The Christian Service Commission does the overall planning and policy making for all Christian Service activity within the parish.
Members attend a monthly meeting (except for summer months). They are asked to be attuned to the expressed and unexpressed needs of the poor and underprivileged locally, in the diocese and in the world in order to plan programs which address those needs. Members formulate yearly objectives in response to the needs expressed.
Commission members develop and understanding of the Baptismal call we have to service and how the faith life of the community is enriched through service. Members are persons of compassion possessing a vision of what “could be”.
Putting Faith into Action – Seeking Justice in all areas of Life
Funeral Lunch Program: care and support for family and friends on the day of the funeral is expressed through this meal prepared and served by members of the parish.
Emergency Food Program: sometimes situations occur, which put people in temporarily dependent situations. Our Food Pantry helps with food for three to five days.
Blood Drives: twice a year we have Blood Drives which help supply to hospitals in our area.
Clothing Drives: twice yearly we collect tons of clothing for distribution through the St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Giving Tree: the people of St. Ephrem Parish provide many gifts at Christmas time for the needy in our community and Archdiocese.
Coffee & Doughnuts: opportunities are provided are provided for people to get better acquainted through sharing food and conversation after the Sunday morning Liturgies.
MCREST: we at St. Ephrem Parish have the unique opportunity once a year (usually the first week of June) to show God our Father just how grateful we are for all the blessings we have received as individuals and as a community. At this time we welcome men, women, children, who have no home, no bed to sleep in, some without jobs. They will come to us carrying all their remaining belongings in two suitcases, backpacks, or garbage bags, looking for food and shelter, a hot shower, a chance to get some laundry done and a safe place to leave their few belongings while they go to work or search for work. Can you give one night to insure their safety? Or, one afternoon cooking a meal, or one evening driving them to hot showers? Or to spend an hour making sandwiches for our guests, or to welcome them to our home? Whatever you do, whatever time you spend, we do it in thanksgiving for all that God has given to us.
A. A.; AL-ANON: one out of every three families will be severely affected by the misuse of alcohol. Alcoholics anonymous are for the person who has become dependent on alcohol. Al-Anon is for spouses and loved ones of alcoholics. Those belonging to this group meet on Saturday evening at 8:00 P. M.
Narcotics Anonymous: meet at our parish usually on every Friday from 11:00 A. M. to 1:00 P. M.
Overeaters Anonymous: meet at our parish usually on every Thursday from 1:00 P. M. to 3:00 P. M.
