Upcoming events
St. Dymphna's Refuge Mental Health Ministry
St Dymphna’s Refuge Mental Health Ministry meets every 3rd Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the gathering space of St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46819.
Do Small Things Together Material Drive
About the Do Small Things Together Material Drive:
In honor of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s Feast Day on September 5th, Catholic Charities invites you to support local charities by donating small essentials that make a big difference for our most vulnerable neighbors. Items will be distributed to local participating charities.
From Aug. 29- Sept. 6, you can drop off new items in Catholic Charities’ blue donation barrels at participating churches.
PARTICIPATING CHURCHES:
List coming soon!
COLLECTION ITEMS:
Benefitting A Baby’s Closet:
Diapers - sized 4-6 (Please no pull-ups or Pampers 360/Pampers Cruisers as they are like pull-ups)
Unscented Wipes
Catholic Charities:
Hygiene items:
Shampoo/conditioner
Body wash/soap
Hand soap
Deodorant
Lotion
Razors + shaving cream
Toothbrush + paste
Feminine hygiene
Laundry detergent
Toliet paper
Paper towels
Food collected in DeKalb/Noble will benefit Catholic Charities’ Community Center of Caring Food Pantry in Auburn
Miss Virginia’s Food Pantry:
Peanut butter
Canned vegetables
Canned fruit
Canned soup
Canned tuna
Canned beans
Canned pasta meals
St. Mary's Soup Kitchen:
Pasta
Rice
Mac and cheese
Instant potatoes
Stuffing mix
Crackers
Broth
St. Vincent de Paul Society:
Socks (youth-adult sizes)
Underwear (youth-adult sizes)
Pasta sauce
Applesauce
Jelly or jam
Syrup
Salad dressing
Cereal
Oatmeal
Drop items off in Catholic Charities’ blue bins at participating churches
Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry
The Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey Center at SS. Peter & Paul.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Dymphna's Refuge Mental Health Ministry
St Dymphna’s Refuge Mental Health Ministry meets every 3rd Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the gathering space of St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46819.
Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry
The Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey Center at SS. Peter & Paul.
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
St. Dymphna's Refuge Mental Health Ministry
St Dymphna’s Refuge Mental Health Ministry meets every 3rd Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the gathering space of St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46819.
Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry
The Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey Center at SS. Peter & Paul.
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
St. Dymphna's Refuge Mental Health Ministry
St Dymphna’s Refuge Mental Health Ministry meets every 3rd Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the gathering space of St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46819.
Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry
The Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey Center at SS. Peter & Paul.
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
St. Dymphna's Refuge Mental Health Ministry
(Please check St. Therese’s bulletin for an accurate meeting date in December due to the holiday).
St Dymphna’s Refuge Mental Health Ministry meets every 3rd Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the gathering space of St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46819.
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry
The Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey Center at SS. Peter & Paul.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
✅ Support Catholic Charities’ work with trafficking survivors
✅ Share advocacy links or contact your legislator about protections
✅ Donate gently used clothing to survivors or transitional homes
📘 Book: Ending Human Trafficking by Shayne Moore & Sandra Morgan
St. Dymphna's Refuge Mental Health Ministry
St Dymphna’s Refuge Mental Health Ministry meets every 3rd Monday, 7:00 - 8:00 pm in the gathering space of St. Therese Catholic Church, 2304 Lower Huntington Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46819.
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry
The Huntington Catholic Mental Health Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey Center at SS. Peter & Paul.
Pack-A-Backpack Drive
Catholic Charities’ RSVP Program is collecting new school supplies to fill backpacks for local children in need. Your donations will help students start the school year prepared and confident.
You can be part of this heartwarming tradition by placing new items in our blue donation bins stationed at participating businesses, churches, or our office at 107 W 5th St. in Auburn.
World Refugee Day
✅ Host a refugee welcome drive for home goods or gift cards
✅ Learn a greeting in another language and share it at Mass or school
✅ Pray for peace and safety for displaced persons
📘 Book: Outcasts United by Warren St. John
🍽️ Family Idea: Prepare a meal from a refugee-represented culture and pray before eating
🎥 Bonus: Watch The Swimmers (based on a true refugee story) and reflect
St. Pius Mental Health Ministry
The St. Pius Mental Health Ministry meets every 2nd Thursday 6:30pm.
St. Charles Mental Health and Wellness Ministry
St. Charles Borromeo’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry meets every 2nd Wednesday 7:00 pm in the Hession Center.
Older Americans Month
✅ Support older adults in the RSVP or SCSEP programs
✅ Share employment resources with someone who’s struggling
🖋 Family Idea: Interview a grandparent or older neighbor about their first job
Mental Health Awareness Month
✅ Sponsor a counseling session for someone in mental distress
✅ Start a parish mental health ministry
📘 Book: The Catholic Guide to Depression by Dr. Aaron Kheriaty
National Volunteer Week
✅ Volunteer to pack hygiene or clothing kits
✅ Volunteer in a food pantry
✅ Join the RSVP program for those over the age of 55
Safer Internet Day
✅ Host a parish or home event on healthy digital habits
✅ Create a “no phones” night with games and intentional connection
National Marriage Week
✅ Sponsor a counseling session for a struggling family
✅ Share a meal or check in on a family going through hardship
📘 Book: Love and Responsibility by St. John Paul II
Human Trafficking Prevention Day
✅ Donate food or grocery gift cards to help families
✅ Support transitional housing for trafficking survivors
Poverty Awareness Month
✅ Donate food or grocery gift cards to help families
✅ Volunteer to mentor a participant in our Thrive Life Skills class in need of guidance
📘 Book: The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú
🏡 Family Idea: Assemble “Kindness Kits” with hygiene and snack items to deliver to a shelter or Catholic Charities office
🙏 Prayer Practice: Read and reflect on the Beatitudes together
New Year's
Please note, our office is closed December 31 to January 2 in observance of the holiday.
West Region Hope to Healing Event
Hope to Healing:
Join us for a free breakfast and learn how the agency is providing faith-based counseling services in schools, clinic, and parishes, all made possible by your generosity. Our CEO, Dan Florin, will share updates about the agency, while clinical staff detail our important work.
Details:
November 18, 2025
8:30 to 10:00 AM
Ackles Parish Life Center (Door 5 — Founders Hall)
711 E Colfax Ave, South Bend, IN 46617
Please RSVP by November 12.
World Day of the Poor
✅ Donate items to your local food pantry
✅ Create cold weather kits (hats, gloves, socks, blankets) and donate them to a shelter or hand them out to the homeless
Book: “The Boy Who Met Jesus” by Immaculée Ilibagiza (based on a true Rwandan story)
Family Idea: Fill a “gratitude jar” all month and give it to your favorite charity
Suicide Bereavement Virtual Support Group
Join Catholic Charities for a free virtual support group based on the program “When a Loved One Dies by Suicide: Comfort, Hope, and Healing for Grieving Catholics,” compiled and edited by Deacon Ed Shoener and Bishop John P. Dolan. A 20% off discount code for the book will be sent upon registration.
The 8-week program includes a 20-minute video and time for discussion, facilitated by Dr. Melanie Williams, Psy.D., HSPP.
Virtual Class Sessions:
November 12
November 19
November 26
December 3
December 10
December 17
January 7
January 14
Caritas Society Event
Caritas members are invited to share in a special evening to celebrate your commitment to making a difference in our community! Enjoy a selection of heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks as our CEO, Dan Florin, and staff share updates about our mission.
RSVP by October 31.
This event is closed to the public and by invitation only for members of the Caritas Society in the North and East Region.
National Adoption Month
✅ Pray for adoptive families and children praying for a loving family