Fifth Sunday In Ordinary Time
~ Since I have been at St. Margaret of Scotland, I have promoted a Parish Lenten Project for our community, a way for our whole parish family to come together during the season of Lent to put our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving into practice. Each of us makes our own Lenten journey, but I believe it is also important for our community to be focused together as well. In years past, we have raised funds for our own Mandeville Multi-cultural Scholarship Fund, and given our money and time to support the good work of the St. Joseph Housing Initiative and Assisi House. Lent is right around the corner, so this year I am inviting our parish to participate in our annual Lenten Project by supporting the Wellston Center.
Started in 1992, the St. Augustine Wellston Center was founded as a food pantry and thrift store to feed and clothe some of the poorest neighborhoods in our state. Located at the site of the former Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Wellston, the Wellston Center serves hundreds of families each month. While there are food pantries and thrift stores in our own area, I thought it was important for our parish to support our brothers and sisters in the North City, especially after the May 16 tornado last year. Many families are still in need of basic necessities there, and the Wellston Center provides hope and assistance in a wonderful way, especially to so many impacted by the tornado.
Next weekend, Andrew Diemer, the Executive Director of the Wellston Center, will speak at all our Masses to tell us about the history and work of the Wellston Center, as well as to provide information and opportunities for the parishioners of St. Margaret of Scotland to support their good work. He especially wants the parishioners of St. Margaret to come to visit the Wellston Center, to see their work in action, and consider how we might be a part of that ministry. We have set several dates when the parishioners of St. Margaret can visit the Wellston Center, at 1705 Kienlen Avenue in Wellston, for a tour and to meet their volunteers and those they serve. Dates are in the mornings on Friday, February 27; Saturday, February 28; Friday, March 6; and Saturday, March 7. All are welcome, including children. Watch the bulletin and Flocknotes for more information about visiting the Wellston Center.
Donations to the Wellston Center are welcome and encouraged as part of your Lenten charity. Most of the food they give is purchased, so your monetary donations will be used to purchase food that will be donated to their families. There will be envelopes in your pews during Lent to donate, or you can give directly to the Wellston Center through their website, or a QR code that will be provided.
Our school children will also participate in our Parish Lenten Project by collecting and donating boxes of cereal to the Wellston Center for them to distribute. Most of us eat cereal, especially kids, so our school families will be asked to purchase an additional box of cereal or two to donate to the Wellston Center. More information about this will be coming to our families from the school. I encourage all our parish organizations to consider how they might participate in our Parish Lenten Project.
Finally, please pray for the Wellston Center during Lent. We pray for their staff and volunteers, for the individuals and families they serve, and that they will have all the resources they need to continue and further this good work. Our charity to those most in need is the most important sign of our faith, and our collaboration with the Wellston Center this Lent will add to the many charitable works that our parish supports so well. I am grateful for your generosity to all those in need, and I am confident that our parish family will step up to support our Parish Lenten Project with the St. Augustine Wellston Center.
