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THE
SAINT
VINCENT de PAUL
SOCIETY
What good is it if someone
says he has faith but does not have good works? If a sister or brother has nothing
to wear and has no food for the day and one of you says 'Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,' but you do not give that person
the necessities of the body, what good is it?' So faith, without works, is dead. Indeed
someone might say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith and
I will show the faith the underlies my works!' (James 3:14-18)
DID YOU EVER RUN OUT OF FOOD & HAVE A HELPLESS FEELING KNOWING THAT
IT WOULD BE 2 or 3 DAYS BEFORE YOU WERE PAID TO BUY MORE? Many of our parishioners respond yes, even here in
Bensonhurst. The St. Vicent DePaul Society Food Pantry assist those who
say yes.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Society Food
Pantry distributes food to all who come to our doors. All we ask
is proof of address by showing us an electric, phone or gas bill with your name and address. Additionally we inquire about
the client's circumstances or those of the family. Food is collected
at the rectory and at the doors of the church. Special holiday food drives at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter provide
families with full meals.
THE
KNITTING
AND CROCHETING MINISTRY
Many
new born babies at Kings County Hospital are born to single mothers or young parents with very limited financial resources.
Members of our parish knit or crochet baby blankets, receiving blankets and baby bonnets. Baby booties and scarves have
been requested recently. The new parents are so happy that they do not have a preference if their new child comes home
in the traditional pink or blue blankets. Many times the new mother is given a blanket to keep her warm as she
feeds her baby.
| INTERESTED IN OUR KNITTING MINISTRY? |
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| Contact Mrs. Marie Skroly on Extension 10 of the Rectory. |
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the most important & strongest
evidence of God is in the commitment to protect the oppressed & the deliverance of the needy from the injustice &
persecution they are subjected.
from The Doctrine of God
by Dr. Herman Bavinck
GIRL SCOUTS & BOY SCOUTS
OUTREACH PROJECTS
As part of their Service Component and commitment to improving
the neighborhood in which the troop functions, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are dedicated to specific services. Please
visit the Parish Societies page to learn about our troops.
Being oppressed isn't just being a bit poorer or having a rougher life than your oppressor, it means being treated
as if you're less of a human being than they are.
Alan Berkman in his article
"Race, Class and Prison."
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
The Ministry of Consolation
ARE YOU CALLED TO COMFORT THOSE WORKING THROUGH GRIEF?
Praying Through Grief and Loss Parishioners are needed to either attend each service, lead intercessions, read scriptures, or offer their time after
the service for individual prayer, brief conversation and laying on of hands. By
beginning with prayer, we hope to assist the bereaved in attaining a sense of balance between the grief of loss and the hope
of everlasting life. We ask that you consider responding to Gods call to be part
of this ministry here at St. Athanasius as it grows and evolves into a vital part of our parish community.
The Martha and Mary Monthly Bereavement Group provides
support for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. While no topics are chosen for this group, participants
initiate discussions. Parishioners are needed to be part of the Bereavement Team and function as cofacilitators to enable
healing.
Information on Bereavement: Please call the Pastoral Ministry Office on extension 44
at the rectory.
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You are the God of the lowly, the helper of the oppressed, the supporter
of the weak, the protector of the forsaken,
the
savior of those without hope.
(Judith
9:11)
THE
ADVENT GIVING TREE
At Christmas, gifts for
children & families are provided by the parish through our Advent Giving Tree, inspired by Shel Silverstein's book,
The Giving Tree.
THE
HOMELESS OUTREACH MINISTRY
St. A's serves
others by providing a hot meal for homeless men and women living under the Belt Parkway and in Coney Island. A
team of parishioners prepare and serve meals. Those willing to cook and donate meals are always needed.
Clothing is collected, especially in the colder months and during the Winter. The parish bulletin informs parishioners
are needs and where to leave donations. New underwear, cotton socks, sweat pants, thermal undershirts, long johns and blankets are
especially in need during the Winter.
THE
RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY
Why a Respect Life Ministry?
Over the years, humanity
has made terrible mistakes. People were treated as less than human, even killed because they were a different skin color,
a different faith, because they were unknown, unplanned and helpless. But over time, we are slowing learning that we are all
God's children, created in God's image. And to disregard the value of human life, whether through hate or indifference
is wrong. That all human creation regardless of race, religion, abilities or stage of human life, has an inalienable right
to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. A right to love and be loved. As Americans, let's cherish the sanctity
of human life, because we know how it feels when others treat us as less than human."
Life - we respect and protect it!
Some of our outreach projects include a Baby Shower on Mother's
Day for unwed mothers, providing new baby items for new mothers and taking up monetary collections for agencies who provide
unwed mothers with the resources to provide for their children. We do not limit ourselves to only helping mothers and
newborns.
In October, Respect Life Month, we sponsor an Expectant Parents Blessing at
a Sunday Mass.
I don' think God says, 'Go to church and pray all day and everything will be fine.' No, for me God
says, 'Go out and make the changes that need to be made, and I'll be there to help you.'
from DON'T BE AFRAID GRINGO
A Honduran Woman Speaks from the Heart
The Story of Elvia Alvarado
This icon is the work of Robert Lentz and is entitled "Christ
of Maryknoll." Released on September 11, 2002, the artist created this image becasue "we need to see Christ among the
least of us, and to serve Christ who lives in the margins of this world." Maryknoll sisters, brothers, priests and lay missionaries
work among the poor, broken and oppressed.
The Artist's Intent when creating this Icon
The icon does not make clear which side of the fence Jesus is on.
Is he imprisoned or are we? Through our cultural institutions and personal lives we all place barriers between ourselves
and true happiness. We and our institutions also try to imprison Christ in various ways.
Please visit the Maryknoll Community by clicking here. The Maryknoll Community is one of the sponsors of Tripod's Websites,
making this site possible.
Robert Lentz's icons are availble by clicking here.
MINISTRY TO THE HOMEBOUND
Many of our parishioners are unable to leave their
homes to shop, to go out for a walk, to come to Church. While some people are not called to be Eucharistic Ministers,
others may provide these parishioners with companionship. Usually the older shut-in parishioners are without family
or friends to assist them with these simple tasks.
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