News & Upcoming Events

“Share Your Shelf” Weekly Program

Thank you to St. Mary’s Parishioners for your generous donations to our weekly food shelf collection.

May’s recipient is JOYCE UPTOWN FOOD SHELF (visit website HERE )

IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Diapers and wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, Ramen Noodles

• Sunday, May 4: Ramen Noodles
• Sunday, May 11: Cereal (both hot and cold)
• Sunday, May 18: Canned Meal – large cans (e.g. Chili / Pork and Beans)
• Sunday, May 25: Peanut Butter

Please do not bring any opened packages as they will be discarded.

The need is greater than ever as food insecurity in our community continues to skyrocket. You can bring bags of packaged or canned food to St. Mary’s during weekday business hours or on Sunday mornings prior to Divine Liturgy. We also have a collection box for monetary donations to help food shelves purchase needed food items. Checks should be made payable to “St. Mary’s GOC” with “Share your Shelf” written in the memo line.

“Recent research shows that many children who do not have enough to eat wind up with diminished capacity to understand and learn. Children don’t have to be starving for this to happen. Even mild undernutrition, the kind most common among poor people in America, can do it.” – Carl Sagan

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:13-21)

Urgent FOCUS Clothing Needs

FOCUS is in desperate need of men’s winter clothing, including jackets, boots, warm socks, and gloves. Cold weather is coming and the men’s closet is very bare of these essential articles of clothing. Please bring these needed items to church and place them by the FOCUS sign in the hallway leading to the office.

While the early fall temperatures were unseasonably warm, the cold winter weather is fast approaching! FOCUS drive is for all types of NEW blankets, up to the size of a full bed. Roll it up and tie it with a ribbon.  Put the blanket at the church FOCUS sign by the church school doors or take to FOCUS at 550 Rice Street, St. Paul.  FOCUS clients will appreciate the warmth this winter.

St. Mary’s has packaged 189,000 Meals!

Woohoo! and praise be to God for all the volunteers who stayed after Liturgy to enjoy putting together oatmeal meals, 15,000 (St. Mary’s goal) for a grand total that St. Mary’s has done to-date of 189,000. Thank You! It was delightful to hear Iosif ring the bell when another box was filled, how fun is that! It was heartwarming to hear a comment “this is something that I can do and it makes me feel really helpful.” And, another comment “it was so fun at our table.” It is wonderful to hear that already, folks are asking when the next Harvest Pack Event will be held as they want to put on their calendar.

You will be glad to hear that these boxes of nutritious oatmeal went to Every Meal. Every Meal was very grateful for your volunteer help as their mission is Fighting Child Hunger. There are approximately 300,000 children in Minnesota with food insecurity – that is a very large number of hungry children and families. How grateful that St. Mary’s volunteers helped many children and families with the oatmeal meals.

Doesn’t it make you feel good to see all these smiles of everyone helping children and families. Thank You!

About Missions & Outreach and Getting Connected

St. Mary’s Missions & Outreach provides assistance to a wide variety of local organizations involved in missions, community outreach, and faith support.  Support is provided through hands-on volunteering and fundraising.

These organizations bring to life our Parish’s Vision: Hear, Pray, Grow, Serve and Share

The Missions & Outreach group also provides guidance to newcomers who want to learn more about St. Mary’s and the Orthodox faith.

To get connected and find volunteer opportunities, stop by the Welcome & Information table in the Great Hall after Sunday Liturgy, or email the Missions & Outreach committee.

Featured Organizations

Featured Photos

Committee Members

Cheryl Dragotis
William Fazio
George Griller
Terri Leckas
Bob Kennedy