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Outreach Ministries
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| OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Bereavement Ministry: This group provides guidance and support at the time of serious illness and death. The Bereavement Ministry provides this by visiting homes and hospitals and providing resources for home care, etc. The members strive to be open to the feelings and experiences shared and to be a source of compassion and support in the grief process. They work and serve together for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the bereaved. It plans with the family the wake/funeral services, attends the services, and offers hospitality food service for receptions after a funeral, which includes the cooking, serving, and clean-up of the reception.. It sends follow-up letters and cards, makes telephone calls, plans the special celebration for the All Souls Day liturgy and reception in November, a pot luck dinner in December, and offers a Bereavement Support Group. Volunteers offer their services for many of these needs, which are coordinated and trained by the Director of Pastoral Services of St. Justin Martyr Parish. For information, call the Pastoral Services Office at 714-774-2595. Bereavement Support Group: Several times each year, the parish offers a series of six meetings of the Bereavement Support Group. This group provides a loving place where people can come and express their grief experience in a confidential, caring, and prayerful manner in order to gain hope and strength from one another. For information, call the Pastoral Services Office at 714-774-2595. Caring Companions of St. Justin's Sewing Group: Every Monday the Caring Companions group meets to sew, crochet, and knit items for nursing homes, veteran's hospitals, children's homes, and abused children and mothers. They also make quilts and other household items to sell at a bi-annual quilt sale at the parish. The group uses donated sewing machines and materials. Some of the profits from their sales go toward a scholarship for a graduating 8th grader from St. Justin Martyr School. Cenacle: The Cenacle is the place of the Last Supper where the Holy Spirit came down upon the apostles. Every Sunday afternoon under the lunch shelter, the St. Justin's Cenacle group serves hot meals to those in need. The Cenacle is made up of four teams of 8-10 people who prepare and serve the food. The Cenacle is funded through the St. Vincent de Paul Society and through donations. The group also comes together several times a year to meet in prayer, guidance, and thanksgiving for their continued service to all of those in need. The Cenacle demonstrates that feeding the hungry is following the teachings of Jesus, who said, "When I was hungry you gave me to eat." Knights of Columbus: The Knights of Columbus are Catholic men who promote charity, fraternalism, family, and patriotism. They strive to aid and assist the sick, disabled, and needy members and the families. The Knights promote social, intellectual, educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief, and public relief opportunities. They meet twice a month at St. Justin's, and offer their services for many parish projects, fund-raisers, and special needs. They staff the coffee and donut table one Sunday a month after the Masses. http://quicksitemaker.com/members/kc5042/ Peace and Social Justice: The Deanery 3 Peace and Social Justice Group consists of representatives from our parish and the other neighboring parishes in Deanery 3 (Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Anthony Claret, St. Boniface, St. Juliana, St. Mary, St. Philip Benizi, St. Pius V, and St. Thomas Korean Center). This group is part of the Diocesan-wide organization that coordinates and "jump starts" local and national activities for Peace and Social Justice, such as voter registration, a faithful citizenship program, the Just Faith program, and information on Catholic social teachings. Pro-Life: Pro-Life strives to help mothers-to-be and their babies in every possible way. Pro-Life supporters pray that God will turn the hearts of those seeking or involved with abortion. They offer encouragement to those who are already Pro-Life, and information to those who are not. They participate in Pro-Life walks and prayer meetings, and distribute Pro-Life information. They sell roses after the Masses each Mother's Day, and sponsor the annual "Pennies from Heaven" drive, the profits from which benefit the local Pro-Life centers. They strive to spread Christ's message that all human life is precious and loved by God, from the moment of conception until natural death. St. Joseph's Table Committee: The committee plans and coordinates an annual St. Joseph's Table in March, near St. Joseph's feast day. The St. Joseph's table features donated foods, craft items, fresh fruits, and gift items. Profits from the sales provide financial support to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Justin Martyr Parish. St. Vincent de Paul Society: The SVDP helps the poor and needy by supplying food and other necessities to those who live within the parish boundaries, and to aid them in emergencies. SVDP volunteers package and distribute bags of food to families every Wednesday evening. They have special food collections to help fill their supply of holiday food bags for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The SVDP volunteers staff the coffee and donut table two Sundays a month after the Masses. The generosity of our parishioners and benefactors enables SVDP to purchase and pick up food each month from the SVDP Food Distribution Center in the city of Orange. Food and monetary donations are accepted throughout the year. For information call 714-284-0405 (St. Justin's) or 714-547-5568 http://www.svdpoc.org. Seriously Ill Support Group: This group offers spiritual, emotional, and prayerful help and support for parishioners with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and many others. It is open to those who are ill as well as their family members and caregivers. This is offered through our Pastoral Services Office, which in turn reaches out to the parish community for their prayers and support. For information call 714-774-2595. |