Holy Family Catholic Church
Rockford, Illinois

This is a very special parish project that brings joy and hope to many families during the Christmas season.  Every year, local agencies provide us with the names of families or individuals who need our help to make their holiday season a little brighter.  Parish volunteers then contact all parishioners in their neighborhood asking them to donate food, money and/or gifts to a specific family or individual.  This program gives us an opportunity to share our many blessings with those less fortunate.

How can you help?

1. Volunteer to call a group of parishioners within your neighborhood from a list or names and nunmbers we provide to you.  Then put together a "basket" and deliver it to the family or agency.
2. With a group of friends or family members, put together a "basket" for a family, we will provide and deliver it to the family or agency.

 

All parishioners are asked to help.  When someone from the parish contacts you, please consider donating food, a new gift, or money.  Any donation, small or large, is important and is appreciated by the individuals who receive it.

This is a project in which we can all take part.  It brings hope and joy to many families during the Christmas season.  Won't you help us put a smile on the face of someone in need?

If you have any questions about the Christmas Basket Program, please call Mary Jo (815-877-8856) or Mary (815-885-3717).

The 2007 Christmas Basket Program was a huge success thanks to the generosity of so many of our parishioners.  One hundred and fifty families from Catholic Charities, St. Elizabeth Center, and Parish Assistance Network were the recipients of food, Christmas presents, and even furniture and household items donated by our parishioners. You made the holiday season just a little brighter for many of our less fortunate Rockford neighbors.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for being our Lord’s hearts and hands to so many needy families.

Top

Gardening Angels

Our volunteers gather two Saturdays in the spring and two in the fall to spruce up the parish grounds.  We especially need folks to adopt (water, weed, and provide TLC) an area of the church grounds from March through November.  If you have a green thumb or just love to putter in the earth, we’d love to have you join us.  For more information, call Judy at 397-9395.

Habitat for Humanity

Our parishioners join with teams from other churches and organizations in Rockford to construct four to six new homes for the low-income, working poor.  Construction will begin in the spring of 2007.  Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works to build simple, decent houses for people in need of shelter.

We welcome any level of ability in many areas including

• carpentry
• dry walling
• painting
• plumbing
• roofing
• landscaping
• etc. 

All you need are willing hands and spirits.  For more information, call Judy at 397-9395.

Top

 

Meals for the Homeless

Volunteers in this minitry plan, shop for, prepare and serve a meal at the Red Cross Homeless Shelter.  The meal can be a sack lunch prepared at either the volunteers' home or at the shelter.  The meal could also be a hot one prepared in volunteers' homes and then served at the shelter.  For more information or to volunteer, please contact Mary at 815-633-7687.

We serve at Mission House four times a year and at Emmanuel Episcopal Church three times per year.  For more information, call Judy at 397-9395.

Top

Metro Paint-A-Thon

Join our volunteer team on the 2nd Saturday of August 2008 to paint the home of an elderly, disabled, or low-income family.

This is a great way to give back to your community and share fun and camaraderie with other parishioners.  If you’re interested in helping, call Judy at 397-9395

 

Time and Talent Weekend

Usually held on the last weekend in August, this activity is an opportunity for all parishioners to learn a little more about the various ministries and organizations within the parish.  Representatives of each group within the parish are asked to set up a display about their ministry or organization.  Individuals from each group are on hand to explain their activity to anyone interested in learning more about its function within the parish.  This is a great time to become a member of one of these ministries or organizations!

Coffee and cookies/donuts are served outdoors this weekend, and there are a number of giveaways for attending.  Time and Talent Weekend is an opportunity to have a little fun and get to know other parishioners.

Valentine Gift Bags for Shut-Ins

Our parishioners who cannot leave their homes are a gift to our parish because of the prayers they offer for the well-being of each and every Holy Family parishioner, priest, and staff member.  To remember and thank them, we collect and assemble special small items that we put into decorated gift bags and then deliver to their homes or nursing homes.  Could you help us deliver the gift bags around Valentine’s Day?  For more information, call Judy at 397-9395.

Top