Pitchers of ice water are served up nonstop during lunch in the main dining hall of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in downtown Phoenix June 2016. Summer can be a challenge for the charity, which must step up services to provide heat relief and other aid to already struggling families and individuals. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)

Phoenix hit 118 degrees June 19. Forecasts predict 119-120 degrees today.

Here’s a look at how some Catholic organizations and parishes are bearing through it:

  • St. Vincent de Paul staff and volunteers provide extended hours for heat relief.  Dining room guests can seek air-conditioned comfort during the hottest hours of the day at least five days a week and daily in some dining rooms. In previous years, it was just on days that the National Weather Service issued excessive heat warnings.
  • Vincentian conference president  — and recent convert — stops his car to be a Good Samaritan

  • Paz de Cristo in Mesa continues to serve as a hydration station.
  • You can’t have too many pictures of water. St. Joseph the Worker has an ongoing water drive. Sundt Construction kicked it off in May. Staff meets with clients at the Human Services Campus and other shelters to help them find and secure meaningful employment. A cool water bottle always helps!

And more water for the homeless

  • Construction crews at St. John Paul II High School are going strong despite the elements.

  • Too hot to cook? St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Gilbert has a solution. Grab this flyer and present it at Baci Italian Bistro in Mesa (Germann and Ellsworth). The restaurant will donate 15 percent back to the parish in support of its For the Glory of the Risen Lord Capital Campaign. Dine-in dates are June 19-22, July 17-20 and Aug. 21-24.

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