All Saints Outreach News
February 2022
January
Food Bank
Neighbors served - 248
Households served - 113
Backpack Program
Children served - 628
Thank you to All Saints Catholic School! During Catholic Schools Week, families donated almost 90 pounds of food to support our food bank families.
Volunteers Needed!!
Communities In Schools has a volunteer opportunity coming up. It will take place on Friday, March 4th from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the Fred Meyer on River Road. Volunteers do not need to be vaccinated or go through a background check, but will be required to wear masks, as the event takes place inside Fred Meyer. It involves packing food into bags that will then be sold at Fred Meyer to benefit the weekend backpack program. Interested parties can sign up here.
Friday, Mar 4, 2022, 07:30 AM
Fred Meyer, 1100 North Meridian, Puyallup, WA, USA
Family Service Day
Saturday, Mar 19, 2022, 10:00 AM
All Saints Parish Center, 3rd Street Southwest, Puyallup, WA, USA
January
Rent assistance: 12 households served
Utility assistance: 6 households served
Model of Mercy
Blessed Sebastian of Aparicio
Grow in Faith
Invitation to Participate
This month, I had the opportunity to participate in a synod gathering. As you may know, Pope Francis has called us to reflect on how the actions of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, in our souls, and in our lives, is animating us to create the Church of the future.
What did it involve? It was a small gathering that was centered in prayer. Each person had time to share reflections on quotes from Pope Francis and scripture. It was beautiful to hear how others were experiencing their faith during this difficult time. After each sharing, there was time for silent reflection. Even as an introvert, I found it enjoyable (!).
We would love to have you join one of the upcoming sessions. This is also an opportunity to hear from those who may not be participating in parish life at this time. If this is someone you know, invite them to come as well.
You can sign up using the link or by calling the parish office.
Let us know if you have any questions! If you would prefer a virtual option, we can make that happen.
Ministry Spotlight: PREPARES
All Saints parishioner Rebecca Lowe offers this reflection on being a PREPARES companion.
"It is really hard to be a new mother. It is overwhelming how much time and effort and money a new baby requires. Add in COVID and health problems, lost jobs, and isolation from family and friends and it’s harder than ever. The families I have met and worked with are all good people in an impossible situation.
I am an elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom and I have everything I need to care for my family. But occasionally I am out and realize we didn’t bring enough diapers and find myself rationing the few I have left and wonder how long they can last. Or we run out of baby formula and I need to rush to the store to buy more before the baby’s next feeding. If my husband lost his job, we would not have the luxury of those options.
I joined PREPARES because I wanted to help other mothers. This was a real way that I could help in just a few hours a month. Handing someone a bag of diapers and seeing the relief on their face makes me feel so good. I can provide a sympathetic ear and a world of resources to make a hard time a little easier for these families. I am honored to be a part of PREPARES and see how a little can go a very long way."
Outreach Ministry Updates
We are comprised of members from All Saints, Holy Disciples, and St. Leo's. Each month we gather virtually to discuss our monthly advocacy action. We are also gearing up for April visits with our US Representatives and Senators. This past year we encouraged our lawmakers to fund poverty-reducing international aid at the highest possible levels. This coming year, we will focus on climate change. Join us on March 4 for a CRS social justice Stations of the Cross.
Our One Parish, One Prisoner ministry launched last spring. After a short correspondence with someone who was incarcerated in Eastern Washington, we lost contact after his release. Our team members continued their formation by taking the Prison Ministry 101 course offered by the Archdiocese. As we discern next steps, we would love to add more members to the team. Join us on March 23 at 7 pm for a virtual information session.
Currently we have one trained PREPARES companion (see Rebecca's reflection above). She is matched with a family and checks in with them periodically to offer emotional support. We would love to train more companions and grow our team!
If interested in any of these ministries that truly impact lives on the margins, please contact Morningstar in the parish office.
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
Global Solidarity
How to Help Ukraine
Five years ago, husband and wife Raúl Chanchavac and Lilian Tzún were trained in gardening techniques and received seed funds to start an agribusiness through Catholic Relief Services (CRS) projects. Today they supply their produce to 16 schools and are able to hire around 15 people during harvest time.
Be sure to pick up your CRS Rice Bowl starting on Ash Wednesday and continue to grow in faith with these inspiring stories from around the world!
Photo by Erick Josue Hernandez for Catholic Relief Services
All Saints Community Services
Email: morningstars@allsaintsparish.com
Website: https://allsaintsparish.com/outreach
Location: 204 6th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA, USA
Phone: 253-848-2000
