Penny Collection

For over 25 years, our penny collection has been converting your generous contributions into relief for the poor and the hungry.  The idea is that by taking small donations from many individuals each month, we will be able to gather sufficient sums that can make an impact on improving the lives of the poor.  Indeed, over the years more than $100,000 has been collected and distributed to SHIP to serve the poor.  The Penny Collection has been a real example that our small deeds and contributions have a collective major impact on large problems that face our community.

Helping the poor is a calling and a challenge to all Christians. The Gospel constantly reminds us that Jesus has directed us to care for those people in our society who have fallen on hard times, who have psychological or medical problems that prevent them from working, or who simply do not have the wherewithal to adapt to our society.  Before we ask, “Why are they not able to…?” or, “Who is deserving of our help? we should ask, “What can we do to help them?”  Mother Teresa reemphasized Christ’s calling when she said:

–At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great thingswe have done.

–We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’

–Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love.  Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect.  Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.

On the first weekend of each month, large penny bowls are placed at each of the church’s entrances.  100% of these donations go directly to fund SHIP programs.  We encourage you to keep a ‘pennies for the poor’ jar/can in your home and make this collection a family ministry.  Together we can convert our individual “spare change” (and spare dollars) into an answer to Christ’s call to care for the poor.