Ministries and Organizations

Ministry to Sick and Homebound:  Please notify the parish office (309-367-4407) when someone is hospitalized or if you are homebound and unable to join us at Sunday Eucharist.

Our purpose is to unite all Catholic women of St. Mary’s Parish in religious, educational, service, and social activities. We are to assist the Pastor in spiritual and material undertakings of the parish.

Membership is open to all Catholic women who have reached the age of eighteen and is a member of the parish.

Some of our fundraising projects to help our parish include, working the KC & Altar & Rosary Pancake Breakfast for Catholic Schools week, Easter Bake Sale, Ice Cream Social in the park, the Christmas Cookie/Candy Bake Sale, and various raffles during the year.

We donate and support special church, school, and community projects such as parish signs, church windows and flooring, a yearly breakfast for women of the parish, the yearly golf outing, Trunk or Treat and the Community Christmas Gift Cards.

Our meetings are held the third Tuesday of the months: January, February, April, May, September, October and the second Tuesday in December (Christmas party) at 7:00 pm in the school cafeteria.

To become a member please contact Sandy Bernitt at altarandrosarystm@gmail.com.

2023-24 Officers:
President: Cindy Garber
Vice President: Letha Costello
2nd Vice President/Membership: Sandy Bernitt
Secretary: Chris Nauman
Treasurer: Sue Hawk

Altar & Rosary Dates:

April 9:  Book Club 6-8pm, Rectory

April 23:  A & R Meeting

May 21:  A & R Meeting

• The Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Sorrows Council 3060 (chartered June 25, 1947) has more than 200 members.

• We offer an opportunity to participate in Catholic action at many levels!

• All the good works we do are informed by our four core principles: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism

• All our programs are planned to protect and serve our church and its clergy, our members and their families, and the needy of our communities. Our Fund Raisers include: Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, Vocation Raffle, Intellectually Disability (Tootsie Roll) Fund Drive, Pork Chop Fry, and Lenten Fish Fry’s.

• We sponsor many community services, St. Mary’s Grade School and youth programs, and various Church activities. Various Fraternal Benefits are available to members as well, including an outstanding insurance program, orphan benefit, scholarships, widow benefits, and a subscription to Columbia Magazine.

How do I become a Knight?

• Membership is open to all practical Catholic men who are 18 years or older. A practical Catholic man is one who follows God’s Commandments and the Church’s Precepts. Interested men may obtain an application form from any Brother Knight, or contact Grand Knight Kris Severinsen by e-mail at kofc3060@gmail.com.

• Once you join the Knights you may attend our meetings which are held on the fourth Wednesday each month at 6:15 p.m.

• You may also visit www.kofc.org or Illinoisknights.org for more information.

History

America was different back in 1882 when Father Michael McGivney was assistant pastor of St. Mary’s parish in New Haven, Conn. Back then, when a man was badly hurt, took ill or died, his widow and children could be left penniless, lose their home, perhaps be split up. Father McGivney had seen it happen. And so, with a small band of parishioners, he created the Knights of Columbus which would become the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Named in honor of the mariner Christopher Columbus, it originally served as a mutual benefit society to low-income immigrant Catholics. It was formed to render financial aid to members and their families who were sick, disabled or needy. Later, the organization offered social and intellectual fellowship through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

The Order has helped families obtain economic security and stability through its life insurance, annuity and long-term care programs, and has contributed time and energy worldwide to service in communities.

The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 15,100 councils and 1.9 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam, Saipan, Lithuania, Ukraine, and South Korea.

Prayer Weavers of St. Mary’s Church, Metamora make prayer shawls or lap robes to comfort those in need.  There is no charge for this service of love. To make a donation/request a shawl/lap robe, or to participate in this ministry, contact Sue Wyckoff  (309) 229-8599, Ginny Downs (309) 231-2769 or leave word at the Parish Office (309) 367-4407.

Upcoming Meetings:  Church meeting room at 7pm

April 29, May 20, June 24,

July 29 (Anniversary dinner at 6pm at Michael’s),

Aug 26, Sept 30,  Oct 28, Nov 25

The Pro-Life movement does not just mean the fight against abortion. It means caring for people from conception to death.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Every child deserves to live in a peaceful home. Learn to identify abuse, report abuse, and be a good neighbor. Does your neighbor need help running errands? Can you babysit small children so mom can rest, get her hair cut, go to a doctor’s appointment or get groceries? Any good deed can help relieve stress, thereby helping the parent(s) create a peaceful home environment for them and their children.

Our duties as Catholics and followers of Jesus are to care for our neighbors. But how do we start? There are so many ways:

Destiny for Women Health Clinic. Is a Catholic organization that is locally owned and ran. Please check out the website at https://www.destinyforwomen.com/

Foster Village Peoria: was established by three foster mothers to bridge the gaps in support and resources for caregivers working with the foster care system in the Tri-County area. You can check out their website at: https://www.fostervillagepeoria.org/

Snackpac Metamora: Providing heathy breakfasts and snacks for those that might go without. For more information contact Debbie Rauh at debbierauh89@mtco.com

Metamora Food Panty: A tub for food donations has been placed in the southwest corner of the church by the Lady of Prague statue.

Snyder Village: caring for the elderly and sick in our area: There are many ways to help by contacting Ashley Thompson at athompson@snydervillage.com

Suggestions are always welcome.

Watch this page for Upcoming Events:

Illinois March for Life has been moved to Wednesday, April 17, 2024.

“March For Life Events:

10:00 am Mass at Sangamon Auditorium University of Illinois Springfield

12:00 pm Rally at the Capitol

1:00 pm March for Life around the capitol

5:15 pm Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Springfield.

Details can be found at: marchforlife.org/Illinois”

You can attend as little or as much of the event as you’d like.

For information, please contact Chris Nauman, 309-256-053

If you are in need of prayer for yourself or a loved one, members of our prayer chain would like to pray for you.  You may contact Diane Moughler at (309)-256-2885, or send an email to dianercm@gmail.com  You may also contact Diane if you are interested in joining St. Mary’s prayer chain.

If you need to purchase cemetery plots of have any questions about the cemetery, please contact Dick Noe at (309)-573-4302 or the parish office at (309)-367-4407.