Mary, Mother of God Parish, launched the "A Seat for Everyone" campaign just before Christmas in the spirit of compassion, generosity, and community. The initiative, a partnership between the parish and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, has garnered emotional and financial support from parishioners. This campaign embodies the Catholic Social Teaching that calls on us to serve others with dignity and compassion, and it provides a meaningful way for the parish to reach out to those on the margins.

Stephanie Held, the parish's Communications Coordinator, explains that "A Seat for Everyone" is much more than a fundraising campaign. "Our goal is to bring the warmth of Christ’s love to everyone," says Held. "This project reminds us all that everyone has innate human dignity. We should all have the comfort of a warm meal and a warm sweatshirt. We're not that different."

The Beginnings of the Campaign

The idea for the "A Seat for Everyone" campaign began to take shape just before Christmas. Pastor Fr. Alejandro Lopez, OFM Conv. made a special appeal encouraging parishioners to become more engaged in giving and outreach. Stephanie Held recalls how the idea blossomed from there. "The Society of St. Vincent de Paul president reached out. The Society wanted to do something meaningful for the dinner guests and find a way for parishioners to be a part of it. We thought, why not celebrate Christmas with a useful gift? What if we gave everyone at the Soup Kitchen a hoodie, as a symbol of inclusion and welcome, and encourage parishioners to sponsor one?"

The Gift of a Hoodie

Fr. Alejandro, with his professional design background, created a logo for the campaign, highlighting the message that everyone is welcome at the table of the Lord. His design was featured on the hoodies, which were gifted to guests during the Soup Kitchen’s Christmas party. The event was a festive occasion with beautifully decorated tables, a catered meal, and a warm atmosphere so each guest would feel valued and cared for.

The parish community rallied behind the project, with many volunteers helping to serve and clean up during the party. "The Christmas party was a lot of fun. The hall was full, and the guests felt truly special. People were wearing their hoodies with pride," Held said.

Getting the Parish Involved

Parishioners could sponsor a hoodie for a soup kitchen guest, purchase one for themselves to show support, or make a monetary donation to the campaign. All proceeds support the parish's outreach ministries, which provide vital services such as hot meals, essential resources for those experiencing homelessness, and a sense of fellowship to people in the community.

Held notes that the campaign's success has been heartwarming. "I've seen many folks wearing their hoodies, including Fr. Alejandro. The response has been incredibly generous. So far, 28 people have sponsored hoodies, and we’ve raised around $3,440 in contributions."

You can check out the hoodies, which come in three colors at this link.

A Symbol of Hope

Although the hoodie may seem like a simple piece of clothing, it has come to symbolize much more. It stands as a tangible reminder of Catholic Social Teaching and the works of mercy — feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and serving the marginalized.

The campaign also resonated deeply with the parish's mission. Held explained, "Mary, Mother of God is a Franciscan parish and outreach to the poor is very important. It is a sign of who we are as a community of faith. It speaks to our belief that everyone should have a place at the Lord's table, and we're all invested in this mission together."

Beyond fundraising, "A Seat for Everyone" has also deepened parishioners' commitment to each other and the Lord. "This campaign really utilizes our talents as a parish," Held says. "From Fr. Alejandro's design expertise to the volunteers who organized the distribution of the hoodies, it's a beautiful display of what we can accomplish when we work together."

Looking Ahead

With the success of "A Seat for Everyone," the parish is already considering how to expand the campaign and possibly organize another event during the Easter season.

Held advises other parishes interested in starting a similar initiative: "I would tell other parishes not to underestimate themselves. You have gifts, talents, and reasons to get involved. Sometimes, we feel pressured to do something big, but small acts of kindness build up over time. Even doing something for just one person is the work of the Lord."

Ultimately, "A Seat for Everyone" reflects the parish's commitment to serving others and living out Christ's message. "Christ is in all of us. ‘What you do for the least of your brothers and sisters, you do for me.’" reflects Held. Through this project, Mary, Mother of God Parish continues to embody this core belief, ensuring everyone has a seat at the table regardless of circumstances.