Last year we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our Ladies of Charity ministry and the many ways we have been able to help the people in our community. We do this not for any earthly reward but because of the generous, no-expectations love that God has poured into our hearts.
In March, our LOC sewing group supplied handmade blankets, baby sweaters with hats and diapers and other baby items for the Forestville Pregnancy Center.
In August, two of our ladies delivered gift bags consisting of handmade shawls and blankets made by our members for the birthday party at Sacred Heart Nursing Home. We provided cupcakes, ice cream, and juice to help celebrate with all the residents in attendance.
As part of the mission of Ladies of Charity to serve our most vulnerable in our community, we organized three food drives, they were in March, July, and November. This year we added two more Catholic church pantries to our donation list. The impact of these food drives goes beyond monetary support; they are a testament to the compassion and solidarity of our parish to help those in need.
In August, we held our annual school drive for the students of Samuel Chase Elementary in Temple Hills, aiming to ensure that students and teachers would start school with the supplies for a successful school year. We also provided much needed supplies to children in our parish attending Sunday school.
Our Sick and Shut-In Ministry works all year long to send cards and make prayerful phone calls to brighten our shut-ins’ day and to determine their needs. During Lent we sent a Lenten gift bag to all our shut-ins.
In September we did a fundraiser as part of our 40th Anniversary celebration to raise money for the renovation for our church front doors. We raffled off baskets that we made, did a 50/50 raffle, and celebrated with a luncheon with all our parishioners. The church door renovation was completed in November.
Christmas time is a time of giving. The ladies packed and delivered Christmas gift bags to the Sick and Shut-in parishioners with hand-made blankets and shawls, a wall calendar, a daily devotional calendar, hand lotion, and other tasty goodies.
Our annual Christmas Basket Raffle fundraiser was held in November and December. The proceeds went to our local nursing homes and other charities.
In coordination with Prince George’s Oxon Hill Police Department, we held a sock drive to help the homeless in the area for children and adults. Socks are the least donated items to shelters. They will be delivered on the first of January. Last year we delivered four large trash bags full of socks and other items.
Our sewing group works all year round to make handmade crocheted and knitted blankets, shawls, and layette sets for babies for our nursing homes, hospice center, and pregnancy centers.
Submitted by: Diana Gritz, President of St. Ignatius LOC
One thought on “News from St. Ignatius Ladies of Charity, Archdiocese of Washington”
Wonderful work, Ladies of St. Ignatius! Thank you for telling us about your projects…they may help to inspire other groups.