3 minute read
Love Thy Neighbor Ministries: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel
Leah Benjamin’s heartfelt desire to help with Love Thy Neighbor Ministries runs deep — very deep.
“I have a diverse background, so I understand the language of poverty and addiction,” says Leah, our parish Finance and Benefits Coordinator. “I comprehend the love of Jesus, and I want to share His love with those who are calling for help.”
Advertisement
Thankfully, Leah is not alone in her desire to shower the mercy and kindness of Christ on those most in need. In fact, a large number of our parishioners also want to do the same thing, and that is how Love They Neighbor Ministries keeps up and running.
Love Thy Neighbor Ministries is a multi-pronged outreach to the poor which includes the Mother Teresa Ministry, the Parishioner Assistance Ministry, the Backpack Ministry and the Corporal Works of Mercy Ministry. In diverse and beautiful ways, these ministries serve to bring the stewardship vision to life in our midst.
“Our parish is a stewardship parish, so we ask our members to give their time, talent and treasure however they can,” Leah says. “These ministries provide an opportunity for them to give their time and talent to help others. We also take the treasure they give to this outreach and distribute it mindfully.”
Further, Love Thy Neighbor Ministries acts as a powerful means of bringing the Good News of Christ to others.
“This ministry is evangelical because we encourage our clients when they are feeling lost and discouraged, and lift them up to Jesus,” Leah says.
The Mother Teresa Ministry is run by volunteers who distribute gas and food vouchers to those in need. It is open to the public and has limited hours. It is the only facet of Love Thy Neighbor Ministries that holds annual meetings.
“This ministry is richly blessed,” Leah says. “It has very devoted volunteers, as well as a list of new ones who would like to start helping with it soon.”
The Parishioner Assistance Ministry offers the opportunity for parishioners to call the parish office or speak with our pastor in order to explain various needs with which they are struggling. It is a highly confidential ministry.
The Backpack Ministry involves volunteers who buy food in bulk and make up small, healthy, balanced meals for local public middle school children to take home with them on the weekends or over school break.
The Mother Teresa Ministry open to the public and has limited hours.
“When they contact us, we offer them financial mentoring or other forms of assistance,” Leah says. “We also try to connect them to a network of other ministries that may be helpful.”
Thirdly, the Backpack Ministry involves volunteers who buy food in bulk and make up small, healthy, balanced meals for local public middle school children to take home with them on the weekends or over school break. They package about 80 per week and deliver them to a local school, which distributes them to students who truly need them.
“The number of meals requested has tripled over the last couple of years,” Leah says. “We need more volunteers for this ministry.”
Last but certainly not least, the Corporal Works of Mercy Ministry is a deeply powerful means of evangelization and assistance. It is currently run by parish staff.
“This ministry provides financial and life coaching to individuals in need,” Leah says. “We pray with those who come to us, and try to show them the love of Christ. We seek to be the face of Christ to them and meet them where they are at in life. We talk to them about how much Jesus cares about their situation and how much He is there for them. We also invite them to our parish and point them in the direction of other resources which may help them.”
The Corporal Works of Mercy Ministry is a deeply powerful means of evangelization and assistance. It is currently run by parish staff.
