![]() Every hoodie is more than clothing - it is a symbol of hope, community, and care. Proceeds support our Soup Kitchen and Outreach Programs, helping us:
"I was so pleased to see the kids cheerfully guiding the food recipients through the food selection maze. All of them were engaged with the people they were helping. With warm smiles, the kids were obviously trying to help people with language difficulty understand what puzzling food items consisted of and how they might be used. I went home that day feeling better about the future of the Church and society in general." Our parish food pantry depends on the generosity of volunteers to keep its doors open and operations running smoothly. We are grateful for this on-going partnership with the eighth graders of Saints JFX School in Wilmette. This is a weekly way for students to put their faith into action!
Yesterday, two Franciscan postulants began their ministry at our parish food pantry. As postulants, Kole and George are in a year-long formation program with the Conventual Franciscans to see if they would like to join the Order. In addition to regular ministry work, they are living in community with the friars and learning the daily rhythm of the Religious Life. This is the stage of formation directly after a young man's application is accepted by the friars.
Are you called to a life of service, fraternity, and prayer? Click here to learn more about the Conventual Franciscans! Happy New Year from the volunteers at the parish Soup Kitchen! We would like to thank the anonymous donors who sent a ladle, package of reusable grocery bags, a bag of bite-size candy, three bags of dry lentils, and a six pack of Scotch tape to St. Thomas of Canterbury. Below are photos of volunteers putting these gifts to good use.
Scenes from the Christmas Party at St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen. We hope all of our guests enjoyed this festive dinner. 🎄 Thank you to the volunteers who helped organize, prepare, decorate, and clean up the meal. We are very proud of our parishioners and the parish's St. Vincent de Paul Society for organizing this event.💓
Dear Parishioners, As we come to the close of another year, we thank you for your steadfast partnership during these challenging times. Your generosity has had a profound impact, especially as we addressed urgent needs stemming from the migrant crisis. Your donations of underwear, winter boots, and contributions to our Giving Tree at Christmas last year supported children in shelters and allowed us to extend our outreach to other community programs. In response to growing needs, we also launched the Vincentian Open Arms program, offering free Sewing, ESL, and Home Health Aid classes to help our neighbors build valuable skills. We invite you to join —whether its learning or teaching — to grow together as a community. It is through accompaniment that we can “Be the Face of Christ & See the Face of Christ” in others. This year, we continued our core services, providing rental assistance, medical support, and aid to our unhoused brothers and sisters. Your kindness reflects Christ’s love, and we are blessed by your support. Thank you for journeying with us in this mission of mercy. With deep gratitude, Pam Matambanadzo President, Society of St. Vincent de Paul Mary, Mother of God Parish Click the button below to learn more about the St. Vincent
de Paul Society at Mary, Mother of God Parish. We wish farewell to the three Franciscan postulants who have been serving at our parish Food Pantry. Thank you to Paul, Matthew, and Tristen who had their last day on Monday. In January, they will begin another ministry as part of their formation program. Vocations Director, Br. Bernard, also brings vocation guests who are visiting the friar community to visit the food pantry. We are grateful for the presence of the friars in our parish and their support of our outreach to the poor!
Postulancy is a year-long program of living within the Conventual Franciscan community and learning the daily rhythm of the Religious Life. This is the stage of formation directly after a young man's application is accepted by the friars. Click here if you would like to learn more. We want to celebrate two recent donations to the Food Pantry. This week, a regular volunteer bought and set up racks for personal hygiene products, and the parishioners of St. Padre Pio Parish (created by the unification of Transfiguration of Our Lord and St. Hilary Parishes) generously donated food and pantry goods. We deeply appreciate the support for this important outreach to the poor in our community!
Earlier this week, there was a huge delivery to our parish Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry from their Amazon wish lists! Thank you to the generous donor who gave us cooking oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, and bags of popcorn.
God is good and the parishioners of Mary, Mother of God Parish are so generous. Thank you for your continued support! |
If you would like to share an announcement (i.e. funeral, Sacrament, anniversary, etc.) with the parish community, please email the parish office. Archives
February 2025
Categories
All
|