More than 100 volunteers from St. Joseph Parish in Cuyahoga Falls celebrated their patron saint with a day of prayer, service and celebration. The event was a way to give back to the community and to celebrate the work of St. Joseph. (See photo gallery above.)
Service projects for the day were coordinated with nonprofit organizations that serve the poor and vulnerable in Northeast Ohio.
The day began with a celebration of Mass. Father Jared Orndorff, parish pastor, blessed the traditional St. Joseph’s Table during the liturgy. The table included bread, pastries and other foods that represent a call to serve the poor and hungry. The food was donated to the Akron Food Bank.
After Mass, parish volunteers got to work at their service assignments.
Some volunteers prepared and served hot lunches to those at the Haven of Rest and completed cleaning tasks. They also made inspiration cards during the St. Joseph service day. Haven of Rest is a Christian ministry in Akron that responds to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of men, women and children without regard to their race, color, creed or social standing.
At another site -- the Peter Maurin Center -- volunteers completed cleaning tasks and added a new coat of paint. The Peter Maurin Center serves individuals and families who are unsheltered and marginalized in the Greater Akron area by providing meals and warm clothing.
St. Joseph parishioners also made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and donated their time to the outreach of St. Bernard Parish’s food pantry, which partners with the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. Their program distributes hot meals and contributes to shelters and other hunger-relief programs.
Volunteers provided assistance to the Embrace Pregnancy & Care Center in Barberton, by packing blessing bags with essentials for the women including toiletries, diapers and clothing. The pregnancy center offers pregnancy testing, peer counseling and distribution of infant food, furniture, car seats, layette items and clothing to mothers in need and their families.
The day of service concluded with volunteers enjoying fellowship and a spaghetti dinner that was prepared and served by the Knights of Columbus.
St. Joseph Parish, established in 1831, is at 1761 Second Ave., Cuyahoga Falls. Click here to learn more about the parish.