Serve

In The Community

Have you been called to serve in our local community? St. Hilary Parish has numerous ministries that take your talents and treasures into our local community. Explore the list of available ministries below.

“For the past 5 years Bernie and I have been involved in this ministry. It is truly one of our favorite volunteer activities. Bringing Our Lord to those who are unable to get to Mass due to illness, injury or infirmity has become a true blessing for us. The people we have served have become friends. We have found that the recipients of this ministry are so appreciative and look forward to us coming. For some it is their only connection to St. Hilary’s all week. It has become a true rewarding experience for both of us each week.” – Karin S Jackoboice-Lesneski, Volunteer Eucharistic Minister to the the Homebound

In The Community

Catholic Worker Ministry

The Catholic Worker, located at 838 Princeton Street in Akron, provides temporary or long-term housing to families in need of a stable residence and nurtured growth and healing from overwhelming circumstances. Presently, the Catholic Worker is in a transition period, both in its leadership and its direction to serve the many immigrants and refugees arriving in the Akron area. There are many opportunities for volunteers to provide transportation to the frequent appointments that come with the process of resettlement, such as doctor, dental and child immunization visits, school registration and attendance, and court appearances. Other volunteer opportunities include tutoring through Project Rise, helping preschoolers learn skills and English through Head Start, Lets Grow Akron for experiential and educational gardening, and AIIA (Akron Interfaith Immigration Advocates) for a Christmas party for children. College students may do field work or internships with Catholic Worker.

CONTACT: Parish Office: 330-867-1055 or church@sthilarychurch.org

Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound

Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound bring the faith community to those who cannot physically join our parish family in church for the celebration of Mass.

We provide presence, prayer, and sacrament to persons who cannot come to church as a result of advanced age, illness and/or surgery. Diocesan training for Eucharistic Ministers and an introductory session with Beth Rado are required.

TIME COMMITMENT: Weekly or monthly commitments and annual evening of reflection

CONTACT: Beth Rado at 330-867-1055, ext. 206 or brado@sthilarychurch.org

Gennesaret

Feed our neighbors in need on the third Saturday of the month at Gennesaret, located at 419 W. Exchange Street (just East of 5 points intersection). Families with children are welcome to volunteer. Another group of volunteers makes and serves breakfast on the fourth Tuesday and if there is a fifth Tuesday of each month.

TIME COMMITMENT: Third Saturday of the month or fourth Tuesday of the month

CONTACT: Parish Office: 330-867-1055 or church@sthilarychurch.org

OPEN M

Open M is an ecumenical ministry in South Akron bringing faith, help and hope to those living on limited resources and those looking for a way out of poverty. They have a Free Medical and Dental Clinic. Volunteers with a medical background are needed. Every month on the third weekend, laundry detergent (which can not be bought with food stamps) is collected at St. Hilary for OPEN M. We are the only church that collects this much needed product for the clients of OPEN M. Volunteers are also needed for the food pantry and other areas at Open M.

Click here to see the volunteer opportunities.

CONTACT: Tom Farro at 330-666-2524 or tfarro@yahoo.com

Peter Maurin Center

The Peter Maurin Center, located at 1096 South Main Street, is a drop-in-center for the homeless, the underemployed and unemployed. Prepare and share meals but more importantly listen with respect, concern and support to those who come to be fed. St. Hilary Parishioners prepare and serve lunch on the third Sunday of the month. Other opportunities to serve and share meals are also available.

TIME COMMITMENT: Serve lunch on the first Sunday of the month

CONTACT: Parish Office: 330-867-1055 or church@sthilarychurch.org

Seeds of Change Tutoring

To make a difference in a young child’s life by building a trusting one-to-one relationship and encourage a love of learning.

Make a difference in the lives of young children through our Seeds of Change Tutoring Program at Helen Arnold CLC, an Akron Public School located at 450 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron OH 44307. Teens (grades 7 and up) and adult tutors are needed for after-school tutoring for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students on Tuesday and Wednesday after school until 4:00 p.m. Adults can also share their gifts tutoring any school day during the week at a time of their choosing between 8:45-2:30. Seeds of Change is an approved site for Confirmation and Christian Service hours and for Service-Learning hours for University of Akron education majors and for work-study.

I miss my kids at Helen Arnold very much. Working there was wonderful, especially because the kindergarten teacher I worked with valued my participation and input, and I could do meaningful interventions. Hope we can resume in the fall. I know a lot of our kids are having a hard time being out of school. Anne Biermann – Adult Tutor

The opportunity to make a change in the lives of these kids and to be a role model when they may not have one is uncanny. Sean Dodd – Junior at St. Vincent St. Mary High School

I started tutoring in 2011 with Project Ujima at Helen Arnold CLC. I have continued with Seeds of Change at the same school. I truly enjoy working with the children in first grade and seeing them slowly begin to enjoy reading. The after-school program was a perfect fit for me when I first started because I was working at the time. I am now retired but I have continued to enjoy tutoring after school. I can’t wait for the fall to see and work with the children again. Barbara Heard – Adult Tutor

As a second-year after-school tutor I get to assist in the growth of knowledge the children have each day. Every time I walk through the classroom door, I am welcomed with joyful children who want me to help them with their work. It is incredible to think that I am this welcomed when on the first day those same students wouldn’t touch their work. What I have come to understand is that each time I partake in this ministry I am changing these kids’ lives by giving them knowledge, which is one of the greatest things I can do as a Catholic. Abby May – Junior at St. Vicent St. Mary High School

I appreciate how well HALC is run. I’m only there one day a week, but have never seen any discord or bad behavior. It’s a credit to principal Davis and her staff. Also, I noticed that there are a number of African-American men helping out; great role models. Chris Wright – Adult One-to-One Math Tutor to 4^th Grade Students

Time Commitment: Tutors are needed Tuesdays and Wednesdays for 1 to 1½ hours between 2:30-4:00.

Click here to download the Volunteer Form.

CONTACT: Parish Office: 330-867-1055 or church@sthilarychurch.org

St. Bernard Hot Meal Ministry

The St. Bernard Hot Meal Program provides meals for an ever increasing number of individuals and families. Volunteers cook a full course dinner, setup, serve, and cleanup. The evening offers opportunities to interact with those in need of encouragement and hope.

2020 Meal Dates – Click the links below to register.

Sunday, March 21: St. Hilary and Ken Stewart

Wednesday, April 21: St. Hilary Parish

Sunday, May 16: St. Hilary and Ken Stewart

Sunday, July 18: St. Hilary and Ken Stewart

Wednesday, August 18: St. Hilary Parish

Sunday, Sept. 19: St. Hilary and Ken Stewart

Sunday, Nov. 21: St. Hilary and Ken Stewart

Wednesday, Dec. 22: St. Hilary Parish

CONTACT: Parish Office: 330-867-1055 or church@sthilarychurch.org

Martha Ministry

Members of this ministry receive e-mail updates about the needs of parishioners in need of temporary meals. Members of this ministry can be anyone and sometimes the members change based on the recipient—friends of the recipient may agree to be included for those that they know others may be willing to provide a meal even for those they do not know.

TIME COMMITMENT: Length of time it takes to make a meal for the family in need and deliver to their home.

CONTACT: Parish Office: 330-867-1055 or church@sthilarychurch.org

Mobile Meals

Mobile Meals of Summit County, which serves nearly 1,500 meals per day, needs volunteers to deliver nutritious meals to seniors and homebound adults. Help people live independently, ensure their safety, and provide companionship. For some, the Mobile Meal volunteers are the only human contact in a given day or week. Routes are delivered in a minimum of 2 hours, typically in the morning or lunchtime hours. Interested? Call Sr. Judy Morris at 502-741-0045.