It's never too late to give a gift in His name

By Christina Galeone | CFP Correspondent

There’s no doubt that the Christmas season is upon us. One gift that we can give Jesus is the gift of our heartfelt participation in the Corporal Works of Mercy, which Jesus calls us to perform.
Fortunately, in the Worcester Diocese, there are several ministries that offer us the opportunity to fulfill that call. Through monetary donations, goods donations and volunteer efforts, we can help feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless and much more. Here are just six local ministries that can help us help those in need during this holy season.
 
1. Catholic Charities: With its headquarters in Worcester and Central Massachusetts branch offices in Southbridge, Leominster and Milford, Catholic Charities Worcester County, www.ccworc.org,  is guided by the teachings of Jesus and the Church and the pastoral leadership of Bishop McManus. Its mission is to remain committed to meeting “the needs of the poor, the homeless and the infirm and to enhancing the quality of life for all.”
While monetary donations are needed, the ministry’s four offices also need the following items:  new or gently used winter clothing and accessories; shoes, baby clothes and shoes; coats; handbags; sheets; towels; blankets and new pillows; packaged underwear; bras; hygiene products and nonperishable food.
Maydee Morales, the Catholic Charities Area Administrator, said they currently need funds for the ministry’s “Little Bottoms Diaper Program,” which supplies families served by its main office and its three branch offices with 30 diapers and a bag of wipes each month. When people donate to Catholic Charities, she said that it helps her fulfill her life’s mission to help families who have fallen on hard times to meet their basic human needs. She said, “When I think of a mom who is struggling with the ability to provide enough diapers to change her child to avoid a diaper rash, truly, tears come to my eyes, so I am very grateful for these donations.”        

2. Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope: The Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope is a Worcester-based Catholic social action ministry that provides people with inexpensive clothing and items through its Little Store, Just New store and its Ebay shop. It also runs an extensive Christmas giving program that serves about 3,000 or more local children each year with help from many parishes. Additionally, it runs a food pantry (through the Little Store) and a vocational educational program for immigrants and refugees.
Its thrift shops accept donations of clothing, shoes, books, household items and more. The ministry is also in need of toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, used shopping bags, computer equipment and redeemable bottles and cans. Additionally, the ministry co-founder, Deacon Walter Doyle, recently made a plea on the ministry’s website, www.urbanmissionaries.com, for funds for its Christmas giving program.  
 
3. Youville House: As a Worcester-based Catholic Charities ministry, Youville House, www.ccworc.org/donations/make-a-donation/, is a shelter that serves homeless Massachusetts families. While monetary donations are needed, the ministry also needs the following items:  new or gently used baby clothes and shoes; infant items; new infant and toddler car seats; twin sheets; towels; twin blankets; twin comforters and new pillows; hygiene products; dry erase boards with markers; picture frames and bus passes.
Gail Flynn, the shelter’s administrator, said, “When people donate funds or goods to Catholic Charities’ Youville House, it means that we can take a little bit of the burden off of the families by providing necessities to the parents and children, and they will have one less thing to worry about while trying to keep their family stable.”
 
4. St. John’s Food for the Poor: St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, www.stjohnsfoodforthepoor.org, at the St. Francis Xavier Center in Worcester is a nonprofit that serves 700 hot, nutritious meals a day, five days a week. It also offers job-matching assistance, a food pantry and a free medical clinic.
While monetary donations are needed, the ministry also needs the following items: grocery store gift cards; baked beans; cereal; cheese; Chef Boyardee; chicken; coffee; eggs; fruit (canned); iced tea mix; jelly; ketchup, mac n’ cheese; pancake mix; parmesan cheese; peanut butter; pepper; potatoes (boxed mashed); rice; salt; seasonings; spaghetti sauce; soup; sugar; syrup; tuna fish; vegetables (canned); paper products; cleaning supplies, trash bags and home improvement and office supply gift cards.

5. John 21 Community Breakfast at St. Patrick’s Church in Whitinsville: The church ministry, www.mystpatricks.com/john-21-breakfast, provides a nutritious breakfast every Saturday morning. While monetary donations are needed the most, the ministry, which serves people in need to answer the call of Jesus in John 21, also needs donations of coffee.
Shelly Mombourquette, the ministry coordinator, said she has seen the ministry bless the lives of many. She has seen a young man ask for three servings of breakfast, because he hadn’t eaten in three days. She has seen the ministry serve homeless people who have said that they were grateful to have the breakfast to look forward to. And she has seen a small child become overjoyed because she could eat grapes at the breakfast.
“Many of the clients do not have the funds to purchase fresh vegetables, especially tomatoes,” she said. “Fortunately, the John 21 community garden was able to provide this staple, as well as other seasonal vegetables. Folks were even observed exchanging recipes; donations also help to sustain the community garden!”

6. Haitian Apostolate: The Worcester Diocesan Haitian Apostolate ministry, www.worcesterdiocese.org/haitian-apostolate-1, serves impoverished parishes, children and adults in Haiti through its parish twinning program, its Adopt-a-Student program and through prayers, donations and love for them.
Sister Marie-Judith Dupuy, SSA, is the director. She said the ministry is preparing to go to Haiti to throw its annual Christmas parties – one on Christmas Eve for half of the 849 children in the education program, and one on Christmas Day for the other half. She said the joyful parties briefly help take their minds off their troubles.  
Currently, the ministry needs money to buy children a pair of shoes (which cost $25 each in Haiti) for Christmas. For most of the children, it’s the only new pair of shoes they’ll receive this year, and receiving donations for them brings overwhelming joy to Sister Marie-Judith.
“When you are reaching out to these poor children, you are reaching out to the Lord,” said Sister Marie-Judith, who added that it’s like “giving a gift to Jesus.” She further noted, “It means a lot to me.  It’s usually from people who are struggling … from people who are giving from the heart.”          

7. Pernet Family Health Service: Officially founded in 1968 by the Little Sisters of the Assumption, Pernet Family Health Service, www.pernetfamilyhealth.org, serves families in Central Massachusetts. Located in Worcester, the nonprofit’s mission is to support the “physical, social, psychological and spiritual development of individuals and families by providing home-based health and social services that lead to long-term strengthening and enhancement of family and community life.”
While monetary donations are needed, the nonprofit’s greatest needs, currently, are infant formula, infant diapers sizes 3, 4 and 5, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent and general baby supplies. Grocery store gift cards, nonperishable food and baby clothes are also needed.
Sheilah Dooley, the nonprofit’s executive director, said that families are so appreciative of the assistance they receive, they frequently return gently used items, like high chairs, to the agency, so that they can help other families.
“The appreciation shown for day-to-day necessities is heartwarming to see,” she said.

While the fast pace of the holiday season can be exciting, it’s important to remember where the love and light of the season emanate from. And as we search for meaningful gifts for our loved ones, how can we forget to do the same for our Loved One Who has given us the greatest gift of all?