Each year the Office of Communications surveys our 69 parishes regarding their engagement in social ministries in the following categories: hunger, poverty, homelessness, illness and prison. Rooted in Matthew 25:35, our Catholic faith calls each one of us to put our faith into action by engaging in social ministries that serve the most vulnerable in our midst. The following survey results highlight our parishes’ commitment to social ministries throughout the Diocese of Burlington. Learn more in the winter issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:35

PARISH PARTICIPATION IN INDIVIDUAL MINISTRIES

95% Hunger

93% Poverty

80% Illness/Infirmity

55% Homelessness

20% Prison

100% of parishes pray for those experiencing illness/infirmity.

77% of parishes bring Mass services to family homes and residential care or nursing homes.

69% of parishes provide financial support for those experiencing homelessness.

66% of parishes provide vouchers for household goods to those in need.

60% of parishes hold food drives and collect food for the hungry.

30% of parishes hold clothing drives for those struggling with poverty.

Where to watch Christmas Eve and Day Mass:

St. Joseph Cathedral Livestream

vermontcatholic.org/news/ communication/tv-mass

Christmas Eve: 4 p.m.; Christmas Day:10 a.m.

EWTN

ewtn.com/tv/schedule/ united-states/2020-12-24

Christmas Eve: 3:30 p.m.; Christmas Day: 8 a.m. and noon

Christ Our Hope Campaign Update A portion of the funds raised through the Christ Our Hope: Building a Vibrant Church campaign supports these types of ministries through the faith formation fund established in the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation. This will ensure stable income for vital faith formation ministries, especially in times of crisis. To learn more about the campaign or make a gift online visit christourhopevt.org.

32% as of Dec. 3: $3,196,612 Goal: $10,000,000

—Originally published in the Dec. 12-18, 2020, issue of The Inland See.