North Helpline - Emergency Foodbank
Don MacFarlane 206.524.1674
mdkmac@comcast.net
Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound
paa@st-c.org
St. Francis House - sandwich makers
Alison Roberts 509.630.5603
alisonroberts509@gmail.com
St. Vincent de Paul
Ed Ringness 206.524.8800 Parish Office
svdp@stcatherineparish.net
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides compassion, food, help with utilities and rent, and other support to families in our parish area through home visits to those in need. We respond to whatever needs arise. For example, recently we started helping tenants apply for government programs providing COVID-related rental assistance. We always conduct home visits in teams of two. In a typical month we make between 10 and 20 home visits, which rotate among our teams. We meet as a group twice a month to discuss recent home visits and other conference activities, and for spiritual growth. We also deliver food baskets and gifts from the parish giving tree to families at the Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the pandemic, we have met with our neighbors in need via phone instead of in person visits, and we have conducted our meetings via Zoom.
We are always ready to welcome new members. Vincentian orientation and training on home visits is provided.
If someone is in need, have them call the St. Vincent de Paul referral line at 206-767-6449
Westside Baby
John Flaa 206.334.5892
johnflaa@msn.com
St. Catherine of Siena Parish and St. Catherine’s School supported local children in need for many years through St Joseph’s Baby Corner. In the summer of 2014, the legacy of the Baby Corner was carried forward through a partnership and merger into WestSide Baby. For 15 years, WestSide Baby has been collecting essentials for babies and children up to size 12. Items are distributed free of charge to King County families in need in partnership with 127 established agencies.
Serving families who are homeless, in transitional housing, living below the federal poverty line or simply in need of a little help during a difficult time, WestSide Baby add the expertise of collecting and processing the items families need to thrive when struggling.
In 2014 WestSide Baby distributed $2,107,332 worth of donated diapers, strollers, clothes and equipment to families in need. The most popular items distributed include diapers and hygiene items (which aren’t covered by any assistance programs such as SNAP or WIC), strollers, car seats, cribs and clothing up to age 12. With every clothing bag we include a toy and a book.
There are many ways in which you can help:
Volunteer:WestSide Baby has space to host large groups, as well as regular weekday slots for dedicated volunteers and weekly opportunities for high schoolers.
You can volunteer at either the Central Branch location at 23rd and Jackson or our White Center Location.
Donate at Church: Donations of lightly used clothing from birth to size 12, safety equipment such as usable car seats and portable cribs can all be placed in the collection crib, along with diapers (size 6 preferred) and kids hygiene items. Items will then be delivered by St. Catherine’s own dedicated Crib Coordinator, John Flaa.
Host a Drive:If you’d like to do more you could host a diaper or clothing and equipment drive at your school, home, church or work.
Find out more – go to www.westsidebaby.org or Contact John Flaa johnflaa@msn.com and (206) 334-5892 or WSB Board Member, Laurie Pinard laurieapinard@gmail.com and (206)552-4215) or WSB Volunteer Manager, Shana Allen shana@westsidebaby.org or (206) 686-3110
Teen Feed
This ministry is currently looking for a coordinator. Every other month St. Catherine parishionerse, along with church members from Wallingford Methodist, help cook and serve dinner to ~60 homeless and street involved youth between the ages of 13-25.
Mental Health Ministry
Trez Buckland 206.930.2739
bucklandmike@hotmail.com
This team hosts monthly educational forums on mental health topics.
Justice for Immigrants – educational site devoted to raising awareness about the issue of immigration in light of the Catholic Faith.
Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center – The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center promotes just structures in the church and in the world.
Noel House – Homeless Women’s shelter supported by Catholic Community Services.
Food Helpline - Food Bank on Lake City Way
Blessed Sacrament Food Bank - Soup Kitchen and Food Bank, Open Sunday
Cedar River Watershed - restoring natural habitat and protecting our watersupply.
Compass Center – The Compass Center serves homeless and low-income men and women over 18 years of age, a vulnerable and underserved population in Seattle and King County.
Providence Hospitality House - helping mothers with children in crisis
Jubilee Women’s Center – transistional housing for women
Archdiocese of Seattle
Missions Office
Find out more about the Archdiocesan MISSIONS OFFICE. There is a link below to their webpage. They connect you to communities around the world, and the work of Catholic Relief Services. They provide opportunities to you for news and/or service to communities in need.
"We too ... are called to make compassion, love, mercy and solidarity a true way of life,
a rule of conduct in our relationships with one another. This requires the conversion of
our hearts: the grace of God has to turn our hearts of stone into hearts of flesh,
open to others in authentic solidarity."
- Pope Francis, World Day of Peace Message, January 2016
Archdiocese of Seattle Mission Offices Webpage
Mission Office Good News Newsletter