Reaching Out

History:
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St. Mary, Rockport
Stone Church
Age of the Streetcar
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Fr. Calvey
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Main School Bldg
Depression Years
Youth Organizations
War Years
Post-war Years
Parish Cemetery
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Aspects of Parish Life
Pastorate of Fr. Kelly
Hunger Center
Changing Needs
R.C.I.A.
Pastoral Council
Reaching Out
Parish Staff
Year of Celebration
Parish Leaders
Daughter Parishes

Other sections:
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As the needs of the poor keep growing, the parish has found new ways to respond. The St. Vincent de Paul Society sponsors annual blanket and bundle Sundays.

Each Advent season, parish students make ornaments for a Jesse Tree in the church. Each ornament includes a gift suggestion for the poor. These household or clothing items are distributed through the West Side Catholic Center and Birthright.

In the 25 years since the Roe v Wade decision legalized abortion, parishioners have organized three respect life groups. The first, the West Park Right to Life in 1977, successfully picketed a proposed abortion clinic on West 130th Street. In the mid 1980s, L.I.F.E. was formed to educate the parish about life issues. The present Respect Life group started in 1993. Crosses the group places in front of the school and rectory each October and January help make the parish and neighborhood aware of these issues.

The fish fry began in Lent 1993 and has expanded to two Fridays in Lent and a spaghetti dinner in September. Besides raising funds, these events enrich the parish by drawing together a cross-section of volunteers of all ages who work together for their parish.

Initiatives started by Miss Needham, the school principal, have helped the parish meet the needs of changing families. The aftercare program for latch-key students began in 1993. Four years later, before-care and extended-care were added. In September 1995, a hot-lunch program was started. When Cleveland was chosen as the test site for a tuition-voucher program, St. Patrick School was one of those that accepted these students. The vouchers also provided aid to students already enrolled in the school.