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Outreach Opportunities at SEAS

- Scroll down for all Outreach opportunities or click on an individual box below to go directly to that program.
  
  Appalachia Blanket Weekend Christmas Cards CRS Rice Bowls Easter Baskets Giving Trees Gobble Gait HFS Ink Kitui Lions Club Meals on Wheels Plastic Prison Ministry Sharing & Caring TLC
- Appalachia Christmas Mission
  
  Every October we collect much-needed items for low-income families in Kentucky.
  In early November, through the efforts of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Council of Catholic Women and Terminal Transport of Roseville, the donations are delivered to poverty-stricken areas in eastern Kentucky.
  Our 2024 drive gets underway September 21. Click HERE for details!
  
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- Blanket Weekends from October through May
  
  We collect new and gently used blankets the first weekend of October through May to distribute to agencies working with the needy and homeless. Donations of new and gently used (clean) blankets, quilts, and comforters can be dropped off on the table in the gathering space. Monetary donations are welcome; please reference this outreach mission on your check. Contact Jeanne Loesch HERE or at 651-437-1591 with questions.
  
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- Christmas Cards for Inmates: Bring Light to Someone Living in a Dark Place
  
  Cards have been ordered.
  There are over 400 men and women in the United States prison system who have signed up to receive holiday cards through this Twin Cities Prison Ministry program. Most do not receive any other communication from outside the facility they are housed in. Writing to the incarcerated can improve their mental health and well-being by providing a sense of connection to the outside world. Some benefits to this program:
  Prison can be a lonely and isolating place. Receiving cards and letters can provide prisoners with a sense of connection to the outside world.
  Mail can provide emotional support and encouragement to prisoners, which can help improve their mental health.
  Receiving cards and letters can make prisoners feel valued and cared for, which can help build their self-esteem and confidence.
  Writing to prisoners can help break down stereotypes and encourage empathy and understanding towards those who are incarcerated.
  
  In your Christmas card, you are asked to write a note of encouragement to a name provided to you. Please pray for the person before writing and know that you are offering them a sense of hope, validation, and encouragement. You will not receive a response. Know that whoever receives your card will be touched to know that you cared enough to remember them, pray for them, and write to them. A simple message of, "I am praying for you," or, "God loves you," are great ways to begin.
  
  No enclosures are allowed. Do not include photos, drawings, holy cards, rosaries, etc.
  Do not share personal information. No last names, where you live, no phone numbers, etc.
  Do share details about the outside world. Anything to let them know what's happening outside the walls.
  Use only blue or black ink.
  All cards will be read before they are mailed.
  All cards are provided and all postage is covered.
  
  Cards can be picked up in the parish office in October and completed cards must be returned here by November 20, so they can reach the recipients by Christmas. You will be contacted when they are available for pickup. Again, cards and postage are provided. Purchased or handmade cards cannot be used.
- CRS Rice Bowls
  
  CRS Rice Bowl makes it easy for educators, parishes and families to integrate Lenten spirituality and
  Catholic social teaching into their classrooms and homes where the foundation for a lifetime of faith begins. In 2015, the Center for Mission began administrating the CRS Rice Bowl program for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. 25% of the total collection from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis goes towards hunger relief and alleviation of poverty programs in our archdiocese. The Center for Mission coordinates awarding of financial grants to specific archdiocesan organizations providing hunger relief.
  
  Every Lent, pick up your rice bowl from the information table near the library, or
  give online.
  
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- Easter Basket Ministry
  
  We began a new outreach project in March of 2021 to bring some Easter joy to the residents of the Lewis House and Benedictine Living Community-Regina, and to the children of families receiving assistance from Hastings Family Service.
  
  We asked parishioners to bring in filled Easter baskets and the response was so great that we had 115 baskets in 2021, 150 in 2022, 153 in 2023, and 148 in 2024! Due to your generosity, we have also been able to serve the Rosemount Family Resource Center, the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, and Community Action Partnership.
  
  This is just another example of the consistent kindness that's demonstrated in our parish.
  Thank you, SEAS parishioners! We plan to continue this mission in 2024.
  
  Click HERE for more information. Back to top.
- Giving Trees for Christmas:
  
  Provide clothing, food, gifts, toys, household goods and more for local families in need in our community. Donations are collected every November and delivered in early December to the following organizations:
  
  Hastings Family Service,
  Lewis House,
  the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, and
  TLC of Hastings
  
  Our 2023 mission has ended.Click HERE to see the results.
  
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- Gobble Gait Thanksgiving Day Run to Benefit Hastings Family Service
  
  SEAS is a sponsor of this local race to raise money for Hastings Family Service. Averaging well over 2,000 runners each year, it is one of the Twin Cities' largest Thanksgiving Day runs. Many families have made Gobble Gait their traditional way to kick off the holiday season!
  
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- Hastings Family Service
  
  Hastings Family Service provides a variety of emergency and supportive services to persons in Independent School District 200. We supports HFS in our yearly Giving Tree MIssion and we serve as a dropoff point for food donations. Containers are located at the west (back) entrance and donations are collected every Thursday. We are proud to support our local food shelf and emergency service organization!
  
  Click HERE for a list of most needed food items.
  Click HERE for clothing and household items accepted for donation.
  
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- Ink Jet Cartidges - Recycle Your Used Ink Cartridges at SEAS
  
  Each day over a million used ink cartridges are thrown away. Recycling is an easy way to help us generate much-needed funds while doing our part to preserve the planet. SEAS receives $1.00 for each cartridge returned.
  
  How can you help?
  
  Drop off your used cartridges from your small home printers at SEAS in the basket in the bin near the Seton Hall restrooms, or
  
  Use the link below to print a FREE shipping label and ship your used printer ink from work or home. You must have 4 or more cartridges to use this method. Our Organization Program ID Code is 17851.
  
  Print a label here.
  
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- Kitui Partnership
  
  SEAS is a member of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis solidarity partnership with the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya, that builds relationships, strengthens faith, and shares resources. Watch a general video of the Kitui partnership HERE and contact Faith for information on specific parish events and time commitments.
  
  For an updated video on the Phase II Water Project (September 2022), click HERE.
  
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- Lions Club Used Glasses Donations
  
  Throughout the year, the Lions collect used eyeglasses and sunglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs). LERC volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses for those in need around the world. Please drop off your used glasses and sunglasses in the marked basket at the rear (west) entrance near the coat closet.
  
  Usable/Recyclable:
  
  Glasses that have both lenses intact and the bows are not broken, both plastic and metal frames
  
  Children’s glasses
  
  Non-prescription sun glasses, including clip-on
  
  Readers
  
  Broken metal framed glasses
  
  Not Usable/Recyclable:
  
  Loose lenses, lenses not in frames
  
  Broken plastic framed glasses
  
  Contact lenses
  
  Cases for eyeglasses
  
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- Meals on Wheels
  
  The time commitment is over the lunch hour on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, twice a month. Subs are available when needed. Please consider helping these people get a daily hot meal either as a regular driver twice a month, or to be on the sub list.
  
  Please call or email Tracy Steiner at 651-503-8731 or steiner26@aol.com to sign up or get more information.
  
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- Plastics Recycling for the SEAS School Green Team
  
  Help the SEAS School Green Team reach its goal of receiving a new TREX bench! Bring in the following items and place them in the bin near the Seton Hall restrooms. Every piece of plastic helps our students reach their goal and helps keeps plastics out of the environment. Thank you!
  
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- Prison Ministry Pen Pal Program for Adults
  
  Are you an adult who likes to write? Do you like to inspire others?
  
  The goal of writing to a person in prison is to promote a Christ-centered correspondence that lets each insider know they are not forgotten. Pen Pals help prisoners stay aware of the world outside of prison.Through letters, we can show compassion, caring and understanding and help improve an inmate’s self-esteem. Pen Pals commit to writing at least one letter per month for at least one year.
  
  Find out how you can be a part of this program HERE.
  
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- Sharing and Caring Hands
  
  Along with our yearly Thanksgiving pie drive, you can help provide monthly meals to Mary Jo Copeland's homeless shelter in Minneapolis the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Donate jell-o or bars a few times each year. Call Renee Hartman at 651-437-6690 or Kathy Obler at 651-437-2734 to be placed on the calling list, or contact Faith to participate in the Sharing and Caring Hands ministry.
  
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- TLC of Hastings Pregnancy Resource Center
  
  TLC serves the community by providing life-affirming pregnancy and parenting education and support. The services include pregnancy testing and verification, limited obstetrical ultrasound, life coaching, fertility education, medical management, lactation consulting, abortion education and healing, adoption information and referrals, parenting classes and support, STD and contraception education, plus baby clothing, furniture and supplies. Youth outreach is essential and TLC provides speakers for schools and churches on topics such as teen pregnancy and parenting, sexual integrity, STD's and healthy relationships. Click here to visit their website. Back to top.