SOCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION MEETS THE 3RD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 12:00 NOON IN THE RECTORY OFFICE

Thank you for your interest in Social Services at Our Lady of Fatima Church. We offer our parishioners a number of ministry opportunities through which they can serve our parish and ultimately, Our Lord, by caring for the sheep of His flock.

Society of St. Vincent DePaul . Fatima Seniors 50+ Club . Outreach Ministry . Coffee & Doughnuts . St. Nicholas Celebration . Boy Scouts . Knights of Columbus #3470 . Catholic Daughters of the Americas : Court Our Lady of the Rosary #1613

Society of St. Vincent DePaul:
Who are we?
The Society of St. Vincent dePaul was founded in 1933 by Frederic Ozanam, a 20-year old student at the Sarbonne University in Paris. Ozanam, along with a group of fellow students, sought out the poor of Paris in their homes and provided them with bread and clothes. They offered them friendship and Christian concern. This small group chose as their pastor, French Priest Vincent dePaul, whose own ministry called the world to address social problems. Today, Our Lady of Fatima's St. Vincent dePaul Committee still visits with the poor and needy in our parish and community, bringing food, clothes and extending friendship and Christian concern. In trying to address social problems within our parish, we are called to listen and to care regardless of the situation.

What can you do?
You are invited to become a member of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul. We meet monthly to discuss our "helping" contacts and determine what kind of further action should be undertaken on a case-by-case basis. This information is kept strictly confidential among members of the Society. Members meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month for about an hour to discuss monthly activities and financial request. We have a yearly calendar with various activities for our parishioners involvement. However, times and dates can be changed so please call the office.

Activities:
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Delivery of Food Baskets
Host Friends of the Poor Meeting
Spring Coat Drive
Spring Food Drive
Host Friends of the Poor Meeting

Fatima Seniors 50+ Club:
Membership is open to anyone 50 years of age or older. Dues are $10.00 per member per year. The club meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except in November & December, these are special catered meals and the dates are to be announced. Each member is asked to bring a covered dish to serve 15. Lunch is served at 11:00 AM and bingo games start around 12:00 noon until about 1:30 PM. the club has a Board which consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

This program will start up again once our new Parish Center is completed.


Outreach Ministry:
Our Outreach Program is one of the many ministry opportunities at Fatima where Parishioners can answer the call to serve one another and Jesus. It's purpose is to do exactly what it's called. "REACHING OUT" to those in need. Whether it's saying a prayer, preparing a meal or visiting someone who is lonely. In this world where lives are broken, empty and hopeless, this program touches lives with the light of Jesus giving them a renewed spirit of love and hope. We have several sub-committees which parishioners can get involved:

1) Homebound Ministers of Communion - Ministers of Communion to the Homebound bring Holy communion to our homebound parishioners on a weekly basis. All of our homebound parishioners receive the weekly bulletin by mail, enlarged copies are available if needed.
2) Outreach Card Ministry - Members send get well and occasion cards, such as holidays and birthdays to our homebound parishioners
3) Church Van -Our church van is available to pick up parishioners who do not have transportation to Holy Mass on Saturdays during the months of September through May.
4) Outreach Meals - Members prepare a complete meal on a rotation basis for parishioners recovering form an illness or surgery. The member is asked to deliver this meal to the family.
5) Meals for Bereaved Families - Members help with a portion of a complete meal for families of our deceased parishioner for after the funeral. Once the dishes are gathered at the Rectory, a volunteer delivers it to the parishioner's home.
6) Prayer Team - Members pray daily for confidential prayer request given by our parishioners and their family members. Some members assist with calling the Prayer Team members with weekly request. Seriously ill parishioners are listed in the bulletin with their permission.
7) Project - This ministry carries out projects decided by committee members at meetings during the year. Current examples are visiting all homebound parishioners during Lent and decorating special treats for our homebound.
8) Visitations - Our volunteer sets the times for home visits with Msgr. Provost and our Associate Pastor on a weekly basis.


Calendar of Events:
Quarterly Meetings in Rectory Office


Coffee & Doughnuts:
Coffee, juice, doughnuts and fellowship are enjoyed by all after the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass. Teams are assigned to pick up doughnuts, prepare the coffee and juice on a rotation.


St. Nicholas Celebration:
Each year we celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas in December. This celebration in held in Chance Hall at Our Lady of Fatima School. The parish provides the meat, drinks and bread with the parishioners bringing a covered dish according to the first letter of their last name. There is music, entertainment, food, fun, fellowship and special appearances by St. Nicholas and Santa Claus. The children are all given goodie bags to take home.

Our Lady of Fatima Boy Scouts Troop# 446
Scouts meet on a regular basis and plan several activities such as camping and hiking trips, summer camp and their annual Mardi Gras Food booth.

*Please visit their web site

Fatima / St Mary Knights of Columbus #3470
Monthly Meetings.

Activities:
Christmas Social
Easter Egg Hunt for Children

For more information please call Roy Walker at (337) 207-0702.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas

The Catholic Daughters meet monthly in the Parish Office, plan activities such as their Annual Memorial Mass, Cake Sales, Anniversary Banquets and various activities.

Calendar of Events:
Meet every 3rd Thursday of the month in Rectory Office

Memorial Mass
Pro-Life Baby Shower
Anniversary

Contact the Director