NORWALK—During this time of uncertainty, many of our parishes are stepping up to meet a need wherever that may be. St. Matthew Parish in Norwalk recently raised money for parishioners who expressed a need.
Through Our Sunday Visitor, which serves Catholics and Catholic organizations globally through publishing, offertory and communication services, St. Matthew’s raised $1,350 in less than 10 hours.
“This is an unprecedented time,” said Monsignor Walter Orlowski, pastor of St. Matthew’s. “I knew parishioners were struggling. Many have lost their jobs, have been laid off, and are in real need.”
On the OSV giving site, a message from Msgr. Walter read, “Many families in the parish are struggling, so I have set up this fund to seek tax-deductible donations for parishioners who have lost their jobs, been laid off, or are having a hard time making ends meet during COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Your donations will go directly toward parishioners in real need.”
Pat Krause, project coordinator in the Office of Parish Finance at the Diocese of Bridgeport worked with parish staff to set up the special collection page. “We have 53 parishes that are able to use the direct link for Online Giving Collections with OSV,” says Krause, making it known that most parishes have the ability to use this service for online giving.
Msgr. Orlowski first brought up the idea at the end of one of his live-streamed Masses, and he was immediately impressed with the response. After first establishing the backend of the fund, he then reached out via an email, through social media platforms, website and bulletin announcements.
“Within the first five hours of the site going live, there was just a tremendous response to my call for help,” said Msgr. “Everyone is going through this together. Even though people are worried, even though people are social distancing, people are here for one another. Being the ‘hands and feet’ of Jesus simply means communicating the love of Christ to the people He created. And that’s what people are doing. The people are just magnificent. Our parishioners are a huge blessing to me, to our parish family.”
(For more information visit: stmatthewnorwalk.org.)
By Elizabeth Clyons
