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Compassion Meals: Meeting Pastoral Needs of Our Parish Community
Our journeys through life all have a common goal — eternity with our Lord. Here at St. Francis Xavier, our parish accompanies our parishioners through the joys and sorrows of life. One parish ministry, Compassion Meals, exists to serve our people in times of loss.
“Led by Denise Stevenson, the Compassion Meals Ministry involves about a dozen people who cook and freeze meals,” says Fr. Brian O’Brien. “These meals are made available to volunteers and staff to bring to families mourning the loss of a loved one or going through a difficult time.”
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Parishioners currently serving in this ministry signed up through the annual stewardship appeal. Denise works with all members of the group to explain how the processes work. Members of Compassion Meals prepare their food at home and transport it to the parish for freezing.
This small, but strong group of people is a network of parishioners constantly filling the freezer at St. Francis Xavier. They make sure the clergy, volunteers, and staff are always able to access meals to give to parishioners in need. Occasionally, members of the Compassion Meals Ministry deliver the frozen meals to families if needed.
“Compassion meals are put together to bring God’s compassion,” Fr. O’Brien says. “We all go through tough times and the parish is here in a variety of ways to meet the pastoral needs of our people — a good meal is one of those ways. This ministry not only makes the meal but also delivers it to their door! As a priest, I’ve grabbed a few of the meals to take to families I know are going through a tough time.”
Parishioners in need can request Compassion Meals by calling the parish office. Fr. O’Brien notes that most parishioners do not know of this ministry until something happens to them or to a family member. Oftentimes, just reaching out to the parish office will start the ball rolling on many opportunities for our parish to step in and walk beside parishioners as they need our help.
“One of our staff members says, ‘Food is God’s love made edible,” Fr. O’Brien says. “I love that. This ministry meets the need of people and that is a huge goal of the parish. We are always looking to evangelize, but we also take care of people’s needs as a way to evangelize them for Christ and His Church.”
