Father Michael Dyer and Milton Catholic Church parishioners recently met with Catholic Care, Wollongong representatives to explore community partnership avenues.
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The Milton Parish is looking at ways to expand and better provide social, emotional and spiritual outreach services to our local community.
Along with Fr Michael, Catholic Care Director, Michael Austin and Executive Manager Family Services, Roseanne Plunkett, St Vincent de Paul Neil Parker, President, Margaret Surace and Maureen Dews and Parish Family Outreach Minister Anneliese Robinson, Parish Leadership Team representative Justin Stanwix and several others working for the parish in various ministries attended the meeting.
Prior to the meeting, Michael and Roseanne, from Catholic Care, were taken on a tour of the local St Vincent De Paul facility and were impressed with the efficient processes and wonderful work, in which the many volunteers are engaged daily.
Meeting discussions included:
- the population growth in the area at around 20- 30 percent;
- families, school children including indigenous students and others needing help in various ways;
- housing crisis for the underprivileged in the area and the often 10 year wait for Social Housing and
- assistance provided via the Local Soup Kitchen and Bay Leaf Restaurant initiatives.
St Vincent de Paul currently assists over 400 families and singles with food, clothing, chemist supplies and short term accommodation, where possible.
The group mapped out ways forward to support and supplement these existing initiatives as well as bringing into focus new ways of caring for the disadvantaged and marginalised in our community, in addition to those experiencing financial, emotional, psychological, or spiritual stress in their lives.
The Catholic Church community is reaching out to care for anyone in need, in our region.
The community shares a vision for inclusive, thriving communities, where the human dignity of all is respected and valued.
If there are Catholics in our community who have lost touch with our church and would like to re-connect with our 'Catholic Parish Family', we would love to hear from you.
Please contact Vivienne Benson-Hodge on 0407 264 665 or Justin and Mary Stanwix at milton@dow.org.au or 4455 1313
