Social Outreach
Bereavement Food Team
This ministry serves to offer support to grieving parishioners by providing a few food trays during the funeral services of a loved one. The trays are picked up by a parishioner from a local store and delivered to an address given us by the deceased parishioner’s family member.
Contact: Mindy Coogan, 225-766-2431 or mindyc@stjudecatholic.org
Blood Drive
Participants in the bi-annual blood drive, coordinated through Our Lady of the Lake hospital, allows St. Jude parishioners to donate their blood for the good of all St. Jude parishioners and the larger community. If a parishioner is hospitalized and needs blood, they contact Charmaine Biossat at the St. Jude office to have the units of blood they received credited from the St. Jude Blood Drive and not charged to their bill.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
Catholic Daughters
Join a group of ladies who truly reach out and care. The CDA is the oldest fraternal organization of Catholic women (18 or older) in the US providing individual, corporate, social and spiritual services on the parochial, diocesan, state and national levels. Regent is Maureen Williams.
Contact: Mindy Coogan, 225-766-2431 or mindyc@stjudecatholic.org
Christmas Giving Tree
Volunteers assist with the placing of the Christmas gift request ornaments for the underprivileged on the Christmas trees in church the week before Thanksgiving. After the gifts are returned to the church office, the ministry members gather to help sort the gifts into family bags and help distribute them. This time-sensitive program is done within a few week time period for a commitment of 1-2 days.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
Coffee and Donut Ministry
This ministry is for any adult parishioners who would like to volunteer to host a coffee and donut fellowship reception immediately following the 9:30 Mass on Sundays in the Parish Hall. The volunteer will set up for the reception, welcome parishioners, replenish the food and drink as needed, and then clean up and lock up after it is over. Volunteers choose the weekend they want to serve through a Sign-up Genius link.
Contact: Mindy Coogan, 225-766-2431 or mindyc@stjudecatholic.org
Greetings by Mail
Ministry members mail cards from St. Jude Parish to parishioners who have been hospitalized, or who have lost a family member. Cards are a way to let our parishioners know that we care and are thinking of them.
Contact: Mindy Coogan, 225-766-2431 or mindyc@stjudecatholic.org
Homebound Ministry
These volunteers visit and pray with St. Jude parishioners who have become homebound; they occasionally check on a homebound parishioner’s welfare and safety during extreme weather by telephone.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
Hospital Visitation
The ministry members visit St. Jude parishioners in area hospitals when the church office has been notified of a hospitalization. Family members of parishioners are encouraged to contact the church office each time their loved one is hospitalized.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
Hospitality
These volunteers assist with parish receptions and/or special events, including missions, sacramental receptions, etc. (3-5 times a year) Volunteers share their talents of organizing, floral arranging, baking goodies, being hosts/hostesses and offering a friendly smile.
Contact: Mindy Coogan, 225-766-2431 or mindyc@stjudecatholic.org
Junior Catholic Daughters of America (JCDA)
Make friends while serving Jesus and His Church: help the less fortunate, serve the elderly and attend prayer vigils as a ministry youth group. JCDA was founded by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in 1926. It is a national organization with a mission to nurture personal and spiritual growth through activities that focus on Christ’s message, service and community. Membership is open to young ladies ages 6 to 18 years of age.
Contact: Mindy Coogan, 225-766-2431 or mindyc@stjudecatholic.org
Prison Outreach
A group of men who are trained to bring the Eucharist, prayer and Catholic reading materials to the Catholic inmates in the maximum security lockdown units at Angola once a month. This gives male parishioners the chance to make a difference in a person’s life.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
Side-by-Side
A Support Group for Couples in the First 5 Years of Marriage facilitated by Fr. Trey. This will be an opportunity for couples to join together for fellowship, informal conversation, and prayer and an opportunity to share the experience of your journey.
Contact: Fr. Trey, 225-766-2431 or fathertrey@stjudecatholic.org
St. Martha Ministry
Members gather during the day or night in groups that knit and/or crochet lap blankets, shawls and hats for the homebound in our parish. Baby items made are brought to the Children’s ward at OLOL hospital occasionally.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
St. Vincent de Paul
Men and women show dedicated love and care in personal service to the poor. The members of this ministry conduct independent interviews with each applicant at the parish hall. Assistance is provided on the basis of need after screening of applicants. They also prepare and distribute Christmas and Thanksgiving baskets to the needy each year. The members meet on Monday afternoons (except for holidays) from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in the parish hall. Recipients of funds must bring a picture ID, a copy of their lease agreement and the bill they need assistance with.
Contact: Deacon James Morrissey, 225-766-2431 or deaconjmorrissey@gmail.com
Women of St. Jude
Women of St. Jude is a new ministry for all adult women in the parish. It is committed to developing a village of Catholic woman creating friendships, growing spiritually, and serving the St. Jude community. The ministry will be structured into different groups where a member can join whichever group is of interest to them. To join the group, click here: bit.ly/2SNvNcT
Contact: Carmel Acosta, 225-766-2431 or carmela@stjudecatholic.org
