Holy Cross Catholic Church

This commission ministers to many needs in the parish and community. Some of the activities include feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and homebound, providing assistance to those in need and addressing critical social issues by working for systemic change.

THE OUTREACH COMMISSION SPONSORS THE FOLLOWING:

BAKE SALE

A Bake Sale is held twice a year to provide funds for the Emergency Assistance programs through our St. Vincent DePaul Society or North Area Cares (Catholic Charities).

FOOD BANK

Holy Cross conducts an ongoing collection of food for the Thornton Food Bank, which provides emergency food to those in need. Special offertory days are the third Sunday of the month.

BLOOD BANK

Two drives for donations are held each year: one in the spring and one in the fall. Announcements will be made in the parish bulletin.

EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

This program works with women released from jail or prison or homeless from the street. It provides assistance in many ways to help them adjust to life again. The parish provides hygiene kits once a year with items donated from parishioners.

JESSE TREE GIFTS

During Advent gifts are collected to be distributed at the local Nursing Home residents and to help brighten Christmas for children.

FUNERAL DINNERS

When a death occurs in a parish family, a lunch is provided in Ave Maria Hall after the funeral if this service is requested. If you are interested in providing a dish for a funeral dinner please call the parish office.

MINISTERS OF CARE

Patients at North Suburban Hospital and residents of Alpine Nursing Home and Kraft Home are visited by Ministers of Care and the Eucharist is taken to them. The Eucharist is also taken to those who are homebound. This is a very personal ministry, and compassion and a listening ear are essential for Ministers of Care.

RESPECT LIFE

Respect Life promotes respect for all human life from the moment of conception until a natural death. The committee works as a link with the Archdiocese Respect Life Office in promoting a wide range of life issues through education, outreach, information, public awareness and policy formulation, and prayer. We meet the third Thursday of the month. On the third Sunday each month a Rosary is prayed in the church following the last Mass. For more information call Sandra Doyscher at 303-288-5718.

LEGISLATIVE NETWORK

This group receives guidance from Catholic Charities, the Archdiocesan Legislative Network, the Colorado Catholic Conference and NETWORK (The National Catholic Social Justice Lobby). They study bills and call legislators urging a YES or NO vote on issues of social justice as well as work at effecting change and awareness through education. Everyone is welcome to join the group at any time.

STEPHENS MINISTRY

Stephens Ministry is a one-on-one presence to people in special need times of their lives. Persons in grief, facing life changes, moving, starting or ending a job are a few of those who can use this special healing ministry of our parish.

Persons interested in arranging for a Stephen Minister or become one are asked to call the parish office.

GRIEF SUPPORT

On going support for persons who are experiencing grief is available through private one to one support. Periodic memorial services and educational sessions are planned to support those who have lost loved ones. We meet the fourth Monday of the month.

VINCENT de PAUL SOCIETY

Years ago the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded by people who cared about the problems of those around them, by people whose concern galvanized them into ACTION. We still care and invite you to care with us. Outreach includes:

• Visitation/assistance to the elderly, sick and disabled
• Person to person assistance through home visitation to individuals and families
• Special services through thrift stores, food pantries, dining halls, housing and shelters
• Collaboration with other agencies/organizations
• Visitation and assistance to the institutionalized and incarcerated
• Job assistance programs

Contact the parish office for more information.

GROWING HOME (Formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network)

Four times a year Holy Cross hosts homeless families (these families all have children). The families live here at Holy Cross for one week. They arrive each day at 5:30 P.M. and leave the next morning at 7:00 A.M. We provede shelter, breakfast, lunch, dinner, hospitality and safety for them. Many volunteers help with this program. Contact the office to offer your help.

FOOD BANK OF THORNTON

Holy Cross participates in a cooperative effort in running a food bank located at the Thornton Methodist Church. We conduct an ongoing collection of food for the bank and volunteers for distribution. The food bank provides emergency food to those in need.

PHILIPPINE SISTER PARISH

Several years ago Holy Cross became a sister parish with a parish in the Philippines. We have organized a scholarship program to help students in our sister parish go to college. Also, we send clothing, bedding, stuffed animals, etc. to our sister parish. In return we are blessed in many ways through their sharing faith and culture with us.

COMMUNITIES OF FAITH UNITED (COFU)