Our Society exists for all adults who are interested in helping the poor and also in developing their spirituality to see Christ in those we serve.
We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm in the Siena Conference Room at St. Catherine’s Church. Our society has been in existence in the parish for over 33 years, and in the past four years our membership has grown to 20 people.
Our outreach interviews families every weekend who may have electrical shut-offs, evictions and relocations. In addition, we offer emergency groceries to clients from our small food pantry. We work in conjunction with other St. Vincent Societies in the area, as well as local agencies to assist families in Kalamazoo County. In some cases we partner with St Catherine’s to help our own parishioners.
We have three large service projects during the year:
1. Every two weeks we deliver personal care items donated by our parishioners to local agencies for distribution. These agencies include Ministry with Community, Open Door Next Door, The Ark, YWCA Women’s Domestic Assault Program and the Gospel Mission.
2. Lenten-BRIDGE THE GAP is a project that collects items that are not covered by the state assistance program. Parishioners are asked to drop off paper products, personal care items such as shampoo, deodorant or soap, feminine hygiene products, dental care items, and laundry soaps.
3. Our biggest project is our Thanksgiving basket distribution. The parishioners of St Catherine’s donate food and money to purchase and fill 100 baskets for Thanksgiving dinner for families in need. Names are received from those who sign up through the Portage Outreach Center, South County Services and families that are recommended to us in our own parish. Together with our St Vincent members, our parish families sort, pack and deliver the baskets of food.