Rochester Hope
March 2024
In early 2021 the finances of Cabrini Parish forced the decision to close Saint Michael Church on N Clinton and Clifford, thankfully such decision was delayed for some months which allowed for some creative thinking as to how to better use all the unused buildings the parish was holding in great locations to provide services to the community. In July 2021, the idea of Rochester Hope was conceived, under the direction of Father Daniel Ruiz, as a separate not-for-profit non-religious corporation to relieve the parish of the upkeep of its unused buildings and bring services and caring hands to the heart of our city. In January 2022, Rochester Hope was incorporated as a 501(c)3 and begun activities with a Food Pantry and Services Fair every Saturday from 9 AM to 3 PM. Expenses to purchase food from Food Link runs $1500.00 a week. There is such a huge need, and so much remains to accomplish. With your most generous donation we can achieve it together!
Missions in Kenya – Penny Sunday
This coming weekend, February 10th & 11th, Fr. Tulio Ramirez from Colombia and member of the Yarumal Missioners will be in our parish preaching about the missions in different countries around the world, especially in Kenya. Over there, a close friend, Fr. Jimmy Gil, who was my classmate since middle school and the Conciliar Seminary of the Archdiocese of Medellin. In my previous parishes, I spoke on behalf of Fr. Gil’s mission and the problems that he had with elephants and other necessities that his community has. Fr. Ramirez (not me, hahaha) will talk about Fr. Gil’s mission and the challenges that his community is facing right now.
Read More...There is more information about Fr. Gil’s mission on the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Space. The Penny Sunday collection for the month of February will be for this mission in Africa. I am sharing what The Yarumal Missioners wrote about the visit of Fr. Ramirez.
“Thank you for welcoming The Yarumal Missioners to your parish on the weekend of 02/11/2024. The missionary visiting your parish is Fr. Tulio Ramirez, mxy.
He belongs to the Yarumal Mission Society. He is a missionary priest who has served the people of God in Kenya and Ethiopia in Africa and in Bronx, NY. He is originally from Colombia, South America.
The goal of the Yarumal Mission Society, founded 96 years ago, is to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ among people and cultures where the Gospel is not yet fully preached. We are present in Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Panama, and Thailand.
In order to carry out pastoral programs and social projects, women and men missionaries depend very much on the generosity of the Christians from parishes already established. Our support for the Yarumal missions, specifically the mission of Fr. Jimmy Gil in Lodungokwe – Kenya, is a sign that reminds us of our baptismal vocation: We in church are all missionaries of Christ. Please be generous. Blessings.”
October Penny Sunday – The Margaret Home
October 14/15
The Margaret Home is a residential program that empowers pregnant and parenting mothers by supporting their physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs so that they can heal, grow and thrive.
The Margaret Home is dedicated to serving woman 18 years and older through all stages of pregnancy and early motherhood. They provide healing and unconditional love in a comfortable home and caring communal environment that nurtures an empowered spirit and a healthy lifestyle.
Thank you for your generous support
May Penny Sunday – Williamson Community Center
May 20/21
Founded in 1949, the Williamson Community Center provides food assistance to those in need. More than 4,000 people a year are served free boxes of food on a monthly basis. These boxes provide enough food to feed the family 3 meals a day for at least 3 days. Over half the people served are children, senior citizens, or disabled. They also provide free hot lunches Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm at their facility.
In 2022, 4,841 people were served with food boxes and 4,768 people were served a free hot lunch.
“the generous will themselves be blessed for they share their food with the hungry” Proverbs 22:9
Thank you for your support!
Penny Sunday for March
Penny Sunday Collection this month is for Mary’s Place located on Lexington Avenue in Rochester. Mary’s Place is a refugee outreach center helping people from other nations adjust to American culture and learn English. They assist in finding employment as well as helping the family obtain permanent residency and citizenship. Mary’s Place provides case management as well as programs for children.
Penny Sunday for February
The Sister Regis Food Cupboard, located at 316 Bay St., Rochester, is an allvolunteer ministry that provides several days’ worth of food for each family that visits. The food cupboard serves those living in and around zip code 14605, the poorest zip code in the city, and the second poorest in the entire state.
Sr. Regis Food Cupboard was opened in 1965 as a ministry of Mount Carmel Church. It then became a ministry of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish and Rochester Hope. Last year Sr. Regis Food Cupboard helped 1,954 households, which included 1,213 seniors and 2,907 children. Your gift will help individuals and families in the city obtain the nutritious meals they need to thrive.
Thank you!
Penny Sunday for January
January 14/15 our Penny Sunday Collection will be for Father Laurence Tracy’s Advocacy Center. His legacy began on June 4, 1966, the day he was ordained. In 1967 Father Tracy was sent to Puerto Rico for a languageimmersion program. Father Tracy was a founding member of Ibero-American Action League, El Instituto de Pastoral Hispano, and the Rochester City School District’s bilingual council.
Father Laurence Tracy was a pillar in the Greater Rochester Community for decades. Known as the “Barrio Priest,” Father Tracy long had the vision of serving those struggling with life, including addiction. The message to those struggling with addiction has always been, “we love you, but not what you are doing” in this neighborhood and as an advocate Father Tracy worked to get people connected to treatment services. The Father Tracy Advocacy Center (FTAC) at 821 North Clinton Avenue (an area known as La Avenida) is an extension of Father Tracy’s vision for service.
Penny Sunday for October
Our Penny Sunday Collection will be for the Wayne County Rural and Migrant Ministry
Since 1981 the Wayne County Rural and Migrant Ministry, a statewide, nonprofit organization, has been standing proudly with the rural and migrant communities throughout New York State. We help rural farm workers to overcome the prejudices and poverty that degrade and debilitate people within rural New York, by building communities that celebrate diversity and dignity and opportunity for all. Please help with this vital ministry that is so important to our community.
Mission Sunday August 13/14
Dear Friends of the Basilian Missions,
My prayer for you in these times is for God’s blessing on you, and good health for you and your families. I am sure that you, like most of the world, are praying for peace in Ukraine and an end to the war there. We as missionaries try to bring peace and healing through the presence and teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ to all the people to whom we minister in foreign lands. Our Lord Jesus is the foundation of peace, but we must adhere to and practice his teachings. Only the truth of our faith can save us and bring peace to the world, and we as Basilian missionaries, aided by your help and prayers, preach this Gospel message. And it is for this that we continually ask for your prayers and financial assistance. If financially you are not able to help in this way, we understand, but your prayers too are invaluable. But if you can assist us monetarily, please do. You will be remembered in our prayers at the Mission Center and by our missionaries in Mexico and Colombia.
We as Catholic Christians are blessed with many gifts: the Word of God, the Church, the Sacraments, and the material gifts that God has given us. Thanking God for these gifts and then sharing them can be the greatest prayer to our Father in heaven. Our missionaries are sharing these gifts with those to whom we minister in Mexico and Colombia. Your gifts can unite us with those who need our help. We try to help relieve the burden of poverty as well as preach the Gospel. Please support us in this missionary activity.
In Gratitude for your support,
Vince Dulock CSB
Director of the Basilian Mission Center
August 13/14, Rev. Kevin Mannara, CSB will be speaking on behalf of the Basilian Fathers Missions in Latin America.
Fr. Mannara’s Appeal will be for supporting the Basilian Fathers’ Ministry in Mexico and Colombia. Your contribution helps to deliver sacraments and the Gospel, along with food, clothing, and medical services to the impoverished people of San Lorenzo in Tehuacan, Mexico, as well as Bogota and Medellin in Colombia.
Please warmly welcome Fr. Mannara and give as generously as you can to this appeal.
Penny Sunday for February 2022
Next weekend (February 26/27) is Penny Sunday and our recipient will be Catholic Family Center which has merged with Catholic Charities Community Services. The combined entity is now Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS). This will provide clients with easier access to a wider range of services. The staff will be able to offer a more comprehensive and efficient treatment model. Clients are served across all stages of life. The new website www.fcscharities.org is worth a visit!
Penny Sunday for January 2022
Our first Penny Sunday for 2022 will be to Catholic Relief Services for Haiti Response. Haiti is a troubled country. Haiti has the highest prevalence of hunger in Latin America. The 7.2 magnitude earthquake in August 2021, almost leveled an already destitute nation. Many continue to live in tents without enough food or drinking water. Hygiene and healthcare are inadequate. Gangs are rampant, forcing many from their jobs and communities. Catholic Relief Services has a continual presence there, working to provide food, shelter, hygiene, and livelihood restoration. We will be collecting specifically for the Haiti response next weekend.
Penny Sunday for November 2021
Our Penny Sunday Collection for November is for our STAR Program (36th yr.) in joint effort with our HOPE Ministry and 4 inner city parishes.
We hope that Holy Trinity continues to be as generous as they have always been. Thank you in advance and blessings to you all.
Penny Sunday for October 2021
Penny Sunday this month will be for St. Michael’s Woodshop.
Located on St. Paul Street in the city of Rochester, it serves a youth population in a high poverty and crime area. Participants are mentored and learn the art of woodworking, while also learning life skills. Students are required to remain in school while in the program. www.stmichaelswoodshop.org
Sisters of Christ the Light
July 31st and August 1st, 2021 Mission Appeal Collection.
Here is a letter to you from The Sisters of Christ the Light.
We, the sisters of Christ the Light are a Diocesan Congregation under the patronage of the Bishop of Cuddapah. We follow the Benedictine spirituality. The Charism of our Congregation is to radiate the light of Christ in loving service through a life of contemplation and action in the spirit of St. Benedict.
We are involved in different apostolic activities like providing education to the poor children, and run boarding and rehabilitation homes for the disadvantaged orphans. We also support women through different empowerment programs.
Our special concern is for our Asha Nilayam Speech and Hearing Impaired School and Rehabilitation Center which was founded in the year 2009. The school runs classes from 1st 10th grade. Currently, we have 250 students registered and they lodge in the rehab center to receive therapy. Children are given food, uniforms, education and basic medical care in addition to speech therapy. All of these services are provided free of charge.
We, the Sisters of Christ the Light are the champions of these success stories. Our dedicated hard work has made changes in the lives of these students and given rays of hope to them.
We are most happy to invite you to become a channel of blessing to our Speech and Hearing Impaired Children. With your goodness and generosity we can supply hearing aides, food, clothing, education, speech therapy and medical assistance for a year. We express our sincere thanks to Bishop Matano, The Mission Director, Pastors and to each one of you for your prayers and support.
May the good Lord bless you all.
Thank you. Regards,
Sr. Leena Cherian, (Superior General)
Sr. Jancy Thomas, (Mission Appeal Coordinator)
Sisters of Christ the Light
Choutapalli Rd., Ravindranagar Post
Kadapa Dt. Andhra Pradesh, India 516003
cjskadapa7@gmail.com
+ 91 9491431268
401 N. Washington St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
christthelightusa@gmail.com
(302) 691-5717