For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. The Matthew 25 Ministry provides opportunities to every member of the parish to participate in hands-on activities to fulfill the challenge put to us by the Matthew 25 Gospel:
- to feed the hungry,
- clothe the naked,
- visit the sick and imprisoned,
- and greet the stranger.
MONTHLY/QUARTERLY OPPORTUNITIES
EXCEPTIONAL KIDS ORGANIZATION (EKO)
EKO provides social and educational opportunities for over 500 South Bay students and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Volunteers chaperone, decorate and serve food at nine (9) dances during the year and an annual Prom.
Paul Jacoby
FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise of the South Bay is a non-profit network of churches who assist families in need with temporary shelter and comfort. This program helps keep families together. Four times a year, we support families by donating dinners and funds for the families in need.
PJ Murphy 310-430-5676
Lynn Fadale 310-413-7753
FOOD DRIVE
Monthly project on the fourth weekend to collect parishioner’s non-perishable food donations (before and after Masses) for St. Lawrence of Brindisi’s food bank. Weekly, drivers are needed to transport the food from American Martyrs to St. Lawrence.
Kathleen Truman 310-614-5175
11/24: Food Drive Weekend
11/24: Bundle Sunday for St. Vincent De Paul
12/15: Bundle Sunday for St. Vincent De Paul
HEAL THE BAY
We are committed to clean-ups at least four times a year at the Manhattan Beach pier, as part of the adopt-a-beach program.
PJ Murphy 310-430-5676
HEARTS AND HANDS IN ACTION
Monthly Saturday outreach to distribute lunches, clothing, books and toiletries to various communities in need. Projects include visits to our sister parish, St. Lawrence of Brindisi in Watts, Salvation Army Center in Santa Monica and mid-week visits to Catholic Worker on Skid Row to prepare and distribute meals.
Salvation Army - Scott Wherity
HOMEBOUND EUCHARIST HOME VISITS
Regular visits to the homes of parishioners to give communion and provide a connection to our community.
Vanessa Reyes Smith 424-327-9605
CATHOLIC WORKER
Chris Miller
Diane Dumond
ST. LAWRENCE OF BRINDISI
Julie Justus McGinty
Jim Quilliam
Tom Hoffarth
SATURDAY BLESSINGS
We connect with people experiencing homelessness by providing small but consistent acts of generosity and friendship through morning meals. Every 2nd Friday afternoon, 100 bags are prepared, and then hand-delivered early Saturday morning to homeless in downtown LA, along with clothing and other essentials.
James and Maria Redin 310-465-7620
Megan Niemann- 310-850-1470
ANNUAL OPPORTUNITIES
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
The San Pedro Chapter is a local affiliate of Catholic Relief Services. Our Chapter draws members from several local parishes to organize grassroots support for CRS's ministries. The San Pedro Chapter frequently networks with other Chapters in the Greater Los Angeles area, all of which receive guidance from the national CRS organization, led by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. CRS Chapters pursue several specific goals:
- Support CRS efforts with fundraising in local parishes and communities.
- Promote awareness of CRS efforts and key challenges facing the poor and vulnerable.
- Advocate for policies that support CRS and the communities it serves overseas.
CRS San Pedro is grateful for the contribution of the American Martyrs community to promoting CRS events, like the Rice Bowl campaign. Becoming a chapter member has no cost or commitment - you are free to contribute and serve as you feel called. To learn more about the San Pedro Chapter and to become a member, please visit the chapter website, which includes a calendar of chapter events, a blog for reflections and updates, and resources on CRS's global mission of service.
CHRISTMAS PROJECT
A longtime parish project that collects and wraps gifts for needy local families at Christmas.
Lory Zimnoch 310-561-3702
Gigi Harnden
FAIR TRADE MARKET
An annual event offering parishioners the opportunity to purchase and gather more information on goods and services provided by fair trade-friendly organizations such as Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit organization, volunteer-run store in Redondo Beach that came into existence in 2014 as a result of this project.
Lynn Fadale 310-413-7753
Rhonda Hoffarth 310-344-3115
FAMILY2FAMILY
An annual project that connects families at American Martyrs to those at St. Lawrence of Brindisi to assist with their Thanksgiving and Christmas needs. Sign-ups occur in early November of each year.
Kurt & Michele Neesley 310-863-1460
11/02: Family-2-Family Sign-ups (after all Masses)
11/09: Family-2-Family Sign-ups (after all Masses)
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps people in your community and around the world build or improve a place they can call home. American Martyrs participates in activities annually.
Deacon Bob Mescher
Barry Smith
HOUSE OF YAHWEH
A community based outreach center with ongoing projects include sorting donations for thrift store and garden shop, cashier, sorting donated food, facility maintenance, social media marketing and participating in community events. The House of Yahweh is located at 4606 Marine Avenue, Lawndale, CA 90260.
Donna Quirk 310-675-1384
