Outreach

"Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40) 

As a parish, we strive to contribute through loving service to the building up of the kingdom of God. Below are some ways we serve those in need.
 
To learn more about these Outreach Ministries listed below, contact Deb Nelson at [email protected] or (763) 777-8556.

Blood Drives
The Church of Saint Paul hosts two annual Blood Drives (usually in June and December) through the American Red Cross. Volunteers are also needed on the day of the Blood Drive to help with setup and take-down, greet donors, work in the kitchen, and drop off bar/cookie donations. 

Bread of Life Ministry
The Bread of Life Ministry brings the Eucharist to parishioners who are sick, homebound, or hospitalized.  The members are current Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at the Church of Saint Paul who are good listeners and committed to the reverence needed to transport the Eucharist.  

Cherish Life
The mission of the Cherish Life Ministry is to educate and empower the Body of Christ to be active in living and promoting a culture of life, particularly by prayer, fasting, and outreach. More info

Eternal Life Ministry (Funeral Ministry)
The Eternal Life Ministry supports parishioners who have had a death in the family by helping to plan a vigil and funeral liturgy and by offering support during their time of grief. 

Note: To receive Funeral Notices, sign up for the parish email list here. For funeral planning, click here.

Food & School Supply Drives for the North Anoka County Emergency Food Shelf (NACE)
Quarterly, the Church of Saint Paul holds food drives to raise donations for the North Anoka County Emergency Food Shelf (NACE).  To learn more about assistance available at NACE, visit www.nacefoodshelf.org. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up and collection tables for each drive, especially the annual school supply drive. 

Boxes of Joy
Each Christmas season, the Church of Saint Paul helps to collect Christmas gifts and necessities for those who in our parish who are struggling financially. This ministry needs volunteers to help before and after all three Masses during Advent to aid the ministry leader in sign-ups and later to help with distribution.

Holiday Food Baskets
The Church of Saint Paul offers baskets of food for parish families who are struggling financially and/or emotionally with situations, such as unemployment, major medical situations, catastrophic event, or death of an immediate family member. These baskets are given at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.    

Hospitality
Volunteers in the Hospitality ministry help to facilitate fellowship for those attending a weekend Mass by setting up the environment and serving coffee, juice, water, and cookies or donuts after Masses, as well as vacuuming, doing dishes, and putting everything away afterwards. The time commitment is approximately one to one and a half hours every four to six weeks, and is a great ministry to do as a family. Training is provided.  

Light for Freedom
Light for Freedom is a non-partisan Call-To-Action group to help protect our religious freedom.  Everyone concerned about the threat to our religious liberties is welcome to join.  United we are one; united we are strong! Learn more

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
Experience encouragement and solidarity in your vocation of motherhood within a community of other women in the same stage of life. Beginning in September we meet the 2nd and 4th Thursday  of each month from 9-11 a.m. or 7-9 p.m. for lessons with discussion, crafts and fellowship. Learn more

Residents Encounter Christ (REC)
Residents Encounter Christ (REC) is a two-day retreat for those who are incarcerated and is based on the Paschal Mystery, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The residents experience the message of Christ through music, discussions, talks, prayer, Scripture, liturgy ,and celebration. Volunteers to the retreat team must be 21 years or older, who have participated in TEC, Koininia, or Cursillo. Individuals who participated in REC while incarcerated are also invited to apply. The team is predominantly staffed by Catholics, however, non-Catholics are warmly welcomed. 

Sharing and Caring Hands
Volunteers are always needed to help serve a lunch (provided by the Church of Saint Paul) at Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis once a month on Mondays at 11 a.m.. On-site training is provided and rides are available. 

Spirituality for Vets
Army | Navy | Air Force | Marine Corps | Coast Guard
Have you ever asked...Where is God? Can God forgive me? Why is there evil? Why is there suffering? Could I have a deeper relationship with God?

We discuss answers to these questions & more on the first and third Sunday of each month from 7-9 p.m. in Meeting Room 3.  Open invitation | RSVP appreciated | No charge.  Led by Father Tom Kadera, retired Air Force chaplain.  More info