Our Journey in Mary's Joy Ministry
Kathryn Griffin, Obl.S.B.
I'm so grateful for my journey as a Catholic convert, beginning in 2003, when Mary's Joy Ministry was founded.
While attending R.C.I.A. classes, I was inspired by Our Lady when I heard a whisper in my heart, a special calling to help our less fortunate brethren. "Mary's Joy is Jesus" I heard. "Together, we entreat those who can to help those in need." I was inspired to start with shoeboxes. Could we place just two in the social hall during coffee hour, with lists tied with string on the top? Yes, we had permission. Soon, a few ladies joined me, as we found two shoeboxes returned with just the items we'd listed, plus several bags beside them, full of new baby blankets and new infant clothing! Before long, we were given a table inside a Sunday school room and began distributing more and more Mary's Joy Shoeboxes. It seemed everyone wanted to "adopt" one! Mary's Joy Ministry was born!
From two little shoeboxes with "Wish Lists" attached, listing items needed by new mothers and infants in distress as well as our homeless brethren, the generosity of our patrons has grown far beyond our expectations. The donations we receive for little ones include new infant clothing, "onesies," infant socks, hats, diapers, wipes, baby bottles, bibs, etc.. They are all sorted and wrapped, then placed in our signature "Mary's Joy Baby Shower-in-a-Bag" gift bag, with a little something for the new mother as well, such as a small photo album or nice hand lotion.
Many of our members love to hand-crochet or knit new hats and sweaters for infants, toddlers, children of all ages and we also welcome scarves and hats for the adults during our autumn and winter seasons.
Donations for our homeless or hungry brethren can be gently-used seasonal clothing, or our new Mary's Joy "Blessing Boxes," with non-perishable food items. Many people await being approved for all manner of social services help which may not come for days or weeks. Our boxes of food can carry a family through a difficult transition time.
OUR NEW MARY'S JOY VIRTUAL ONLINE FOOD PANTRY:
We created our "Mary's Joy Virtual Online Food Pantry" so that food can be listed, yet stored until we have enough to make up several boxes. Many shelters, social service agencies, Catholic help groups, schools and parishes do not have the room or volunteers to run a parish pantry.
We are delighted to have invented this virtual pantry so that donors can store items for us, and we can easily email copies to participants in our ministry so that they are updated as to what is on our "shelves!"
My faith
My Catholic faith teaches me that Christ comes to us in disguise as the poor, the hungry, thirsty, all those in need.
As a new convert to Holy Catholic Church, I heard a whisper in my heart that said "Mary's Joy is Jesus. Together, we entreat others to share what we can with those in distress."
Our Blessed Virgin, Mary, Mother of God, proclaims that the needs of our poor brethren all over the world are as urgent as the person we see begging on the street, and also that their needs are sometimes hidden away.
We must seek out those needing our help. If we are truly one in the Body of Christ, we should feel another's pain just as if it were our own, because, in Christ, we are truly One in His Holy Love.
His Ark-Bearer, Our Lady, The Blessed Virgin Mary, beseeches us to hear her call and His.
Mary's Joy Wrap Parties!
In our twentieth year, we continue to hold absolutely no required meetings! As donations flow in from our parish or from private patrons, we simply email and call our members to invite them to a "Wrap Party" where we sort, wrap and prepare our new gift. It's great fun, "controlled chaos, and in less than two hours, we average a dozen or so Baby Shower in a Bag gift bags, and/or five to ten Blessing Boxes of food. YOUR own parish can easily start a Mary's Joy Ministry. Call or email me to inquire. Dozens of shelters, charities, social work offices, schools and other organizations are right near your own parish. Contact me, please, to see how easy it is to begin sharing the joy! email: ajoyful1@cox.net or call and leave a message (no texts on this landline) (757) 583-1301. I'd be delighted to support you in your own Mary's Joy Ministry.