The Parish Life Commission helps build community in the parish and to foster a sense of belonging. This commission encompasses all that can strengthen the Christian community in love. It does this by promoting good communication between parish organizations, coordinating activities and parish events, and  helping all those involved in parish groups to work together toward a common goal.

 

Book Club - The parish book club meets on the third Thursday of the month. There are a limited number of copies of each available at the library, please pick it up, read it, and then pass the book along to another member. The book is usually very short, but compelling.

 

Boy Scouts - Boy Scout Troop 44 meets at St. Mary of Vernon on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. Troop activities include scout advancement instruction, outings, and a monthly sports night.

 

Bowling League - The parish has a once a month and twice a month mixed bowling league that bowls on the first and third Sunday evenings of the month. Sign-ups are in late August. We bowl from September to May at Hawthorn Lanes in Vernon Hills.

 

Couples Ministry - Every three months, couples who will celebrate a wedding anniversary any time during that season receive a special blessing and recognition at Mass. Couples ministry provides the hospitality that follows the mass that day. Couples Ministry also hosts special events for married couples during the year.

 

Knights of Columbus - The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s organization serving S M V and surrounding communities. Charity is the cornerstone of all Knights of Columbus activities. Parish activities include the blood drive and the annual award to altar servers at the end of their service period. Knights help Sharing Hands by delivering donated furniture to needy families. The Knights support other parish programs, including Youth Ministry programs, and participate in community service projects.

 

Market Days - Market Days is a monthly food co-op program run by the St. Mary of Vernon Men’s Club. This program provides our parishioners with restaurant quality meat, produce and a variety of other foods at very competitive prices. While you benefit from Market Days’ quality and price, SMV benefits too! A percentage of all monthly proceeds goes directly to the church. Order forms can always be picked up in the vestibule of the church. Food pick up is on a Saturday morning in the Parish Center.

 

Men’s Club -The St. Mary of Vernon Men’s Club is open to all men 21 and older. The objectives of the Men’s Club are to provide an opportunity for the men of the parish to come together to work and socialize as Catholic Christians; to provide men with an atmosphere of tolerance, cooperation, charity, and humility; to provide guidance for the youth of our parish; and to serve the needs of our community of faith.

 

Moms and Tots - An informal play group for parents and young children comes together to socialize on Friday mornings between 10:00 and 11:30 am. Depending on the weather, the group meets either at a local playground or in a room at the Parish Center.

 

Neighborhood Ministry - Neighborhood Ministry is a network of welcome and communication among registered parishioners within our neighborhoods. Through this new ministry, we are building bridges between the parish and our neighborhoods. Volunteers serve as parish representatives within the neighborhoods, and communicate neighbors’ questions and comments with the parish office, helping us to learn more about one another and grow together as a parish family.

 

Newcomer Connection - Through Newcomer Connection, parish volunteers telephone newly registered parishioners and welcome them to St. Mary of Vernon. New parishioners are invited to one of several gatherings held throughout the year. In a friendly and informal setting, newcomers meet one another, as well as a few other members of the community, and learn about parish life.

 

Parish Fundraising and Socials - This committee organizes social events for parishioners, with an eye toward raising funds to pay off the parish debt. The committee’s goal is to hold four events per year that raise funds while also providing an opportunity for our parishioners to interact socially. The committee is always looking for fresh ideas to bring people together.

 

Parish Landscaping - Parish Landscaping is a group of volunteers who care for the parish grounds. With seventeen acres of land in our care, keeping the gardens neat, the detention ponds clear, the prairie grasses maintained and the lawn areas cut is a three season project. There are usually three weekends set aside for volunteers to work together to get the gardens ready for each season. With guidance from our landscaping contractor there are also specific projects that are completed as needed.

 

Parish Website - Through St. Mary of Vernon’s website, parishioners can quickly locate interesting information, events, and people. Here you will find timely parish news along with many links to the wider church. The website is continuously updated by parish volunteers.

 

Racquetball Ministry -The SMV Racquetball Doubles league (ages 16+)  plays two seasons per year, Spring and Fall. (14 weeks with a Bye/Make-up week) League matches are played on Saturday mornings at 7:00 at the College Park Athletic Club, 2223 Half Day Road, (RT 22), in Deerfield (phone 847-948-5330). If you’d like to join the league, or if you have any questions: please contact Rich Lafnitzegger at (815) 405-8865 (Cell), or e-mail him at rlafnit@aol.com.

 

Single Adult Ministry (SAM) - The purpose of Single Adult Ministry (SAM) is to foster a sense of community by providing an opportunity for the single adults of Saint Mary of Vernon, ages 40- 60 ish, to form a spiritual and social connection with each other. The group meets on the second Saturday of each month. All those either: single, widowed or divorced are invited.

 

Young Adults Becoming Community - The purpose of Y-ABC is to foster a sense of community by providing an opportunity for the young adults of Saint Mary of Vernon to form a spiritual and social connection with each other. Y-ABC welcomes college-age and adults age 20 – 39, including single men and women and married couples with and without children. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month.

 

Click on the ministry names on this tab for more information.