“I have come,
not to be served,
but to serve”

Just as the members of a family come together to help one of their own, a stewardship parish family serves those who are hurting or have needs, are doubting or seeking salvation. Parishioners seek the parish family as a primary community to serve and be served—to give and to receive. The members of a stewardship parish recognize that they also have a need to give beyond their own members. They have a need to serve and to give in the diocese, the community and the universal church. Service, by those of all ages, provides the opportunity to practice hospitality, prayer and formation.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; Naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me… …Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25: 35-40

Birthright Volunteer

Birthright offers free pregnancy testing, counseling, and maternity and baby clothing. Birthright volunteers offer gentleness, love and understanding to pregnant girls and women. One need not be a professional counselor to volunteer as training is provided. Help is also needed with sorting and sizing clothing. The Birthright house is located at 214 East 3rd and their phone number is 663-5872.

Food Bank

The mission of the food bank ministry is to encourage our parish family to donate non-perishable food items or Dillon’s certificates to the Reno County Food Bank. A monthly collection is taken up along with the children’s donations during Preparation of the Gifts at weekend Masses.

Soup Kitchen

Those interested in volunteering for this ministry should contact the Holy Cross St. Vincent De Paul Society or call the church office.

Parish Health

This ministry is designed to encourage parish members to look to the Church for guidance and direction in matters of health and wellness. Holistic health assistance is provided through education, visitation and support so that we may have healthy bodies as well as healthy souls in our parish family.

Prison Ministry – St. Dismas Volunteers

Volunteers (especially male) are needed in our Prison Ministry. There are five ways you can be involved in prison ministry at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

• Attend Mass at 5:30pm or 7:30pm on Thursdays. (Music leaders are needed)
• Teach a Thursday class at 1:00pm or 2:30pm. (catechism/RCIA, prayer/scriptural studies, teach in Spanish)
• Help with Kairos weekends.
• Sponsor an inmate in RCIA.
• Agree to be “matched” with an inmate to visit and write to him.

We will meet with all volunteers for this Ministry to explain the opportunities in greater detail.

Respect Life

The Holy Cross Respect Life Ministry, in conjunction with the Tri-Parish Respect Life Committee, works to spread the Church’s teaching on this issue throughout our parish. Activities include participation in the Life Chain, celebration of Respect Life Month with poster contests in Holy Cross Grade School and PSR, baby showers for Birthright, participation in rosaries, novenas, prayer services in the community, display of pro-life billboards, and supporting the parish priests in other pro-life efforts. The goal of the Respect Life Ministry is to care for all human life in all its stages—from preborn to natural death. A wonderful ministry—all volunteers are welcome and needed.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Holy Cross Conference, seek to help those who are in need by offering immediate assistance when called upon. The conference has assisted persons with financial needs, helped fund and build a wheelchair ramp for a member of our parish, visited persons who needed support, arranged help for a mother of triplets, and made referrals of those in need to other social service agencies. New members are always welcome. If you know someone within our parish boundaries who needs the help of St. Vincent de Paul, the Society can be contacted by calling the rectory at 665-5163.

Shawl Ministry

The mission of the Shawl Ministry is to knit or crochet shawls for the oncology patients at the Medical Center and the Hutchinson Clinic. This may be done at home or with a group. This is a spiritual practice which embodies our thoughts and prayers for the receiver. It is a gift freely given with no strings attached. Before one begins the knitting or crocheting process, a blessing or prayer can be said dedicating the work of your hands and the intentions of the receiver. Made in prayer, as prayer, for prayers; the shawls are passed on hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart.

Flowers

If you would like to donate altar flowers, please contact: Johanna Biggs 662-5848

Assist with Funeral Dinners

This ministry is open to all men and women in the parish. There are opportunities to assist the Altar Society in food preparation, bringing food for the dinner, helping to serve the dinner and helping with set-up and clean-up.

Ministry of Consolation

Holy Cross Ministry of Consolation will offer pastoral and spiritual support to those who grieve and will strive to offer ways to help them receive the healing comfort of God.