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 provide household items to The Living Room, a program for those living with HIV/AIDS, providing help in finding permanent housing; support the Gift of Grace House, a home for women with AIDS by donating household items, making weekly visits, and cooking an servings a monthly fish fry; providing financial assistance for emergency situations; raising money by walking in the AIDS walk; and raising funds for and providing assistance to other Atlanta AIDS organizations. Twice a year, an event is held at Open Hand to package meals. Members of the AIDS Ministry meet quarterly. Anyone who feels called to help Jesus in his distressing disguise of those suffering with AIDS are welcome to join. 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.
Gift of Grace House: The Gift of 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 and serve the Grace House Fish Fry. The Fish Fry provides a safe opportunity for young adults to earn Community Service credits toward graduation through “hands-on” or direct service for people with HIV/AIDS. Another monthly meal is an oxtail dinner provided by a parishioner. Once a year, volunteers with vehicles 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 prepare a BBQ dinner for residents and volunteers, with support and funds from the AIDS Ministry. We would like to see more parishioners visit the House and make meals for the residents. 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: Contact Milt Shlapak, 404-349-0909, or shlapak@comcast.net.
Marketing and Communications Committee: Volunteers to assist with the internal and external communications of the Parish, with a goal to create greater awareness of the Basilica in the area, and grow our faith community. Don Thurman, donthurman2000@yahoo.com.
Midtown Assistance Center (MAC): This is an interfaith ministry that provides emergency assistance (rent, utility, food, clothing, etc.) to the working poor of Midtown and downtown Atlanta. Sacred Heart organizes food drives to stock the shelves of MAC’s food pantry; collects men’s clothing/work shoes and hygiene items; and provides MAC with financial support and a volunteer force. To learn more about the various volunteer opportunities at Midtown Assistance Center, contact Jenny Jobson, Associate Director at 404-681-0470 or jjobson@midtownassistancectr.org.
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.
Our dates this year:
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Monday, February 11, 2019
Sunday, March 24, 2019
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, scprevost77@yahoo.com.
Prison Ministry for Men and Women: This ministry provides the only Catholic presence at the Fulton County Jail by celebrating Mass for male prisoners on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The ministry also offers a Communion service for female prisoners on the first and third Mondays. Contact Milt Shlapak at 404-349-0909 or shlapak.dev@prodigy.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.
Social Media Presence: Our social media presence is designed to share the Good News as it lives at Sacred Heart. If you are interested in generating content for us, please contact Alessandra Richardson at socialmedia@sacredheartatlanta.org
St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP): Sacred Heart’s SVdP Conference is part of the Society’s national chapter and is the oldest, continually operating conference in north Georgia. Vincentians conduct case visits to bring assistance to the needy and the economically distressed who live within the conference's service area. The group also holds periodic food and clothing drives. Vincentians are impelled by the vision of SVdP co-founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who helped start a ministry for the poor in 19th century France. Caseworkers are always needed to go on to “the front lines of poverty” for this vital ministry.
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. Contact: Deacon Marino Gonzalez at 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org.