Catholic Minisitires Grans helps parishes provide for the poor

By Laura Iunghuhn for The Catholic Moment

As Christians, we are called to practice the theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity. The most
important of these is charity since we live the Gospel primarily through loving others. Isaiah
58:5-7 instructs, “True worship is to work for justice and care for the poor and oppressed.”
Often, the easiest way to participate in charity is through the Sunday collection; however, after
spare change is dropped in the basket, many may not know where that money goes. The Mother
Theresa Fund at St. Thomas Aquinas and the Basic Needs Ministry and Lafayette Urban
Ministry dinners at Church of the Blessed Sacrament ensure the Lafayette and West Lafayette
communities are cared for through parish donations and grants provided by the Catholic
Ministries Appeal (CMA).

The Mother Theresa Fund (MTF) and the Basic Needs Ministry both work to provide financial
assistance to those in Lafayette and West Lafayette who are struggling to pay rent or utility bills.
The Basic Needs Ministry at Blessed Sacrament also considers requests for help with eye exams
and eyeglasses, prescription medications, medical and dental bills, and car repairs. The MTF has
been fulling community needs since 2010 at least. “That’s as far back as our software goes,” says
Mary Riehle, Assistant to the Pastor at St. Tom’s and director of the ministry. “But I’m pretty
sure it started before then.”

Since COVID, the need for these ministries has only grown. “We have had a record number of
individuals coming in need of assistance,” says Marisa Salvino, the Coordinator of Development
at St. Tom’s. Before 2020, the ministry regularly distributed $20-25,000 a year. Now that
number is closer to $50,000. Households can receive $200 every six months from the MTF and
$600 every calendar year from the Basic Needs Ministry.

To manage these rising numbers, St. Tom’s and Blessed Sacrament meet with clients on a “by
appointment only” basis. St. Tom’s aims to assist about six households per week and keeps a full
waiting list. The list caps at 15 people. “We can’t handle a larger workload,” says Riehle, “and I
don’t like to keep people waiting more than two weeks. That’s a long time for them.” Blessed
Sacrament asks clients to fill out a financial assistance application ahead of time in an effort to
expedite the process. This form, along with a list of required documents, can be found on the
parish website and helps ensure that all clients are prepared for the appointment.

The Mother Theresa Fund and the Basic Needs Ministry are primarily supported by donations
from parishioners. St. Tom’s has a second collection every month for the MTF, and five percent
of the regular Sunday collection goes to this ministry. Salvino also works with parishioners or
individuals in the Lafayette area who wish to contribute to the Fund. “Our parishioners are very
generous, but our resources were shrinking,” says Fr. Tom McDermott, pastor at St. Tom’s. “So,
the money we received from the CMA grants was very welcome indeed.” The grant has enabled
the MTF to assist over 400 individuals this year.

With time and the financial assistance the grant provides, Fr. Tom hopes the parish will support
an outreach program that can meet with the poor and get to know them, in addition to providing
monetary help with utility bills and rent. “Right now, one person is in charge of the program,” he
says, “and it’s taken over almost all her other responsibilities.” An organized group of resident
and student parishioners would help alleviate the workload and create an opportunity to interact
with the vulnerable members of the community in a more direct and person-centered approach.

Ensuring the Mother Theresa Fund is well-supported and has resources to share with the
community is an important act of charity for many at St. Tom’s. “We are called to help those in
need,” says Salvino. “Being involved in ministries like the MTF allows us to live out our mission
of serving others and bringing the light of Christ to all we meet.”

In addition to the Basic Needs Ministry, Blessed Sacrament also organizes dinners for those
staying overnight at Lafayette Urban Ministry’s (LUM) homeless shelters. Volunteers prepare
meals in the kitchen at Blessed Sacrament and then deliver the food. At LUM, parishioners will
serve the meal to those staying overnight in the shelter.

Blessed Sacrament provides meals for LUM twice a month. This ministry ensures that the poor
and vulnerable in the Lafayette community have access to a warm and filling meal. Fr. Tom
knows what it’s like for people to go hungry. “When I lived in St. Louis and Chicago,” he says,
“I was always amazed at how many people didn’t even have a dime and how many kids, even at
Catholic schools, went without lunch.” The CMA grant will help Blessed Sacrament provide
meals for those who need them most. It’s much easier to persevere through hardship, knowing
there are people who care – and will help keep your stomach full.

Supporting organizations like the Mother Theresa Fund, the Basic Needs Ministry, and the LUM
dinners is an integral part of the Catholic tradition. For some, charity is the primary way they
connect with the Gospel. “I’ve noticed that many Catholics who don’t show up for things like
Bible studies turn out when it involves helping others,” says Fr. Tom. “That’s beautiful.” The
love we show to the poor is love shown for Christ: “As you did it to one of these, the least of my
brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).