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Service
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| The purpose is to support the mission, vision, and goals of the parish by encouraging activeminvolvement in helping those in need, both within and beyond the parish community.
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St.
Vincent de Paul
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| The purpose is to assist
the disadvantaged and needy. This is done in a variety of ways. St.
Vincent de Paul maintains a food pantry which is open every Thursday
morning for qualified recipients. They also assist clients that qualify
with other needs such as rent, utilities, and medical bills. Meetings
are held with other local organizations within the township and county
to update them on current aid for the needy. The meetings are held
the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Parish Center from
7:30 to 8:30 pm. Donation Schedule • The fifth Sunday second collection is for St. Vincent de Paul. • The Food Collection is the third Sunday. • The fifth Sunday of Lent there is an additional Food Collection. • Additional food drives occur during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter seasons. Services • A Clothing Collection truck is in the church parking lot twice a year: May and October. Beginning Saturday at 3:00 pm through Sunday to 1:00 pm. • Furniture pick-up truck from the West Chicago Store can be arranged a few days in advance. • Sponsors volunteers for the CROP Walk each year. Contact the Parish Center or Bob Hoffman, President of SVDP at 630.964.0216 for further information |
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P.A.D.S.
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| In conjunction with The First Congregational Church of Downers Grove UCC at 1047 Curtiss, which provides overnight shelter for the homeless on Monday evenings, October through April, St. Joseph Parish coordinates volunteers to work the shelter. Contact persons: Peggy Bills and Dan Troy |
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| Elizabeth Ministry | ||
| This
ministry is an outreach to women in special times of motherhood. |
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Adult
Day Care
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| The purpose of this committee is to lend assistance to our two Community Adult Day Care Centers. These non-for-profit centers provide a dignified and pleasant environment for any adult needing daytime care. Adult day care offers families and clients an alternative to full time care in the home. It is offered on both a half day or full day schedule with lunch provided. Community Adult Day Care provides a safe, loving atmosphere, encourages sociability, and can be an alternative to nursing home placement for elderly or frail family members who are not able to be left alone. Activities include field trips, simple crafts, games, exercises, current events, devotions and music. Two snacks and a hot lunch are served daily. Location is Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 4501 Main, Downers Grove, 630 968-1060. They operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:45 pm. Fee for four hours or under is $30 per day and over four hours is $45 per day. Contact person: Karen Swanson |
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Nursing
Home Ministry
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| The purpose of this ministry is to provide communion and companionship to residents within nursing homes in our service area. Contact person: Frank Kozar |
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Hospital
Ministry
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| This ministry provides
support and Eucharist to patients at Good Samaritan Hospital. Contact Person: Frank Kozar |
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Shut-In
Ministry
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| The purpose of this ministry is to take communion and fellowship to the shut-ins within our community through trained volunteers. These volunteers bring our Lord in the Eucharist to parishioners who are homebound. Some volunteers visit one or two people weekly or maybe monthly, depending on the needs of the shut-in. "I was ill and you comforted me." (Matthew 25:36) Contact person: |
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Church
Nursery
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| The purpose of the nursery is to provide a loving and safe environment with a religious emphasis for children one through four years of age during the 8:45 am and 10:30 am Masses. This also provides their family members with the opportunity to worship on a deeper level. In addition to hired supervision, it is maintained by adult and teenage volunteers. Contact person: Cathy Tyrell at 630.434.8569 |
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Helping
Hands
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| The purpose of Helping Hands is to provide baskets of food and gifts to families of need. These are distributed at both the Christmas and Easter seasons. Helping Hands is service subcommittee of Spirited Spouses, which is under the Parish Life Commission. Contact person: Melanie Beiderman |
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Catholics
for Life
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| St. Joseph Catholics for Life Committee is the parish extension of the Joliet Diocesan Life Office. The purpose of Catholics for Life is to promote a reverence for the sanctity of life, from the unborn, throughout life, to death. The committee strives to increase the level of awareness in our parishioners to the evil of abortion and illicit pro-life actions It coordinates activities and information at the parish level but also connects to the statewide Illinois Citizens for Life and national organizations. A telephone tree has been established for the purpose of contacting our state and federal legislators regarding pro-life legislation. To have your name included contact Joe Bowe. Parishioners participate in prayer vigils at Access Health Center, 1700 W. 75th St. Downers Grove on Wednesdays at 10:15 am Our Parish Bulletin contains a pro-life message every week. Volunteer services are needed at local pro-life agencies: Birthright of DuPage, CareNet Pregnancy Services and Illinois Citizens for Life. Information regarding the voting records of candidates for public office can be obtained. Parishioners participate in the human Life Chain in October along Ogden Ave. The committee coordinates the annual Mother’s Day Rose Sale. Meetings are held the third week of April, September and December. See the Parish Bulletin for further information or contact Mary Pavelchik. |
