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.
Pregnancy Solutions is an outreach ministry to pregnant women, through out the prenatal period, 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 trained to be listeners,
helpers, and who give information and referrals of community agencies.
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, for more information or please join us at our next Pregnancy Solutions Team Meeting
scheduled: Monday, August 9th @ 6:30pm in Manion Hall. Call and let us know you are coming 595-0385,
ext. 118.
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… in December watch for the Kris
Kringle trees in the Commons.
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 food basket is for Thanksgiving** Saturday November 20th bags will be
filled and picked up after all the Masses that weekend: 11/20 & 21.
This ministry also sponsors a dinner during the Christmas season, for the elderly of our community and
the broader community. The date this year: December 1st.
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 this year: December 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 October, look for sign up sheets in the Commons with various way you can volunteer.
The OLMC Van Ministry operates 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 2010: July 20th & 27th, August 3rd &
10th. 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.
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 to add your name to the list of those interested or to obtain more information… ext. 118.
Mark your calendars: Catholic Advocacy Day is Thursday January 27, 2011. The day starts at
St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Richmond at 8:30am. More information can be found here in the coming
months.
OLMC Social Ministries support the Target Programa - 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.