Volunteers Needed

St. Vincent DePaul is looking for strong people to help move furniture when needed. If you can help, please call Margarita at 815-248-9199 or the Parish Office. 

Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical Ministers are a great way to give back some of the talent God gave you! There is always a need for Altar Servers, Choir/Musicians, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors, Ushers and even Deacons. Members of these ministries are essential for the Masses at St. Mary and St. Patrick Churches. If you are interested in serving on one of these ministries please contact the Parish Office at 815-248-2490. 

Catechists and Aides Needed
Do you enjoy working with children? Are you looking for a way to share your faith, time and talents with others? The Religious Education program needs you! Volunteers are needed as catechists (teachers), catechist aides and substitute catechists and aides. As baptized Catholics, we need to grow in our own faith and share our faith with the next generation of Catholics. You do not need to have a child in the RE program to volunteer. We have catechists from all walks of life from high school students to senior citizens, and every age in between, men and women alike. Catechist do not teach a subject, they teach the Catholic-Christian lifestyle.

We encourage all adults to prayerfully consider whether this ministry is right for you! Please call Terry at the office if you have any questions or are interested in volunteering 815-248-2490.

Weed Patrol Team at St. Patrick Church
The Weed Patrol Team r emove weeds from directly around the church and/or help keep the gravesites tidy. This does not include mowing and is only from May through September. Talk about work flexibility, you set your own schedule – any amount of time will be appreciated! It is nice quiet work and a good way to honor the many parishioners who have gone before us. Please call the parish office at 815-248-2490 or Peg O'Hagan at 815-494-1849 to volunteer.

Extraordinary Ministers to the Homebound
What could be more rewarding than bringing Jesus to fellow parishioners? Our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound is always in need of parishioners who would like to join this ministry. The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Homebound for St. Mary/St. Patrick Parish bring Holy Communion, every Friday, to fellow parishioners who reside at Medina Nursing Home in Durand, and within our community. Please prayerfully consider sharing your time to help this essential ministry. If you or someone you know may be interested in volunteering, please contact Ginny Kussner at 815-275-8296.

Church Decorating
Our parish community is blessed with two beautiful churches which we can worship at. While we do have people who keep them clean, we are always looking for some friendly faces to help decorate at St. Mary and St. Patrick Churches for the feast days. Christmas and Easter are the two main feasts, but we have many other days of decorating throughout  the year. Many of the days, decorating can happen during the day or the evening. Not much skill is needed and we even have volunteers who will “show you the ropes.” This would be an excellent opportunity for families to work together for our parish. If you are interested please call the Parish Office at 815-248-2490.

Parish Respect Life Ministry Needs a New Leader
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.' "God's creative action is present to every human life and is thus the source of its sacred value. Each human life remains in a relationship with God, who is the final goal of every man and woman." (USCC for Adults) the Fifth Commandment calls for us to respect life in all stages and ages. Our parish Respect Life Ministry has been absent from parish life.  If you feel called to begin this ministry or have any questions, please call the parish office at 815-248-2490.

Meals for Parishioners Home From the Hospital
"Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."  (Mt. 25:37,40) Do you like to cook and are looking for a way to share that gift with others? Our parish has a ministry that provides meals to those recently home from the hospital from illnesses, treatments, or surgery. If you feel called to 'feed the hungry,' please call the parish office at 815-248-2490, or Julie Ryan at 815-248-4588, with questions or to volunteer.

Volunteer Drivers
Need a lift? The Transportation Ministry provides t ransportation to members of our parish who need a ride to a doctor appointment, treatments, etc. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, or are in need of a ride, please call the parish office at 815-248-2490.

Neighbors Visiting Neighbors
The Visitation Ministry, a group of St. Mary/St. Patrick’s St. Vincent de Paul Society, will be visiting those who would enjoy a little conversation, or perhaps a card game, board game, etc. We would be happy to visit with you and enjoy spending some time talking & visiting. If you would like a social visit from us, please contact Judy at the Parish Office at 815-248-2490, and arrangements will be made. We would love to hear from you.

Grocery Delivery to Shut-Ins
The Durand Ecumenical Council spearheads the Grocery Delivery to Shut-ins Program. Volunteer drivers are needed to spend a couple of hours on Wednesday morning picking up the bags of groceries from Pacemaker, delivering them to seniors, receiving payment for the items & returning the payment to the store. Volunteers are called on to help only 2-3 times a year. If you can help please contact Renee Shambeau at 815-289-6215.

Medical Equipment Available
For those in need of specific medical devices such as shower chairs, commodes, walkers, crutches, etc. you may contact one of the following agencies. In the Durand area, call George Letcher (Durand American Legion) at 815-248-2407.