Social Ministry

Thank you to Good Shepherd Parish!
We have had a strong relationship with Good Shepherd Parish for many years supporting Baby World.  As part of their commitment to Baby World they host a diaper drive each year.  They delivered a large supply of diapers, wipes and toiletries as well as a very generous financial donation to our Outreach Office this week.  Partnering with Good Shepherd has helped us serve needy families in our community struggling to provide for their children.  We are very grateful to them for this wonderful support!
 

The mission of St. John the Apostle Parish Social Ministry Department is to create opportunities for parishioners to understand and act on Catholic social teaching. This is achieved by integrating the following components into the life of our parish; direct service, global solidarity, advocacy and formation, and education.

The Office of Social Ministry identifies the need for social services within the parish community as well as outside the parish. As disciples of Christ we are called to reach out to those in need. We provide information, referrals and resources for emergency assistance. We are dependent on the service of many dedicated volunteers who donate their time and resources for all the programs offered in this ministry. Our services are designed to address basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, transportation, and support for bereaved, homebound, elderly, incarcerated and the poor.

Below are more details regarding specific social ministries:

Angel/Lamb Tree
Each Christmas and Easter the parish decorates a tree with angels or lambs on which are written the names of children and nursing home residents and gifts needed for each.  Volunteers can help to decorate the tree, and sort and deliver the gifts. Please contact Sue Deskeere at (817) 284-3288 for more information.

Bereavement Mailings
A mailing is sent to the families of individuals who have had funeral services at our parish. These mailings offer encouragement, support, prayers and literature regarding the grieving process. Mailings go out monthly. 

Bereavement Meals
A meal is offered to the families of persons whose funeral service takes place at St. Johns.  Volunteers donate food, prepare the food and serve it to the families. Please contact Rosemary Serrano at (817) 267-7856 for more information.

Care Corps
This ministry helps the elderly residents of Northeastern Tarrant County with everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and other errands. Volunteers answer phones, provide transportation and build ramps for disabled accessibility. Although this is a separate entity, our parish supports it financially and with volunteers. For more information please call (817) 282-0531.

Communion to the Homebound
Communion ministers bring the Eucharist to those unable to join us for Sunday Mass. They visit private homes or nursing homes to pray with the resident and provide communion on a weekly basis, at the volunteers convenience. Please contact Lupe Hernandez at (817) 284-4811 for more information.
              
English as a Second Language (ESL)
ESL classes teach English primarily to newly immigrated people of all nationalities. Fort Worth ISD provides the teachers and the curriculum. Volunteers are needed to assist with the classes in our parish. Training and curriculum is provided. Please contact Art Serrano at (817) 267-7856 for more information.
              
Gabriel’s Angels
This ministry of the Diocese of Fort Worth involves ministering women who have decided against abortion. The ministry attends to the mother's spiritual and emotional needs. Gabriel’s Angels are trained through the Diocese of Fort Worth Respect Life Office. Please contact the Diocese of Fort Worth at (817) 560-3300 for more information.

Meals on Wheels
St. John the Apostle has a large number of meals delivered to the community from the city’s Meals on Wheels program. Volunteers pick up the meals at the parish and deliver them to needy people throughout the area. Please contact Meals on Wheels at (817) 336-0912 for more information.

Parish Mission, Patzun Guatemala
St. John the Apostle sends a team of about ten people to Guatemala annually to develop and strengthen the relationship with our sister parish in Patzun. For about seven days, volunteers focus on giving children anti-parasite medications and meeting with families in the surrounding villages. Please contact Colleen Cargile at (817) 284-4811 for more information.

Prison Ministry
Prison Ministry is a volunteer-based ministry that responds to the spiritual needs of those who are incarcerated in local prisons, jails and detention centers. It assures that spiritual support is provided by trained volunteers on a regular basis; develops and implements strategies for training and supervising volunteers; and promotes the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ documents and strategies regarding prisons, detention centers and the death penalty. Please contact Colleen Cargile at (817) 284-4811 for more information.

Pro-Life Ministry
This ministry in collaboration with other parishes, agencies and the Diocese exists to promote the sacredness of all life, from conception to natural death. Please contact Colleen Cargile at (817) 284-4811 for more information.

Samaritan House
Local churches take turns providing an evening meal for the Samaritan House, a home for people suffering from HIV/AIDS. St. John the Apostle serves the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Please contact Colleen Cargile at (817) 284-4811 for more information.

Stephen Ministry
The Stephen Ministry is a national program that trains people to provide one-on-one, Christ-centered counseling and prayer in times of crisis or distress.  Stephen Ministers go through an extensive training process that gives them the skills they need to lend an empathetic ear to people dealing with troubling life issues. Please contact Richard Benson at (817) 528-6930 for more information.
            
Baby World
This office is open to clients living in Tarrant County.  They may come once a month for clothing, diapers and infant formula for children from infant through 6 years old.  The parent must have a picture ID and Social Security card or birth certificate for the child receiving the service.  All items are donated and are subject to supply and demand. No appointment is necessary. Please call the Outreach Office at (817) 284-5912 for more information.

Food Pantry
This office is open to clients living in zip codes 76053, 76054, 76117, 76118, 76180, 76182 and 76111.  Clients may come once a month for basic canned food items and other donated items such as toiletries.  The client must have a picture ID with proof of residency in the area served.  All items are donated and subject to supply and demand.  No appointment is necessary. Please call the Outreach Office at (817) 284-5912 for more information.
 
Prescription Aid
This office is open to clients living in zip codes 76053, 76054, 76117, 76118, 76180, 76182 and 76111. A voucher to Kroger Pharmacy or JPS Pharmacy is provided up to three times a year for most medications.  The client must have a picture ID and proof of residency in the area served.  No appointment is necessary. Please call the Outreach Office at (817) 284-4811 for more information.

Financial Aid
This office is open to clients living in zip codes 76053, 76054, 76117, 76118, 76180, 76182 and 76111. This office operates by appointment only. On Monday at 9:30 a.m. the phone is answered and the first 10 qualifying clients form the list for the week. These 10 clients will be given an appointment during the week for financial aid for rent, utilities or other bills after screening by the Intake volunteer. Please call the Outreach Office at (817) 284-5912 for more information.

Middle School Mentoring
Volunteers meet weekly with students from a local middle school who have been identified as "at-risk" because of home or other issues. This is a one-hour commitment done at the convenience of the volunteer.  Please contact Colleen Cargile at (817) 284-4811 for more information.

Befrienders
This ministry consists of volunteers who commit to going to a local nursing home facility to make visits to a resident on a weekly basis. This is a one-hour commitment done at the the convenience of the volunteer. Please contact Colleen Cargile at (817) 281-4811 for more information.