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Office of Parish ServicesOur Lady of Mercy Parish Services office is staffed by Mary Anne Scott assisted by volunteer parishioners. The office is located on the lower level of the Pastoral Center. The office is open five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. The office telephone number is 516-931-1306. Please call for an appointment. Parish Services’ primary mission is two-fold: to provide service to the senior citizens of the parish and those caring for them, and to provide service to individuals and families in financial need. What Our Lady of Mercy calls Parish Services is called Parish Outreach or Parish Social Ministry in other parishes of the diocese. In our ministry to the senior citizens of the parish, Parish Services acts as the parish liaison to Our Lady of Mercy/Hicksville Senior Citizen Club, bringing news of the parish to the members, and being available at the meetings or in private consultations on issues of concern. This club meets weekly, on Mondays from 11 AM – 3 PM, at the Nassau County Bethpage Community Center, 103 Grumman Road West, Bethpage. Joan Chwalisz, the club director, can be reached at 516-938-4261. Medical supplies such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs, shower chairs and commodes are available for free long-term loan. Help with referrals for home care and to other social service agencies is also available. Through our volunteer drivers, we provide limited transportation to medical appointments for senior parishioners. Programs for volunteer visitors and telephone reassurance are also available. The most visible part of our ministry to those in financial need is the Food Pantry which is located on the lower level of the Pastoral Center. It is open to those in need on Tuesdays and Thursdays 1:30 – 3:30 PM and Wednesdays and Fridays 9:30 – 11:30 AM. The pantry provides a variety of non-perishable food, paper goods, and toiletries donated by parishioners and community groups. After an assessment of a family’s or individual’s needs and resources is conducted on their first visit, they are permitted to choose what they need with the guidance of the Food Pantry volunteers. In serving the needs of those in financial need, Parish Services works hand-in-hand with the volunteers of our parish St. Vincent DePaul Conference. Initial assessments are done through Parish Services and then, if appropriate, referrals are made to the St. Vincent DePaul Conference. Home visits are arranged and services are provided by both Parish Services and the St. Vincent DePaul Conference. The goal in most cases is to provide emergency assistance while a plan for permanent financial stability is developed with the client. The mission of Parish Services is not only to serve the needs of its clients but also to provide parishioners with the opportunity to be of service. Volunteers sort and distribute food in the Food Pantry, provide transportation to medical appointments, visit seniors, help the unemployed with resume writing and job search, help clients set up budgets or find housing, or coordinate getting donated items to the clients who need them. For more information, contact Mary Anne Scott at 516-931-1306 or e-mail
her:
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