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Outreach Ministries Offer Valuable
s the United States Confercollection and giveaway. Coats, ence of Catholic Bishops blankets, and winter gear are tells us, the Corporal Works needed, along with volunteers of Mercy are ways we can help to help sort, repair, wash and, our neighbors “as if they were ultimately, distribute these Christ in disguise.” Here at St. items. It’s one of the St. Leo’s Leo’s, we have many ways to fill outreach events that makes the the Corporal Works of Mercy for biggest impact. those among us most in need. “This is an opportunity to There are so many opportuniliterally be Christ in person to ties to serve at St. Leo’s that it’s others,” Donna says. a shame not to get involved with St. Leo’s Outreach also parVolunteers gather at Habitat at least one. ticipates in a Habitat for Hufor Humanity Build Day. Here in our parish, Outreach manity Build Day. This is a fun Coordinator Donna Douglass is tasked with helping opportunity to get involved and make a difference determine the needs of those who visit the parish in the life of a family. and the greater community. Having served in this “We are all better people when we get out of role for more than 20 years, she’s also there to help our own wants and needs and do things to help people access assistance from other organizations. others,” Donna says. The Human Concerns Committee also coordinates The food collections are another important much of the outreach work at St. Leo’s. outreach project at St. Leo’s — from a monthly There are so many needs in our community. collection to special collections for Lent, Advent, Sometimes, serving these needs is as simple as and the start of the school year. Donna says these donating some clothing or household items to a lo- collections are a simple way to give back to those cal person in need. Donna will often put the needs in need. on the parish Facebook page and bulletin board. “The food collections are impressive,” she says. “This is the work that Jesus calls us to do,” “We have such a generous parish.” she says. “We are to care for our brothers and Fr. Anthony Madhichetti was a priest in the sisters and be a light to the world. We are just Diocese of Grand Island several years ago and is blessed that we have the opportunities to help now a director of schools in the Diocese of Nellore, others.” a very impoverished area of India. Fr Madhichetti One of the most significant projects needing has worked hard to build bathrooms, orphanthe most volunteers is the annual October coat ages, churches, and schools. We support his efforts
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“This is the work that Jesus calls us to do. We are to care for our brothers and sisters, and be a light to the world. We are just blessed that we have the opportunities to help others.” — Donna Douglass, Outreach Coordinator 4
