HIGHLAND – During this time of year, many parishes and Catholic groups throughout the Diocese of Gary come together to help those in their community have a nice Christmas, providing food and gifts to those less fortunate. At Our Lady of Grace, parishioners collected items and made special deliveries on Dec. 13 to ensure those who are homebound were not forgotten.
Liz Al-Akel, parish secretary, explained that the program was started through its Ephesus Home, a local senior center/ministry run by the parish. Every year, it would give a small package with a variety of small items and gifts, such as a small blanket. It received donations from the parish members and ministries, as it does today.
“The Ephesus House has grown very large, and they could not participate actively for the homebound about 5 years ago,” Al-Akel said. “So, I asked Father Brian Chadwick if I could continue to organize it for the parish.”
Most of the homebound ages ranged from 75-105. The homebound list was created from the parish registry, the ministers of care list, those who are ill (rehab, surgeries or temporarily disabled in some capacity), those who had recently lost a loved one and were having a difficult time with the loss, and special recommendations.
“We received monetary donations from parish members and friends of Our Lady of Grace many times,” Al-Akel said. “They have graciously given so much.”
Every year, the number of homebound individuals has increased. The church started with approximately 15-20 homebound parish members, and this year was able to provide for 47 recipients.
“We have been truly blessed by the donations this year,” Al-Akel said.
On Dec. 13, church members delivered a three-piece chicken dinner, fresh fruit, a $5 McDonald's gift card, calendars, bulletins and a special bag of household items (donated by a parish family for all 47 recipients). School families, religious education families, ministry families and parish families all help in the deliveries.
Al-Akel shared that every year, those involved are excited to participate in the activity that helps its homebound parish members, adding that the project has been well-received by the recipients and the volunteers. She commended the generosity of the parish, explaining that it takes everyone, from those who donate to those who make the deliveries, to make it successful.
“It is so beautiful to see their faces light up when we deliver a special gift from their parish,” Al-Akel said. “We wish a joyous, blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the families and friends of Our Lady of Grace parish!”
Al-Akel said she feels a sense of pride in organizing the deliveries. She stated she loves being a part of the project every year, just as Diane Foster did, who headed the Ephesus Home program years ago.
Foster said the house is such a vital portion to the parish as a whole, so it “does her heart good” to see that it still continues. She has fond memories of being the director of the program and working alongside her dad, who loved to cook and helped prepare many meals there.
“We felt good about helping those that we could help,” she said.
Foster also acknowledged Ruth Kroll and Laura Matthews, who are the coordinators of it at the present time, and said they have a good turnout on the days that it's open. She noted they prepare a beautiful meal for the aged.
“I'm just so glad,” she said. “It's a real blessing, a blessing to all of us.”
The Ephesus Home on the grounds of Our Lady of Grace is named after The House of the Virgin Mary, located a few miles from Ephesus in Turkey, where it is said Mary lived after Jesus' crucifixion and Pentecost. For more information about the ministry and the Highland parish, visit https://www.olgcatholicchurchhighland.org/wp_home/
