Holy Family Catholic Church
Rockford, Illinois

Our parish is divided into 30 areas.  Each area has a volunteer who assists the parish in the communication network to reach all of our parish’s individual households.

Your area representative might call upon you

• to help with the Christmas Basket program
• to ask for your help in hosting coffee and donuts after one of the Sunday Masses.

If you would be interested in serving as an Area Representative, please call Judy at 397-9395

Bereavement Support Program

Have you lost a loved one?  Our grief recovery program is designed to help anyone suffering the loss of a loved one. 

We

Coffee and Donuts  

Come on down to the Family Room after the 9:30 Mass on Sunday mornings to sample our delicious donuts, bagels, and 100% Colombian coffee. 

We’re servin’ ‘em just for you!  It’s a great place to meet old and new friends.

Various parish groups organize the coffee and donuts that are served following the 9:30 Mass on Sunday mornings in the Family Room of the church..  Call Judy Johnson (397-9395) at the Harte Center for more information.

 

Compassion Ministry

Reaching out to those who are ill or recuperating in their homes, hospitals, and nursing homes is what Compassion Ministry is all about.  If you have a heart for the sic and suffering, perhaps Jesus is tapping you on the shoulder and beckoning you to this ministry.  You can choose to serve in one of the following three areas of Compassion Ministry:

• Hospital Visitation—Volunteers stop in to see parishioners confined in any one of the three Rockford hospitals to bring them the prayers and good wishes of the parish.  Each volunteer gives one day per month to this ministry.
• 1-on-1 Relational Ministry—You are invited to build a longer-lasting relationship with a parishioner who might be confined to their home or nursing home.  Each volunteer gives whatever time they believe is appropriate to building this relationship.
• Prayer Partnership—An individual parishioner, family, classroom, or small faith community enters into an exchange of prayer program with one of our nursing home residents or someone confined to their home.  This is a beautiful way to unite the sick of our community with the wider parish family

Can we count on you?  Call Judy for more information (397-9395).

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Drivers for the Elderly (to weekend Mass)

Some of our parishioners who can no longer drive feel disconnected when they cannot go to church.  We could use your help in filling this gap in their faith life by providing the opportunity to worship in church with their friends and fellow parishioners.  Our volunteers drive about four times a year and can choose the Mass that is most convenient for them.  We usually have a waiting list of folks who would like a ride, so the more volunteers we have the better.  Judy will be waiting for your call at 397-9395.

Errands for the Elderly

Could you provide an occasional ride to the doctor, grocery, or other errand for someone no longer able to drive?  Call Judy at 397-9395 for more information or to volunteer.

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick

Taking Jesus to those who cannot worship with us brings hope, light, and prayers of the wider parish, and inner healing.  This is a ministry of compassion that blesses not only the ill but also the one who brings the Eucharist to them.  Teams of two serve every other month taking the Eucharist to the homebound or nursing-home residents.

After Mass on Sunday, the team member travels to the nursing home or private home (no more than two) to call upon parishioners and bring the Body of Christ to them.  Each minister sets the time of the call and the amount of time spent with the person they are visiting.  This is a wonderful ministry for singles or couples.  Substitutes are also needed.

Would you like to be the bearer of this great sacrament to your fellow parishioners?  We could certainly use your gifts and talents.  For information, call Judy at 397-9395.

Funeral Luncheons

Holy Family will be with you to mourn the death of a loved one.  We offer luncheons after the funeral services for family and friends of the deceased.  The luncheons are held in the Family Room of our Church.  Parishioners are asked to provide salads and/or desserts to supplement the main meal. If you need the assistance this program offers or are willing to help in this ministry, please call Judy at 397-9395.

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“Honey Do” Ministry

This program is designed for the elderly or other parishioners who are unable to perform repairs or who cannot afford to pay to have the work completed.  Volunteers will help with one-time specific tasks such as gardening, yard work, cleaning eaves and downspouts, hanging pictures, minor plumbing, mending, or other small household repairs.  Volunteers will not be asked to do any on-going lawn maintenance or on-going household chores.  If you are interested in being on this committee, please call Judy at 397-9395.

Hospitality for Parish Events

At most of our parish-wide functions, including the Oktoberfest, Annual Picnic, and other special events, we provide refreshments to those in attendance.

We would like to have a bank of 50 or more volunteers who would be willing to serve at these events (only 3-4 would be needed at each function).

This is an opportunity for you to participate in a much-needed ministry of service here at Holy Family.  It can also be a spirit-filled time of building friendships and great camaraderie.  Consider joining us!  For more information, call Judy at 397-9395.

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Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is an international Catholic lay organization of men and women who offer their services to their pastor for apostolic work, under the banner of Mary.  The Legion of Mary will help you to:

• see Christ in others
• become a holier person
• share in the work of the Holy Spirit
• have an intimate union with the Mother of God.

You are invited to our weekly meeting under the guidance of Sister Lois Ann on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. in the St. Therese Room, Harte Center.  Please call Judy at 397-9395 if you have any questions.

Meals for Families in Need

This is a program designed to help families in our parish who are experiencing an illness or devastating event in their lives.

To assist during this time of hospitalization or recovery, you would be asked to prepare a complete meal for the family and deliver it to their home.

Please contact Judy at 397-9395.

Monthly Food Collection

There are more and more people using pantries in Rockford during these very difficult economic times.  Our parishioners aid the pantry efforts by bringing food to fill their shelves once every month on the last weekend.  Your contributions benefit children and adults living right here in our community.

We are looking for volunteers to organize and bag the food.  Could you volunteer once or twice a year?  For more information, please call Judy at 397-9395.

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Parish Nurse Ministry

Calling all nurses!   Join us in a very fulfilling ministry.  We are dedicated to the enrichment of the spirit, mind, and body of our parishioners by promoting the bond between faith and health. 

Our programs include

• blood pressure screenings
• presentations on physical, mental, and holistic health issues
• flu clinics
• cholesterol screening
• blood drives
• etc.

We are currently looking for Core Team members—a non-stressful position.  Your blood pressure will not become elevated—we guarantee it!  Contact Judy at 397-9395 for more information or to volunteer.

Re-Employment Network

It is a fact that most positions are found through personal networking.  Because of this, local Human Resources professionals formed this ministry to assist those who are unemployed locate new employment.  The group is open to all members of our community and meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. in the lower level of the Church.  It is a great way to network and meet other people. 

Topics include

• how to write a resume
• how to network effectively
• what to do to get the job you wa

Individuals who are part of this group have a wide range of skills—from new grads to general managers.  If you are an employer looking for employees or an individual who is seeking a new job, please call Judy at 397-9395 for more information.

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Welcoming Committee

The Welcoming Committee is a group of volunteers dedicated to making new parishioners feel at home.  Every other month, committee members welcome new parishioners after the 9:30 AM Mass in the Family Room.  During this time, we offer them complimentary coffee and donuts, chat briefly about the many ministries and activities our parish offers and give them a nice "Welcoming Gift."

The Welcoming Committee also hosts Coffee and Donuts during the month of August and meets socially throughout the year.  If you are interested, please call Joan or Dennis Hosang at 815-395-0312 for more information.

12 Steps to Peace and Serenity

Find a safe and confidential meeting in 12 Steps to Peace and Serenity where you can:

• Learn what God has to say to you or someone you love about overcoming an addition or gaining new direction in life.
• Explore and learn how to live the truths and principles of 12-step recovery in the pages of Scripture.
• Find experience, strength, and hope with others on a similar journey every Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the St. Therese Room in the Harte Center.
• Receive more information by calling Judy at 397-9395.

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