THE GOOD SAMARITAN FUND

To understand the meaning and purpose of the Good Samaritan Fund, we invite you to read the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37:

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to Him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."  (NAB Bible)

The Good Samaritan Fund was created many years ago in our parish to respond to the needs of the people in the community, with love and compassion.  Regardless of their faith, all people are the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 27); and they are our neighbors.  Jesus challenged us to treat those who are in need with merciful love.

The Good Samaritan Fund has made a difference in the lives of many people. It reaches out to those without insurance or those with very few resources to provide necessary medication.  It reaches out to people who are going through difficulties or are economically challenged, by providing them the needed professional counseling.  It reaches out to low income families by providing emergency food, and in some cases, shelter for children and seniors.  These are just some of the many ways the Good Samaritan Fund allows our parish to assist the people the Gospel calls, “our neighbors.”

If you would like to assist in this ministry, please first pray for all those who are unfortunate, those who are in need of healing, and those whose lives have been impacted by the injustices of the world and wrong-doings of others.  Then secondly, if you would like to contribute to our Good Samaritan Fund, please send your contribution to the parish, St. Mary Church, 1009 Marion Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 and mark on the envelopes “For the Good Samaritan Fund.”  Together, let us care for the people that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ called “our neighbors.”

For more information, contact our Parish Secretary: bmorawa@stmarybr.org