Outreach Ministries
The purpose of the Outreach Ministries at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is to work toward integrating Catholic social teaching and gospel justice into all aspects of parish life. This includes our liturgical faith life and educational programs, as well as social action and service opportunities. Sacred Heart is called to be a church that defends human dignity and stands in solidarity with all whose dignity is undermined. As Pope Paul VI reminded us, "it belongs to the laity, without waiting passively for orders and directives, to take initiative freely and to infuse a Christian spirit into the mentality, customs, laws and structures of their communities.
For general information about Sacred Heart's Outreach Ministries, contact Deacon Marino Gonzalez, 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org.
AIDS Ministry: This group reaches out to those living with HIV/AIDS. Members support the Gift of Grace House, a home for women with AIDS, with a monthly fish fry, a Spring and Fall fishing trip/picnic, a Christmas party, and donations of household items. The AIDS Ministry invites all parishioners to walk together and support AIDS Walk Atlanta, which raises funds for other Atlanta AIDS organizations. Twice a year, the AIDS Ministry sponsors a food packing event held at Open Hand, which is open to all parishioners. Each year on December 1st, all are invited to join the Archdiocese of Atlanta World AIDS Day Mass. Anyone who feels called to help Jesus in his distressing disguise of those suffering with AIDS are welcome to join. Visit the AIDS Ministry page here.
Contact Jim and Myra Kucera at 404-355-4313 or jimkucera@yahoo.com or myra.kucera@yahoo.com.
Cookies for a Cause: Members who volunteer for this ministry make cookies and other baked goods on a periodic basis to sell after mass several times per year. The funds generated from the sale of the baked goods support various Sacred Heart ministries and activities. Contacts: Erin Schneider at coffeye2@yahoo.com.
Daughters of Isabella: With over 60,000 members in the United States and Canada, the Daughters of Isabella is a social, spiritual, and charitable organization whose members are devoted to assisting churches and charities through volunteer services and contributions. Membership is open to all Catholic women, age 16 and over. For additional information, contact Peggy Ballou. You can also learn more about the local Sacred Heart Circle here, and about the national organization at its website, daughtersofisabella.org. Click here to join the local Sacred Heart Circle.
Gift of Grace House: The Gift of Grace House ("Grace House") opened in 1994, through efforts of the order founded by Mother Teresa, to care for indigent women suffering from HIV/AIDS. The home is located in Virginia-Highland and is supported by our Sacred Heart AIDS Ministry.
Volunteers are needed on the third Saturday of each month to bring a side dish and help prepare/serve the Grace House fish fry. Twice a year, volunteers are needed to accompany residents on a fishing trip and picnic to a local lake or river. At the annual Christmas party, we decorate the Grace House and serve a BBQ dinner for residents and volunteers, with support and funds from the AIDS Ministry. All Grace House activities provide a safe opportunity for young adults to earn Community Service credits toward graduation through “hands-on” or direct service for people with HIV/AIDS. We would like to see more parishioners visit the House or assist with our fish fries, fishing trips/picnics, and Christmas party. View the Gift of Grace House page here. Contact Jim and Myra Kucera at 404-355-4313 or jimkucera@yahoo.com or myra.kucera@yahoo.com.
Knights of Columbus: The Knights of Columbus Basilica Council #15848 was formed in 2013. The Knights of Columbus is the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Knights was founded in 1882 to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance may also be offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities. The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Contact: Bill Bradburn, williambradburn@gmail.com. Learn more about the Knights of Columbus.
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat volunteers help with the construction and painting of a house or provide and serve lunch to those who are building. The Habitat building project in Atlanta usually takes place in the Spring. Prayerful and financial support takes place year-round. Contact Gail Ronan 404-288-9883, ronang521@gmail.com.
Hospital Ministry to Emory Midtown: The ministry provides Eucharist to all Catholic patients in Emory Mid town hospital every Sunday. Volunteers are scheduled by the ministry for the Sunday visit. Usually every once every 7 weeks, depending on the amount of volunteers available. A visit offers the opportunity to perform one of the six requirements in Mathew 25. Volunteers must be an Eucharistic Minister or be trained to be one. No criminal record. No application required.
Eucharists are gotten from Sacred Heart on Sunday, hospital provides list of Catholic patients, visit with patient includes saying prayers and distributing Communion with patient and family or guests. Usually visit 10 to 15 rooms. Takes a little over an hour at the hospital.
Contact Milton Shlapak, 404-349-0909, or shlapak@comcast.net.
Midtown Assistance Center (MAC): Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) was formed in 1986 as a collaborative effort of midtown/ downtown congregations and the Midtown Alliance to pool their resources to meet the needs of the community and assist the working poor in Atlanta. MAC believes that in order for families to prosper in the community, basic needs must be met. When MAC provides rent payment assistance, people can get a good night’s sleep without the stress of wondering where their family will sleep the next night. When MAC helps a client with their electric bill, their children are able to do their homework. When MAC helps a family with food, a child can go to school with a full stomach. When basic needs are met, families get through temporary crises so they can thrive in their community. Since its founding, MAC has helped in over 157,100 emergency situations and provided almost $9,300,000 of assistance to low-income families.
In 2018, volunteers contributed over 8,000 volunteer hours to Midtown Assistance Center (MAC). They are the human face of our organization, and our mission would not be possible with out their time and passion. Clients come to us during periods of crisis, sometimes fearful or depressed. Our volunteers are equipped with the compassion, respect and hopefulness our clients deserve.
Most of our volunteer positions involve direct contact with clients. Volunteers not only provide a service, but also to restore hope and lift spirits. MAC’s clients frequently express relief that our staff and volunteers care about their dignity at such a difficult time in their lives. Most likely, your spirits will be lifted as well.
MAC also needs volunteers who can use their talents behind the scenes. Our small staff relies on volunteers to help with data entry, pick up donations, work in the food pantry and support fundraisers and other outreach efforts.
Most of our volunteer opportunities are available during the weekdays, with the exception being donation pick-ups and special events. We have volunteers who are able to volunteer weekly, while others have a more flexible schedule. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.midtownassistancectr.org/volunteer to complete a volunteer application. MAC's Partnerships Director will be in touch to plan a tour and interview.
To learn more about the various volunteer opportunities at Midtown Assistance Center, contact Jenny Jobson, Associate Director at 404-681-0470 or themacatlanta@gmail.com.
www.facebook.com/themacatlanta
www.instagram.com/themacatlanta
Night Shelter: Sacred Heart parishioners are needed to prepare and serve meals and to spend the night for one night per month at the Central Presbyterian Church night shelter during the months of November through March. The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides a hot evening meal for the shelter's guests. Other Sacred Heart parishioners serve the meal, and prepare the breakfast and lunch bags that are given to the guests as they leave in the morning. Male parishioners spend the night in the shelter to provide spiritual comfort and friendship. Email Bob Balke, bbalke@comcast.net, or visit http://www.cpcatlanta.org/night_shelter to learn more about the shelter.
To help prepare and serve meals, contact Roberta McQuade at rmcquade13@hotmail.com. To spend the night, contact Bob Balke at robertbalke@comcast.net.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates a welcoming atmosphere for members of the group to gather, pray and knit (or learn to knit.) The group meets monthly for two hours with the majority of the meetings held at Church and an occasional meeting in the home of a member. The group prays for those who receive a prayer shawl. Prayer shawls and lap blankets are provided to sick parishioners. Winter scarves are knitted for the men who are served at the Thursday Front Door Ministry. Contact: Stephanie Prevost, BasilicaPrayerShawlMinistry@yahoo.com.BasilicaPrayerShawlMinistry@yahoo.com
Prison Ministry for Men and Women:
Men's Prison Ministry: Provide a Mass or Communion service for all of the Catholic inmates in the Fulton County Jail on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7 PM. The ministry offers the opportunity to perform 1 of the 6 requirements mentioned in Matthew 25:34-40. Anyone interested in volunteering to help must be 21 years or older male, no criminal history, and be trained to be an Eucharistic Minister. Application to be submitted to Fulton County Jail Chaplain for approval. Volunteers needed and welcomed to this special and rewarding ministry.
Women's Prison Ministry: I have been participating in the women’s prison ministry 20 years because it is so fulfilling . When the Holy Spirit enters your soul and your heart in a prison you know then salvation is everywhere.
We arrive at the church at 5 PM every first and third Monday of the month. We pack up Bibles religious materials, consecrated hosts and head on down to Union City Jail for a Catholic communion ritual. Sometimes Fr. Royal Lee can be with us and then we have a mass and that is even better. Union City Jail is south of Atlanta airport. Our visits last about an hour and we then head back to the church. (We carpool so drivers are so welcome) No two visits are alike but they all end the same..,with joy. . This is an opportunity for parishioners to follow the teachings of Christ and visit our sisters living on the margins. The returns are much greater than the our invested time. If you are interested a background check is all that is required. I will explain dress code details, procedures and send the required form directly to a ready volunteer.
Contact Milton Shlapak at 404-349-0909 or shlapak@comcast.net for the Men’s ministry, or
Janet Wells at 404-303-8050 or janet@wunderwells.com for the Women’s ministry.
Respect Life Ministry: We often take for granted one of our most precious gifts from God: Life. This ministry creates opportunities for parishioners to be educated about current events or to participate in Atlanta activities which promote life. Contact Cathy Weaver at 770-361-8346 or cathygweave@gmail.com.
Sacred Heart Conference, St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP): The Sacred Heart Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is the longest continuously running St. Vincent de Paul conference in the state of Georgia. The conference -- through its financial contributions -- assists clients who find themselves in great financial need. Prospective volunteers should have a caring and discerning heart.
To request SVdP assistance, please contact our HELP line: 678-892-6163.
Seasonal Outreach: Opportunities are available for Sacred Heart parishioners to help families in need during the holiday time. Contact: Deacon Marino Gonzalez at mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org or 404-974-2235. More information
ServeHaiti Ministry: Sacred Heart sponsors a Haiti Mission at our sister parish in St. Pierre, Grand Bois. Over many visits to St. Pierre since the late 1990's, parishioners have painted the church and school, established a medical clinic, visited various missions and built friendships with St. Pierre parishioners. Through fundraising efforts, Sacred Heart helps provide assistance to the St. Pierre church, the medical clinic, special malnutrition cases and clinic medical supplies. There are plenty of opportunities to help here in Atlanta. The ministry seeks donations of over-the-counter medications and volunteers for a variety of tasks. Contact Wayne Book at wayne.book@me.gatech.edu or Peter Anderson director@servehaiti.org.
Thursday Food Distribution: Sacred Heart offers outreach to the homeless on Thursdays, beginning at 9:00 am. Volunteers are needed to prepare sandwiches and lunch bags on Wednesdays, and to distribute coffee and lunch bags on Thursdays. Donations of bread, chips, coffee, dry creamer, sugar and water are always welcome.
Click Here to Help Sacred Heart Provide Christmas Gifts for our Homeless Mission
Contact: Deacon Marino Gonzalez at 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org.
For general information about Sacred Heart's Outreach Ministries, contact Deacon Marino Gonzalez, 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org.
AIDS Ministry: This group reaches out to those living with HIV/AIDS. Members support the Gift of Grace House, a home for women with AIDS, with a monthly fish fry, a Spring and Fall fishing trip/picnic, a Christmas party, and donations of household items. The AIDS Ministry invites all parishioners to walk together and support AIDS Walk Atlanta, which raises funds for other Atlanta AIDS organizations. Twice a year, the AIDS Ministry sponsors a food packing event held at Open Hand, which is open to all parishioners. Each year on December 1st, all are invited to join the Archdiocese of Atlanta World AIDS Day Mass. Anyone who feels called to help Jesus in his distressing disguise of those suffering with AIDS are welcome to join. Visit the AIDS Ministry page here.
Contact Jim and Myra Kucera at 404-355-4313 or jimkucera@yahoo.com or myra.kucera@yahoo.com.
Cookies for a Cause: Members who volunteer for this ministry make cookies and other baked goods on a periodic basis to sell after mass several times per year. The funds generated from the sale of the baked goods support various Sacred Heart ministries and activities. Contacts: Erin Schneider at coffeye2@yahoo.com.
Daughters of Isabella: With over 60,000 members in the United States and Canada, the Daughters of Isabella is a social, spiritual, and charitable organization whose members are devoted to assisting churches and charities through volunteer services and contributions. Membership is open to all Catholic women, age 16 and over. For additional information, contact Peggy Ballou. You can also learn more about the local Sacred Heart Circle here, and about the national organization at its website, daughtersofisabella.org. Click here to join the local Sacred Heart Circle.
Gift of Grace House: The Gift of Grace House ("Grace House") opened in 1994, through efforts of the order founded by Mother Teresa, to care for indigent women suffering from HIV/AIDS. The home is located in Virginia-Highland and is supported by our Sacred Heart AIDS Ministry.
Volunteers are needed on the third Saturday of each month to bring a side dish and help prepare/serve the Grace House fish fry. Twice a year, volunteers are needed to accompany residents on a fishing trip and picnic to a local lake or river. At the annual Christmas party, we decorate the Grace House and serve a BBQ dinner for residents and volunteers, with support and funds from the AIDS Ministry. All Grace House activities provide a safe opportunity for young adults to earn Community Service credits toward graduation through “hands-on” or direct service for people with HIV/AIDS. We would like to see more parishioners visit the House or assist with our fish fries, fishing trips/picnics, and Christmas party. View the Gift of Grace House page here. Contact Jim and Myra Kucera at 404-355-4313 or jimkucera@yahoo.com or myra.kucera@yahoo.com.
Knights of Columbus: The Knights of Columbus Basilica Council #15848 was formed in 2013. The Knights of Columbus is the world's foremost Catholic fraternal benefit society. The Knights was founded in 1882 to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance may also be offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities. The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.8 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan. Contact: Bill Bradburn, williambradburn@gmail.com. Learn more about the Knights of Columbus.
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat volunteers help with the construction and painting of a house or provide and serve lunch to those who are building. The Habitat building project in Atlanta usually takes place in the Spring. Prayerful and financial support takes place year-round. Contact Gail Ronan 404-288-9883, ronang521@gmail.com.
Hospital Ministry to Emory Midtown: The ministry provides Eucharist to all Catholic patients in Emory Mid town hospital every Sunday. Volunteers are scheduled by the ministry for the Sunday visit. Usually every once every 7 weeks, depending on the amount of volunteers available. A visit offers the opportunity to perform one of the six requirements in Mathew 25. Volunteers must be an Eucharistic Minister or be trained to be one. No criminal record. No application required.
Eucharists are gotten from Sacred Heart on Sunday, hospital provides list of Catholic patients, visit with patient includes saying prayers and distributing Communion with patient and family or guests. Usually visit 10 to 15 rooms. Takes a little over an hour at the hospital.
Contact Milton Shlapak, 404-349-0909, or shlapak@comcast.net.
Midtown Assistance Center (MAC): Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) was formed in 1986 as a collaborative effort of midtown/ downtown congregations and the Midtown Alliance to pool their resources to meet the needs of the community and assist the working poor in Atlanta. MAC believes that in order for families to prosper in the community, basic needs must be met. When MAC provides rent payment assistance, people can get a good night’s sleep without the stress of wondering where their family will sleep the next night. When MAC helps a client with their electric bill, their children are able to do their homework. When MAC helps a family with food, a child can go to school with a full stomach. When basic needs are met, families get through temporary crises so they can thrive in their community. Since its founding, MAC has helped in over 157,100 emergency situations and provided almost $9,300,000 of assistance to low-income families.
In 2018, volunteers contributed over 8,000 volunteer hours to Midtown Assistance Center (MAC). They are the human face of our organization, and our mission would not be possible with out their time and passion. Clients come to us during periods of crisis, sometimes fearful or depressed. Our volunteers are equipped with the compassion, respect and hopefulness our clients deserve.
Most of our volunteer positions involve direct contact with clients. Volunteers not only provide a service, but also to restore hope and lift spirits. MAC’s clients frequently express relief that our staff and volunteers care about their dignity at such a difficult time in their lives. Most likely, your spirits will be lifted as well.
MAC also needs volunteers who can use their talents behind the scenes. Our small staff relies on volunteers to help with data entry, pick up donations, work in the food pantry and support fundraisers and other outreach efforts.
Most of our volunteer opportunities are available during the weekdays, with the exception being donation pick-ups and special events. We have volunteers who are able to volunteer weekly, while others have a more flexible schedule. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit www.midtownassistancectr.org/volunteer to complete a volunteer application. MAC's Partnerships Director will be in touch to plan a tour and interview.
To learn more about the various volunteer opportunities at Midtown Assistance Center, contact Jenny Jobson, Associate Director at 404-681-0470 or themacatlanta@gmail.com.
www.facebook.com/themacatlanta
www.instagram.com/themacatlanta
Night Shelter: Sacred Heart parishioners are needed to prepare and serve meals and to spend the night for one night per month at the Central Presbyterian Church night shelter during the months of November through March. The St. Vincent de Paul Society provides a hot evening meal for the shelter's guests. Other Sacred Heart parishioners serve the meal, and prepare the breakfast and lunch bags that are given to the guests as they leave in the morning. Male parishioners spend the night in the shelter to provide spiritual comfort and friendship. Email Bob Balke, bbalke@comcast.net, or visit http://www.cpcatlanta.org/night_shelter to learn more about the shelter.
To help prepare and serve meals, contact Roberta McQuade at rmcquade13@hotmail.com. To spend the night, contact Bob Balke at robertbalke@comcast.net.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: The Prayer Shawl Ministry creates a welcoming atmosphere for members of the group to gather, pray and knit (or learn to knit.) The group meets monthly for two hours with the majority of the meetings held at Church and an occasional meeting in the home of a member. The group prays for those who receive a prayer shawl. Prayer shawls and lap blankets are provided to sick parishioners. Winter scarves are knitted for the men who are served at the Thursday Front Door Ministry. Contact: Stephanie Prevost, BasilicaPrayerShawlMinistry@yahoo.com.BasilicaPrayerShawlMinistry@yahoo.com
Prison Ministry for Men and Women:
Men's Prison Ministry: Provide a Mass or Communion service for all of the Catholic inmates in the Fulton County Jail on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 7 PM. The ministry offers the opportunity to perform 1 of the 6 requirements mentioned in Matthew 25:34-40. Anyone interested in volunteering to help must be 21 years or older male, no criminal history, and be trained to be an Eucharistic Minister. Application to be submitted to Fulton County Jail Chaplain for approval. Volunteers needed and welcomed to this special and rewarding ministry.
Women's Prison Ministry: I have been participating in the women’s prison ministry 20 years because it is so fulfilling . When the Holy Spirit enters your soul and your heart in a prison you know then salvation is everywhere.
We arrive at the church at 5 PM every first and third Monday of the month. We pack up Bibles religious materials, consecrated hosts and head on down to Union City Jail for a Catholic communion ritual. Sometimes Fr. Royal Lee can be with us and then we have a mass and that is even better. Union City Jail is south of Atlanta airport. Our visits last about an hour and we then head back to the church. (We carpool so drivers are so welcome) No two visits are alike but they all end the same..,with joy. . This is an opportunity for parishioners to follow the teachings of Christ and visit our sisters living on the margins. The returns are much greater than the our invested time. If you are interested a background check is all that is required. I will explain dress code details, procedures and send the required form directly to a ready volunteer.
Contact Milton Shlapak at 404-349-0909 or shlapak@comcast.net for the Men’s ministry, or
Janet Wells at 404-303-8050 or janet@wunderwells.com for the Women’s ministry.
Respect Life Ministry: We often take for granted one of our most precious gifts from God: Life. This ministry creates opportunities for parishioners to be educated about current events or to participate in Atlanta activities which promote life. Contact Cathy Weaver at 770-361-8346 or cathygweave@gmail.com.
Sacred Heart Conference, St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP): The Sacred Heart Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is the longest continuously running St. Vincent de Paul conference in the state of Georgia. The conference -- through its financial contributions -- assists clients who find themselves in great financial need. Prospective volunteers should have a caring and discerning heart.
To request SVdP assistance, please contact our HELP line: 678-892-6163.
Seasonal Outreach: Opportunities are available for Sacred Heart parishioners to help families in need during the holiday time. Contact: Deacon Marino Gonzalez at mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org or 404-974-2235. More information
ServeHaiti Ministry: Sacred Heart sponsors a Haiti Mission at our sister parish in St. Pierre, Grand Bois. Over many visits to St. Pierre since the late 1990's, parishioners have painted the church and school, established a medical clinic, visited various missions and built friendships with St. Pierre parishioners. Through fundraising efforts, Sacred Heart helps provide assistance to the St. Pierre church, the medical clinic, special malnutrition cases and clinic medical supplies. There are plenty of opportunities to help here in Atlanta. The ministry seeks donations of over-the-counter medications and volunteers for a variety of tasks. Contact Wayne Book at wayne.book@me.gatech.edu or Peter Anderson director@servehaiti.org.
Thursday Food Distribution: Sacred Heart offers outreach to the homeless on Thursdays, beginning at 9:00 am. Volunteers are needed to prepare sandwiches and lunch bags on Wednesdays, and to distribute coffee and lunch bags on Thursdays. Donations of bread, chips, coffee, dry creamer, sugar and water are always welcome.
Click Here to Help Sacred Heart Provide Christmas Gifts for our Homeless Mission
Contact: Deacon Marino Gonzalez at 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org.