Community Service

Do you and your friends have gifts and talents just waiting to be put to good use?

Are you interested in joining other Nazareth Association members in providing community service in your area?  

The Nazareth Association Committee on Community Service seeks to involve Nazareth campus grads (Barbour Hall, Nazareth Academy, Nazareth College, St. Joseph and St. Camillus Schools of Nursing) in coming together to provide services with/for those less fortunate in four geographic areas in Michigan: Detroit, Flint, Benton Harbor, Kalamazoo.  

Services may be tutoring, counseling, planning and budgeting with poor women or families; helping in food pantries or soup kitchens; coaching or teaching children in athletic endeavors; assisting in clinics or parish home health, etc.  Each group would be free to explore the areas of expertise represented by the volunteers and match that with the particular areas of need in or around your community. In above-named communities you will find Sisters of St. Joseph already involved and awaiting whatever assistance you might be able to offer.

Or take this opportunity as an incentive to get a group together for the charity of your choice, such as Loaves and Fishes or the many others seeking more willing hands and hearts.  The point is to use your talents and service orientation together with other Nazareth Association members to provide a needed service in your area.  Where two or three are gathered together in My name . . .

Time commitments will differ depending on your schedule and the needs of the area.

We have people waiting to hear from you. . . just let us know that you are willing and we will point you in the right direction.

Contact us through e-mail: iwaldmann@csjoseph.org
or regular mail Irene Waldmann, CSJ
Nazareth Association
3427 Gull Road
Nazareth, MI 49074
or 269 381-6290 ext 418

Sister Mary Ann McCarron is Pastoral Associate at St. Mary Parish, Flint. She says, "The parishioners are very genuine and holy, I feel privileged to serve them through the ministry of Pastoral Associate. My gifts come from 40 years as a Sister of St. Joseph. I try to listen to people's needs before responding. Being present is another gift I strive to impart to the parish, whether it is taking Communion to homebound parishioners, sharing toast and coffee with weekday Mass-goers, or attending liturgical celebrations."

Sister Lenora Benda is the Nurse Coordinator at St. Francis Cabrini Clinic in Detroit. She says, "A great challenge in today's world is to provide health care to the poor and under served. Using my nursing skills and health care experience, an attempt is made to deliver holistic care in a gentle and loving manner to each person God allows me to meet."

Sister Rita Schafer is Outreach/Co-Director of Catholic Community Center in Benton Harbor. She says, "Nearly eleven years ago I responded to the call to reach out in loving service to the neighbor in the city of Benton Harbor. Through this ministry I strive to bring about the unity of all people in Christ. Often the ability to listen to and understand the plight of others is more valuable than any financial assistance we may render. We strive to empower people to be successful rather than merely survive."