Snow and ice leave imprint on Church work

That same weather also affects the Church as homeless people seek room in diocesan-run shelters, the elderly feel isolated and attendance at Mass fluctuates according to the snowfall.

Loneliness, transportation problems, heating concerns and an increase need for food are some of the issues parish social ministers and Catholic Charities agencies face as they minister to people in the winter.

Sense of loneliness

"From year to year, I've seen a trend with the seniors," she said. "It's not that they have more concrete needs; it's more of a sense of loneliness."

While they call because they have a question, it's often clear to Mrs. Onderdonk-Milne that they are really looking for someone to talk to. Finding it difficult to get out of their homes, older people can feel isolated and lonely.

Mrs. Onderdonk-Milne said that the parish community is good at looking out for the needs of others. "The seniors are a good network for letting me know who's lonely and who is in need," she said.

Tensions increase

The holidays not living up to one's expectations, close quarters when families are cooped up in the house due to bad weather and fewer activities to participate in are some of the things that can exacerbate family tensions and cause a person to seek counseling, she said.

Al Turo, executive director of Catholic Charities of Montgomery County, agreed, saying: "We see an increase in counseling requests."

Domestic violence often increases when there are weather changes, Mr. Turo said. Long periods of rain or winter weather that confine people to their homes can lead to physical violence. Tensions can also increase when families are having a difficult time meeting their basic human needs. If a family is hungry or in need of heat, that stress can tax the family.

Emergency aid

Mrs. Onderdonk-Milne has similar requests. "We get a lot of walk-ins from the neighborhood who are in need of food," she said. One recent request was from a family that had no stove, toaster oven or microwave to cook. Not willing to take a donation, they accepted a microwave on loan from the parish instead.

There are also more requests for assistance in Montgomery County. "People have a harder time coping in the winter," Mr. Turo said. "In the warmer weather, they can work things through."

His agency sees requests for rent assistance, food and help with utility bills.

Balancing act

"People are hungry all during the year," Mr. Turo said. "While people are generous at the holidays, we do see a decrease in contributions [in January and February]. People are just as hungry now as they were during the holidays. The need may be more."

Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties tries to prepare for the extra requests during the winter. "We sent out a Christmas communication asking for monetary donations to support emergency assistance and counseling," Ms. Donlon said. "We also contact parishes asking for food donations January through March."

The agency also encourages groups to adopt a family through the winter rather than during the holidays. "We get a ton of food during the Christmas season," she said, "but the food is low in February."

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