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Care and Concern (Outreach Ministry)

The Care and Concern ministries of St. Jude parish reflect our commitment to the ministry of service as highlighted in the St. Jude parish mission statement. These ministries provide outreach to members of our parish who are experiencing illness, loss, or other major life changes. Through our ministries, the parish attempts to maintain a high level of engagement for parishioners who face challenges in connecting with the parish community. Additionally, our ministries provide a venue for community outreach and service, especially to the poor and need in the Erie area.

Advocacy / Disability

Contact: Rena Wierbinski

Bereavement Ministry

This committee reaches out to bereaved family members when a parishioners dies, by visiting the funeral home to meet the family, being present at the Church to welcome those who come to the funeral mass and following up with a note and or telephone call to the family.

Contact: Mimi Baumann, Colleen Doyle

Blood Pressure Screening

Contact: Patty McGuinness

Emergency Assistance to the Poor

Contact: Rev. Matthew Strickenberger

Food Pantry

Dry goods, canned goods and green leafy cash are collected in the large blue containers at the church doors. They are delivered to “St. Andrew / St. Jude Neighborhood Food Pantry”.

Every other Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM the pantry is opened to about 50 families in a large area of Northwest Erie & Millcreek to Powell Avenue. The families come in and pick out what they need.

Donated cash and checks (made out to St. Andrew / St. Jude Food Pantry) is used to purchase additional food at Second Harvest food bank.

Contact: Colleen Hammon

Home Helpers

This committee performs minor home repairs, odd jobs, seasonal/holiday chores and yard cleanup for parishioners whose circumstances require assistance.

Contact: John Tabolt

Hospital Visits

These lay ministers supplement the hospital visits to St. Jude parishioners made by the parish priests.

The minister will visit the Erie area hospitals, receive a listing of parishioners, and make a 10-15 minute visit - a short “how are you doing”, a gift of a prayer card, a little conversation and a shared prayer.

Contact: Dick Brogdon

Hospitality

Provides hospitality for various parish groups.

Contact: Wendy Weber

Hospitality/Mass Refreshments

Contact: Nancy Donnelly and Carol Susann

Nursing Home Visitation

Contact: Patricia Wellington

Outreach / Hospital Discharge

Contact: Kathleen Kern

Prison Pen Pals

Contact: Doris Adams

Prayer Line

This committee exists so members of the parish might pray for the needs of one another. Each person prays individually, saying their own prayers, at time convenient for them.

Contact: Barb Keller, Nancy Young

St. Patrick’s Haven

St. Pat’s Haven is an overnight shelter for homeless men. The 24 residents reside there between 7:00PM and 7:00AM. The Soup Kitchen where they eat weekday dinners is closed on weekends.

This ministry involves teams (of 2-4 parishioners each) who donate the food, cook and drop off the meal. Each team typically does 4-5 meals per year.

Contact: Mary Harsh

Transportation

Transportation to doctors appointments, pharmacies, cemeteries, libraries and church is provided for St. Jude Parishioners or those within the geographic boundaries of our parish

Contact: Pat Mastrian

Elizabeth Ministry

Following the example of Mary and Elizabeth we visit and share the sacredness of life. Baptismal ministers, birth visitations and reference outreach ore the main areas of ministry.

Contact: Judy Lamberton