Missions
Reaching Out
Our mission is to love and serve those in our community and around the world.
The focus of the Missions ministry is reaching out to others in the community and the world who are in need.
It might be as simple as sending a note of encouragement as part of our Be A Blessing Ministry, or, it can be as involved as assisting those in need in our Unsheltered Ministry.
If you have a heart to serve others in the world, this is the ministry for you.
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Acts 20:35
BAGS FOR THE TAKING
After the event, please take a blessing bag (or two or three!) after Mass on Sunday. The bags will be labeled Male/Female/General.
When you see a person in need, please bless them by giving them the whole bag. Each bag is filled with miscellaneous items and necessities. Please encourage the unsheltered to come to the church for more if they need them.
NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS
This is an on-going ministry.
As we prepare for the event, we will be gathering donations for the blessing bags so we can continue to bless the unsheltered community.
What is a Blessing Bag? What do we do with them?
Blessing Bags are simple ziplock bags that contain items for people who are unsheltered. The items are typical items that are used on a day-to-day basis (socks, deodorant, toothbrushes, etc.). People from the church are encouraged to keep a few blessing bags in their car or home to distribute to unsheltered people who they may come across in their day-to-day lives.
What goes in a Blessing Bag?
Blessing bags may contain general hygiene items, dry socks, and easy-to-open non-perishable snacks that do not need to be cooked or prepared.
How can I help?
You may donate new and unused items to the church to be included in the blessing bags.
You may come to the Bless the Blessing Bag event on Sunday, November 7 to help pack the blessing bags.
You may take a few blessing bags for your car or home to have for people in need just in case the time comes.
What do you have and what do you need more of?
We definitely need to replenish the stock!
Most of the donations that were received for the February event have been donated to people in need.
We are in need of Jumbo & Gallon-Size Ziplock Bags, Socks, Toothbrushes, General Hygiene Products, Snacks and MUCH MORE! Check the list below for more ideas.
Can I donate food?
Yes.
Food that is non-perishable, individually packaged, and easy to open is preferred and will be included in the Blessing Bags (as long as they fit in the bag).
Food that needs to be cooked (pastas, canned vegetables, etc.) is donated to the church, parishioners, and local people who are in need.
Can I donate clothing?
We are not receiving coats or general clothing items.
Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Socks:
These are items that will be included in the Blessing Bags if they are new and unused with the original tags.
What if I need more than 1 Blessing Bag?
We encourage you to take what you need!
If you need more, then take more.
The Blessing Bags are meant to be exactly that… a Blessing!
I have some ideas on some other ways to help. What do I do? Who do I contact?
That’s wonderful! We would love to hear from you, and we always appreciate new ideas!
Contact Dolores Francini today!
Call 201-838-4766 for more information
IDEAS FOR BLESSING BAG DONATIONS
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Chapstick
Deoderant
Travel-Size Shampoo
Travel-Size Conditioner
Baby Wipes
Washcloths
Hand Sanitizer
Individually Wrapped Face Masks
Hair Brush / Comb
Feminine Hygiene Products
Tissues
TRAVEL-SIZE FIRST AID ITEMS
Travel-Size First Aid Kits
Band-Aids
WARMTH
Socks – New
Gloves – New
Hats – New
Scarves – New
Hand Warmers
Foot Warmers
Due to COVID-19, all items to be worn must be new with original tags.
EASY-TO-OPEN /
NON-PERISHABLE SNACKS
Fruit
Applesauce
Fruit Cups
Granola Bars
Fruit Snacks
Trail Mix
Seeds
Pop-Tarts
Pre-Made Microwavable Soups with Easy-Open Lids
PACKAGING
JUMBO-Size Ziplock Bags
The Gallon-Size was too small to fit everything we want to add.
2021 Blessing Bags Packing Event
WOW... 248 bags for women and men were Blessed on Sunday Nov. 7th by Fr. Mark at the Blessing Bag Event! We were fortunate to have 10 members of CTK assist in the packing of the bags. The bags will be donated to The Family of New Paltz, the Bridges of Newburgh and...
Blessing Bags for the Unsheltered
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’Acts 20:35 Blessing Bags for the Unsheltered The church will be putting...
Dolores Francini
Blessing Bags Missions Ministry