For Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary/St. Louis Parish in Swanton and Highgate Center, honoring scripture’s teaching, “whoever is kind to the needy honors God,” begins with a listening ear and hearts that understand the challenges many people face.

“Here at Nativity-St. Louis we have been assisting those in need for as long as I can remember, at least the 30 years that I have been involved,” said Gerri Cobb, parish office manager, who explained that through a parish charity fund the parish helps parishioners as well as those in need in the local community.

That help may include financial assistance with outstanding utility bills, rent or fuel bills, or something as simple as arranging for gas for someone to get to a medical appointment or to work when personal funds don’t cover all expenses. There may also be a need for food, which is available from the Swanton Community Food Shelf in the Nativity Parish Center. Sometimes, local organizations will refer individuals to the parish when their own budgets have been challenged.

While the charity fund, which serves some 50 families and 30 individuals throughout the year, is part of the parish budget, parishioners are asked to donate. There is also an extra appeal at Christmas so more people may be served.

The fund recently received a $3,000 grant from the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation.

“When people need help those who don’t know the process usually go to the priest first, and then the priest sends them to the parish office,” Cobb said. “We try to take time to listen to each person’s story and try to fully understand what their needs are. Sometimes just listening to that person and valuing them as a child of God is the greatest gift that we can give.”

Cobb also explained that, because of the need to be good stewards of limited parish funds, a screening process is in place that includes phone calls to other area churches or agencies that might be involved in the situation. Money is never given directly to an individual, but, rather, arrangements are in place to address needs.

“It is especially gratifying to me personally when helping a senior who is on a very limited budget knowing that we are making a positive difference in their being able to make ends meet. Or when we serve a family knowing that their children will be sleeping in a nice warm house on a cold winter night because we were able to help them with their fuel or electric bill,” Cobb said.

— Originally published in the Winter 2023 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.