Outreach
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
- Matthew 25:35-36
FEED THE HUNGRY
Meal Train Ministry
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Do you enjoy cooking and baking and preparing meals for others? Do you want to support those parishioners going through challenging times with a home-cooked meal or carryout? Join our team! We are currently looking for people to help organize meal deliveries to families throughout the parish when needed. Meetings bi-monthly. If interested, or for more information, please contact Stacy Volpenhein.
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Stacy Volpenhein, 513-828-8526, mealtrainministry@saint-max.org
Lunch for the Homeless
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This ministry is a collaborative effort with several other parishes that make lunches and deliver them to the St. Theresa of Calcutta Kitchen at the St. Francis Seraph Center and the St. Francis – St. Joseph Catholic Worker Home in Over-the-Rhine. We assemble 200 bag lunches in our St. Max Kitchen every Wednesday morning 9:30 - 11:00AM.
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Chuck Ciccia, 513-708-3545, lunchforthehomeless@saint-max.org
Susan’s Garden
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The goal of this ministry is to build community by growing nutritional food for the common good of others. Anything grown in Susan’s Garden will be given to the Community Meal Center in Hamilton and Reach Out Lakota. The garden is also a catalyst to encourage the members of the parish to share extra vegetation from their personal gardens. The intention of this garden is to raise awareness of the nutritional needs of our neighbors to enhance the holistic approach of mind, body, and spirit. Volunteers are needed for: cultivating and preparing in the spring, assisting in planting and feeding in the spring & summer, weeding and helping with weekly maintenance throughout the summer, harvesting in late summer & fall, collecting food donations from others’ gardens in late summer & fall, and prepping the garden for next year’s growing season in the fall. We grow. We give. In return we receive!
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Dave Ellerbrock, communitygarden@saint-max.org or dmaellerbrock@gmail.com
THIRSTY FOR TRUTH
Clean Heart
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Resources for the struggle of freedom and purity.
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Companions on a Journey
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Companions on a Journey Grief Support, Inc. (COJ) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service organization that provides ongoing support for the bereaved – one child, one teen, one adult, one family at a time, surrounding them with HOPE, STRENGTH, and HEALING as they create their new life balance.
We believe you’re never too old or too young to benefit from the compassionate, healing support of community. We serve families, schools, businesses and organizations in the West Chester and Liberty Township area as well as throughout southwest Ohio, and virtually through our online programs. We offer a variety of monthly school and community-based support groups to meet each person wherever they are on their grief journey. Founded by Sheila Munafo-Kanoza in 1997, Companions on a Journey Grief Support, Inc. (COJ) was founded in faith, is rooted in God’s love and remains open to all. Grief does not discriminate and neither do we. All are welcome here.
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Learn more at companionsonajourney.org
Surviving Divorce
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Surviving Divorce is a twelve-week program created to bring hope and healing to those who have experienced the pain and loneliness of a broken marriage. It is for the newly separated and divorced and those still struggling with issues many years later. Developed by Rose Sweet, Surviving Divorce features experts Dr. Ray Guarendi, Ph.D., Fr. Donald Calloway, M.I.C., Fr. Steve Porter, S.T.L., Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., and Christopher West. It also includes personal testimonies of Catholic men and women who have experienced the breakdown of their families. They courageously share their stories with heart, humor, and wisdom. As they witness to their pain and the healing power of Christ in their lives, participants will laugh, cry, and identify with their journeys from heartache to healing.
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Nancy Prince, survivingdivorce@saint-max.org
Stephen Ministry
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Our clergy will always be on the front lines of any acute crisis; however, there are times when continued care is needed. Stephen Ministry extends this pastoral care and spiritual comfort. Our Stephen Ministry is a ministry of pastoral care that equips the laity to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to individuals experiencing difficulties in their lives. After 50 hours of training, a Stephen Minister meets once a week for an hour with their assigned care receiver. This is a two-fold ministry: one that not only provides care to hurting parishioners and others in our community but also empowers the laity to utilize God-given gifts, grow in faith, and continue ongoing spiritual formation and personal conversion. It is a life-changing ministry for both the care receiver and the Stephen Minister. Are you being called to serve? Come experience Christ in a new and meaningful way!
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Linda Sullivan, 513-515-3944, StephenMinistry@saint-max.org
SHELTER THE HOMELESS
CHOSEN
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CHOSEN (Church Hospitality Network) is a ministry of Serve City, a 52 bed shelter for the homeless of Butler County. St. Max parishioners supply, prepare and serve food to the guests on the third Saturday of the month from 6:00-7:00PM. This is a great way to help live out the Gospel call to love your neighbor. Would you, your family, or your ministry group like to help us?
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Paul Groh, 513-324-2937, CHOSEN@saint-max.org
Family Promise
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Family Promise is a national, non-profit organization that provides support services, meals, and shelter to homeless families in Butler County. Families are assisted based on program criteria without regard to race, color, age or faith. The program is a catalyst for families working to regain permanent housing. St. Max is a host church and will use space in the complex to provide a home setting for group dinners, recreation and social time, sleeping quarters, and three square meals for each family. St. Max will host families a week at a time, four times per year. Volunteer roles range from providing food and fellowship, sleeping in the complex as supervisors, washing bedding, and providing support items.
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Marianne Lingardo, 513-240-0747, familypromise@saint-max.org
Tender Mercies
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Tender Mercies helps homeless adults with histories of mental illness by providing resources and residency. In the St. Max outreach corner, a menu is always shared for an upcoming dinner; however, we do more than provide a meal. Volunteers are needed to help set-up and serve once a month, on the fourth Saturday, or volunteer to make food and drop off at St. Max by 3:45PM on our designated Saturday. Please consider if this is an outreach opportunity for you!
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Bridgette McGuire, tendermercies@saint-max.org
VISIT THE BOUND
Care for the Sick
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Jesus Christ is our model for the pastoral care of the sick. He healed people in every walk of life. Christ’s intent was to bring spiritual and physical healing. Thus, pastoral care is a holistic approach which promotes care to the whole person. The diversity of pastoral care can be as simple as making a visit to the sick. We bring Christ through our presence. Listening, praying, reading scripture, and simply being present to the sick delivers comfort and caring in a way that shows the community continues to be mindful of those that are ill.
Priests are given the responsibility to prepare the sick for the reception of the Sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick. Likewise, a caring ministry continues to be a responsibility of not only clergy but by all followers of Christ. All Christians are encouraged to visit the sick. In volume I, The Rites of the Catholic Church reminds us that since the sick are unable to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist with the community it is essential that pastoral visits by clergy and trained Extraordinary Ministers often include Holy Communion as a means to sacramentally unite the sick to the Lord as well as to the parish community from which their illness has separated them. The Rites of the Catholic Church also states, "For the sick the reception of communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support and concern shown by the Christian community for its members who are ill." -
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If you have a sacramental emergency that requires the immediate assistance of a priest, please call Fr. Jim at 513-777-4322 and choose option 1.
To make arrangements for reception of the Sacraments of Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Penance and/or visits to the hospitalized or seriously ill parishioners, please contact Lakmé Kodros at 777-4322, Ext. 105, lkodros@saint-max.org. Please note that if you are in the hospital, privacy regulations prohibit the hospital personnel from contacting your parish. Therefore, you or your family members should let us know directly by calling the parish office.
Prison Ministry
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Information to follow
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TBD
RASKALS
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RASKALS (Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors) is a volunteer effort to help local seniors. Twice a year, typically every spring and fall, volunteers help older adults by doing outdoor chores such as raking leaves, trimming shrubs, washing windows, and cleaning up yards.
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Lakme Kodros, 513-777-4322, ex. 105, RASKALS@saint-max.org
Nursing Home Bingo
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This family friendly activity provides fun and entertainment for the residents of Doverwood, a local nursing home. Come join us every first and third Saturday of the month. Minimal prep and clean up. Bingo is something that amuses our youth as well as our seniors so maybe your family would like to participate in this outreach ministry. Teen volunteers and families with children are always welcome!
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Transitional Living
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This organization assists adults with mental disabilities to live independently. During recovery and this transitional period, these adults learn many skills to help them become self-sufficient. In the gathering space our wreath designates what items are needed for the apartment packages; however, volunteers are always welcome to help with this important ministry. Once a month the items the parishioners bring back (we usually have enough for three apartment packs) are packed and picked up by Transitional Living for those transitioning into apartments.
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Lakme Kodros, 513-777-4322, ex. 105, impact@saint-max.org
Nursing Home Rosary
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This is a weekly ministry wherein volunteers pray a rosary with meditations for the elderly at three area nursing homes. The purpose of this ministry is to intercede for the residents and to unite their prayers to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus by providing prayer support and Christian friendship to those who are suffering, lonely and missing the opportunity for parish community and prayer. Currently, volunteers visit Birchwood, Doverwood, and Chesterwood. New volunteers of all ages are welcome!
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SUPPORT THE VULNERABLE
Prayer Shawl Ministry
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This beautiful ministry was created to pray for those in need of our Lord's healing presence. Volunteers prayerfully knit or crochet shawls for those in need of prayer. This ministry meets monthly for ideas, prayer and fellowship. If you would like a prayer shawl for someone in need, please stop by the parish office.
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Lois Latzy, 513-777-0256, prayershawl@saint-max.org
Twinning
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This ministry joins our parish with the parish of St. Patrick’s Madera, Soroti, Uganda in an active and on-going faith commitment through prayer, support and love. The purpose of this ministry is to bind our parishes together spiritually, culturally and in a mutual sharing of available resources, all in Jesus’ name. It involves each of us crossing over into the other cultural, economic, political, linguistic and religious environments.
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St. Vincent de Paul
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Every day is a "day of the poor" for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the largest lay association of charity in the Roman Catholic Church. Members of SVdP, called Vincentians, grow spiritually and develop Christian friendships by putting our faith into action when we visit those in need. Through person to person visits, food, rent and utility assistance, disaster relief, medical care, advocacy and more, the SVdP helps anyone within our parish boundaries move out of poverty to self-sufficiency.
Our faith calls us to serve the poor and the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been answering that call since 1845. Our conference of 12-14 members during this last year has served over 400 individuals, received 187 calls and made 97 home visits, while volunteering almost 1300 hours! Membership in the conference offers opportunities for spiritual growth, friendship and service.
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Laurie Johansen, 513-638-1829, svdp@saint-max.org
Respect Life
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The Respect Life Committee is a ministry of prayer, education and action in defense of life. Our mission is to foster awareness in our parish and community of the dignity and sanctity of all human life from conception until natural death. We are dedicated to observing and promoting the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church on all Pro Life and Ministry of Care Issues.
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Lakme Kodros, 513-777-4322x105, respectlife@saint-max.org
Lay the Deceased to Rest
Funeral Luncheon Ministry
Funeral Luncheon Ministry is dedicated to supporting our parishioners and their families through a critical time in their bereavement, enabling them to feel the support of their community while gathering with family and friends following their loved one’s funeral Mass. Burying the dead is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, and funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times.
Volunteers can help by either donating side food items to complement the entrée provided by the parish, or by joining other volunteers the day of the funeral to help serve the luncheon. Specific needs are communicated via email once funeral arrangements are known and volunteers are welcome to sign up as they are able.
Ministry Contacts
Mary Graf, (513) 518-3348 FuneralLuncheons@saint-max.org
Joy Hunter, (513) 236-5966
Nancy Deibig, (757) 812-5769
Outreach Commission
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.
- Matthew 25: 35-36
The Outreach Commission supports the growth of ministries at St. Max that advocate the vision of Catholic Social Teaching and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. The Outreach Commission strives to inspire the parish community to perform and spread works of charity and justice within and beyond the parish boundaries, in a spirit of respect for the dignity of all people.
Vetted Charitable Organizations
The Outreach Commission Logo
The Outreach Commission logo consists of three primary components.
The globe: As members of the Outreach Commission, we look to the St. Max community and beyond, and how our efforts impact God's larger community. Our responsibilities to God's creation do not stop at the water's edge.
The hands: The hands represent our duty to reach out to those in need regardless of their appearance or physical, emotional or spiritual state. The colors of the hands represent the diversity of the Outreach Commission, the St. Max community, and the whole of humankind. God makes no distinction to appearance. We are reminded that many hands working together are evidence of God's Kingdom in the world. It is in service to our neighbors - locally and around the world - that help to preach the Gospel daily.
The Cross: The Cross at the center of the logo reminds us that just as Christ is central in the lives of Christians and members of the St. Max parish, Christ is central in our mission and the people we seek to help. While Jesus walked the earth, he led by example and embraced those who no one else wanted to or those who were pariahs. While on the cross, Jesus himself exemplified the pariah and challenged all of us to embrace him as he had done for us.
The logo is encased in a circular, four-pane window. The flame at the top represents the Holy Spirit that directs the minds and hearts of all commissions of St. Max. The four panes represent the church building - the place from which we are sent forth to glorify God with our lives.
Members
Dale Casto, Chair
Annette Hamlin
Kathy McGill
Steve Sullivan
Phil Cottell
Lakme Kodros
Joe Sander
Emily Thobe