Our Catholic faith calls us to serve one another by embodying Jesus’ spirit of love and compassion. Putting faith into action through the corporal works of mercy and social outreach makes the teachings of the Gospel become more fully present in our lives. Our Lady of the Rosary’s Social Outreach Ministry strives to improve the quality of life for residents of Crozet and western Albemarle County through collaborative partnerships with other area churches, social service and health care organizations, and local schools. An array of service projects and fundraising initiatives are made possible by parishioner financial contributions, in-kind donations, volunteerism, and spiritual support through prayer. The collective gifts of time, talent, and treasure enable the OLR Social Outreach Ministry to assist neighbors in need who face food, shelter, and clothing insecurity, or suffer from short-term and chronic illnesses. Depending on current community circumstances (for example, the COVID-19 pandemic), new outreach projects may be added, or existing ones paused or discontinued.
SOCIAL OUTREACH CONTACT: Terry Burton, Joan Hodskins, Mary Ann Marinchick at socialministry@olrcrozet.org

Our Lady of the Rosary supports the twinning relationship of St. Thomas Aquinas and Holy Comforter with the parish of St. Michel in Saltadere, Haiti. Through prayer, visits to Haiti, and hosting the pastor of St. Michel for visits with us, the Haiti Ministry acknowledges our common bond as children of God.  We raise funds in support of the parish school, St. Michel clinic, clean water access, and microloans.

Activities to raise funds include the after-Mass sale of Haitian coffee and notecards; student sponsorship; and a Haitian craft fair (Advent). Past projects have included a dinner auction and a golf tournament. The Haiti Ministry meetings are held every two months. Yearly visits to our Haiti twin parish are a personal choice and are self-funded.
HAITI MINISTRY CONTACT INFORMATION: Anne Knasel at anne@stagebridge.net

The Homebound Ministry visits and prays for the ill, the recovering and homebound of the parish, and strives to strengthen our community through the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. If you would like to help and bring Holy Communion to those who are homebound, please let us know. If you would like more information or if you need someone to visit you at home and bring Holy Communion, contact the Parish Office.
HOMEBOUND MINISTRY CONTACT: Parish Office 434-812-2936
 

• Social Outreach Ministry
• Haiti Ministry
• Homebound Ministry

Again this year, Our Lady of the Rosary is partnering with Crozet Baptist in the “Share the Blessing” Thanksgiving drive through November! During the month of September, we will begin collecting specific food donations. This month please consider donating gravy (can or jar) and instant mashed potatoes. Each  month we will request different items (sweet potatoes-50oz can, stuffing-boxed, cranberry sauce-can, gravy-can/jar, instant mashed potatoes). Donations may be placed in either the shopping cart behind the sanctuary or the bin outside the door to the office wing of the church. The OLR Social Outreach Ministry continues to be grateful for your support.

Fall Projects 2022

• School Supplies - Partnering with Crozet Baptist Church, we are providing school supplies to students in need at Brownsville Elementary, Henley Middle School & Western Albemarle High School. 
• Share the Blessing Food Drive - Thanksgiving project, partnering with Crozet Baptist Church; donations of food, money and/or time.
• St. Vincent de Paul - OLR is a Silver Sponsor ($500) of the Third Annual "Friends of the Poor Walk" held on September 27. OLR has formed a team to participate in the walk and parishioners are invited to join the team and/or make a donation. Click here for more information.


•  

Winter/Holiday Projects

Lent/Spring Projects

Additional Community Holiday Projects and Ideas:

• OLR  is not directly involved in these projects, however we would like parishioners to be aware of them, and if possible, support these community-based outreach projects through prayer, time, talent and/or donations:
  • Meals on Wheels - www.cvillemeals.org  *  Ideas for Donations
  • JABA - https://www.jabacares.org - Help an elderly neighbor with access to nutritious food.
  • Toy Lift Charities - https://toylift.org/about-2/
  • Henley Middle School PATSO Giving Tree Campaign
  • International Neighbors "In Kind Donations"
  
   

• All Blessings Flow: a faith-based non-profit organization that collects, cleans, refurbishes, and redistributes medical equipment free of charge to those in need in Albemarle and surrounding counties.  www.allblessingsflow.org
• Blue Ridge Area Food Bank: a non-profit organization serving 24 counties and 8 cities on either side of the Blue Ridge through distribution centers in Charlottesville and Lynchburg. www.brafb.org/volunteer/
• Crozet Raised/legacieats: a local community kitchen that feeds individuals in need as well as frontline workers:   www.legacieats.com 
• IMPACT (Interfaith Movement Promoting Action Through Congregations Together): a social justice advocacy organization that strives to empower the greater Charlottesville area faith community to create significant social change through unified direct action. www.impactcville.com
• International Neighbors Charlottesville: a non-profit organization that provides resettlement assistance to refugees and SIVs (special immigration visa holders). www.internationalneighbors.org
• JABA (Jefferson Area Board for Aging): a Charlottesville/Central Virginia gateway organization that provides information and support to help seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers and their families live independently and remain active in their communities. www.jabacares.org
• Knights of Columbus (Father Louis Rowen Council #3670, Charlottesville): a Catholic men's fraternal service organization: www.kofc3670.avenue.org 
• Love INC: a national and Charlottesville area Christian social outreach ministry organization that strives to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ by mobilizing member churches to help neighbors in need. www.loveinccville.org
• Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle: a non-profit organization that provides hot, nutritious meals to ill, aging, and convalescing area residents who are unable to prepare meals for themselves. www.cvillemeals.org/volunteer
• PACEM (People And Congregations Engaged in Ministry): a Charlottesville area grassroots organization that provides shelter and coordinates volunteers to supply meals for homeless individuals and families. www.pacemshelter.org
• Region Ten Community Services Board: a social services agency providing mental health, developmental disability, and substance abuse services -www.regionten.org
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul: an international confraternity that focuses on helping its members grow in virtue by following Christ’s example of service to the poor. The three Catholic parishes The Holy Trinity Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is composed of Charlottesville’s three Catholic parishes as well as Our Lady of the Rosary in Crozet. www.svdp-ht.org