Social Concerns
The fundamental objective of this commission is to inform and involve each parishioner in service to one another and to the larger communities of city, state, nation and world.
A listening ministry in which trained Befrienders make one on one visits with those going through rough times in their life. Those facing death, illness, a move, a new baby, a separation or
divorce, spiritual troubles, a job crisis, life transitions, families with disabilities, and more.
Contact Pat Ranazzi at 365-2786 or Jayne Cotton at 363-8225 if you would like to be considered for a Befriender volunteer position.
Blood Drives are held annually. Please watch for further updates. Contact Sr. Roberta Hefferan, O.P. at 454-9942 for more information.
Catherine's Care Center is open by appointment only, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. to noon on Friday. Please enter on the Leonard side of St. Alphonsus Church basement at the blue doors. Any questions can be answered during these hours by calling 336-8800 or by visiting the Center's website www.catherinescare.com.
GRACE (Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism): Be a liaison with our parish and the GRACE office;
could involve about eight meetings per year on Monday evenings. The phone
number for GRACE is 774-2042.
Visitor Exchange: Be a visitor to a neighboring church on Visitor Exchange Sunday, held in January during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
The Food and clothing center enables us to reach out to people in desperate need of help, especially the hungry. The center is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are scheduled once a month or as often as one wished to help.
To effectively minister this year-round program, we depend on volunteers to donate time and energy once or twice a month. In-service training and on-going support is available. Men and women, high school and college students have helped to make this a successful ministry. To learn more or to become involved call 451-4230.
Food: Serves individuals and families in northeast Grand Rapids in cooperation with ACCESS (All County Churches Emergency Support System) Thanksgiving hot meals delivered. Christmas food baskets distributed.
Clothing: Free distribution to families in northeast Grand Rapids. Donations of new or gently used clothing accepted in season.
Miscellaneous: Hygiene needs and laundry supplies. Baby formula and diapers.
Can provide: information and referrals to other appropriate resources in the city.
Volunteers: To effectively minister this year-round program, we depend on volunteers to donate time and energy once or twice a month. In-service training and on-going support is available. Men and women, high school and college students have helped to make this a successful ministry. To learn more or to become involved call 451-4230.
Donation Policy: SAFCC gratefully accepts your time, donations, monetary and prayerful support. We ask that any donated food be unopened and that clothing be clean and in season.
History: St. Alphonsus Food and Clothing Center opened in 1973 in a storefront at Leonard and College NE. The center moved twice to locations in parish buildings. Since 1992 it has occupied its present barrier-free quarters in the lower level of Carrier Crest Apartments.
Its clientele has increased steadily. Now in an average month, it provides food for three days to between 700 and 900 people. Some food comes by direct donation as well as surplus commodities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most, however, is purchased at .12 a pound from Second Harvest Gleaners and at discounted prices from local grocery stores. Money for these purchases is contributed by parishioners.
Generous contributions of clothing are distributed on a regular basis.
Sister Roberta Hefferan, O.P. has been the director for 14 years.
Funeral Luncheons will be prepared and served in our social hall by volunteer parishioners. Upon the death of a parishioner, the family may make arrangements through the Rectory. This ministry needs people who can prepare food and volunteers to help serve the luncheon. Contact Ginny Moroski at 451-4901 for more information on joining this ministry.
Home Helpers provide one meal a month for a parish family in time of need. Contact Kathy Schwartz at 459-4728 for more information.
Volunteers through Meals on Wheels deliver meals once or twice monthly.
This ministry is one that cares for the sick and elderly of the parish in the presence of prayer and sacrament. Pastoral care ministers are available for home or hospital visits; to bring communion to the sick or home-bound in unity with the assembly; or to be a companion who can listen with compassion. Contact Bro. Andy Patin at 913-4413 for more information.
Contact or write to legislators when abortion legislation is in Congress.
Access (All County Churches Emergency Support System): Be a liaison with our parish and the ACCESS office; would involve six or seven meetings a year.
Grace Hunger Walk: In the spring, work on this fund raiser.
Please called either Sr. Roberta Hefferan, O.P. at 454-9942 or Mechele Duba at 364-8050.
The Respect Life Ministry has a singular theme: respect for human life, the choice of life. It is our hope that this ministry's peaceful and prayerful pro-life activities will lead to clearer understanding of the issues, to a firm conviction, to commitment, and ultimately to action.
We need your help from time to time in the following areas: stuffing bulletins with literature, researching special projects on life-issues, helping fund raise, making telephone calls, helping with advertising and helping to set-up after special events.
Contact Fran Walker at 365-9697.
Volunteers drive parishioners to and from Mass or special events.