Dear Friends,

Emergency Assistance has been an outreach ministry for a very long time. We are reminded by Church law that every parish has boundaries and the souls of everyone living within those boundaries are important to the parish, not only spiritually, but also when there is a serious need. The parish community does not seek to serve only its members, rather we see the image of God in every person and we are called to treat them as Christ. 

Our parishioners support the Emergency Assistance Ministry (EAM) with the offertory each month that has a 5th Sunday. There have been numerous parishioners and others who have given very generously on their own at different times of the year. 

The ministry is equipped to offer some basic services to meet the needs of people looking for assistance. Although EAM does not currently assist with rent, it does offer assistance to other basic services like utilities, food, gas, counseling, and other outside resources for people looking for assistance to help offset unforeseen emergency costs. Each person meets with a staff member or trained minister to learn their story, see what can be offered, and also work with other agencies to help meet any serious immediate need. This process gives dignity to those who seek assistance and offers some solutions or paths to solutions. It is not just offering cash to people and nothing else. I am grateful to the staff and parishioners who make this ministry work. 

A reminder that every dollar given in the 5th Sunday collection is used for the Emergency Assistance Ministry. We recently had our collection and the next collection will be September 29. However, parishioners can give to the ministry at any time throughout the year. 

We see Christ not only in Catholics, we seek Christ in all people and we do what we can. 

Peace in Christ,

Fr. Eric