Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Ministry Programs are a reflection of 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 reach out into community through a number of programs as we live out our calling to be transformed by The Eucharist into the Body of Christ and bring Him to the World.
Transformed by The Eucharist…
Reaching Out into community.
The Outreach Office & Pantry, which are staffed by volunteers five days a week, assist in the emergency and temporary needs of citizens in our community. We offer support by means of the food pantry, financial aid, and problem management. Through the generous donations of Our Lady of Mount Carmel parishioners we are able to provide support to over 200 families each month. There are many ways to help: answering phones, interviewing clients, preparing food bags, scheduling, calling clients back, etc. You can help as little or as much as you like. Please email Tina if you would like more information or if you are interested in volunteering twandersee@olmc.org
This ministry is a good fit for families looking to be involved in ministry together. Pantry Sorters volunteer once a week on an 8 week rotation. Approximately 208 hours per year are donated to this service. The Sorters move donated food items from the Commons to the pantry where it is stored and organized for distribution by the Outreach Office.
Rice, Boxed Potatoes, Tuna, Peanut Butter/Jelly, Beef Stew, Crackers, Dry Milk Packets, Spaghetti/Spaghetti Sauce, Chili, Cereal, Pancake Mix/Syrup, Canned: Corn, Carrots, Black/Pinto/Navy/Kidney Beans, Fruit.
Pregnancy Outreach is a ministry to pregnant women, throughout the prenatal period, and expectant fathers who
have chosen life and need support in caring for their infants and children. Support is provided in a
number of ways, including: free pregnancy screenings, maternity clothing, infant & children's clothing -
up to 18 months, infant formula, diapers, some infant furnishings, community resource information, and
emotional support throughout the pregnancy.
Callers to the helpline are invited to meet with volunteer office workers who are trained to be listeners and
helpers, and who give information and referrals of community agencies.
Helpline 757-870-3131 - answering calls Monday - Friday 9-5pm.
There are many ways to assist in this ministry: assist in switching over baby clothes
when seasons change, assist during appointments, help with answering the helpline, and also by donating
formula, baby clothing, diapers, wipes, baby wash and lotion, maternity clothing, etc. Please contact
Tina, ext. 118.
Please note: The Pregnancy Solutions Ministry
is operating under a new name. This ministry will more commonly be referred to as Pregancy Outreach.
Its more formal name, Pregnancy Outreach for Parents,Infants and Children, encompasses its mission to support
life.
Our special projects ministry provides holiday food baskets to the aging and those in need in our
community four times a year: Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. During our
Christmas delivery we also provide gifts to each family member…
Everyone can join in this ministry just by bringing a canned or boxed
item of food with you to Mass. Most needed items at this time are: rice, pancake mix/syrup,
juice, crackers, pasta sauce, cereal, boxed potato mix, yams, turkey gravy, cake mix/frosting, and
stuffing.
**Upcoming holiday event: Christmas Food Baskets and Gifts**
On Saturday, December 17th teams of "beggars" will be begging for food at several
different locations in Newport News. The food collected will be used to fill bags for 150+ families and aged for
Christmas. Volunteers will also be needed to sort and bag the food.
Tags are available on the Angel Trees in the Commons. Take a tag and purchase a gift for someone in need.
Gifts need to returned, with the tag attached, by 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 17th
Annually, OLMC sponsors PORT for a week. Parishioner volunteers provide dinner, breakfast and overnight staffing at St. Michael Hall, which serves as a homeless shelter for the night. OLMC volunteers work to provide 240 people with food and services. Dates for upcoming year 2012: February 8 - 15. If you would like to join the planning committee or need more information on how you can help, contact Lisa Jones at imljones@cox.net or call 867-7546. In January, 2012, look for sign up sheets in the Commons with various way you can volunteer.
The OLMC Van Ministry operates on Saturdays for the 5:00pm Mass and Sundays for the 10:00am Mass, and on certain holidays/feast days. Volunteer drivers alternate, using OLMC vehicles, to transport a total of 15 people.
Seasonal outreach to the Eastern Shore
Dates for travel 2012: July 24 & 31 and August 7 & 14. Those interested in traveling with
the team or those who wish to make a donation of personal hygiene items, socks and/or small toys for
children can contact: Carmen Lane at 869-8389 or Francisco Anleu at 595-0385 ext. 136.
The following items are needed and can be dropped off beginning June 30/July 1:
Rice, dry beans, tomato sauce/canned tomatoes, sunscreen, bug spray, Band-Aids, Neosporin, toilet paper,
personal care and medical items (check the bulletin for more information as the dates of travel approach).
Please place items in the white bin labeled Migrant Mission Trips.
This group of knitters, crocheters & quilters gather to work on handmade projects for our homeless guests
during PORT, items for our newborn babies through Pregnancy Outreach, and lap blankets for our aging and those
enduring chemotherapy treatments for our Healing Ministry. There are many who participate by donating yarn
and materials or by making monetary donations. All are welcome. Please join us and bring a friend.
This group meets the 4th Monday of the month at Manion Hall, 7pm.
Coordinator: Kathy Eanes, 850-0178
An organic garden that will provide fresh vegetables and herbs to those most vulnerable and in need
through our Outreach Food Pantry.
If you would like to be a part of this effort, please contact Phil or Andrea Stephens at
palmjstephens@cox.nett
Advocacy Group
Now forming!
If you would like to learn more about Legislative Advocacy and how you are called to stand for Justice,
or if you would like to understand how all this connects with Catholic Social Teaching, please consider
this dynamic group. We will begin gathering in September. Continue to check here for dates.
Call Tina at ext. 118 to add your name to the list of those interested or to obtain more information.
Mark your calendars: Catholic Advocacy Day is Thursday, January 26, 2012. The day starts at
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Richmond at 8:30am. More information can be found here in the coming
months.
The Virginia Catholic Conference is the public policy advocacy organization representing
Bishop Francis DiLorenzo, Diocese of Richmond and Bishop Paul Loverde, Diocese
of Arlington, on matters before the Virginia General Assembly, the U.S. Congress, and the state
and federal administrations and their agencies.
The Virginia Catholic Conference E-mail Advocacy Network is for parishioners, Catholic
school parents, and others interested in advocacy based on Catholic social teaching.
Join the Network!
OLMC Social Ministries support the Target Programs - Campaign for Human Development, Respect Life, and Operation Rice Bowl.
There is an ongoing Rosary Group that meets in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel every Friday after Daily Mass to pray the rosary for Respect for Life. Everyone is invited to attend, just come.