Saint Florence Mission is active with Advent projects

Intermountain Catholic

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From left: Meagan Truett, Moe Patterson, Camille Ewing and Amber Truett wrap up plates of Christmas goodies to be distributed to people in the Saint Florence community who have been sick, on a prayer list or to those who have stru

HUNTSVILLE — The St. Florence community assembled for Mass prior to an Advent Wrap-up party Dec. 10. Each family was asked to bring two dozen or more baked goods that were distributed to the monks at the monastery, shut-ins and elderly, people on prayer lists, those who have struggled throughout the year and neighbors.

"We outreach to our LDS neighbors (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and we asked each family to think about who in their neighborhood would most benefit from the gift," said Deana Froerer, a parishioner. "The St. Florence community is made up of people from Huntsville, Eden and Liberty, and several come from Mountain Green, Morgan and Ogden. Our community is small and very personal."

Many members of the St. Florence community say Father Charles Cummins, pastor, leads by example. "He has participated in the Thanksgiving run for more than 15 years," said parishioner Geradette Barkey. "Every year people donate food, and Fr. Cummins helps collect the food to take to the homeless shelters."

Saint Florence Mission has been active this Advent with many projects, but throughout the year they reach out to many different organizations to help feed and clothe the homeless.

Each Sunday the parish collects food to support Pro Labore Dei, St. Ann’s Homeless Shelter and Catholic Community Services Northern Utah Food Bank in Ogden, Froerer said, as well as Giving Hands jars for Pro Labore Dei, the monks at the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity and Shriner’s hospitals.

"The St. Florence community is like an octopus with our little tentacles going out helping many charities," said Barkey, who is member of Pro Labore Dei, an international project. "The people in the parish have said ‘Yes’ to God and answered his call. The goal of Pro Labore Dei is to care for widows, shut-ins, and to feed and clothe the homeless."

The Holman family, from St. Florence, also are involved with Pro Labore Dei and serve soup or chili once a month to the poor. Debbie Holman said this year they also handed out socks and gloves the St. Lawrence community collected.

"Every year we are adding on; last year we gave them coats," said Froerer. "We also had a giving tree for the Utah Foster Care Foundation and bought gifts for about 40 foster children. And, as is tradition, the St. Florence community also collected monetary donations to send to the orphans and needy children under the care of Father Inniah Pudota at Saint Michael’s Orphanage in Guntur, India. Fr. Pudota is the brother of Father Shouraiah Pudota, who served at San Felipe Parish in Wendover."

The St. Florence community hopes to be able to send at least $1 per child for the more than 350 orphans in India. Donations will be collected up until Christmas Day and will also help provide daily meals for the elderly of the community. "We emphasize to the children of St. Florence how important it is for the children in this orphanage to receive money so they, too, can have new clothing," said Froerer.

A Steer a Year is another project in which the St. Florence community is involved. "Each year we raise enough money to buy a steer for St. Ann’s Homeless Shelter," said Nancy Waiss, wife of Deacon Terry Waiss, who assists with the project. "We raise about $400 each year to buy a steer. We also sent care packages to people in the military."

The St. Florence community celebrated its 20th anniversary on Sept. 15. The church was built and dedicated in 1990.