Ministries of Mercy – Saint Anne Catholic Church

“Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well.” – Saint Teresa of Calcutta

The Corporal Works of Mercy

“Amen, I say to you, insofar as you did it for one of these least of my brothers, you did it for me.” Mt. 25:40

To feed the hungry: “For I was hungry and you gave me to eat.” Mt. 25:35
To give drink to the thirsty: “…I was thirsty and you gave me to drink…” Mt. 25:35
To clothe the naked: “I was…naked and you clothed me…” Mt. 25:36
To visit the imprisoned: “I was in prison and you came to me.” Mt. 25:36
To shelter the homeless: “…I was a stranger and you took me in…” Mt. 25:35
To visit the sick: “…I was sick and you cared for me…” Mt. 25:36
To bury the dead: CCC, 2447

Ministry of Mercy volunteers generally work as team members where they can manager their time working as little as one or two hours a week; or occasionally; or more often and regular.

All Ministry of Mercy Volunteers must complete the Diocese Safe Environment Training Program. To sign-up for and complete this training go to: https://stpetersburg.cmgconnect.org/.

To volunteer email Linda or call the parish office at 813 645 1714.

Ministry to the Sick

The Ministry to the Sick is a group of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who assist the priests in bringing the Church and Holy Communion to the sick, homebound, and hospitalized of the Parish. Visits are generally done immediately after Mass. Members receive their assignments through the direction of the parish office. Special training and a background check are required.

Commitment may vary from a few hours each month to daily activities, depending upon the number of sick a Minister chooses to visit and the level of involvement desired.

Bereavement

The Lazarus Team provides caring consolation and support to families who are grieving the loss of loved ones. The members attend funeral services; welcome the attendees, offering solace and prayer for the deceased and those left behind and carry out the duties of Lectors, EMHC, Greeters, Altar Servers and Sacristan as needed.

The Liturgical Coordinators direct and assign the volunteers for the Funeral Liturgy.

Food Pantry

The goal of this ministry is to help feed the hungry in the community. The work of the Food Pantry includes ordering, collecting, organizing, and distributing bags of food to those needing it. Volunteers generally perform the various duties during the weekdays. Activities vary from heavy-lifting to administrative/clerical work.

The level of commitment varies based upon chosen area of participation.

To learn more about the Food Pantry visit their outreach page.

“Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete.

If you’re alive, it isn’t. “

– Richard Bach, American Author

Rosary & Prayer Shawl Makers

The Group knits and/or crochets prayer shawls (at home or in group) for those who are in need of strength while undergoing medical procedures, those in need of comfort after a loss, those in need of peace and patience during an illness and recovery, those in celebration of the birth of a child, or those going away to college. There are endless possibilities!

Parishioners who can knit or crochet and those who would like to learn these skills and to make rosaries come together on occasion to share tips, to teach and help the new volunteers, and to enjoy fellowship.

Prayer shawls and rosaries begin with the shawl makers saying prayers for the recipients. The intentions are continued during the creation of the shawls. Volunteers spend time creating shawls as they wish, as few or as many as they want.