St. Theresa First Fruits

The portion of the harvest offered in thanksgiving to God

“The choicest of the first fruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the LORD your God.” Ex: 23:19

Do you know that nearly every day people come to St. Theresa Church asking for help? How do we, the publicly professed followers of Jesus Christ, respond to those who come to our church door in great need and distress?

First, we listen. There is no greater gift we can give to someone in desperate circumstances than to take the time to be present and listen to them. Second, if their request is for food for their family, we provide them food from a small stock of canned and packaged goods we keep in the parish office (you will hear more about this small food pantry in future bulletins). Lastly, if they have a financial need, we help them through the St. Theresa Walk-in-Assistance Account.

The Walk-in-Assistance Account was started by Fr. Koch and passed onto Fr. Hoefler, who began depositing his Mass stipends into this account. Fr. Bob also received individual donations to the Walk-in-Assistance Account from the stories he told to people in the parish. Additionally, Fr. Bob asked Social Concerns to make a monthly commitment to the Walk-in-Assistance account from First Firsts. Since that time, First Fruits has given the St. Theresa Walk-in-Assistance account over $12,000 to respond to this vital part of our church’s mission and core purpose

The Walk-in-Assistance Account is now administered by Fr. Larry to minister to people who come to St. Theresa Church looking for help. Both Fr. Larry and Amanda have many stories of how they help people who come to St. Theresa and they will begin to share those stories in the coming weeks' bulletins. These stories will make you feel sad but also glad to belong to a church who lives the gospel call to take care of the hungry, the homeless, the stranger: The people that Mother Teresa recognized as “Jesus in disguise.”

That is the spirit of St. Theresa First Fruits, where people in desperate circumstances receive financial assistance, emotional support and spiritual direction. It can be through a direct connection with a parishioner or working with St. Mary’s Family Center, St. Benedict’s Mission, DMARC’s Compassion in Action, St. Joseph’s Homeless Shelter, or assisting people who come to our Church door needing our help.

Below is a listing of First Fruit expenditures for the time period July 2008 to June 2009. If you haven’t donated yet to First Fruits, look for the lavender First Fruits envelope in your tithing envelope packet and prayerfully consider making a donation to the category that is closest to your heart. Donations to St. Theresa First Fruits are tax deductible. Many donations are made monthly, but donations are welcome anytime! First Fruits donations can also be done through EFT along with your regular church tithing. Contact John McMichael at 279-4654 to learn more. Get historical First Fruit disbursement information online. Go to www.sainttheresaiowa.org Click on “Parish”, click on “Social Concerns”, and click on “First Fruits.”

St. Theresa First Fruits Disbursements
-Utility Assistance (disbursed by Our Lady of Americas and Social Concerns)		$4,759
-Emergency Shelter Needs (Disbursed to St. Joseph’s Shelter/Beacon of Life)		3,283
-Refugee Assistance (Disbursed to St. Ambrose Refugee Program)		3,104
-Pro-Life (Disbursed to House of Mercy/St. Theresa Pro Life Committee)		1,220
-Peace and Justice (Disbursed by St. Theresa Peace & Justice Committee)		1,211
-St. Theresa Transitional House (Disbursed to maintain the house & current family)		1,117
-Hispanic Ministry (Disbursed to Our Lady of the Americas)		501
-Current Need Disbursements:
St. Theresa's Families	7,043
Walk-in assistance	3,051
St. Benedict's	2,250
DM Area Interfaith Hospitality Network	1,500
DMARC - Child Care	1,400
Compassion in Action	1,400
Connection Café	1,300
Chiapas Project	600
Catholic Charities	350
School Water Project	200
AMOS Project	200
Serve Our Youth	150
Total Current Need Disbursements		19,444
Total First Fruits Disbursements July 2008 to June 2009		$34,638