Introduction
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”
Isaiah 58:10
View our service opportunities by scrolling down or clicking the buttons below:
Parish Nurses
The parish nurses meet the needs of our parish community through interpersonal relationships, health education, and referral assistance for special needs under the guidance of the pastor and staff of our parish.
Parishioners can meet with our Nurses the third weekend of every month after Masses (4 pm, 7:30am, 9 am, and 11 am).
If you are interested in becoming a part of this ministry, You must be a licensed R.N.. Additional training will be provided to become a part of this ministry. If interested, please contact the Parish Office:
Helping Neighbors in Need
Our parish supports our neighbors in need throughout the Bloomington/Normal community by collecting non-perishable items as well as personal hygiene items. Drop-off bins can be found in the coat closet across from the Welcome Center and the Religious Education doors.
These donations are distributed to clients of St. Vincent de Paul, the Holy Trinity food pantry, and other groups as needed. Thank you for your consideration and support!
For more information on how to get involved, please contact Bobbi Hassel:
St. Vincent De Paul
Who We Are
Inspired by the Gospel values and in the tradition of its patron, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul leads people to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are in need.
With original intentions still intact, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul now has a worldwide presence with over 800,000 members. Each chapter serves in different ways; however, we are connected in our mission.
The St. Brigid Chapter was founded at St. Patrick Church of Merna in Bloomington-Normal. Requests for assistance with rent, utility payments, food, etc., were personally being handled by Monsignor Jerry Ward and Sister Rita Ann Bregenhorn. Requests were so immense that the need for additional support became apparent. Together with 16 parish volunteers, they developed our local Society and accepted the first applications in October 2009. In 2010, the organization served 194 calls for help, and each year the numbers increased. In 2017, we served 788 community members in need, thanks to the generosity of our donors and the work of our 60+ volunteers.
Our Work is a Blessing!
Since our formal inception in 2010, we have helped over 4040 individuals and families who have requested help in our community. We have enabled families to keep their apartments or homes. We’ve kept lights turned on, water running, and rekindled hope and faith in the lives of many. Every situation and need is unique, and every time we can help is a blessing for us all.
Funds are donated from generous parishioners of St. Patrick Church of Merna and St. Mary Church in Downs and others who have learned of our mission and desired to help. Whether you have a heart to donate, the ability to serve as a volunteer, or the strength to ask for help, God has blessed our Society as we do His work in Bloomington-Normal and McLean County.
St. Mary Ladies Auxiliary
Who We Are
The Ladies Auxiliary is open to all ladies of the parish. The Auxiliary is an organization with the goal to assist the Knights of Columbus and to provide charitable services to parish members and to the surrounding community. They typically meet once a month at St. Mary Church in Downs for fellowship and to plan various events for the parish community.
If you would like more information on joining, please contact Mary Kay Kurtenbach:
Prayer Shawl Ministry
PURLS, our prayer shawl ministry, gathers once a month to knit/crochet prayer shawls for our parish members who are undergoing difficulties in their lives. All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Typically, this ministry meets on the second Tuesday of each month with the choice of a day or evening time: 10 am and 6:30 pm.
For more information, please contact the Parish Office:
Garden Ministry
Do you have a green thumb, or do you like to play in the dirt? Our Garden of Remembrance, as well as our other flower beds, need people of all ages to tend to them during the planting and growing seasons.
To learn more or to volunteer, contact Kristie Klingler:
Heavenly Dusters
The Heavenly Dusters are a group of volunteers who clean the church and chapel to prepare for the weekend services. There are four teams of “Dusters”, so the commitment is just one day a month for an hour or two in the morning. The cleaning involves primarily dusting, no heavy lifting is needed. Volunteers are always needed for the teams.
For more information, please contact the Parish Office: