We are fortunate to have extremely generous donors and volunteers who give their time, energy, support and resources to Catholic Charities. As part of our donor and volunteer appreciation campaign, we are recognizing individuals and organizations who share God’s love and spread Christ’s light by partnering with Catholic Charities. Because of them, we are able to bring vital, lifesaving services to our neighbors in greatest need. Here’s the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon’s story:
March is the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Heritage month. This year, the Sisters chose to celebrate their community and their founding Sisters, or “Foundresses,” through service. On Wednesday, March 24, one day before the Sisters observed Foundresses Day on March 25, the Sisters volunteered with Catholic Charities of Oregon’s Housing Transitions Program (HTP) where they prepared the Wednesday Lunch meal, serving 20 women experiencing homelessness or transitioning out of homelessness.
Victoria Waldrep, Lead Housing Case Manager III and Employment Specialist III, Housing Transitions Program, Catholic Charities of Oregon, shared this message of appreciation to the Sisters for the meal, the skills, and love involved: “Our community was so very grateful for the warm homemade food you provided. Homemade food is delightful and so appreciated by our community. Again many thanks for your service to the women of Housing Transitions Program. We welcome your culinary skills and the love which was shown in the meal you made.”
To learn more about the Sisters’ March 24 experience volunteering with HTP, read their blog.
The Sisters have already signed up to provide Wednesday Lunch again in April and May and they tell us that they hope to make this a reoccurring volunteer event every month.
Thank you, Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon. At Catholic Charities of Oregon, we wouldn’t be able to deliver lifesaving services to those in greatest need without people like you. You #Inspire Us.
Interested in volunteering with Catholic Charities of Oregon? Visit our Pope Francis Center Volunteerism webpage to see the available opportunities.