St. Mary’s R.C.
Church
Parish Social Ministry
20
Harrison Avenue
East Islip, NY 11730
Phone: (631) 581-4266, Ext 128
Fax:
(631) 581-1170
Office Hours: Monday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Tuesday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Thursday 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Saturday Closed Sunday Closed(The office is closed on Fridays during July & August)
Location:
The Social Ministry office is located on the
second floor of the white building
located
between Sacred Heart Hall and the
Auditorium.
An elevator is
available for those with special needs.
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'
And the king will say to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."
Matthew 25:37-40
Sr. Camille Solis DW
Pastoral Minister for
Parish Social Ministry
(631)
581-4266, x128
csolis@stmaryseastislip.org
What is Parish Social Ministry?
St.
Mary's Parish Social Ministry consists of a dedicated group of
parishioners who respond to the needs of others compassionately
and
professionally.
What does Parish Social Ministry
do?
Parish
Social Ministry brings people who are in need of assistance
together
with people who are trained to help them. Parish Social
Ministry ministers
empower those in need to help themselves. This
program offers our
parish community a way to respond to those
among us who are hurting
financially, emotionally and/or physically.
Christ has no body now on earth but
yours,
your hands with which He
blesses humanity,
your voice with which His forgiveness is spoken,
your
heart with which He now loves.
Adapted from St. Theresa of Avila
What kind of help is available?
Requests
for assistance may involve direct service like: food, clothing,
financial, transportation, or information and referral to other programs,
service agencies, or professionals. Support and encouragement is offered to
help in difficult situations.
Who can get help?
Anyone
who lives within the geographical boundaries of St. Mary's
Parish
(Islip, East Islip, Great River), regardless of religion, may contact
the Parish Social Ministry either by phone or by a
personal visit to the office.
What
help is available?
Advocacy with Service Agencies
Assistance with Housing
Budget Counseling
Clothing from our Thrift Shop
Crisis Intervention
Emergency Food
Informal Counseling
Information & Referrals
Immigration Information
Reassurance Calls to Homebound
Substance Abuse Counseling Referrals
Transportation
Employment Services, including:
Resume Preparation
Job Searches
Interview Training
Each time the bread is
broken and shared,
each time the cup is portioned out equally
to rich and poor alike, we get a glimpse
of how God intended the world to be,
and how we believe it will one day be again
Parish Social Ministry consists of the following Ministries
1. Employment:
This ministry provides assistance to individuals who are either seeking
employment or are aspiring to increase their
earning potential and benefits.
We assist our neighbors who are unemployed or underemployed by helping with résumé writing, interviews, networking, and the job search process. The main purpose of this ministry is to provide support to a client during what can be a very difficult time by letting him/her know that they have someone who cares and is trying to help them.
We encourage everyone to please pray for all unemployed persons and their families. These people are your friends, relatives, and neighbors; and may be sitting right beside you in church. They need God's help and yours.
If you are aware of any job opportunities, please call the Employment Guidance Office at 581-4266, x133 and either speak with, or leave a message for, Mary.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9
2. H.E.L.P.S. (Human Energy Lifts People's Spirits):
The mission of this group is to assist eligible homeowners in our parish with help providing necessary repairs and/or maintenance to their homes.
If you, or someone you know, is in need of our assistance, please contact the Parish Social Ministry Office at 581-4266, x.129 for eligibility guidelines.
VOLUNTEER HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED!!!
If you are a painter, carpenter, electrician, plumber, mason, etc., and like to
volunteer, need information or require the services of
this ministry call the
Parish Social
Ministry office at (631) 581-4266, Ext. 128.
Blessed
are they who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
3. Ministry of
Consolation
and Bereavement:
The mission of this ministry is to provide comfort and support to the
bereaved members of our parish
community. Ministers of Consolation offer
spiritual direction and
assistance to the family of the deceased; and assist in preparing
for the repose, burial liturgy and internment of a loved one. Ministers remain
available to all family members as they journey through the healing process of
bereavement, knowing the comfort of God's
love and the support of their
parish family.
Contact: Sister Patty Tippen if you are in need of counseling or feel you would
like to volunteer at (631) 581-4266, Ext. 134.
4. Rainbows:
This ministry is a support group for all God's children (K-8th grade) of
divorced or separated parents.
Trained facilitators provide a safe environment
for the children to express their
feelings, to work through their grief, build a
stronger sense of self esteem and to begin to accept the changes that have
taken place in their family.
There is an 8-week session each fall and spring.
In addition, a parent support
group is offered during the time the children are
in their groups. Volunteers are
always needed to help run the program.
Contact: Parish Social Ministry for additional information
to participate or
if you feel the desire to volunteer at (631) 581-4266, Ext. 128.
5.
Parish Outreach:
This group of dedicated parishioners staff the office located in the Parish
Social Ministry Building. They
are available Monday to Friday to address
the needs of our community.
Ministry of Reception:
Ministers of Reception are a welcoming presence to all as they staff the
reception
desk at the Parish Social Ministry Office. They answer calls in
response
to inquiries for service, as well as personally greeting those in need
of assistance.
Core Ministry:
Core Ministers conduct initial
intake assessment needs for all persons and/or
families requesting assistance in a confidential manner.
The Core Ministers are
trained in assisting those in need to network with
either Parish, Community,
County or Federal resources, which can assist with
the stabilization of the
person's and/or families economic, medical,
housing, employment or mental
health needs.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6
6.
The Community for
Living Justice:
The
mission of this group is to seek a faith response through conversation
in an attempt to foster
reflection, knowledge and action to obtain justice for
all people. Our members educate, advocate, and perform actions related to
issues of peace and social justice throughout our parish and community.
Current initiatives
include but are not limited to:
Peace in the
World, Bread for the World,
Alternatives to War,
School of the Americas,
global hunger, building interfaith understanding,
affordable housing,
racism, and global warming, etc.
Meetings are open to all and are held on the 4th Monday of the month at
7:30 p.m. in the Joseph Room.
Contact Parish Social Ministry for additional information regarding participation at (631) 581-4266, Ext. 128.
7. Prayer Group for Gays/Lesbians and their Parents:
Through prayer and sharing, the
goal of this ministry is to provide support to those on their journey of understanding and acceptance of their
child or of themselves. We believe that each of us has been created
by a loving God. We come together for prayer and reflection on the
Gospel; readings, and sharing and support in a confidential manner.
Emphasis is placed on the dignity of every person, and the unfailing love of
God.
Contact: Parish Social Ministry for additional information to participate at
(631) 581-4266, Ext. 129.
8. Transportation:
Volunteers are always needed for our Transportation Ministry.
We have
parishioners who need rides to
the supermarket, doctor’s appointments,
Sunday Mass, and the like.
If you can help or are in need of help please contact the Parish Social
Ministry office at (631) 581-4266, Ext. 128.
9. Reassurance:
St. Mary’s Parish Social Ministry offers the Ministry of Reassurance to anyone who is homebound or in a nursing home. If you, or someone you know, would like a friendly phone call or note, please call Nora at 581-4266 ext 133. Feel free to leave a message and she will return your call.
If you would be interested in volunteering your time in this ministry, please call 581-4266 ext 129.
I
was hungry, I was thirsty, I was a stranger,
I was naked, I was sick, I was in prison…….
AND YOU CARED!
And the Lord will say…..’I assure you,
when you did it to one of the
least of these,
my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me.'
10.
St. Mary's Bread Of Life Ministry:
This group is composed of men and women of this ministry seek justice and charity for those in need. Volunteers are available for home delivery of food for those homebound and in need. Seasonal food baskets are prepared and delivered during Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Food that is delivered comes from donations to St. Mary's Food Pantry as well as from "Long Island
Cares."
Meetings are held in the Parish Social Ministry office on the 1st Tuesday
of the month at 7:30 p.m.
If you can help or are in need of help please contact the Parish Social
Ministry office at (631) 581-4266, x128.
11.
Food Pantry:
The Pantry is stocked with food that is readily available for the needy.
Donations are appreciated. It's
easy to do, just bring your food, health or beauty products to Mass. Leave
your offering with an usher, or you can just leave your donation in the vestibule of either
the
church or auditorium. You can also drop your donation off at the Parish Social
Ministry
office during operating hours.
SCRIP from department stores, supermarket or other gift certificates are
always appreciated and may be
left at the Parish Social Ministry office.
If you can help or are in need of help please contact the Parish Social
Ministry office at (631) 581-4266, x128.
12.
Thrift Shop:
The St. Mary's Thrift Shop makes available clothing at extremely economical
prices for those in need.
Donations of "gently" used clothing are appreciated
and should be delivered directly
to the Thrift Shop.
Please
do not leave clothing outside when the shop is closed.
Volunteers are needed and the hours can be flexible to meet your schedule.
You will be blessed in the fact
that you will be in a position to directly help
our needy brothers and sisters.
The Thrift Shop is open Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday).
To volunteer, please contact the Parish Social
Ministry office
at (631) 581-4266, x128.
13.
Senior Connection:
The Senior Connection is a gathering place for seniors to come together for
spiritual and social opportunities. At our monthly gatherings in
Sacred Heart Hall we provide an environment for seniors to interact with
each. You don't have to be a member of St.
Mary's Parish to attend. Ladies and gentlemen are most welcome.
We provide coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and desserts. A Senior Tea is
held twice a year (May and October) and is enjoyed by all.
Our gatherings
are listed in St. Mary's weekly bulletin, and also on the Upcoming Events page on
our website.
14.
Sophia Cares:
Sophia Cares is a group of women helping women. This program is for
all women in all stages of life. We invite
women to dwell on the most basic of all universal truths: God's love for us
and God's call for us to love ourselves. The mission of our members is to inspire one and other through compassion and sharing spirituality. Evenings for women are offered three times a year with inspirational speakers. Round table discussion groups are held more often.
Dates for discussions, meetings, and other events are printed in St. Mary's weekly bulletin, and on the Upcoming Events page on our website.
15.
Special Events
and Programs:
Helping to plan and organize events offers opportunities for sharing your
gifts and working with fellow parishioners on a short-term basis.
During the course of the year, the Parish Social Ministry associates
initiate and participate in a variety of programs including:
Christmas Share-A-Gift
Bread for
the World's "Offering of Letters"
U.S.
Postal Service "Stamp Out Hunger"
Lenten
Soup Supper
Easter
Food Delivery
Thanksgiving Food Delivery
Christmas
Food Delivery
Community
Blood
Drives
FAN (Food
and Nutrition)
To
Request Assistance:
If at any time you encounter a
need on behalf of yourself, your family, or a
neighbor, and you feel this ministry can be of assistance, please do not
hesitate to call or put them in
touch with St. Mary's Parish Social Ministries
office at (631) 581-4266, Ext.
128.