Social Ministry

Men’s Spirituality Group 

A group of men from various area churches meet on the second Saturday of the month from 8:00am to 10:00am. We begin with breakfast at 8:00 o’clock and discussion at 8:30am. We discuss spiritual issues from the male perspective.  Topical issues for discussion are: the changing landscape of the Roman Catholic Church, maintaining a balance between work and family, and how God speaks to us in our everyday life. New members are always welcome. For additional information, please contact Deacon Nick Valvo  at nvalvo1@roadrunner.com.

Community Building

An important priority for our parish is building a sense of community among our parishioners. We offer several opportunities for our parishioners to gather in an informal way and enjoy each others’ company. Some of these opportunities are: 

• Mother’s Day Breakfast      May 9, 2010

• Father’s Day Breakfast       June 20, 2010

• A Wine Tasting Event         January 2010

• Coffee Hour after Mass      @ Saint Ann's - 1st Sunday of the month
                                                 @ Sacred Heart after 10:30am Mass - 3rd Sunday of the month

• Parish Picnic                        September 2010 @ Owasco Fire House - 3pm until ?

Migrant Farm Workers 

Our parish has a long-standing commitment supporting the migrant farm workers who arrive at Kings Ferry for the annual July and August harvest. Our parish has been directly involved with collecting and distributing clothing, bedding, toilet supplies, household items, and food to the migrant workers. Parishioners also provide:

• Classes in English as a Second Language

• Health and Beauty classes for women

• Scripture Study Classes

• Preparing and serving the welcome meal for the migrant workers

• Setting up and taking down the sun shelters

• General maintenance projects

Please contact Debbie Cornall (253-6206) or Debbie Patrick (Good Shepherd Catholic Community (364-7197) for additional information.

Blood Drive

The third Saturday of every month, from 7:30am-12:30pm, is set aside for our Red Cross Blood Drive, which takes place in our Parish Hall. A number of parishioners organize, recruit blood donors, and provide support to the American Red Cross in their efforts to maintain the community’s blood bank. Please call Maxine Alberici (252-6023) for information on becoming a blood drive volunteer and/ or donor.

ARC Bingo

Our parish offers our Parish Hall for social activities to agencies that meet the needs of the developmentally disabled in Auburn. They decided to use this space to provide recreational BINGO. Parish volunteers host this activity and provide hospitality and a welcoming environment for those who come. If you or your family are interested in helping with this activity, please contact Maria Fleischman (253-0202).

Parish Sharing Committee

Our parish tithes 3.0% of its income to organizations locally, nationally and internationally that provide services to those in need. A committee of parishioners reviews the recommendations submitted by our parish community and makes recommendations to the Pastoral Council for the distribution of funds.

Parish Outreach

Parishioners provide these services:

• A ride to church

  • Contact Deacon Nick Valvo at 252-7271 x204 for assistance, additional information, or to volunteer your services.

• Hospitality at our Parish Hall for a family after a funeral.

  • Contact Laila Cuddy at 253-9489 or Barbara Avino at 252-7089 for assistance, additional information, or to volunteer your services.

• A meal for families or individuals in need.

  • Contact Maxine Alberici at 252-6023 or Pat Gucciardi at 252-8259 for assistance, additional information, or to volunteer your services.

• Prayer chain- A network of persons praying for individuals and parish intentions.

  • Contact Anna Flanigan at 252-3196 for assistance, additional information, or to volunteer your services.

• Contribution to St. Alphonsus Food Pantry

  • Parishioners are invited to bring canned food items to Mass. These food items are collected and delivered to St. Alphonsus food pantry. One of our parishioners put this challenge to all of us..."if we brought one food item each time we came to church...we can make a difference

Public Policy Sunday . . . February 13-14, 2010
      This year the Diocese focus will be on "Immigration and the Farmworker."
      The exclusion of farmworkers fro many of the labor laws that protect workers - overtime pay, a day of rest,
      employer contributions to the unemployment and worker's compensation funds, and public health
      protections including sanitation and housing standards - makes it even more challenging for farmers to find
      resident farm laborers. Farmworkers make significant contributions to the well-being and wealth of New
      York State and should be afforded the same rights, protections and benefits that other workers receive.

PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY REGIONAL TRAINING
         October 9-10, 2009 @ Camp Stella Maris
The theme for the conference is "In Jesus' Footsteps: Parish Social Ministry"
If you are interested in attending, please contact Sister Chris. The Parish will cover the cost of the workshop...I ask that you commit to working on one of the Social Ministry Projects for the next year.

Educational Priorities
Life Issues: Losing the Right to Choose
Prodical Sons and Daughters: Returning home from Incarceration

*As information about educational sessions are available, they will be added to this website.