MMOC continues to reach out into our community with food and loving service. There are probably more efforts than recorded here; please let me know. One of the things I’ve come to appreciate about our parish is that so many people serve faithfully in roles that are unseen.
Delivering Mobile Meals
Mobile Meals is a program that delivers meals to our brothers and sisters who, because of age or infirmity, need healthy, nutritious meals brought to their homes. We deliver meals along a prescribed route, seven days per week, about 7 or 8 weeks per year. Volunteers pick up the food at St. Francis hospital; our route covers the south side of La Crosse.
There’s been a recent change in leadership in MMOC’s participation in Mobile Meals. We thank Sue Moyle for coordinating this effort for over 20 years. In addition to training and scheduling volunteer teams of drivers, Sue and her husband Bill have delivered on days when there was no other volunteer. Their commitment has been astounding. Deepest thanks to Sue and Bill for their long faithfulness to this ministry.
Now we welcome Stefana Pretasky as coordinator of MMOC’s participation in Mobile Meals. Stefana has been a volunteer driver and now steps into the role of coordinating for MMOC.
We’re going to need more volunteer drivers to meet the MMOC commitment to Mobile Meals. Delivery works best when two volunteers team up. Watch for dates on the parish calendar, and contact Stefana or the parish office to sign up.
Tuesdays at the Catholic Charities Warming Center
MMOC has long been committed to providing food, supplies, and staff at the Catholic Charities Warming Center. Our involvement there was pioneered by our beloved friend and Deacon Richard Sage, who was also one of the founders of the Catholic Worker House in La Crosse, Place of Grace. We honor his legacy and spirit by this ministry.
We are deeply grateful that Mary Olson has accepted responsibility for carrying on our commitment to the Warming Center. Contact Mary, the parish office, or look for sign-up sheets in the entryway of our church. The responsibility is light when we share it among a few of us. Volunteers prepare food at home, then deliver it to the Warming Center, downtown on 3rd Street and Cass.
Matthew 25 in the kitchen on Thursdays
Barb Stetzer saw a need, and responded to meet it. She coordinates our Matthew 25 team that prepares meals in the MMOC kitchen at 2:00 on Thursday afternoons, then delivers them to the Warming Center. There is a warm sense of of friendship and community in our kitchen on these afternoons, chatting while we work together. (Our kitchen is a wonderful resource for serving our parish members, and also reaching out to our community.) Our Matthew 25 group is a light commitment; show up on Thursdays when you can, there will usually be plenty of people on hand. Contact Barb to get on her mailing list.
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”
Hebrews 13:2
Mary, Mother of the Church 