St. John of the Cross is active with many local ministries.
The first Sunday of each month we collect non-perishable food items for the Bristol Community Food Pantry. Last winter, we filled two tables with toiletries for families in need. (Food stamps do not cover these items.) We are one of five churches who volunteer to help people on Thursdays when they come in to pick up their food. In the month of February, parishioners staff the Pantry.
A team of ten parishioners have been trained in the American Red Cross disaster training. In case of emergency, our church may be used as a disaster center.
We are involved in supplying backpacks and school supplies at the beginning of the school year to Bristol Elementary School. This past winter our children collected socks for the children as well.
In the years past, we have also supported St. Margaret’s House, A Safe and Caring Day Center for Women, in South Bend.
Through funds raised from our Holiday Childrens’ Bazaar, our children purchased animals for families in need across the world through Heifer International.
Each year at our October pet blessing, we choose to sponsor a local charity. In 2009, we donated funds for a scholarship for a child with disabilities to attend LoveWay, a local therapeutic horseback riding center. In 2010 and 2011, we collected pet food and cat litter for the Elkhart County Humane Society, in addition to providing the organization with a $200 donation.
