Love Thy Neighbor

Dear Parishioners,

Serving those in need is at the heart of our Catholic faith. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” and again in Matthew 22 to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These words continue to guide our parish outreach as we serve the growing needs of our Stillwater community.

Over the past several years, the “Love Thy Neighbor” platform has helped us respond to requests with clarity, consistency, and compassion. Charity begins in the family and flows naturally from a heart formed by the Gospel. We also recognize that individuals frequently turn to their parish family when needs exceed what their support system can provide. Our goal is to meet those needs with dignity and responsible stewardship.

Our parish’s charitable work is built on a long history of generosity shared across the Catholic community in Stillwater. This initiative has allowed us to expand that effort, offering flexible support in more ways than ever before.

Our Outreach Through Love Thy Neighbor:

1. Backpack Ministry provides weekend meals for food-insecure students at Stillwater Middle School.

2. Birthright Stillwater offers confidential love, friendship, and support to women facing unplanned pregnancies. Our interdenominational focus is loving the mother, ensuring she is not alone, and reminding her there is hope for as long as she needs us.

3. Corporal Works of Mercy
   Thanks to the generosity of Love Thy Neighbor donors, these funds support the following agencies:

   • Fire/Wind Relief Assistance

   • Mission of Hope

   • Our Daily Bread

   • Salvation Army

   • Stillwater Cares

   • Stillwater Community Health Center

   • ThriveWell Counseling

   • Wings of Hope

4. Mother Teresa Ministry assists individuals and families with immediate needs for groceries and gasoline.

5. Parishioner Assistance offers temporary assistance to St. Francis Xavier parishioners experiencing hardship.

How “Love Thy Neighbor” Is Funded:

• Donations from parishioners and the Payne County community

• Collections from Ash Wednesday and holy days of obligation (excluding Christmas)

Ongoing Efforts:

• Donations are accepted anytime through envelopes, online giving, PayPal, wills, bequests, stocks, and the weekend collection.

• Quarterly bulletin summaries report giving, demonstrating our commitment to responsible stewardship of all donations.

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of this ministry. Your gifts make a real difference in the lives of individuals and families who turn to the Church for help. And beyond parish walls, we encourage you to actively live the words of Matthew 25 in your daily life.

May we always recognize Christ in those who come seeking mercy.

In Christ,

Rev. Fr. Lawrence Nwachukwu, Pastor

Financial and Other Assistance:

Food Assistance

Mother Teresa Ministry of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
(405) 372-7673
This ministry helps with gas and groceries.

Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center
(405) 533-2555 • 701 E. 12th Ave. Stillwater
Our Daily Bread serves eligible guests in Payne County. If you are in need of assistance, please bring an ID and proof of Payne County Residence (if different than what's on your ID). Shopping days and times are:
Monday: 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Tuesday: 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Thursday: 11:00am - 1:30pm
Every 3rd Saturday of the Month: 9:00am - 11:30am

Mobile Meals of Stillwater
(405) 742-5765
Deliveries from 11:30am - 12:30pm Monday through Friday.
Mobile Meals will continue to provide lunches to their current clients. Volunteers are also providing groceries to clients.

Salvation Army Stillwater
(405) 372-1554 • 1101 S. Lowry St. Stillwater
Open from 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 4:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Salvation Army provides groceries for Payne or Noble County residents.

First United Methodist Church of Stillwater
(405) 372-5854 • 400 W. 7th Ave. Stillwater
They host a weekly community dinner from 5:00 - 6:00pm each Thursday. There is also a shower ministry available on Thursdays from 2:00 - 3:30pm.

Mental Health Services

Click here for a list services available in Payne County.

Shelters With Available Beds

Mission of Hope
(405) 332-5521
1804 S. Perkins Rd., Stillwater

OKC Rescue Mission
(405) 232-2709
800 W. California Ave., OKC

Peachtree Landing 
(580) 762-3208
105 W. Hazel Ave., Ponca City

Salvation Army (Enid, Shawnee, OKC, and Tulsa)
Enid
(580) 237-4213
2220 W. Pine Ave., Enid

Shawnee
(405) 275-2243
200 E. 9th St., Shawnee

OKC
(405) 246-1133
1001 N. Pennsylvania Ave., OKC

Tulsa
(918) 582-7201
102 N Denver, Tulsa

Other Services Assistance

Grand Mental Health
(405) 372-2202 • 998 E Knotts Ave., Stillwater
Grand Lake Mental Health is providing mental health services from children to seniors.

Payne County Youth Services
(405) 377-3380

Salvation Army
(405) 372-1554 • 1101 S. Lowry St., Stillwater
The Salvation Army of Stillwater is helping with utility assistance and clothing vouchers.

Wings of Hope Family Crisis
(405) 372-9922 • 3800 N. Washington St., Stillwater
Wings of Hope will continue to operate normally and will accept new clients. They are not in need of donations or volunteers at this moment. The children's center is open four days a week and free to the public, please call ahead to reserve your space.

2-1-1 
Call the toll-free helpline 2-1-1 if you are in need of helping services but are not sure which nonprofit can help. 2-1-1 connects individuals in need of services to the nonprofit who is in their area and ready to help.