CARIBOU, Maine — Youth groups from all corners of Aroostook County gathered at Catholic Charities’ Threads of Hope thrift store on Old Van Buren Road in Caribou on a recent Saturday as part of the diocesan-wide “Winter Warm-Up” event.
In celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, throughout the month of January, youth ministry members, children in parish faith formation programs and Catholic school students were encouraged to donate new or gently used clothing. The piles and bags of clothing were then brought to the thrift stores in Caribou, Portland, and Sanford on Feb. 6, 2016.
In Aroostook County, young people and adults participated from Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish, Madawaska; St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent; Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou; and St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton.
The group from Notre Dame du Mont Carmel collected clothing, diapers, pajamas and packaged T-shirts and underwear at weekend Masses. Before Christmas, they also held a sock drive, donating four garbage bags full of new socks to Threads of Hope, another four bags to a homeless shelter in Bangor, two bags to a shelter in Waterville, and two boxes to a shelter in Lewiston/Auburn.
“The youth had a great time doing this project, and it really opened up their eyes to less fortunate people,” said Donna Deschaine, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel’s youth ministry coordinator.
After the clothes were dropped off at Threads of Hope on Saturday, Fr. Jean-Paul Labrie, pastor of Parish of the Precious Blood, led a prayer service, asking God to “give us generous hearts and make us willing to share all that we have with your people who are in need.”
Prayers were offered for all who lack suitable clothing, for those who work in the clothing and garment industries, for all have been stripped of their garments through natural disaster, and for all Christians, that they be reminded that their “extra coat belongs to the poor.”
Similar prayer services were held at the Threads of Hope thrift stores in Portland and Sanford. Bishop Robert P. Deeley led the Portland service, while Father Tom Murphy, administrator of Holy Spirit Parish in Wells, led the service in Sanford.
Proceeds from Catholic Charities’ Aroostook County thrift stores go to support the Catholic Charities’ Food Bank in Caribou, which serves 25 food pantries across the region. Proceeds from the Portland and Sanford stores support Catholic Charities’ more than 20 programs statewide. In addition, surplus clothing from all the stores is sent overseas, primarily to Africa, to help “clothe the naked” and assist people there.
A special Jubilee Year of Mercy section has been created on the Diocese of Portland’s website. The section includes a wide range of resources, including prayers, reflections, local Jubilee Year of Mercy stories from the diocese and parishes, and a calendar of Jubilee Year of Mercy events and gatherings that will be continually updated. To access the section, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/holy-year-of-mercy.
