Social Ministry

Photo by Nick Castelli Photography (nickcastelliphotocatholic.com)

Our Mission

The empowerment of the parish as the people of God to fulfill the Church’s mission of love, justice, freedom, peace and service by responding in an organized way to meet societal and human individual needs.

“When you do it for my brother and my sister, you do it for Me” – Matthew 25:40

Services

Food Pantry: The New Hyde Park Catholic Food Pantry is open on Monday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The New Hyde Park Catholic Food Pantry is in the Holy Spirit Parish Center at 16 South 6th Street on the corner of Jericho Turnpike. We provide food, toiletries, and diapers for families in need in New Hyde Park and Garden City Park. To register for the Pantry services, please bring 2 forms of identification. Families may visit the Pantry two times per month. No appointments are necessary. You can also email your food order to socialministry@hsnhp.org. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 516-354-0359, option 3.

Informal Counseling & Emergency Referrals: Counseling and services are provided to empower clients with options and long term solutions that are dealing with a socio-economic crisis.

Medical Equipment: We provide gently used medical equipment to those in need. All of the provided items are donated to our office.

Transportation Ministry: Our office coordinates a dedicated team of volunteers who offer rides to Seniors for their medical appointments.

St. Vincent de Paul Society: Our Parish has a very active St. Vincent de Paul council that meets the needs of our community and assists other councils. Click here for more information: St. Vincent de Paul Society

Holiday Services

Holiday Programs: The holidays are a very big time of service here at Notre Dame.

Thanksgiving Meal Project: During Thanksgiving a dedicated team of volunteers delivers hot meals to the homebound.

Christmas Programs: “The Giving Tree” families select a need from our Physical or Virtual giving tree card and purchase a gift for an adult or child in need. These gifts are then supplied to several organizations that distribute the gifts.

Adopt-A-Family: Parish families shop for a New Hyde Park family in need. Our office supplies the donors with an anonymous wish list to make all their Christmas wishes come true.

Easter Programs: Volunteers assemble Easter Baskets for our Food Pantry clients with children.

Support Programs

Rainbows for all God’s Children: Here at Notre Dame we offer a peer support program for children of loss due to death of a loved one, divorce or military deployment of a parent.

Rainbows is held at Notre Dame Parish for two 6 week sessions twice a year. Please call or email our office for upcoming session dates and times.

The Purpose of Rainbows is to:

Provide children with the opportunity to meet new friends who have shared similar experiences.
Have trained, caring adults who can be present for the children while they sort through and understand what has happened in their family.

If you or someone you know has a child who has suffered a significant loss in their lives, and would like more information or would like to register for the group, please call the Social Ministry Office at (516) 326-3403.

Bereavement Support: We offer Bereavement support for adults who have lost a loved one during the Fall and Spring. A trained Facilitator guide the bereaved through the stages of grief in a supportive atmosphere.

Widows and Widower Social Group: Widows and Widowers who have moved past the first years of the grieving and loss of their spouses come together for fellowship, community and fun. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at our Parish Center. Registration required.

Community

Families Giving Back: Our Parish provides a unique opportunity for family members of all ages to come together in service and outreach programs throughout the year.

Friendly Visitor: Volunteers visit our homebound seniors twice a month. Our office matches visitors and seniors with similar interests to help with a more ongoing relationship. These visits provide companionship and friendship to our isolated homebound.

Shopping for Seniors: We coordinate volunteers to assist Parish seniors in need of someone to shop for their groceries.

Snow Angels: Our office coordinates a team of young adult volunteers to shovel out the walks and driveways of our local seniors who don’t have assistance with snow removal.

Cooking for a Cause: Our Cooking Ministry prepares hot meals for Church Food Pantry clients in the DIocese of Rockville Centre.

Senior Group: Our Senior group meets the second Thursday of each month from 1-3pm at the Parish Center. The group is open to men and women over 60. Participants enjoy fellowship, recreation, spiritual and educational programs and community gatherings. Twice a year the Seniors are invited to host a service project.