Ministries serving the needs of others
A number of ministries reach out within the parish and the community to serve the material, social and spiritual needs of others, bringing the love of Christ to all. Serving in these ministries is to follow Christ and the saints in serving those most in need.
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Volunteers share the love of Jesus and minister to the parish community by showing empathy, compassion and praying and caring for those who are suffering, lonely or unable to attend Sunday Mass. This may include bringing the Eucharist to and visiting seniors in long term care or retirement homes, the sick, people with disabilities, and providing support to widows or those who are grieving a loss. We are currently looking for volunteers to grow our ministry team. Training will be provided. If you feel called to serve in this important ministry or would like more information contact Heidi at pastoralcare@stmauriceparish.com
St. Simon Ministry
Jesus calls each of us to love one another as ourselves. St. Simon’s Ministry invites you to share your time and talents with your fellow parishioners and community. Whether it is baking cookies, a friendly visit, a chore or a drive to church, or whatever time, gift or talent you might be able to share, would you like to join our ministry as we strive to see the face of Christ in others? To volunteer your time and talent and be on our list of willing helpers, please use the button below.
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
Do you feel in your heart a desire to be someone who helps others, especially the poor? The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has been helping poor people with their basic needs worldwide for generations. The SSVP Conference at St. Maurice parish has been directly helping needy families for many years while doing home visits. To get involved in this work, contact the parish office or email stmauricessvp@gmail.com.
The SSVP Conference at St. Maurice parish relies totally on donations from the parishioners to carry out its work. If you can donate, that would be greatly appreciated. Please contribute through the parish donations page and tag your donation for SSVP.
Click here to donate and choose "St Vincent de Paul" from the drop-down menu.
Fruits of Your Giving in 2025
Home Visits: 152 were conducted, helping 115 families, comprising 195 adults and 194 children. Food vouchers issued for $13,990. Clothing requisitions issued for $17,970. The children's Winter Boots program provided 32 pairs of new boots, amounting to $1,913, with assistance from our parish Knights of Columbus. Submitted 6 furniture applications to Helping With Furniture (Furniture Bank). Organized other donations and assistance to families: Food $805, Furniture $2,550. Our Parish Christmas Hamper program supported 57 families this Christmas, consisting of 127 adults and 154 children. Each family received a sizable, generous Christmas hamper, as well as a gift certificate or voucher for a grocery store amounting to $7,650. The in-kind donations of pantry food items, household goods, small furniture, toiletries and personal care items, clothing, toys and gifts for children and adults amount to an estimated $6,000. We had over 50 volunteers from the parish sign up to support sorting donations, assembling hampers, and delivering them to families. Merivale SSVP store truck, weekend in April, collected clothing & other household items.
- 3 new members: John Brunet, Steven Li, Sika Kudjawu.
Other contributions to the needy
Managed SSVP Ottawa Central Council (OCC) out-of-boundary visits & reimbursements. Provided OCC assistance to families outside the St. Maurice parish area.
Serving Christ in the poor, in all possible ways,
with love, respect, justice and joy.
In 2024, with the generosity of parishioners, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul ministry conducted 181 home visits, thereby providing food ($14,870) and clothing ($13,180). 120 separate families were helped, consisting of 229 adults and 253 children. Sixteen children were provided new boots through our Children's Winter Boots program, which our Knights of Columbus Council sponsors. Our Parish Christmas Hamper program raised over $12,000 during Advent and Christmas, along with an overwhelming number of in-kind donations of pantry food items, household goods, toiletries and personal care items, clothing, and gifts for children and adults. We had over 50 volunteers sign up from the parish to support us with sorting donations, assembling hampers, and delivering them to families. We were able to support 53 families for Christmas, consisting of 106 adults and 146 children. 38 families received sizable Christmas hampers, as well as a gift certificate for a local grocery store and the choice of a fresh turkey or chicken or ham. The remaining 15 families, who submitted requests for support after hampers were already delivered, received a grocery store gift certificate.
An SSVP truck parked at our church collected clothing and household items for the Merivale store in the spring. Through our SSVP Seeds of Hope program, we informed 40 families about the Canada Learning Bond for children. We also submitted 14 furniture applications to Helping With Furniture. Parishioners supported the Catch the Ace lottery, which helped raise funds to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing for Indigenous families through the Dream project in LeBreton Flats. The total funds raised by the Ottawa Central Council were $158,847.00.
Funeral Reception Committee
The St. Maurice Funeral Reception Committee is available to provide an excellent reception in the Atrium at a reasonable cost to families when funerals are held at St. Maurice parish. Volunteers make sandwiches, bake, purchase, prepare, set-up, serve and clean-up. If you have compassion and a flexible schedule, please consider joining our friendly group of volunteers ready to provide a compassionate and necessary service to families in their time of need.
Contact Michelle Wiseman at 613-422-6758