Catholics work hard to share the love of Christ with everyone in the community; ensuring that we are our brothers’ keepers. The diocese’s Catholic Charities and Social Ministry secretariat does its part to make sure all of our brothers and sisters are taken care of with dignity, and provides a safety net for older generations.
James Jahnz, secretary of Catholic Charities and Social Ministry, highlighted their unwavering commitment to senior care. The diocese provides comprehensive elder care through St. Clare in Newport and St. Antoine in Smithfield, which offer skilled nursing for full-time care, assisted living facilities, and a robust suite of resources for those navigating the stages in between.
St. Martin de Porres Senior Center is another diocesan resource, right in Providence, with dozens of volunteers running programs and partnerships to make elders feel loved and have their material and spiritual needs met all in one place.
Volunteers and staff at the St. Martin de Porres Center help citizens apply for and advocate for a myriad of state resources including food stamps, subsidized housing, Medicare. St. Martin’s is a community. Employees and volunteers are eager to help with anything from big community events to day-to-day companionship and assistance.
Linda A’Vant-Deishinni has been director for the past seven years and has worked for the diocese for more than 17 years.She emphasizes that love for forgotten communities is vital.
“I tell every volunteer and every staff member that whoever walks through that door that we should keep in mind, ‘What if that was Jesus?’”
Most volunteers are seniors themselves, retired, and joyful to spend their time doing something so beautiful.
“It’s the energy, I just like the energy,” says volunteer Betty Singletary. “When I walk in, I’m smiling. It’s hectic, but it’s fun. So that’s why I’m here, I think it’s important to spread love and joy in these trying times.”
Patricia Snead has been helping at St. Martin for 12 years.
“It warms my heart, I love doing and watching how they appreciate it, I’m a senior myself, I love it. It gives me something to do!”
Snead’s primary responsibilities include organizing the weekly clothing distributions and managing the opening of the food pantry. To ensure the most vulnerable are cared for, senior citizens are given priority access to food, clothing, and hygiene products before the resources are opened to the broader community on Fridays.
A’Vant-Deishinni reports that about 75 seniors consistently come on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the center has at least 220 regulars. Many of them live right across the street, and others come from as far away as Pawtucket. Assistance is made possible by generous donations from the diocese and donors.
For three years, Sharon Jones has shared her faith by leading Bible study at St. Martin’s. Spiritual care is woven into the fabric of the the center through a rhythm of Catholic life, including monthly Masses and weekly Rosaries.
Through a seamless blend of ministries and services, CSS demonstrates that many hands truly do make light work. Within this vast network, St. Martin’s remains a sanctuary of personal connection, welcoming every individual into a family that honors their name and stands ready to provide for their every need.
