Social Outreach Ministries:

Food Pantry - Responding to the gospel challenge, feed the hungry, St. Mary's Church and the Methodist churches of Minoa and Kirkville combined have formed Heaven's Pantry. This Ecumenical food assistance program is for families within the Minoa and Kirkville area. Distribution takes place on the third Tuesday of each month from 10-11:00 a.m. and 6-7:00 p.m. at the Minoa Community Center . Volunteers are welcomed. For more information, please call the Parish Office (315-656-3441).

Emergency Assistance - This second phase of Minoa's Ecumenical Outreach looks to housing the homeless, warming the cold, and assisting others in emergency situations by covering emergency bills. This is done either by referral from the food pantry or directly by contacting St. Mary's Parish. Office at 315-656-3441).

Giving Tree - Parishioners reach out to the poor and lonely through existing community programs by purchasing gifts for them at Christmastime. The Giving Tree is placed in the Church the First Sunday of Advent. Parishioners are asked to take an ornament from the tree, purchase and wrap it, and then place the ornament on the package securely (as it will be coded for a specific member of a needy family, and place the package under the tree in the Church to be collected and distributed.

Ministry of Hope : St. Mary's Ministry of Hope has been organized to help parish families who are experiencing the death of a loved one by giving emotional support at the calling hours and funerals, making appropriate publications available, providing "after funeral" luncheons, and by offering occasional parish-wide programs designed to give aid in dealing with the problems surrounding grief.

Ministry of Care: The goal of this ministry is to reach out and provide for some of the needs of those who are hospitalized, who are in institutions such as rehab or nursing homes, to the elderly and shut-ins in the community through weekly visits, bringing the Eucharist when desired, and providing transportation for doctor's appointments, etc. It is our community’s way of keeping in touch and continuing the bonds established in community. Also, an anointing Mass is held twice a year for the ill or anyone facing major surgery. There is a petition box on the Shrine of our Blessed Mother Mary in the front of Church that is also a part of this ministry. These petitions for those who are in need of prayer are remembered seven days a week in prayer at our Masses and Eucharistic Morning Prayers.

Nursing Home Ministry: The purpose of this ministry is to bring the Eucharist and the comfort of prayer to patients residing at Crossings Rehab & Nursing Home. On Sundays and Holy Days, Eucharistic ministers who participate in this ministry distribute communion to those patients who are able to receive the Eucharist orally. Patients, who are unable to receive the Eucharist orally, are prayed for while holding their hands. This provides an opportunity for the ministers to visit with the patients. Prayers are also offered for and blessings given to patients who are confused or in a comatose state. In addition, ashes are distributed and palms brought to patients on Ash Wednesdays and Palm Sundays.

Volunteers for the Ministry of Care are always welcomed.

Parish Nurse Ministry: We, the St. Mary’s Health Ministry, inspired by the spirit of St. Francis, encourage an individual’s physical, spiritual and psychosocial well being. We serve by providing education, advocacy, and a return to basic beliefs offering stability in an individual’s ever changing world. We seek to serve the members of our local community by incorporating a vision of mind, spirit and body wellness with the ongoing commitment to careful stewardship, we accept our sacred mission. We also provide health fairs during the year as well as various screenings and workshops.

If you are a licensed nurse interested in serving your community, please contact the Parish Office.

Respect Life Ministry: The main purpose of this ministry is to educate people and spread the Gospel of Life. EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS A SIGN OF GOD'S LOVE, A TRACE OF HIS GLORY. We reach out in faith, justice, mercy and compassion to our community to understand and make visible the Gospel of life’s message for ourselves and others.

Family Ministry: This ministry examines the role of the Domestic Church in strengthening family relationships with an emphasis on the areas of parenting, parent self-care, marriage enrichment, and family life at all ages and stages. Resources will be offered for helping families develop and nurture a Christian way of life. M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) Dad’s Program (Ministry of Dads Sharing), Family Catechesis (part of Whole Community Catechesis), Elizabeth Ministry are but a few programs that reach out to Families. Watch our weekly bulletin for announcements and events. For more information please call the Parish Office at 315-656-3441.

Ruth Ministry : The goal of this ministry is to provide parishioners with the tools needed to recognize and address instances of domestic violence, to raise awareness of the prevalence of abuse, and to provide victims with hope, prayer, and the resources that they need to make positive changes in their lives. We participate in the annual White Ribbon Campaign for Vera House. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Parish Office at 315-656-3441.

GRIEF SUPPORT MINISTRIES:

Adult Support Group For The Bereaved : A group of widows and/or widowers meet monthly for the sole purpose of supporting each other. Other members of this group may include survivors of murder, suicide, or the death of a child. The group meets on the third Friday of each month at the Parish Center beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The learning is in the listening. The healing is in the sharing.

Forever Loved And Remembered- A Ministry For Youth And Teen Grief Support : A group of trained volunteer parishioners meet monthly for the sole purpose of supporting our young parishioners and members of the community with their journey through loss and grieving. Other members of this group may include survivors of a sudden death (accident or suicide) or death due to an illness, of a family member, significant other (teacher, etc.) or friend. The group meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Parish Center beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Sheridan 's Army: Named after a beloved pastor, Fr. Xavier Sheridan, the parishioners of all ages and stages, who work at minor repairs, maintenance, enhancement, or beautification of the Parish buildings and grounds. The Building and Grounds Committee coordinate this with the parish Plant Manager. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed! Please call our Plant Manager at the Parish Office for more information and to volunteer.