Social Outreach Services... please visit this comprehensive page for local support.
Annulment Support Ministry: The Annulment Support Ministry at St. Joseph Parish is a support ministry for couples who need information and/or help with the annulment process. This is an experienced-based ministry to assist those who are divorced and wish to apply for an annulment in the Chicago Archdiocese through St. Joseph Parish.We are available throughout your annulment process, either by phone or to meet with you, to provide support, insight and assistance. If you are not quite sure if annulment is for you, let’s explore your concerns. The parish office phone number is 847-362-2073 or you can e-mail at info@stjoseph-libertyville.org. You will be referred to one of our priests, deacons or pastoral associates. The Family Ministries department of the Archdiocese of Chicago also offers support. Please visit their website.
CANSHARE: A group of people who have survived or who are experiencing serious illnesses. They come together simply to pray and converse. The gatherings are held the first Wednesday of the month at 10:00am. in the Loughry Room.
Elder Care: Volunteers who are willing to help the elderly in their community with services such as: friendly visit, medical transportation, escort to worship, minor home repair, yard work, grocery shopping and light housekeeping. Training provided in one 3-hour session. Time Commitment is as much time as he/she feels comfortable.
Employment Ministry: The St. Joseph Employment Ministry assists the unemployed and under-employed in the pursuit of personally and professionally fulfilling work. If you enjoy mentoring, teaching and caring about others, this ministry needs you. We meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Employment Ministry website.
Faithful Citizenship Ministry: We seek to facilitate parishioner participation in the political process through education on Catholic Social Teachings and important social and legislative issues of the day. We provide information on the Church's stance on a wide variety of topics such as Pro-life, Education, International Justice, Peace, Respect for the Environment and Religious Freedom. Volunteers can help research legislation and the Church's position; write bulletin articles; help with seminars (organize, plan, promote); and support voter education initiatives. Time Commitment: As much time as he/she feels comfortable. Faithful Citizenship webpage.
Food Pantry: The pantry is open Mondays and Thursdays 11:30am - 1:30pm. Volunteers are needed to make and distribute bags of food to the needy. The St. Joseph Food Pantry is located in the Formation Center. If you would like to meet and work with other parishioners, like to organize and help those in need come check out the food pantry! Time Commitment is as much time as you can give.
Giving Trees (Christmas and Lenten): Gifts are provided to families in need at Christmas and Easter through the generosity of the parishioners. Tags are made and hung in the back of the church labeled with needed items and toys for the children. The gifts are then distributed to the families on a scheduled Sunday afternoon. There are many opportunities for you and your family to help with the Giving Tree projects.
Time Commitment is 2 hours to as many as one is willing to give.
Helping Hands Ministry: A ministry that can provide short term assistance to a parishioner or family when faced with a serious health issue or other personal crisis. The ministry will provide a contact person who will work with you to assess your needs and arrange for available services.
International Sharing Ministry: The mission of the ministry is to care for the vulnerable in the community of Moshi, Tanzania. Specifically to support building of a new school for the children in the community and the children who have been orphaned due to AIDS, of Maili Sita Parish in Moshi Tanzania. The ministry provides a unique opportunity to build a relationship with the families and orphans in Moshi and to develop a mutual understanding of solidarity as God's children. There are opportunities to help with fundraisers and medical and school supply drives. Please visit the Mailista website to read updates from our interns! Just click on the "St. Joseph" in the top right corner to link to the update letters from our interns.
Lake County United: A broad based organization that seeks to build relationships across Lake County, Illinois, to identify community concerns and needs, and to work together as a united power for human dignity, social justice and the greater good. Lake County United is committed to encouraging conversation across religious, ethnic, economic, generational and political lines; developing a shared vision; and addressing the common good. For more information and a link to their web site, click here
Mary and Joseph Shelter: Volunteers from St. Joseph work with volunteers from Franciscan House of Mary and Joseph in ministering to the homeless men and women of the west side of Chicago. Volunteers travel to the House of Mary and Joseph and assist in preparing and distributing sandwiches to the residents on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday of the month. Time Commitment is one or more Sunday evenings a month from 5-9 pm.
Meals on Wheels: Volunteers from St. Joseph's Parish deliver noontime meals to the homebound in the Libertyville, Mundelein and Vernon Hills areas. Volunteers are needed on Wednesdays. The meals (one cold sack and one hot plate each) supplied by Catholic Charities along with explicit driving instructions, are picked up at the Libertyville Senior Center around 11:15 am and delivered to individuals on their particular route. Time Commitment is about 1 hour a month.
Ministry of Praise: The Ministry of Praise is comprised of the homebound, those in long-term care facilities and Senior Citizens who are invited to pray in their own homes for the well-being of the Parish as well as for special needs as they arise.
PADS Ministry: The PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program offers overnight shelter, food, and hospitality to the homeless of Lake County during the cold weather months of October through April. St. Joseph and First Presbyterian volunteers operate the Wednesday night shelter in the basement of the 200 Milwaukee building. St. Joseph and United Methodist volunteers operate the Saturday night shelter at United Methodist. Guests receive a hot dinner, breakfast and a bag lunch. Caring volunteers are needed to work a shift at the shelter or prepare and donate food. Time Commitment is once a season or on a monthly basis. (PADS is always in need of bag lunches to be made and dropped off at the site in North Chicago. Sandy 847-689-4357
Prayer Shawl Ministry: we seek to provide comfort, support, and connect spiritually through the donating of prayer shawls that are made in the spirit of prayerful reflection for those in need of joy and loving comfort. Prayer Shawl meets to pray and knit the second Monday of the month at 1p.m. in the St. Joseph Room.
Respect Life: Focuses on transmitting timely information regarding any and all life issues facing society today. Includes Natural Family Planning classes, Crisis Pregnancy Center listings, post-abortion help (Project Rachel), pertinent information on legislation (such as the ban on partial birth abortions); as well as prayer vigils, baby showers for maternity centers, and support of the educational efforts of Lake County and the Illinois Federation for the Right to Life.
Waukegan Soup Kitchen: Prepare dinner for the needy at the Waukegan Soup Kitchen once a month from 3:30 - 7:30 pm on a Friday or Saturday night. A typical day: the group meets at 3:30 p.m. at the Community Social Services Center in Waukegan. Food is lovingly prepared and served from 5:30 to 6:30. Clean-up concludes around 7:30pm. Friday nights 8th grade students often come to work on their Confirmation volunteer hours. They are involved in set-up, preparing some of the food, serving it and clean-up. Kathy Mahoney teaches the Friday evening group how to serve with care and compassion. Time commitment: Once a season or on a monthly basis, 4-hours per dinner; currently looking for volunteers 25 yrs-old+ on Friday's only.