January 4, 2026
By the time you read this bulletin, I will have retired from the Sister Isaac Center. I retired from my first career with IBM in August of 2005. A month later, I attended a parish meeting to discuss how we, as a parish, could assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. After the meeting, I introduced myself to Sr Isaac; I knew of her and her work from a mutual friend (all 3 of us are quilters.) I mentioned to Sister that I had just retired and I was seeking volunteer opportunities. She invited me to come in the next day to have a look around. I did just that. I was so impressed with the ministry, I jumped right in as a volunteer that very day. First I helped sort clothes; a little while later, I helped fill food bags; it was a busy day and I was pulled to help interview and serve a guest. After the volunteers and guests all left, I stuck around and did some cleaning. By the end of the day, I knew I had found my new purpose. I was taken aback by the people we served that day – it gave me a close up view of the poverty that existed in our area – I honestly had no idea. My initial assignment was in housewares. I headed up the collection of housewares to send to New Orleans – we filled a moving van full of donations from our parishioners and sent it on its way! I then headed up the furniture ministry, arranging pickups from donors and plans to distribute to guests in need; I had a few other volunteers helping me with the planning, and I had four of our men volunteer to be drivers. We ‘hired’ some of our guests to help with the heavy lifting. (The helpers were compensated with a check made out towards their rent or a utility bill.) It was a great program that I eventually had to shut down as most of the drivers were getting too old to be carrying furniture!). I’ll always remember the day when one of our recipients ( a single dad who had custody of his boys due their mother’s drug problem) came to me and said his boys sent their thanks for the beds we delivered, which meant they didn’t have to sleep on the floor any more!
Day after day, many of our guests express their appreciation for the help they receive from us – whether it’s food, clothes, household goods, financial assistance or just taking time to listen to their woes with compassion and empathy.
In late 2016, SIster Isaac decided it was time to retire when she turned 80; as her board had discussions on trying to find a suitable replacement, I stepped up and offered to take on the challenge myself. I had been acting as her assistant for quite a while and I was familiar with all aspects of the job. I had shared the office with her so I was privy to all her interactions with guests, volunteers and donors.My main motivation was my desire to be sure her ministry was kept alive – and that happened with the help of our pastors, volunteers and donors. And, now that I’ve turned 78, it’s time for me to slow down.Earlier last year, I had asked Fr. T. to hire one of my volunteers, Theresa Weissburg, as an assistant director, with the thought she could be my replacement when the time came. . From the day she walked in to offer her services as a volunteer, she has been a shining star; I knew from the start she had the potential to follow in my footsteps. (I often refer to her as my mini-me; she has the same drive, passion and dedication to this place that I do.) So as I prepared to retire, I felt a great sense of relief that I was leaving the ministry in good hands with Theresa, our board of directors, all our wonderful volunteers and donors, and with Fr Jairo as one of our greatest supporters – I told him I call him our ‘PR guy’ as he does a great job of promoting our work: he often mentions us from the pulpit!).
Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey; I’m very grateful that I have been blessed to serve for 20 years. Don’t be surprised if you see me on campus once in a while; volunteering is in my blood and I hope to continue serving the parish in any way I can.
Blessings,
Mary Ann
P.S. Please give Theresa your support to keep this unique ministry alive by keeping Sr. Isaac’s work going.
January 10/11, 2026
In the midst of our holiday projects, we were honored to receive a grant from a very generous organization. The Residents of Old Wilmington (ROW) had given us a grant in the Fall to be used to purchase protein for our guests. Recently, they presented The Sister Isaac Center with additional funds to help purchase additional much-needed food for our guests.
This added support allows us to further strengthen our food program by ensuring our guests have access to ample, nutritious food close to home—helping to ease stress and improve their day-to-day well-being. ROW has worked diligently with us to support food security for residents in our community, and their generosity will make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. We are truly grateful.
In December, we were the recipients of hundreds of pairs of Bombas socks thanks to Steve Lambros at https://diamondcateringservices.com/ and Todd Deisler of https://brighterstarthealth.com/. Diamond Food Enterprises prides itself on its ties to the community; through its connection to the local Bombas distributor, it’s helped donate thousands of pairs of socks to local nonprofits. Thanks to Steve, our guests’ feet will be warm this winter season! And many thanks to Todd for making the connection for us!
The awareness of and commitment to the needs of our community shown by these two organizations is one of the many reasons Wilmington is such a wonderful place to live and do business. We are deeply grateful for their continued attention to the challenges facing our neighbors and sincerely thank them for their ongoing support and partnership.
TIME MARCHES ON:
As we enter 2026, we will celebrate our 40th year as an outreach program. As mentioned in last weekend’s column, I will be leading this incredible organization moving forward. Following in the footsteps of Sr. Isaac and Mary Ann Kotas, I recognize that I have very big shoes to fill—and I am deeply grateful for the foundation they have built.
I humbly ask that you keep me, our volunteers, and our guests in your prayers. May we continue to see the face of God in one another and in those we are privileged to serve.
If you ever have any questions, suggestions, or would like a tour, please stop by our office or call for a chat.
January 17/18, 2026
The Sister Isaac Center has been a successful and vital part of our community thanks to the generosity of our parishioners and the many local organizations that support our mission. No group has been more consistent in their support than Knights of Columbus Council 1074.
Ten months each year, the Knights organize a food drive at local grocery stores in Leland—typically Piggly Wiggly and Food Lion. One Saturday a month, for six hours at a time, Knights take turns standing outside the store, distributing flyers and collecting donated food as shoppers exit. On a typical Saturday, they collect more than 1,500 pounds of food, which is then loaded into their vehicles and delivered directly to the Sister Isaac Center.
Just imagine the effort involved in collecting, transporting, and unloading over 1,500 pounds of food—not to mention standing outdoors in hot, cold, and sometimes rainy weather.
Over the course of 2025 alone, the Knights collected an astounding 16,666 pounds of food!
In addition to food donations, the Knights also accept monetary donations during each drive, allowing us to purchase much-needed food items. In 2025, they collected more than $6,246 in monetary donations. They have also awarded the Sister Isaac Center two additional monetary grants specifically designated for food purchases.
We offer special thanks to Rich Boccard, the Knights’ food drive organizer and personnel scheduler extraordinaire!
We are deeply grateful to the Knights of Columbus Council 1074 for their extraordinary generosity and unwavering support of both the Sister Isaac Center and our local community. Please know that when you support parish organizations such as this one, your impact on the wider community is greater than you may ever realize.
On another note, this past week, one of our refrigerator/freezer units stopped working. While we were able to salvage the contents, we are now in need of a replacement. The current unit is a side by side 29.1 cubic foot unit. Any configuration would be usable; side by side or upper/lower. If you know of anyone who may have a unit in good condition that they are willing to part with, or have another resolution to our predicament, please let us know.
February 1, 2026
We recently had a visit from two members of the Rev. J. Douglas Lawson Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), the oldest ethnic Catholic organization in the United States. President Bob Clune and Treasurer James O’Reilly (pictured) presented us with a very generous donation to be used to assist our guests in whatever ways are most needed.
During their visit, they were given a tour of the Center by one of our volunteers and were truly impressed by its size and organization. We are deeply grateful to the local AOH for their ongoing generosity, which reflects their longstanding motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity.
The Sister Isaac Center operates smoothly thanks to the dedication of our 141 volunteers. Two individuals who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to the betterment of the Wilmington community are Bob Diehl and Patty Williams (pictured).
Bob and Patty each volunteer three to four days per week. Bob is responsible for documenting the monthly data we submit to the NC Food Bank, while Patty works one-on-one with our walk-in guests three days a week. Both approach their roles with genuine love and care.
Patty is known for her empathy and attentive listening, while Bob is recognized by many guests for his warm smile (and the peppermints he offers as they leave the Center)! We truly could not operate without them. Bob and Patty embody the true meaning of selfless service, and our organization is stronger because of their dedication. We cannot thank them enough for all that they do. (You may also recognize Patty as a frequent lector at Mass at St. Mary’s)
February 8, 2026
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s commitment to service, several St. Mary School students and their families came together to prepare lunches for the Sister Isaac Center’s guests. Each bag included a sandwich, a piece of fresh fruit, a snack, water, and a handmade note written by the students.
We—and our guests—are so grateful to these students for spending part of their day off (when they could have slept in!) making the community a little brighter for their neighbors. They truly showed love through their actions.
We recently assisted a young woman named Jada, who came to us through the Salvation Army Center of Hope shelter. Jada and her three children had been living there for four months after fleeing a domestic violence situation. More than just a shelter, the Center of Hope is a transitional program—a place where individuals can learn, grow, and find their independence. With expanded life-skills training, access to social services, and nightly community meals, the Center is designed to help residents rebuild their lives with stability and hope.
Although Jada is legally deaf and eligible for full disability benefits, she was determined to work. The Salvation Army helped her get back on her feet by applying for the benefits she was entitled to and securing a reasonably priced apartment. Jada saved enough for the security deposit and received the keys to her new home, but an outstanding electric bill made her ineligible for service. That bill was the only thing standing between Jada and moving forward.
We were able to step in, pay the bill, and help Jada and her children move ahead. To top it all off, Jada was thrilled to learn that even while receiving disability benefits, she is allowed to work up to ten hours a week. Shortly after moving into her new apartment, Jada stopped by our office to share how thankful she was for the help she received and for the fresh start it provided.
There are so many people in need of assistance, and we are deeply grateful to have been part of this one family’s journey forward.
February 15, 2026
During the recent cold snap, a guest called us asking if we had an electric heater available. The heat in his home had been shut off due to an unpaid bill, and he was spending his days at the library, a day shelter, and anywhere else he could find warmth.
Unexpectedly, he learned he would need surgery, which would leave him homebound for at least three weeks. As we spoke with him and looked into his situation, we discovered that once his past-due balance was paid, his heat could be turned back on. The amount of the outstanding bill? Just $112.
We were able to arrange payment, restoring heat to his home before his surgery. He was absolutely flabbergasted—and deeply grateful—that we were able to help. Quite frankly, we were flabbergasted too, that what many of us may consider a small amount of money could make such a life-changing difference.
We all walk different paths and frame our experiences through different lenses. We are deeply grateful for each and every donation we receive—because when those gifts come together, they can mean the difference between someone being out in the cold or being kept warm.
Stations of the Cross
Every Friday evening during Lent, the Basilica hosts Soup and Stations during which we gather to feast on meatless soups then head to the Basilica to say the Stations of the Cross. The Stations are a powerful way to encounter Jesus like never before as we follow his path from condemnation to crucifixion. The Sister Isaac Center traditionally provides the soup for the first Friday, this year Friday, February 20th. Please join us at 6pm in the school cafeteria for some delicious soups made by our volunteers (you know they’re great cooks–do excellent meatballs come to mind?!). We will then head over to the Basilica for 7pm Stations. It’s a lovely Lenten tradition. Please join us.–
February 22, 2026
As ever, the local business community has stepped up to help our Center. Stevens Ace Hardware, with locations on Market Street and Dawson Street, provided a number of electric heaters to us at a deeply discounted price. This act of kindness has helped us support the needs of our guests as we all navigated the terribly cold weather these past two months.
Many thanks to Joey Stevens and his staff at Stevens Ace Hardware. Shop local!
St. Mary students, parents, and staff were at it again! During Catholic Schools Week, they took on a service project that truly made a difference for our guests. This year, they collected socks—and when we say they collected socks, we mean over 260 pairs! They didn’t stop there. The socks were thoughtfully sorted by category, including patterned, fuzzy, and unisex. Our guests have been delighted by the variety, with the fuzzy pairs being a particular favorite. Thank you to the St. Mary families and staff for making life a little brighter for our neighbors!
And finally, we received a donation this past week that was met with great joy by our guests. A thoughtful donor put together three “Birthday Box” cake kits. Each set included a cake mix, a can of Sprite (which replaces the eggs, oil, and water typically needed), a can of frosting, and a whisk. Everything was carefully placed inside a foil cake pan, complete with a full set of written instructions. Not only were our volunteers tickled by the creativity of this gift, but our guests were absolutely thrilled. What a sweet way to help someone celebrate their special day! Thank you, Donor!