Why is extending our hands in service so important?
As Catholic Christians, our faith heritage is grounded in outreach:
“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” [Matt 25:40 NASB]
Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion
is to look out to the earth,
yours are the feet by which He is to go about doing good
and yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now.
St Teresa of Avila
At Our Lady of Lourdes, there are opportunities for service within our parish and to groups in the Milwaukee area and beyond.
Human Concerns Committee
Connects the various outreach activities sponsored by the parish and is involved in legislative advocacy. Its members help raise social consciousness and continue to grow in their own awareness as they work for justice and peace.
Contact: Parish Office………………………………………………………….. (414) 545-4316
Blood Drives
Sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, blood drives take place twice a year.
Food Pantry
Sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the OLOL Food Pantry is open every other Tuesday, serving our local hungry and needy.
St. Ben’s Meal Program
Volunteers representing OLOL serve a complete meal at St. Benedict the Moor Parish on the second Wednesday of each month. Volunteers participate by cooking and serving the meal, or by donating food or baked goods.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The St. Vincent De Paul Society serves the parish and its neighbors through a variety of service projects, including filling requests for food, furniture and other necessities; and addressing various needs of our parishioners.
St. Luke’s Eucharistic Ministry
Members meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM at St. Luke’s Medical Center to distribute communion to hospital patients. Training is provided.
Contact: Joan Hansen………………………………………………………. (414) 282-9398
Ministry to the Homebound
This rewarding ministry is comprised of persons who go into the residences of our homebased parishioners to visit socially, to take communion, and to pray. Training for visitation is provided. An evening of reflection is offered once per year to gather our visitors and provide them an opportunity to prayerfully reflect upon their experiences.
Contact: Nancie Chmielewski……………………………………………………… (414) 545-4316
External Outreach Options
Over the years, we have fostered relationships with ministries to the homeless, the hungry, the poor, and our brothers and sisters in the global community. For further information about these areas of need, please click on the links:
MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary
Emergency/Seasonal Collections
Throughout the year, we engage in helping out various groups locally and globally. Examples include the Giving Tree at Christmas (supporting children in the Milwaukee area) and emergency/disaster collections. Check here often for updates!
La Causa’s Crisis Nursery and Respite Center
Imagine being without the basics for your child. What if you were in trouble and needed help providing for your family? What if you had no home to shelter your kids? No food to feed their hungry bellies? No warm clothing for the oncoming winter? Can you even imagine the despair if you thought there was no help? Click here to find out how!