Hearts to Serve
Hearts to Serve, a hotline to support all of those in need
855-423-6780 from 8 am to 5 pm daily
Want to volunteer? Click here!
In the midst of the crisis due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) generating increased needs from certain segments of the community, the Office of Life, Justice and Peace of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Knights of Columbus launched Hearts to Serve, a hotline in support of all those in need, especially the elderly, homebound, and pregnant women. The joint effort answers the call of Pope Francis and of Archbishop José H. Gomez, to be missionary disciples.
“In this unprecedented time of uncertainty and sacrifice, we see wonderful acts of kindness and mercy emerging,” said Kathleen Domingo, senior director of the Archdiocese’s Office of Life, Justice and Peace. “Hearts to Serve invites Catholics from every walk of life to join an effort of prayer and service for those most in need now. Together, we can nourish our faith and offer real comfort to our brothers and sisters. When once again we are able to gather in person, our community will be stronger for it.”
Those in need of food or supplies can call the hotline at 855-423-6780 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. A Catholic community of volunteers will be ready to help with essential needs. They will connect callers with local resources for food and other household necessities. The services that will be provided include: grocery or medicine delivery to homes, provision of food and other necessities from local food pantries to those that might not be able to afford it at this time, and guidance for additional questions that need larger answers.
Food banks, WIC, and Other Food Resources
Food Bank lists organized by SPA provided by CHIRP/LA: See attached. Those that are in the San Gabriel Valley (SPA 3) are on pages 3-4: Food Bank Guide CHIRP
WIC has temporarily expanded the foods that families can buy with their WIC card. Find the expanded list of foods in the California WIC App, as well as on the CDPH website. See the attached Word doc and more info here.
Stronger Families Blog’s COVID-19 resources post has a section on Benefits: Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Unemployment, WIC and Food Resources.
First 5 LA’s page of family food resources.
Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)’s resources can help you help families:
- Guide to Ensuring Children Have Access to Nutritious Meals During COVID-19 School Closures
- Pandemic EBT: A Critical Opportunity for States
- Summary of USDA’s Nationwide Child Nutrition Waivers in Response to COVID-19
- COVID-19 Child Nutrition Guidance and Meal Sites by State
- Summary of School Districts and Program Providers’ Efforts to Serve Meals During School Closings
Faith, Education, & Community
Spring Virtual Family Literacy Event!
Literacy is a family affair! This program, presented by the Covina Public Library, offers parents and caregivers an opportunity to learn strategies and obtain Literacy resources to foster literacy at home. Join us via Zoom for a fun-filled afternoon with activities and giveaways!
Click Here for More Information!
Missionary Discipleship Pathway
The Office of New Evangelization accompanies individuals who desire to make the journey of missionary discipleship in their daily life. Through a series of regional pathway experiences; we form individuals by helping them to hear Jesus’ call to be his disciple, to give their entire life over to Jesus as his disciple, and to go and make disciples of Jesus.
Accompanying Individuals (Download PDF to access the flyer)
Click here, for more information on how to sign-up and join the Missionary Discipleship Pathway.
“Catholic Social Teaching and Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” Free Online Course
The Catholic Communication Collaboration is leading the use of online courses for our schools and parishes. The link to the course, “Catholic Social Teaching and Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship,” is via shortcut at:
http://archla.org/faithfulcitizenship
or directly at:
https://moodle.la-archdiocese.org/course/view.php?id=12
The login section on the left-hand side of the screen has fields for username and password; ignore those and do not fill in anything. Just click on the “Login as a guest” button on the right-hand side. That takes you to the Terms of Use. Once you agree to them, you are directed into the course.
To navigate while in the course, there are “breadcrumbs” on the top of each page, a navigation path showing how you got to the point you are at. It starts with “Home – Courses – Life, Justice and Peace – Faithful Citizenship” and then goes into the topic you are currently in. You just need to click on the words “Faithful Citizenship” when you complete (or want to leave) a topic and return to the main page. Topics need not be accessed sequentially; you can skip around.
Within each topic, there may be multiple pages. They can be seen on the left-hand panel, entitled “Table of Contents.” You can click on the desired item. You need not go in order; you can skip around.
For any questions or comments, please contact the course creator, Ms. Eileen E. O’Brien of the Operations Department, at 213-637-7618.
Mental Health
We continue to offer support for all our parishioners – children, teens, families, and adults of all ages. During the pandemic and other times, stress and anxieties can impact any of us. Knowing you are not alone and that resources are available can be helpful.
Included below are articles about suicide, a topic difficult to think about or broach. We acknowledge that among us there have been, and are, those who have suffered with such despair that they no longer want to be alive. We pray that these resources may be a source of help, understanding, and consolation.
Our committee keeps all of you in prayer.
· Pandemic takes Mental Health Toll on US Youngsters
· Timely Tips for Staying Mentally and Spiritually Healthy in COVID Times
· Depression and Suicide — A Catholic Perspective
· Help Guide – Suicide Prevention
· Archdiocesan Support about Mental Health & Depression
Headspace and the LA County Department of Mental Health
We’re all going through the current crisis together. To help you weather this storm, Headspace and the LA County Department of Mental Health have partnered to provide support and resources during this challenging time.
Sign up to access meditations, as well as sleep and movement exercises, designed to help you care for your mind — all free through 2020.
Click here for more information and resources.
LA County Department of Mental Health Resources:
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) supports the wellbeing of our County family, friends and colleagues. News and updates about COVID-19 may trigger anxiety, panic, frustration and depression—even when your risk of getting sick is low. During an infectious disease outbreak, please take the time to care for your own physical and mental health, and please reach out to others in kindness and compassion.
Click here for more information and resources.
If you or someone you love is in distress, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Daily Life and Coping: Tips from the CDC
Ways to cope with stress
– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
– Take care of your body.
– Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
– Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
– Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
– Avoid alcohol and drugs.
– Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
– Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
Click here for more information and resources.
Compassion Fatigue and Resilience: Webinar with Dr. Xavier Cagigas
The events in the past year have tested emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual endurance. Experts refer to the exhaustion and depletion that many have felt as compassion fatigue. As guidelines continue to change, restrictions lessen, our families and communities are called to transition and adjust once more. Individuals continue to process grief and trauma from the past year while adapting to a new sense of normalcy. Learn the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and how to face each day with resilience and hope. Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Other Mental Health Resources
- Hope and Healing: A Pastoral Letter from the Bishops of California of California on Mental Illness
- LA Catholics: Mental Health Resources
- National Catholic Partnership on Disability: Pastoral Response to Persons with Mental Illness
- Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers: Los Angeles Chapter
- Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
Current Events
California Bishops | Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism
Bishops from throughout the state of California have released a video today reenacting the Stations of the Cross to draw attention to the sin of racism and ask God’s help in eliminating it.
It is also intended to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the tragic killings at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, and the Juneteenth holiday, celebrating the end of slavery in the United States.
“People today suffer unjustly simply because of the color of their skin or their national origin,” says Bishop Robert McElroy, leader of the Diocese of San Diego and president of the California Catholic Conference. “Let us acknowledge the sin of racism and work to combat it in our social structures, our institutions and our hearts.”
Prayer to Overcome Racism
Mary, friend and mother to all,
through your Son, God has found a way
to unite himself to every human being,
called to be one people,
sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on
your Son,
seeking forgiveness for the times when
we have failed to love and respect
one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from
your Son
the grace we need to overcome the evil
of racism
and to build a just society.
We ask for your help in following your Son,
so that prejudice and animosity
will no longer infect our minds or hearts
but will be replaced with a love
that respects
the dignity of each person.
Mother of the Church,
the Spirit of your Son Jesus
warms our hearts:
pray for us.
Amen.