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Statue of St. Patrick in the Church

St. Patrick's R.C. Church

Parish Outreach In-depth

"Then the righteous will answer him and say, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You or thirsty and give You drink?  When did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You?  When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?  And the King will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least brothers of Mine, you did for Me."

(Matthew 25:37-40)
Outreach Ministry Logo

 

St Patrick's of Smithtown

Parish Outreach In-depth

(Taken from the 2002

St. Patrick's 50th Anniversary Journal)

 

Parish Outreach In-depth

Perhaps the parish organization that best exemplifies these words of Jesus is Parish Outreach.  Today, the outreach program is a multi-faceted one that provides support and service to those in need.  Those involved with the program strive to minister compassionately, with sensitivity and confidentiality; hopefully treating each person with the dignity that is entitled to each of us by our Lord Jesus Christ.  The needs may be financial, sustenance, support, or advocacy.  By reaching out with compassion and prayer, recipients realize that Jesus loves them and is always watching over them, whatever, the need.

Parish Outreach was officially started in the early 1980s, but the spirit of Outreach has always been a quality of our parish.  Dedicated groups such as Our Daily Bread, the Legion of mary, the Rosary Altar Society, and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas laid the foundation of service that would become Parish Outreach.

In 1983, St. Patrick's pastor, Father John Mott, acted on what he had heard about Parish Outreach from the Diocese.  He asked Fran Blagar to coordinate some of the programs she had initiated in the parish as a volunteer (Meals on Wheels, holiday baskets, nursing home and shut-in visits, etc.) with the diocesan program.  Assessments were done and needs were determined through meetings with the Hospital Administrator, Town Supervisor, and Seniour Citizen Administrator.  Then Father Mott, Fran Blagar and John Gilmartin from Catholic Charities entered into a partnership contract.  After Fran completed a one-year internship with Catholic Charities, St. Patrcik Parish Outreach was formed.

The first office was a small room in the rectory with a coordinator, a part-time secretary and ten volunteers.  Today, Parish Outreach occupies the lower level of the rectory and is staffed by Fran Blagar (director), Dianne Williams (full-time secretary), Regina Aldahondo (part-time secretary), 18 core workers, and 293 auxiliary volunteers.  Parish Outreah hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with emergency provisions in place when the office is closed.

Many have been helped through the work of this ministry.  Foreclosures, evictions, and LIPA shut-offs have been prevented, and food, jobs, and holiday gifts have been provided - all in an effort to help parishioners in need to re-establish their lives.

Parish Outreach provides assistance in three different ways - through Direct Service (distribution of food, shelter, clothes, furniture, financial assistance, and special services), through Convening (support groups such as Bereavement, Divorced and Separated, Parents Who have Lost a Child, Rainbows, LifeNet, Ministry of Consolation, and Ministry of Prayer), and through Advocacy (speaking out for the vulnerable in our society in an effort to move beyond charity to justice).

While it might seem that the work done by Parish Outreach involves only sacrifice and giving, those involved say the opposite is true.

"After retirement, I was looking for a way to give something back to our community which had been our support system for so many years.  I was approached by Fran (I guess the Lord was working through her) to become a Core Worker at Outreach," said parishioner Agatha Monteleone.  "Working at Outreach has given me back much more that I feel I give in many ways: A greater understanding of human suffering, an awe of how people cope with life's problems with courage and dignity, an appreciatino of the importance of being a good listener,  an awareness of how many people are in great need for human contact, opportunity to help in my small, simple way.  In addition, where else, thanks to Outreach's devoted and sensitive staff can one say that work with angels?"

Core Worker Florinda Minutoli has a similar perception.  "I find it to be a very humbling experience.  Assisting people in their needs and problems has made me more aware, more compassionate, and more loving.  I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve them," she said.

Parish Outreach seeks to help those in need by alleviating suffering so that the individual and family can grow in an affirming atmosphere.  Its mission is to build a truly compassinate Christian community as the Body of Christ.  Whether a parishioner desires to give or feels the need to recieve, Parish Outreach provides an opportunity to do the Will of the Father.

St. Patrick R.C. Church
280 East Main Street
Smithtown, NY 11787

Mass Times

Today's Mass Readings
Weekdays:
6:45am, 9:00am, 12:10pm
Saturday:
9:00am, 5:00pm, 8:00pm
Sunday:
7:30am, 9:00am,
10:30am, 12:00pm
5:00pm
Main Rectory Phone #: 631-265-2271
Jesus with the little children
Updated information on the schedule for times & events for your child's class.  And a complete calendar for the current school year.

Parish Social Ministry

St Patrick's Parish Outreach Logo

Social Ministry

What is Parish Outreach

A helping hand when you can’t cope with an emergency; food, financial assistance, housing, employment in crisis situations when resources are available;  A smiling visitor when you are shut-in for an extended period;  ....(read more)

We are only a phone call away. Please call 265-2668, Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 3

Do You Need Affordable Senior Rental Housing

The Town of Smithtown is accepting applications for affordable senior citizen rental units. If you are or will soon be 62 or older and meet income guidelines, you may be eligible for the affordable housing “bonus” units.  For an application and information please call: 360-7540.  We also have them available in the Outreach office.  IMPORTANT: Application deadline is 5 PM on October 24th.

 
Friday, November 7th
First Friday of the Month
From the 12:10 PM Mass until 3:30 PM.  The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 3:00PM.  Please join us as we adore our Lord Jesus.
 
Saturday, November 1st
8:15 AM

Join us in praying the Rosary.
Happy Anniversary
Married in October?
Please join us at the
Sunday, October 5th,
Noon Mass.
All couples are invited to renew their vows and recieve a special blessing. 
Rosary Kit

Rosary Makers

 
Rosary Makers invite you to our
Monthly Meeting
Friday, November 7th
7 PM in Room 209.
Join with others making Rosaries and spreading devotion to Our Blessed Mother.  All ages welcome.  For more information please call 981-3022.
Rosary Crusade Mary
Cordially invites you to our November meeting.
 
Monday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM in Church with recitation of the Living Rosary followed by the Novena Mass.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Tuesday, November 4th
7:30 PM in the church.
All are invited to attend!

Monthly Meeting

Monday, October 20th
8 PM after the Navena Mass.
The next monthly meeting will be on September 15th at 8 PM.

Pro-Life Family Hosts A

Monthly Holy Hour

Sacred heart of Jesus Sacred Heart of Mary
Adoration - Thanksgiving
Reparation - Petition

Tuesday, October 20th
7:30 to 8:30 PM in the church

Gift From God Baby
Pro-Life Family
Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, October 28th
St. Patrick School
Room 103 at 7:30 PM
St. Patrick's Pro-Life Family invites you to join us for our monthly meeting.  Please come and unite with us as we witness to the sanctity of Life.
Nocturnal Adoration Society

Saturday, October 18th
after the 8 PM Mass.

Join us for a night of prayer in front of the Sacred Sacrament. 

All singles are invigted to refreshments & conversation
Sunday, October 19th
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(after the 9 AM Mass)
Cost: $2.00
bottle gifts for babies

Don't Forget
Your Bottle Money

The 4th Weekend of the Month

Please recycle your bottle and cans and donate the money to the worthy cause of helping mothers and their babies in need.  Look for the Pink Baby Bottle banks at the church exits.
Collection Box

The first weekend of the month, we will have the offering for the Hungry and homeless.  Please look for the Hungry & Homeless boxes at the church exits and be generous in sharing God’ blessings.

St. Patrick's Something for Seniors group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month.
Wed., October 8th
Wed., October 22th
at 1:00 PM
All are welcome!
 

© 2008 St. Patrick's Parish
280 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787
(631) 265 - 2271