SEAS in Action is:
AN INVITATION TO HELP BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD by living out Christ's message to "feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, cloth the naked, care for the sick and visit the prisoners" (Mathew 25: 35-36)
A GUIDE TO THE OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY for individuals and groups in our parish family to share their faith, time, talent and treasure in the service of others.
A CATALYST WHICH COMBINES THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND EFFORTS of our parish family into an active, moving force in our local community and in the world.
A SOURCE OF BLESSINGS AND STRENGTH for those who join together to do God's work, and, especially, for the people they serve in various ways.
SEAS in Action:
COORDINATES AND SUPPORTS these active ministries within the Parish Community of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton:
Adopt-A-Family (Christmas)
Bereavement Ministry
Blood Drive
Corazon
Detention Ministry
Interfaith Hunger Walk
Rebuilding Together
Respect for Life
Santa Ana Kitchen
"We Care" Meals
"We Care" Transportation
Youth Ministry Projects:
- Loaves and Fishes
- Great Pumpkin Hunt
- Adopt-A-Tree
SEAS in Action Ministries
Adopt-A-Family
What: Each year, parish families "adopt" needy families for Christmas, providing a complete dinner for the family and gifts of toys and clothing for all of the children. Adopt-A-Family is a program of Share Our Selves (S.O.S.), which provides various services throughout the year to thousands of families in need. SEAS has participated in this program for many years. Last year, more than 150 SEAS families provided food, toys, clothing, gift certificates and money to allow us to bring Christmas to 85 families. S.O.S. works through the schools to get family information, and SEAS has served families from Century High and Pio Pico Elementary in Santa Ana for several years.
When: The Adopt-A-Family process begins right after Thanksgiving and culminates with the delivery of the dinner items and gifts a few days before Christmas.
How: Make a generous contribution of food, gifts or money during the collection period. Volunteer to help - an additional organizer/coordinator is needed for the project - requiring several afternoon and evening meetings and work sessions. In addition, approximately 10 adults and 10 students and 20 people with vans or trucks are needed on the morning of the deliveries just before Christmas to unload, organize, load and deliver all contributions.
Who to Contact: Barbara Quinlan: 949-854-1752 or
by E-mail
Bereavement Ministry
What: This ministry involves the spiritual follow-up with parishioners who have recently lost a loved one. It does not involve arrangements involving a Mass for the deceased - which are handled directly by contacting the Parish office.
Bereavement is currently led by one parishioner with the goal of providing support for surviving relatives, usually the spouse, of a deceased SEAS parishioner. Following the passing of a loved one, the parish office notifies the Bereavement Ministry leader. At least once a month, she contacts the grieving loved one with support information. Additionally, she sends support cards on important dates such as anniversaries, Christmas, etc.
When: As needed.
How: This ministry could use the help of several volunteers who are interested in visiting surviving spouses/families, since currently contact is only made via the mail. In addition, this ministry may consider starting a grief support group in conjunction with a larger parish nearby, and could use the help of volunteers to help get this program off the ground.
Who to Contact: Charlie and Becky Guess: 949-786-2792 or
by E-mail
Blood Drive
What: SEAS parishioners are asked to donate their blood during Red Cross blood drives at the parish. One pint can save up to three lives. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs. and meet several other requirements.
When: Two blood drives take place annually, one in the summer and one in the winter.
How: Help save a life. Step up and volunteer your blood for those who really need it.
Who to Contact: Bob Bochniarz: 949-733-9552 or rbochniarz@coldwellbanker.com
Corazón
What: SEAS parishioners participate in a project that serves the poor in Northern Mexico, by helping to build a house and make major repairs once a year, generally in the spring. The building/repair activities are part of a larger program by Corazon, Inc, (non-profit, non-denominational), which requires recipients of Corazon's help to first learn to help others and learn skills so that they can improve their standard of living.
In addition, on occasion parishioners help with drives for special needs such as blanket and jacket collection with contributions from parishioners. Cost of each build is close to $5000 and is paid for by individual parishioner donations.
When: Corazón builds by SEAS are generally done in the April or May.
How: Parishioners at SEAS can help by going and working on the trip, by providing financial assistance and/or by aiding with their prayers for a safe and successful project. Parishioners can also help with donations during special collections such as blanket and jacket drives.
Who to Contact: Ted Danse: 949-854-8500 or by E-mail.
Detention Ministry
What: SEAS parishioners share their faith, hope, joy and love with youth who are in Orange County detention facilities; men & women in Orange County jails and men & women in local California prisons (Chino).
When: Timing depends on the level of involvement of the parishioner (see below).
How: You can get involved in many ways:
INSIDE THE FACILITIES: (weekly, monthly or seasonally):
÷Presider/Lector/Guest/Musican/Singer at a Communion Service
÷Bible Study Leader
÷One-on-One Visitor
FROM HOME:
÷Pen Pal (inmates will write to you using a first name only and mail to the Church address where you can collect your mail in the parish office.)
÷Donations: Bibles (paperback only); holy cards (non-laminated); religious bookmarks (non-laminated); plastic rosaries; religious literature (used or new); stamps; holiday cards (especially Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day) and everyday stationery.
Who to Contact: Mary Collier: 949-854-1000
Interfaith Hunger Walk
What: Each Fall, SEAS parishioners join members of other churches in three communities in the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Hunger Walk, a 5 kilometer walk along the beautiful Newport Back Bay, raising money to fight hunger locally and around the world. This walk is part of a national project by Church World Service which distributes 75% of the funds raised to church-related agencies in more than 80 countries. 25% of the funds raised are shared with local, Orange County, organizations like Catholic Worker, S.O.S., F.I.S.H., etc.
When: The Hunger Walk takes place on a Sunday afternoon in October.
How: Sponsors obtain sponsor forms/envelopes from the parish when announcements are made and then obtain cash/check donations from sponsors. Walkers turn in the contributions and registration forms at the walk starting point. Churches and neighborhood groups form teams to compete for most walkers, most sponsors, most dollars earned, etc. Various businesses provide door prizes, tee-shirts, snacks and water for the walkers.
Who to Contact: Ted Danse: 949-854-8500 or by E-mail.
Rebuilding Together
What: This national non-profit organization, previously known as Christmas in April, helps low income seniors with house repairs and refurbishing, such as new roofing, new flooring, bathroom improvements, painting, fence construction, etc. to make the house safe and secure. Recipients must be homeowners, be currently fully paid up with their taxes and make a commitment to maintain the property after the project.
At SEAS, our Youth Group has been involved as have adult parishioners. In addition to the annual weekend project, from time to time there are special projects that Rebuilding Together carries out, sometimes with SEAS parishioner support.
When: The project usually is carried out as part of the National Work Day, generally in April.
How: Volunteers are needed. Also, financial contributions are requested since currently the $1000 to $2000 out-of-pocket cost is donated by some of the work leaders and volunteers.
Who to Contact: Bob Dimeco: 949-854-7748 or by E-mail
Note: Cy Baumann (949-854-9605) is in charge of Rebuilding Together for all of Orange County.
Respect For Life
What: This ministry provides help to homes for teen and adult women with crisis pregnancies. Parish members help Toby House in San Clemente, Casa Teresa in Orange, Mary's Shelter in Tustin and Hanna House by raising money and by collecting items needed by the women housed there. The major fund-raisers are Pennies from Heaven when parishioners are asked to save and contribute coins and change, and the sale of bouquets of roses for Mothers' Day.
When: Pennies from Heaven is done once a year and the roses are sold at the Saturday and Sunday Masses on the weekend of Mothers Day.
How: This ministry is seeking to gain new energy with women parishioners who can step up to lend a hand and lead where needed. Men are needed to help with the sale of roses on Mothers Day.
Who to Contact: Mary Ann Anderson: 949-854-7346 or maryaa1226@aol.com
Santa Ana Kitchen
What: Members of the SEAS parish family provide a luncheon meal several times a month at the Annie Mae Tripp Kitchen of the Southwest Community Center in Santa Ana. This has been a SEAS project for more than 20 years! Teams of three or four women (men are welcome!) prepare and serve the meal of chili, crackers, canned fruit, fresh salad, milk and cookies on our assigned days. The rest of the parish participates by contributing cans of chili & fruit, boxes of crackers, and money to purchase added food, plastic plates, etc., at CANtribution Sunday, the first Sunday of each month, when volunteers accept contributions in front of the church at every Mass.
When: The second Tuesday, and second and third Thursday of each month. Participating parishioners meet at 10:30am at SEAS and drive together to the kitchen.
How: Anyone interested should come to the kitchen at least once. If you then feel called to return, you are welcome to join the list of regular volunteers and come help at the kitchen on a regular basis. Please call the contact person below in advance to ensure that you will be needed on any given day. Also, parishioners can help by volunteering to attend the tables outside church at Masses on the weekend of CANtribution Sunday.
Who to Contact: Jean Baumann: 949-854-9605 or
by E-mail
We Care Meals
What: SEAS parishioners serve as volunteers in a program to provide meals to those who are ill, had an accident or have experienced a death in the family. When the person in need of meals - or a concerned neighbor or friend - notifies the parish office of the need, the office will provide a form to identify the specific needs and, when they receive this information, the Meals Captains will assign volunteers to provide help. The Meals volunteers also provide food for special parish occasions such as the RCIA reception at the Easter Vigil.
When: As needed, ideally with advanced notice.
How: Currently there are sufficient volunteers of meal providers, but this may change.
Who to Contact: Helen Troy: 949-552-1575 or
by E-mail
or Mae Martin: 949-786-7679 or by E-mail
"We Care" Transportation
What: SEAS parishioners provide transportation for people in the community who are unable to drive and do not have other transportation to enable them to get to Mass, confession, medical appointments or other special commitments Drivers need advance notification in order to be able to provide this service.
When: As needed, ideally with advanced notice.
How: More drivers are needed for the volunteer list.
Who to Contact: Bill Troy: 949-552-1575 or by E-mail
Youth Ministry Christian Service Projects
What: As part of the overall Youth Ministry programs, three Christian Service projects are pursued annually with participation by SEAS young people. These include:
Loaves and Fishes - they serve a mid-day meal at St. Joseph's kitchen in Santa Ana and organize special collections such as for backpacks for school children at the center.
The Great Pumpkin Hunt - a fun approach by the Youth Ministry to provide pumpkins around Halloween for abused and neglected children at approximately eight centers.
Finally, the Adopt-A-Trees Project - SEAS young people deliver small Christmas trees to senior citizens and shut- ins during advent. The young adults make the deliveries and sing a Christmas carol or two at each location.
When: Loaves and Fishes; approximately 5 Saturdays a year from 9:00am to 1:30pm, dates to be announced.
The Great Pumpkin Hunt; late October before Halloween
Adopt-A-Trees; December before Christmas each year
How: Loaves and Fishes; volunteer to help serve, anyone can go.
The Great Pumpkin Hunt; adults 25 years and older are needed for deliveries.
Adopt-A-Trees; adults 25 years and older are needed for deliveries and to identify senior citizen centers.
Who to Contact: Youth Ministry/James Abowd: 949-854-1000, ext. 226 or by E-mail
SEAS in Action --
Calendar of Events
Specific dates will be identified as soon as they are known.
Winter
Month Not Yet Known:Blood Drive
January:
February:
March:
Spring
April: Corazón (?), Rebuilding Together
May: Corazón (?), Respect Life/Roses-Mothers Day
June:
Summer
Month Not Yet Known: Blood Drive
July:
August:
September:
Autumn
October: Hunger Walk, Great Pumpkin Hunt
November: Adopt-A-Family
December: Adopt-A-Family, Adopt-A-Tree
Note
Monthly: Santa Ana Kitchen (3 times/month)
Months To Be Determined: Respect Life/Pennies
From Heaven (1 time/year)
Loaves and Fishes (5 times/year)
A Call to Action ---
You are invited, as a member of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish community, to participate in the ministries of SEAS in Action. Get involved! Join your friends and neighbors in building the Kingdom of God!
You are also invited to suggest new programs or projects which you feel may contribute to our mission, and for which you could take a leadership role. Please call either a current ministry leader, or one of the members of the overall Seas in Action Steering Committee*.
Join us! Take the first step!
"And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25: 40)
* Steering Committee:
Ted Danse: 949-854-8500 or by E-mail
Steve Greco: 949-854-8406 or by E-mail
Sam Bastianelli: 949-854-3827 or by E-mail
