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Service Ministries
- Matthew 25
- "Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me."
(Matthew 25:40) These words of Jesus are the driving force behind the
Matthew 25 ministries. It is our parish's main outreach program for
people in need, in the parish and the Mid-Ohio Valley community. There
are three types of assistance that are offered by Matthew 25: food,
clothing, and comfort.
- Food Cupboard
- Contact: Leta McCarty (304) 428-4239
The whole parish is invited to be part of this ministry - you are
encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items and paper products
to this effort by bringing them when you come to Mass (leave them
in the gathering space), or to the Cupboard during open hours. The
Food Cupboard, located in the basement of the Religious Education
Center (old school building), distributes food every Tuesday and
Friday from 10:30 am until 11:30 am. You are most welcome to contribute
money that will help to buy food for needy people. If you're available
on Tuesday or Friday mornings, perhaps you'd consider helping the
Cupboard. Volunteers work on a rotating schedule, so a big time
commitment is not necessary.
- Clothing Closet
- Contact: Sara Butcher (304) 422-4674
The Clothing Closet is also located in the basement of the Religious
Education Center, and distributes clothing every Thursday (except
if Holy Day or holiday) from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. You are welcome
to bring in clothing during these hours, as well, and if you'd like
to help, just let the Contact Person know.
- Funeral Hospitality
- Contact: Elaine Gondek (304) 428-6339
If the family wishes, this group prepares and serves meals after
funerals at St. Margaret Mary. Usually these meals are served in
the Parish Hall. Volunteers fix salads, vegetable dishes, or desserts
in their homes, and bring them to the Parish Hall, and some work
in the Hall - receiving food, setting up serving tables, and cleaning
up. If you would like to help with the cooking, and/or with the
serving, you are encouraged to get your name on the Funeral Hospitality
list!
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- Social Concerns Committee
- Contact: Linda Whitley (304) 422-0107
The Social Concerns Committee provides financial assistance for utilities
and emergency prescriptions to people needing assistance in the Wood
County Area. This outreach is located at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center
and offices. They are available Monday and Wednesday 1:15 until 3:15pm.
Volunteers interview those who come for assistance, evaluate the need
and coordinate assistance with other funding sources. Because of the
highly confidential nature of this ministry, all volunteers must be
approved by the pastor. St. Margaret Mary and St. Francis Xavier combined
efforts in 2006 to help streamline outreach efforts. St. Michaels Catholic
Church is affiliated with Good Samaritan Outreach operating out of Wayside
Methodist Church.
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- Stone Soup Kitchen
- Contact: Val Kula (304) 424-3457 x 130
Every Wednesday from 11 to 12:30 at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, volunteers
prepare meals for all who wish to come. Hungry people are treated to a meal served with
friendliness and compassion. This ministry represents a collaboration among Catholic
Charities WV, St. Francis Xavier, St. Margaret Mary, St. Michael, and St. Monica’s.
These parishes provide donations and volunteers. If you’d like to help, please call Val, the
Contact Person. Once you compete Virtus training, you’ll be scheduled to help on certain Wednesdays.
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- Counters
- Contact: Stephanie Winland (304) 428-1807
Under the direction of the Finance Council, parishioners count and record
the totals of all weekend Mass contributions, and all Diocesan collections.
The time involved is minimal - counters work a rotating schedule, usually
only one Sunday morning every two months.
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- Faith Link
- Contact: Laura Tracewell (304) 295-4720
Wood County residents who are restricted to their homes by advanced
age, chronic illness, or disability receive simple and essential assistance
from FaithLink. It's an ecumenical ministry sponsored by St. Margaret
Mary and many other churches in the Mid-Ohio Valley. The agency and
its parish representatives recruit, train, manage and support volunteers,
as well as match them with those in need of help. Services provided
by volunteers include transportation, light home maintenance, and shopping.
As a FaithLink volunteer, you can choose which services you wish to
perform, and how much time you want to spend. Even if you have only
a few hours a month to spare, your help will be appreciated!
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- Gabriel Project
- Contact: Paula Schuchts (304) 424-3457x105
The Gabriel Project is an ecumenical network of churches committed to
the protection of the unborn and to honoring life by offering immediate
and practical support to those in need, during and after pregnancy,
so that human life is protected and God's unfailing love proclaimed.
You can help this effort by becoming an "angel" (a mentor to a girl/woman
in need), or by donating or picking up items, making or receiving phone
calls, or participating in the prayer network.
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- Dressing Women for Success
- Contact: Ann Pifer (304) 489-9480
Being dressed appropriately when interviewing for a job, is so important!
In order to be considered for a job, and to feel confident enough to
secure it, a person needs to present the right image. The low-income
women served by this ministry are either entering or re-entering the
workforce, and often lack the right clothes. The mission of Dressing
Women for Success is to encourage these women's efforts by providing
interview-appropriate clothing and peer support. Sponsored by Family
Crisis Intervention Center and Professional Women's Association, this
project involves members of our parish. If you'd like to donate career
clothing, make a financial contribution, or volunteer to help in this
effort, they'd love to hear from you!
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- Gardens at City Park
- Contact: Ann Kovarik (304) 485-2982
Several years ago, Mayor Jimmy Columbo started a beautification project
at Parkersburg City Park. Garden spaces in the park were "adopted" by
various groups and organizations. Father Ed Bell initiated the St. Margaret
Mary City Park Gardens, located near the City Park pavilion. The garden
is put in each year starting on "Green-up Day", which is on a Saturday,
right around Mother's Day. Natural gardening methods are used, and chemicals
are avoided, to the benefit of hummingbirds and butterflies. Local home
and garden retailers donate plants to the project, and volunteer gardeners
from the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club, Parkersburg Catholic
High School, and St. Margaret Mary youth group, and parishioners, provide
the labor. As Mother's Day approaches each year, watch the bulletin
for "Green-up Day" announcements, and join the fun!
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- Flower Ministry
- Contact: Deacon John Maher (304) 428-1262
Prior to Christmas and Easter, parish volunteers bring a plant - and
some good cheer! - to each of our shut-ins and those confined to nursing
homes. If you or a loved one should be receiving a plant and/or are
not on our Communion list call the office to be added. And if you'd
like to bring a little sunshine into others' lives, your help in delivering
plants will be most welcome!
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- Office Helpers
- Contact: Tina Reynolds (304) 428-1262
Our Parish Office could use your help if you have a few hours to spare
from time to time! Projects such as assembling parish bulletins or programs
for special events are much easier and faster with extra pairs of hands.
And it's fun being part of a team! Call the Parish Office and let someone
know your availability - your service will be valued.
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- Catholic Charities
- Contact: Val Kula (304) 424-3457x130
Catholic Community Services is the social service agency of our diocese.
A non-profit agency, its Mission is as follows: "To be of service where
there is a need, wherever there are people in pain; to work collaboratively
with others toward a just order; to convene people to discern ways to
accomplish charity and justice." This agency provides assistance through
other community service agencies which provide direct service to the
needy in our community. CCS may provide emergency assistance for utilities
and prescriptions, and may meet various other needs. Case management
as well as Medicaid waiver homemaker services may also be available
at 422-6116.
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- Vicariate Peace and Justice
- Contact: Val Kula (304) 424-3457x130
This committee is composed of representatives of various parishes in
the Vicariate (group of parishes in this geographic area). They pursue
issues which address the dignity and rights of people who are socially,
politically, or economically disadvantaged. Their activities are based
on biblical and theological foundations of Catholic social teaching,
which emphasize the Church's "option for the poor." This group meets
at 10:30 am on the third Wednesday of the month at the Dils Center,
and would be pleased to hear from you if you are interested in their
goals.
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