Outreach
Parishioners are involved in various community organizations and government entities such as Hospice, as well as doing one-to-one, family-to-family acts of kindness and charity.
The parish, believing it must practice what it preaches about tithing, sets aside a percentage (working towards 10%) of the Sunday collection for needs outside the parish. Funds are used to local and world needs
The parish, as parish, is involved and supports the following community projects.
v The Community Pantry housed in the Trinity Episcopal Church in West Branch
v The Good Samaritan Fund for people in need sponsored by the Ogemaw County Ministerial Association.
v Christmas House – a local community church project to provide Christmas gifts for families in need.
v The local St. Vincent de Paul Society in the operation of their thrift store and in their helping families and persons in need.
v Bortz Health Care facility by providing a Valentine Party for the residents and providing Christmas gifts for each resident.
St. Joseph School students adopt a needy family at Christmas time, as well as other projects during the year.
The parish takes part in Catholic Relief Services Lenten Rice Bowl Program. This is a special opportunity for parishioners to share with the needy of the world, donating what has been saved through Lenten fasting, abstaining, and self-denial. The program also invites participants to learn about, and pray, with those throughout the world who have so much less than we do. Funds collected are sent to Catholic Relief Services.
The parish also provides an opportunity for parishioners to make donations easily to assist the world's needy throughout the year. The Sunday collection envelope has a line item entitled “World Needy”. Donations received are used for local needs as well as for needy persons outside the US through the Catholic Relief Services and for disaster relief in the US through US Catholic charities.