Missionaries of the Sacred

By Fr. Bernard Jakubco, MSC

The work we do at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Perry, Florida focuses on helping those who need our help. Though resources in our geographical area are scarce--- no parish worker receives a salary, except the Pastor, volunteers do all of the administrative and maintenance work---our parish manages to care for what we have and continues to provide important services to the community.

Perry is a small city of fewer than 10,000 people. Catholics total only 2 ½%. And so, as a minority, whatever we do has profound ecumenical implications. For example, our Divine Mercy Outreach Center is managed by some of our parishioners, serving mostly non-Catholics. Once a week, they provide free clothing and furniture and such. Once a month, they open their food pantry.

Besides this parish operation, I joined several non-Catholic churches last Fall in founding “Taylor County United, Inc.”  It is a not-for-profit Christ-based organization, to help needy children and families.  After a few meetings, we were able to provide 22 bicycles for children who have no bus service to school, because they live within a 2-mile radius of the school.

TCU also organized a fantastic Christmas party for selected families of primary school children.  We spent about $2,000 on gifts of food and clothing for those most in need, about $100 per family. Our parish also helps Catholic Charities by providing free office space at our parish hall.  Catholic Charities in the P-T Diocese has received Stimulus Funds for preventing homelessness.  And so, once a week a case worker comes to our office and arranges interviews with people who are at risk of becoming homeless.  He helps three or four families a day who need temporary assistance with rent, utilities and such.

You can be sure that many people are calling my office phone number during the week, asking about this Catholic Charities project.  My part is to explain what they need to know to connect with the local case worker.  I am proud to be part of the excellent “relief” work that Catholic Charities is doing right on our parish grounds.

And so, even if our Parish doesn’t have a lot of money, we are doing what we can to help those who are destitute in Perry, Florida.