mary rose mission september newsletter
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Contact Address: 272 Main St. Florence, KY 41042 859-292-0300 Office Hours: Mon-Fri. 9:00-12:00 Email Address: [email protected]
Website: www.maryrosemission.org Meal Service: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 4:00 pm—6:00 pm Find us on Facebook! Facebook Page: Facebook.com/MaryRoseMission Interested in Volunteering? email us at: [email protected]
September 2014
MRM PRAYER GROUP MRM Prayer group will meet at 7:00pm every 3rd Monday of the month at The MRM on Main
Street to pray for the mission here and in Grenada.
All are welcome!
Successful Summer! The sun has definitely been shining on the Mary Rose Mission this summer. We've had unbelievable support from our dedicated volunteers who cook and serve week after week after week. We all know how busy summers can be with vacations, kids home from school, and projects we put off all winter but you wouldn't know it at the Mary Rose Mission. Our guests count on us and some start waiting in line as much as an hour before we open. Our volunteers jump into action, sometimes at the very last moment so we can serve and minister to our guests with the greatest care. And our guests NOTICE. They give us their warm smiles, their words of gratitude, and even a hug or two. Some people measure success by the number of guests we serve or how many hundreds of meals we serve but I measure by something very different. I look at the dedication of so many volunteers who at times, at a moment’s notice, come eager to cook and serve. They are volunteers who think of serving others before anything else and who witness the love of Christ to our guests and each other. I commend those people and I am very grateful because without their help, we wouldn't be where we are today. It is because of them we are successful.
Cindy Carris President
Our Mission Statement:
The Mary Rose Mission is a Catholic organization comprised of volunteers providing spiritual, emotional, and material assistance to people in need. Our motto, "To Love as God Loves," is carried out by our loving service to
those who seek our aid.
We know that all things work for good for those who love God. Romans 8:28
The spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
Luke 4:18
Volunteer’s Perspective by Terry Whittaker
Today I saw a miracle… It’s Wednesday morning! I jump out of bed and go for my daily walk and talk with God as I always do. It’s our time together so I can get direction on how to focus my day. But this is a special Wednesday; this is a Wednesday I will serve at Mary Rose Mission. It’s a celebration for me - a family reunion of God’s children. This is one of the many days each month when I get to personally witness the miracle of Christ with the five loaves and two fish! Mary Rose Mission is the first and only “soup kitchen” regularly feeding the hungry in the suburbs of northern Kentucky. All of the food items are donated and many people will be involved in the planning, preparation, serving and cleanup of the meals served at the Mission. The volunteers come from all walks of life; service organizations, study groups and a variety of church groups who give their support to Mary Rose Mission and help ensure the feeding of God’s people. The first shift of volunteers arrive at the Mission to prepare the food that will feed the hungry. A menu is planned and preparation begins - with prayer. When the food has been prepared to the high standards of the Mission (we always aim for meals like we would feed our own families and to meet or exceed the requirements of safe food handling standards), the first shift passes the baton to the second shift with prayer being said again in thanks for all we receive from our heavenly Father. The second shift of volunteers begins preparation for receiving our guests and providing a nourishing meal. As a volunteer who usually serves during the second shift, I arrive as guests begin to line-up in the courtyard. Faces light up when we arrive and exchange hugs and greetings. Just before we begin food service, we join our guests in the courtyard and pray and I am reminded of Jesus’ prayer to His Father over 2000 years ago thanking him for the bread and fish. Our guests are greeted and treated like family. We are so happy to see them walk through the door. We are excited to see the joy on their faces when they take a gander at the food they will eat. Our guests are welcome to come back for seconds or more. We want to ensure they do not leave Mary Rose Mission hungry. When I look at the volunteers serving meals and the guests enjoying their meal and conversations, I am reminded that we are one big family and I am so thankful I can witness and partake in this event. At the Mission when our guest numbers unexpectedly rise, sometimes by as much as 50%, we tease that we didn't get the email from God to prepare more food, but it seems the Holy Spirit got the message to us any way because we always have enough. Every time I serve at Mary Rose Mission I see the King of Glory in the faces of the volunteers and guests. It is a pleasure to be there and to watch His miracles unfold in our lives each day. God has compassion on the hurting people in this world. Maybe that’s why He brings the hurting people to Mary Rose Mission. I’m just blessed to be reminded that God is good, He is always with us, and I get to witness and be a part of His miracles.
Cook’s Corner We often get asked about the meals we serve here at the Mary
Rose Mission. The guests want to know what we are having, volunteers want
to know what we are serving, and donors want to know what we are needing
for our pantry. So here is a little “behind the scenes” information on what
goes on in our kitchen. We currently serve an average of 114 guests every
day that we are open but we always prepare for 150 servings because we
freely give second helpings to anyone who wants one. At 11am on every
Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, four people arrive at the
mission to prepare the meal. One person takes on the role of the lead cook
and the other three help prep the food. All the necessary ingredients are
there ready to go. They need to have the meal preparation completed by
3pm. The meals are chosen based on what we have in our freezer and
pantry and what was on sale at the grocery stores. We try to plan for a week
at a time. Some of our lead cooks make the same thing each time they
volunteer. Others like the challenge of making a meal without us having to
go the store. We strive to provide a well- balanced meal to the best of our
ability with the ingredients we have available. We have noticed that our
guests are a “meat and potatoes” kind of crowd. Comfort -type food is
always well received. They love any and all kinds of stews/chilis/soups,
potatoes, and salad. They also love pork roasts and chicken. They love Italian
bread and they love coffee! We have had a handful of bombs too but
haven’t we all made a few of those in our own kitchens? The local farmers
have been generous this year with their surplus of tomatoes, corn, and
zucchini so we been fortunate to use these fresh items. The majority of the
time, though, we rely on the generosity of the community who donate
pantry items or money/gift cards for our grocery shopping needs. Our
current pantry needs are olive oil, spaghetti sauce, Italian dressing, and
grape jelly (we offer PB&Js for kids if they don’t like the entrée). If anyone is
interested in helping to prepare a meal, please sign up via our online
calendar. And if anyone is interested in being the lead cook for a meal,
please send us an email. Someone from the staff will help you with the
process.
The Grenada Corner Vincent and Lurine Moraine organize the Mary Rose Mission in
Grenada. Vincent and Lurine have been carrying on the work that first began with our own Fr. Ed Conlon, a local retired priest who became a missionary in Grenada many years ago. Vincent and Lurine work tirelessly overseeing the Mary Rose
Mission Home in St. Martin De Porres, representing the Mary Rose Mission in their visits to the poor and sick, as well as keeping us updated on the St. Martin De Porres
Nursing Home as well as other duties too numerous to name.
The MRM House in Grenada
Our fundraising dinner at "The Farm" in memory of the late Father Ed Conlon was a great success. Vincent and Lurine Moraine were privileged to make remarks. In Vincent's remarks to the patrons he informed them that friendship and love breathe the same air and all supporters of the Mary Rose Mission are breathing that air of friendship and love. He went on further to emphasize by saying that love is not merely an expression but it is an experience of sharing among people; giving and receiving which is spiritual and Godly in all expressions. He further stated that this love should be expressed through the vehicles of living: in thought, word and deed. In thought one must always think positive, reflecting on the good memories of the past which propels them into the present by way of communication and action. He saw at this present time actions of our thoughts and works can be portrayed by giving aid and assistance to others; particularly to those who are sick, underprivileged and the vulnerable . The Mary Rose Mission in Grenada follows the corporal works of mercy by ministering to our brothers and sisters in Grenada by personal house calls, spreading Gods' love and compassion within our reach by aiding those in need of physical, emotional or material assistance. Lurine in her remarks gave a detailed account of her stewardship at the Home for the Aged. I think that she did a great job and all are proud of the progress made over the past two years. Her accomplishments are many and living standards are rising at St. Martins Home. In terms of looking ahead she said that although some of the challenges faced were overcome, there are still an abundance of hurdles to cross. Many of them need immediate attention and hope to address them within this year of operation. These hurdles include : 1. Financial assistance for the home (fundraisers in Grenada) 2. Security fencing 3. Architectural adjustments to rest rooms, kitchen and walkways 4. Gazebo for the males 5. General upliftment of the building in terms of repair and beautification.
Grenada - Expressions! By Vincent & Lurine Moraine
She mentioned that the "building plan" is in place through the generosity of the many people who supported our "Grenada Fundraiser" Lurine is hopeful that we can complete most of the projects. Reminders and Announcements regarding Grenada. Vincent and Lurine Moraine are the Mary Rose Mission Coordinators in Grenada- working in co-ordination with our Mary Rose Mission Group here. Lurine is presently a full time volunteer at the St. Martin Home for the Aged in Grenada in the capacity of Director, managing the entire operations of the home. Vincent of the other hand is presently a full time volunteer of the said home in the capacity of Director in charge of Architectural adjustments, designing, and logistics. These two people are not even receiving a stipend for their efforts and hard work; that is the kind of love that they live. God Bless you both! All are invited to make early preparations to celebrate 25 years of existence of the "St. Martins home for the Aged" on the 19th of February 2016 in Grenada. Come visit our island! Vincent was honored by Her Majesty the Queen of England with one of the most prestigious awards of Member of the British Empire for Outstanding work in Education and Community development. Congratulations Vincent! Father Conlon always said that "every day is Thanksgiving Day.” Sunday, August 11th, the date of our Fr. Ed Conlon Memorial Dinner, was indeed a very special "Thanksgiving Day"! The generous support of those who attended the dinner and those who donated by mail was both gratifying and very generous. Be assured that your donations will be used to benefit the poorest of the poor in Grenada. Lurine and Vincent Moraine, our leaders of the Mary Rose Mission in Grenada are always so thankful for your generosity as they have been during their recent visit to Greater Cincinnati. THANK YOU!
Please check our website for fundraising opportunities.
The Meaning of our Name Mary- the mother of Jesus Rose- symbol of love Mission- doing God's work Mary Rose Mission- "Motherly love doing God's work.
Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Cincinnati, OH Permit #1611
The Mary Rose Mission 272 Main Street Florence, KY 41042 Address Service Requested
Sandy Rasmussen, Founder Cindy Carris, President Tim Carris, Vice President Donna Prieshoff Secretary John Doubrava, Treasurer Fr. Leo Schmidt, Spiritual Director Vivian Turton
Staff Members Cindy Carris Donna Prieshoff Molly Hartmann Amy Schult Becky Wesdorp Mary Beth Woods Karen Sturm Kathy Lubbers Misha Bell Mary Lazzari
Interested in giving non-perishable food
items as a donation? Our current needs are penne pasta, olive oil, instant mashed potatoes, and barbeque sauce. Also, we always accept gift cards to GFS, Sam's
Club, and Kroger. Check our website for an updated list.
Carolyn Velten Mary Lazzari Don Velten Ray Kolkmeier
Board Members