Parish Outreach Commission
The Parish Outreach Commission discovers the human needs of the parish and the communities, which will create and support programs to meet those needs. They educate and involve parishioners in social justice issues, to assist those in need within and beyond our parish boundaries. The following are areas we support but are not limited to:
St. Pierre Collection: St.
Joseph parish sponsors a sister parish in Haiti. On the fourth Sunday
of each month we have a second collection for Haiti. This ministry
began in 1990.
Contact: Virginia Deller 937-2131
Red Cross Blood Drive: St. Joseph parish sponsors two blood drives each year. They are held in May and in December on Sundays at the parish center.
Contact: Mary Striegel 937-4781
Respect Life: This
is an all-encompassing model, which respects life and refutes anti-life
deceptions and lies. Our objective is to stand in the gap between St.
Joseph Church and our surrounding communities as a vibrant witness of
the true faith.
Contact: Jackie Berg 937-9959
Habitat for Humanity: St.
Joseph parish is a supporter of the local Habitat for Humanity in
Spencer County. Members assist in the building of homes for low-income
families.
Contact: Mary Striegel 937-4781
Food Collection:
The first weekend of each month, food and paper products are collected
in baskets at the back of church along with a opportunity for monetary
donation. All collections are given to the North Spencer Community
Action Center which helps the needy families in the area.
Contact: Diana Clark 937-2821
Back to School Clothing Drive: Each August
parishioners are asked at a second collection to donate money to buy
clothing and school supplies for area children that are less fortunate.
This is done in conjunction with the North Spencer Community Action
Center.
Contact: Linda Wahl 937-4354
Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive:
Parishioners are encouraged to bring canned food items to mass on
Thanksgiving Day. These food items are carried up during the
presentation of gifts and are later given to the North Spencer
community Action Center to be disturbed to needy families.
Contact: Linda Wahl 937-4354
Christmas Collection: St.
Joseph parish adopts a needy family for the Christmas season. Money is
collected at a second collection in early December. Items are
purchasedt and wrapped for the family and given to them prior to
Christmas. This is done in conjunction with the North Spencer Community
Action Center.
Contact: Connie Bender 937-2461
Angel Tree: Area churches join together to supply clothes for local children. St. Joseph Church's Angel Tree has tags for twenty-five children. Parishioners choose tags in late November and return their tags and items purchased within two weeks. Contacts: Connie Bender 937-2461 and Diana Clark 937-2821
Military Care Packages: A collection of items needed by military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan are boxed and shipped. The goal is to send packages twice each year. A list of acceptable items is made available before the collection begins. Contacts: Ray Striegel 937-2821 and John Mattingly 544-3526
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry:
Shoeboxes are filled with small toys and personal items for children in
poor countries. Also included are pamphlets and programs that
introduce the children to God. Contacts: Steve and Diana Clark
937-2821
