Outreach
Spreading Christmas Joy
A lot of joy and happiness was spread because of the parishioners of St. Richard who participated in the Giving Tree and Adopt-a-Family programs. We are happy to report that the Giving Tree monetary donations were close to $2000 this year, giving over $400 to each Charity plus the carloads of items that were delivered. A special thanks to all who packed the cars and delivered them to the Charities on Sunday. The Adopt-a-Family Program distributed wrapped gifts to 26 children from Metro Catholic School, plus 16 seniors from St. Augustine Health System received personal gifts and extra items were donated for general use. These items included art supplies, bingo prizes, CD players and games. We should all be proud of the generosity of Our Parish, people really opened their hearts. God Bless You All, Thank You, and a Very Merry Christmas to you and your Families.
The Social Action Committee. We couldn’t do what we do without YOU!
The Social Action Committee wrote and distributed cards and angel magnets to 100 Joshua Tree residents in the Care Center and Inn. The same card and magnet was mailed to St. Richard Home Bound parishioners.
Ministry of Care: This group visits the homebound, nursing homes and hospitals. They also plan the annual Anointing Mass as well as the All Souls’ Day liturgy. Many have received special training for this ministry. All are welcome to join these active parishioners.
Contact: 440-777-5050
Communion to the Homebound: These are Eucharistic Ministers who have been trained to take communion to the homebound. Some of these Eucharistic ministers also provide a Sunday Communion Service at North Olmsted Manor and assist Fr. Thomas G. Woost at a monthly mass.
The Bereavement Committee: This group helps the families plan the liturgy for the funeral, serve as greeters at the mass and attend the mass and/or visit the funeral home.
Adult Funeral Servers: Volunteers are trained to assist the presider at the funeral mass.
Social Action Committee: Issues related to the care of the poor, justice, peace, and respect for life are deeply rooted in the gospel message and in the Catholic tradition. Our Mission is to provide opportunities that will involve St. Richard Parish in outreach programs. These programs help serve a need in our own parish community, the city of North Olmsted, and surrounding communities in need.
You can contact Fran Wolf for additional information on any of the programs listed below unless otherwise noted.
Contact: Fran Wolf – Please leave message at the Rectory Office at 440-777-5050
Adopt-a-Family: We provide assistance to Metro Catholic High School to provide their students with a wonderful Christmas.
Contact: Jane Bohne – Please leave message at the Rectory Office at 440-777-5050
Advent Giving Tree: We collect items that serve critical needs of this community and various other service agencies.
HuGSS: Hats, Gloves, Scarves, and Socks for the homeless are collected during the month of February and delivered to shelters and food kitchens.
Walk-the-Walk: Critical items for our own community and service agencies are collected during Lent.
Community Meal: In conjunction with the North Olmsted United Methodist Church, we prepare and serve 2 meals, May and October, at their location. Over 100 people are served on the last Thursday of each month.
Casserole Caravan: Volunteers from our parish prepare and serve a meal every other month to feed the homeless and those in need at St. Pat’s Church on Bridge St.
Contact: Bob & Jane Bohne -Please leave message at the Rectory Office at 440-777-5050
Food/Financial Assistance Program: Members collect and distribute food in conjunction with the North Olmsted Food Pantry. They also provide confidential aid for those in need and work with various agencies, included North Olmsted Senior Center and Food Pantry, to meet the needs of their clients. Contact can be made through the rectory if you know of parishioners in need.
Contact: Rectory Office at 440-777-5050
Food Collection: There is a large bin at the Lorain Rd. exit for on-going food donations. Donations are given to the North Olmsted “Oxcart Food Pantry” to help local families in need.
Thanksgiving Food Drive:
Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and once again Saint Richard Church is being asked to assist the North Olmsted Oxcart Food Pantry with their Thanksgiving dinner basket preparations for the less fortunate. Instead of food items, we are being asked to consider monetary donations to the North Olmsted Oxcart Food Pantry. If you wish to make such a donation, please place your check (written to the North Olmsted Oxcart Food Pantry) or cash in a separate envelope marked “Oxcart Collection”. This envelope can be placed in the offertory collection basket or dropped off at the Rectory office. On Thanksgiving Day, due to limitations imposed as a result of the Covid 19 virus, we will not have our usually food collection to replenish the Oxcart Food Pantry. Again, we will collect monetary donations for Oxcart. Place your donations in the baskets placed on the steps of the altar. Please consider helping the less fortunate in our city. Questions? Please call 440-777-5050.
Respect Life Group: Helps to keep the parish informed of current life issues, from the unborn child through the end of life, through various parish activities such as Postcard Sunday, Baby Bottle Campaign, Christmas in July and Holy Hours.
Contact: Karen Gelmas – Please leave message at the Rectory Office at 440-777-5050
Forty Days for Life Prayer Vigil From September 25 through November 5, Christians throughout the USA will be taking part in 40 Days for Life–40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. You’re invited to stand and peacefully pray weekly with other St. Richard Parishioners on Thursdays from 11 am to 12 noon in the public right-of-way outside the abortion facility at the Surgi Center 4269 Pearl Road in Cleveland or to schedule your prayer commitment at another time call John Noall at 216-245-9744 or email him at clevelandpraysforlife@gmail.com All are welcome to join this peaceful prayer vigil!
Baby Bottle Campaign: This is a 6 week campaign which begins on Mother’s Day weekend and concludes Father’s Day weekend. Baby bottles are distributed and used as a ‘bank’ for loose change, cash or filled with a check that a family or individual donates to help Cornerstone Among Women. Cornerstone provides crisis intervention, long-term support and practical assistance to women and families facing unsupported pregnancy. Cornerstone offers various programs for moms and dads as well as providing for the baby’s needs (up to 2 years of age). By participating in this campaign you help to make a lasting difference in the mother’s life and save the lives of many unborn children. Cornerstone’s resale shop called “Among Other Things” accepts all donations. The shop is located at 364 Griswold Road, Elyria.
Christmas In July for Birthright: This is an annual baby item collection – sizes newborn to six months. All donations are greatly needed especially during the lean summer months. Birthright is dedicated to the belief “that every woman has a right to give birth and that every baby has a right to be born.” Each month Birthright provides pregnancy tests, layettes for newborn babies, formula, diapers, and maternity clothes to their clients. Birthright has many personal and confidential services available to help women in need. Through our parish’s continued support we participate directly in the work of Birthright.
Fast & Pray to Change Hearts: Respect Life Group initiated a 9 month “Fast & Pray” for our parish on the 3rd Wed. of the month until June. Fasting can be done by limiting meals, desserts, coffee, etc. whatever would be a sacrifice for you. Praying can consist of any prayers offered for our parish including rosaries, novenas, or personal prayers. Sacrifices can be offered up as well as works of penance, or by attending a holy hour/benediction, etc. All fasting and prayers will be offered for our parish community to strengthen and change hearts, to reawaken and bring Catholics back to Church and in relationship with Jesus, and for a spiritual renewal with many blessings. Choose your favorite day, place, and way to pray!