COMMUNITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Our Faith Community’s mission, To seek out the lost and build up the found, extends well beyond the boundaries of our two churches. In a number of community outreach ministries,  we reach out into our neighborhoods to bring the good news of God’s hope and healing. We invite you to consider serving in any of these community outreach ministries.

Beans and Bread -- both of our churches prepare casserole meals for this Southeast Baltimore soup kitchen. Pans and recipes are available in our churches the first weekend of every month. To participate, contact Deacon Joseph Krysiak, joekrysiak@aol.com or 410-488-0400, ext 113 ; or  Sally Costanzo, sal@dfdent.com 

St. Anthony of Padua Loaves and Fishes --  a program in which parishioners donate non-perishable food items or money on the 4th Sunday of each month.  Additional food is purchased with the donated money,  then given to two inner city urban churches, St. Patrick, Broadway and  St. Ann , Waverly.  Funds are also given to the St. Anthony Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. To participate in any way, contact Deacon Joseph Krysiak, joekrysiak@aol.com or 410-488-0400,  ext 113.

St. Vincent de Paul Society -- seeks to emulate St. Vincent de Paul, a model of charity who served God through service to those poor and marginalized in our society. Vincentian ministry is service that meets those who are poor as friend, that seeks long-term solutions to their difficulties, that visits their homes, investigates their problems, advocates on their behalf, and gives assistance to ease their burdens.  To join the St. Anthony Chapter, contact Deacon Joseph Krysiak, joekrysiak@aol.com or 410-488-0400, ext 113 or Gerry O’Connor, 410-933-1721.

Moveable Feast – a program that delivers nutritious hot and cold meals to homebound persons throughout Maryland who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Once a month, parishioners bake and deliver desserts to go with these meals. To serve in this ministry, contact Linda Haynes or Charlotte Ernst at 410-488-0400. 

YANA (You Are Never Alone) -- a drop-in day-shelter and advocacy/case management center for women, men, and children who are working as prostitutes in Baltimore City . Both of our churches collect and donate clothing and other items needed by the shelter each month. A special Winter Clothing Drive is held during Advent each year. Our Holistic Health Ministry provides Reiki and massage to women who desire this healing touch. We also conduct prayer and Communion services on-site. To serve in this ministry, contact the Parish Office at 410-488-0400.

Meals on Wheels --  a  meal program that delivers food to individuals who are disabled,  elderly, in convalescent care, or in need of food on a temporary  basis.  Age or financial status has no bearing on client eligibility. Clients receive two meals, one hot and one cold, 5 days/week.  Volunteers are needed in this ministry 1-to-3 hours/day, one day/week. Contact Gloria Ernst, 410-663-0435, if you can drive or serve.

Frankford Improvement Association -- this neighborhood organization concentrates on community problems and affairs, such as zoning and housing violations, real estate and environmental matters, Block Watch, Citizens on Patrol, and more. FIA serves the neighborhoods in which St. Anthony of Padua Church is located. To participate in this association, contact Frank Simon, sparkssimon@juno.com or 410-488-6321.

Parkside Improvement Association -- this neighborhood organization concentrates on community problems and affairs, such as zoning and housing violations, real estate and environmental matters, Block Watch, Citizens on Patrol, and more. PIA  serves the neighborhoods in which Most Precious Blood Church is located. To participate in this association, contact President Cheryl M. Pulley, 410-485-5640, or Vice President Carol Ross, 410-488-3262.

UNIVERSAL JUSTICE

In the words to a familiar hymn, we hear Jesus saying, “Peace I leave with you, my friends. Shalom, my peace, in all you do. Peace I leave with you, my friends. I give to you, so you may give to others, too.” This is part of the commission we have received from Jesus, to move beyond the boundaries of our own neighborhoods and communities. Our ministries reflect our response to this commission, and our desire to bring Christ’s universal peace and justice into our world.

        Justice and Peace Committee -- works to raise the consciousness of our Faith Community concerning societal injustice in our communities, our nation, and our world.  The Committee participates in activities aimed at eradicating injustice and promoting a peaceful society. Committee activities include the Annual AIDS Walk; antiwar advocacy at the School of the Americas ; Soup-er Bowl Sunday, raising funds for local charities; promotion in our parish bulletin of papal and episcopal letters on issues pertaining to peace and justice; participation by parishioners in the Annual Archdiocesan Peace & Justice Conference. To join this Committee, or to suggest an issue for the Committee’s attention,  contact Deacon Joseph Krysiak,  joekrysiak@aol.com or 410-488-0400, ext 113.

        Respect Life Committee -- advocates for the dignity of all human life, from the moment of conception through the moment of death.  The Committee also works to increase parishioners’ understanding of those issues affecting the quality of all life on our planet.  Life deserves respect in all its many forms, stages, and ages, and this Committee encourages members of our Faith Community to be informed advocates for issues of particular interest to them, e.g., assisted suicide, abortion, capital punishment, domestic violence, human cloning, environmental concerns, etc. To join this Committee, or to suggest an issue for the Committee’s attention, contact Ken Ackerman, kenneth.ackerman@wdc.usda.gov  or 410-866-2761.