community with financial aid, problem management, and food. Through the generous donations of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishioners we are able to provide support to over 200 families each month.

Special Projects
Our special projects ministry provides holiday food baskets to the needy in our community four times a year. During our Christmas delivery we also provide gifts to each family member. This ministry also sponsors two dinners during the Christmas season, one for senior citizens in the community and another for Peninsula Aids Foundation volunteers and clients.

Pregnancy Solutions
For a teenager, a single woman, or a couple in distress, a pregnancy can be anything but the joyous occasion of new life that it is meant to be. Pregnancy Solutions seeks to reveal that there are alternatives to abortion, that they do not have to face these alternatives alone, and that the volunteers of Pregnancy Solutions stand ready to help them bring life to its term.

Pregnancy Solutions is a 24-hour outreach ministry, providing a variety of services to help meet the needs of our clients, including free pregnancy screenings, professional counseling through Catholic Charities, maternity and infant clothing, community resource information, and emotional support throughout the pregnancy.

The Elizabeth Project
The Elizabeth Project is a 12-week mentor program for pregnant teens. The mentor and teen work together to make responsible decisions about pre-natal care, childbirth, and child-rearing during a 12-week program. Through group activities, video tape and personal visits a supportive relationship grows between the women. Some of the topics covered during the 12 week period include fetal development, pre-natal care, self-esteem, nutrition, drug abuse, delivery, parenting skills and setting goals.

Family Outreach
The objective of the Family Outreach Ministry is to provide support to families and children at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and to the community. This objective is met by providing weekly playgroups for parents and children; monthly educational programs on family and parenting topics; parenting classes; annual Mom's conference; information on community resources; infant and child loss support group; nursery care; and advocacy for families and children.

Share Program
SHARE (Self Help and Resource Exchange) is a program where anyone can purchase a package of food for $14.50 plus two hours of community service. This nutritious food package contains 35-40 pounds of assorted meats, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and staples (cereals, rice, beans or pasta). Food is purchased by SHARE food buyers from growers, brokers, packaging plants, etc. The food is never donated food, government surplus, or salvage food. The unique thing about SHARE is the fact that it is for everyone. It is an opportunity for all people to share their gifts with the community and get something in return.

Parish Nurse Program

Preventive Health Ministries -
*Monthly blood pressure screenings
*Blood drives
*CPR training
*Growing Younger - Older Adult Fitness Program

Ministry to the Sick
Hospital and home visitation to members of the parish to provide support to client and family during times of illness and recovery. The needs of the client and family are assessed and a plan developed to assist with utilization of community agencies and act as a liaison between family and the medical community when needed. Assessments are made by registered nurses and one-to-one follow-up is done by a team of volunteers. The ministry is coordinated by the Parish Nursing Ministry and utilizes the services of registered nurses and other volunteers to serve the sick and disabled.

Nursing Home Ministry
Visitation to resident parishioners during meal times to assist with meal preparation, assist with scheduled activities and support volunteer services. Medical training not required.

AIDS Ministry Task Force
This ministry is dedicated to increasing awareness of the community's role in support of those challenged by AIDS/HIV and their families. The focus of the ministry is to develop a program of education, support and outreach that deals competently and compassionately with the impact of AIDS/HIV.

School Health Services
Trained volunteers under the direction of the principle and the school nurse provide full time clinic coverage during the school day. Services include: provision of first-aid; vision, hearing and scoliosis screening at certain grade levels; health related staff in-services; health awareness programs and activities.
 

"He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard."     Proverbs 22:13
 
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Adult Faith Formation Bookstore Bulletin Directions to OLMC
Divorce & Annulment FAQ's Healing Ministry History of OLMC Home Page
Junior Youth Group Ladies of Carmel Links to Other Catholic Sites Liturgical Ministries
Manna Program Music Ministry Parish Calendar Parish Nurse Ministry
Pregnancy Solutions Ministry RCIA Religious Education Sacramental Preparation
School Scripture Readings Senior Youth Ministry Social/Outreach Ministries
Staff Yellow Pages Young Adult Ministry  

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For further information, call us at (757)595-0385, or contact one of our staff members via e-mail.
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