Samaritans
The Samaritans are a parish-level, local community
outreach resource for those in need, under the direction of the Pastor
and in collaboration with the parish’s Chairperson of the Social Justice
Committee. Membership of the
Samaritans is open to all registered members of the parish, who wish to
participate in this ministry’s activities.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Samaritans is to inform members
of our parish community of current needs in the local Parker community
for assistance with basic living requirements (such as food, clothing,
home needs, and school supplies) and, in turn, to energize the parish
community to faith in action.
The Samaritans actively participate and regularly liaison with
other related groups and organizations in the diocese, Parker, and
Douglas County areas to learn of and help fulfill, if/when possible, the
needs of those who require assistance; usually in the immediate or
near-immediate time frame.
Purpose
The Samaritans is an outreach ministry within the
Ave Maria Parish Social Justice Program, who offers opportunities for
members of the parish community to participate in local activities which
directly address the needs of an individual’s or family’s assistance,
while ensuring the continued promotion of inherent rights of dignity and
respect of the human being.
Responsibilities
-
The activities of the ministry include (but are
not limited) to:
-
Post a monthly request in the parish bulletin
for supplies in support of a variety of local charities in the
diocesan and Parker community (e.g., the Blessings Box).
-
Organize and collect in July and December of
each year, donations “under the tree” in support of a number of
local charities approved in advance by the Pastor (e.g., the Giving
Tree).
-
Monthly visits to one or more of the local
nursing homes to extend companionship to those who cannot get about.
(see note #1 below)
-
Organize and promote an Adopt-a-Family, through
the Parker Task Force, in which parishioners may fulfill the
submitted requests of local families in need at Christmas time.
-
Organize and facilitate occasional field trips
to charities—to experience and familiarize its members and others of
the ongoing and current needs of our local parish community.
-
Nominate a Chairperson for the ministry to
coordinate with the pastor, parish Coordinator of Volunteers, etc.
Changes to and/or additions to the Samaritans
ministry responsibilities and duties will be at the sole discretion of
the pastor (whether verbally or in writing).
Resolutions to problems will be resolved by the ministry’s
chair(s) with the pastor and/or Chairperson of the Social Justice
Committee.
* Note
#1:
Ailing
individuals residing in their homes, a local nursing home, hospice, or
other medical care facility are considered “at-risk persons”.
Therefore, to comply with directives from the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Diocese of Colorado Springs, anyone in
the Samaritans ministry wishing to participate in a monthly visit to one
or more of the aforementioned locations, must be appropriately cleared
by the parish’s Coordinator of Volunteers to fulfill this ministry task,
before their ministry visits begin.
Such clearance includes a volunteer application; background
check; Safe Environment Training, etc., provided by the Coordinator of
Volunteers.