BLESSED SACRAMENT PARISH THRIFT STORE Bringing God’s Mercy to Others Through Faithful Service
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ny parishioner looking for a way to live more deeply in stewardship — by offering one’s time and talent as a disciple of Christ — has a perfect opportunity to do so by volunteering at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Thrift Store. While the store is a ministry of Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Leo’s also promotes the store and provides volunteers. Volunteers are always needed to help sort and arrange items, as well as serve the customers. One does not need to be a member of any particular group or club to volunteer. The Thrift Store is located on the southeast corner of 4th St. and Eddy St. “Volunteering at the Thrift Store is a personal commitment,” says Donna Douglass, Parish Outreach Coordinator. “Each person contacts the store and they make a schedule that will work for them.”
In her work in parish outreach, Donna has often found that parishioners want to become more involved in the parish, but need some direction. “I think a lot of times, people want to help, but they do not know where to start,” she says. “Then maybe they see a need in the bulletin for volunteers at the Thrift Store and it begins. Once, you start helping and giving of yourself, you know you are doing the right thing.” This sense of knowing one is doing the right thing by giving of oneself is at the core of our faith. This is essentially what it means to be Christian. Donna has many opportunities to witness this firsthand in the areas of outreach that St. Leo’s offers — but particularly through the Thrift Store. “We are bringing Christ and God’s mercy to others when we serve others,” she says. “It is exactly what God wants us to do. It is our job as continued on back cover
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