About 50 parishioners and volunteers from the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist spent time on March 28 working at several sites for their annual Lenten Service Day. Deacon Matt Lawler, who helped coordinate the event, said most projects took place during the morning. Some volunteers tackled more than one project.
Deacon Lawler said the cathedral’s Lenten Service Day is part of the Diocesan Week of Service, an initiative of the diocese that brings people together to serve across Northeast Ohio. During the Week, March 22-28, volunteers partnered with Catholic Charities, parish groups and community organizations to participate in a variety of service projects that reflect the shared mission of compassion, dignity and justice.
(See photo gallery above.)
After a prayer service in the cathedral, the group gathered for doughnuts and coffee provided by the Knights of Columbus Council 733 before heading to their projects.
“This day was a great opportunity for us to take our faith out of these four walls,” Father Joe Mamich, cathedral pastor, told the group.
One group from the cathedral washed the pews, cleaned and polished the marble in Resurrection Chapel and mopped the floors in order to freshen up the church for Holy Week and Easter. Later, another group helped decorate the church for Palm Sunday.
In the lower sacristy, volunteers cleaned and organized while another group made Easter cards for the homebound.
Others made the short drive to Joseph & Mary’s Home where they prepared and served breakfast for the residents and then spent time visiting with them.
The Refugee Resource Center at St. Colman Parish was the destination for other volunteers who spent time helping the regular volunteers sort and distribute clothes and supplies and provide other assistance as needed.
Another group drove to St. Aloysius-St. Agatha Church, where they cleaned the pews, arranged flowers and palms for the altar and helped Sister Mary Jean Raymond, OSU, parish life coordinator, give the church a spring cleaning. A few volunteers also helped distribute food in the school gym.
“Thank you so much for coming to our church,” she told the group. “We truly appreciate the help.”
In the afternoon, Deacon Lawler led a group of volunteers to St. Augustine Health Ministries where they visited with residents and assisted them with a game of bingo.
Additional volunteers spent time at Ohio Guidestone in Berea doing activities with children.
“We are living out Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbor,” Deacon Lawler said.
Did your parish, school or group participate in a project connected to the Diocesan Week of Service? Send photos and information to ckovach@dioceseofcleveland.org.