Social Ministry/Outreach Program
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"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 |
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.
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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For
further information, call us at
(757)595-0385, or contact one of our staff
members via e-mail.
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