St. Agnes-Corpus Christi Outreach Ministry

Our History

        In August of 1972, the Sisters of Notre Dame and Father Dorenbusch began the Apostolic Team that would eventually become the St. Agnes-Corpus Christi Outreach Ministry.  After the 21 member Apostolic Team disbanded Sister Delores Lintner (the originator of the Out-Reach Program) continued as the Out-Reach Worker for the Elderly and Sr. Rita Stein was in charge of the Practical Family Living Center.  "The Out-Reach Program for the elderly was initiated because St. Agnes Parish is committed to the ideal of creating for every member of the Daytonview community a life situation in which their human dignity will be safeguarded and respected."  The emphasis of the ministry was on Pastoral Ministry and home visitation to the sick, shut-in, aged and infirmed living in their private homes and the 12 area Nursing Homes in lower Daytonview. 
        In 1975 the basement of a house on Dustin Avenue was furnished to serve as a drop in center on one afternoon a week.  The purpose of the drop in center was to give boarding home residents a place to go for socialization.  Volunteers from the St. Agnes Parish Involvement Committee hosted the activities, which included conversation, games, crafts and learning experiences in health and hygiene.  The main attraction was the food!  A Bible Study Group was offered on another afternoon.   By 1979 the number of participants had increased and the program had outgrown the facility – it moved to the Auditorium in the St. Agnes Church basement. 
The Outreach Logo (the four hands) was designed for the program by Gregory Cutshaw and was published in Creativity ’82.
        In 1999 the Outreach became a shared ministry with Corpus Christi Church.
Today the Outreach Ministry serves over 200 residents in 10 Boarding Homes; 4 individuals, some of whom were boarding home residents and now live either with families or in apartments; and conducts religious services at 2 long term care facility.
        The activities of Dustin House include games, prayer services, bingo, picnics, interaction with animals –a program of the Boonshoft Museum.  A major attraction for the residents continues to be the food – so special food events such as pizza day and dessert day have been held.  Upcoming events for this summer will include the annual Northwest Boarding Home Ministry (NWBHM) Picnic at Sinclair Park; a pizza day and perhaps another dessert day! Other activities scheduled for the summer include Bingo (a favorite of many residents), craft classes, exercise, and sing-a-long!
        Are you interested in assisting with any of the activities that have been discussed in this newsletter?  Dustin House meets Monday afternoon from 1p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  You are welcome to drop by and see what we do!  Call Katherine @ 937-274-2212 for further information.