Outreach

“See A Need - Fill A Need”

In the movie Robots we are introduced to a world made up of small towns and big cities where all the inhabitants are robots. Before long we are introduced to a character that is considered to be the ‘greatest robot of them all,’ Mr. Big Weld. Mr. Big Weld, we are told is a great inventor, a man of tremendous resources who is always encouraging the other robots, to be comfortable with who they are. He is always trying to help make their lives easier and encourged them all by remindeing them, “You can shine no matter what you are made of.” Mr Big Weld is a hero to all of the robots and encourages innovative thinkers to live by his simple mantra, “See a need - Fill a need.”

These are the words that inspire his life’s work. He notices a situation that needs improving (or a robot that needs assistance) and he goes about finding a solution to the problem. Often times he comes up with the solutions on his own, but, as he is often quoted saying, “his door is always open to inventors with different ideas on how to help others.”

“See a need – Fill a need.” It really is an intriguing philosophy. See someone in need of assistance and then make every effort to find a way to bring aid, comfort or support. When I first heard the phrase, I immediately thought of Philoptochos. That is after all, what they do: “See a need – Fill a need.”

For over a century, the Ladies Philoptochos Society has been filling those needs where ever they have arisen in the world. The Philoptochos (Friends of the Poor) was first founded in the late 1800’s, but this organization is the continuation of a long heritage of various philanthropic work of women for centuries. As Orthodox Christians, we know many Philoptochos members. They are our mothers, grandmothers, godmothers, sisters, daughters, and aunts. In fact, there is a good chance that our life has been touched by their great work and example. They lift up their God given talents, and through hard work and determination, become messengers of God's Grace and Love in this world. They are true heroes of our Faith!

This section of our web site focuses on the tremedous work of the Ladies Philoptochos Society throughout its history and the work of the Missions Committee of our parish.  In doing so we pay honor to the past members as well as the current members and congratulate them for the tremendous work that they do in God's name. May they always have the wisdom to “see” the needs, and the courage to “fill” them.

Father Peter