For the past two years, SMV has coordinated a Neighborhood Ministry program in Stone Fence Farms, Gregg’s Landing (St. Andrews and Torrey Pines) and Prairie View/Buffalo Grove. Five parishioners—Jeff Steybe, Ed Geraghty, Dan Moore, Bob Anders, and Eileen Carlson, worked to improve communication while building their relationships with the St. Mary of Vernon families who live in their neighborhoods.

Some activities of the past year included delivering booklets of Lenten daily devotions, hosting a gathering for neighborhood ministry participants at the SMV 30th Anniversary Picnic and a wine and cheese party at a liaison’s home, as well as the occasional greeting cards, home visits and phone calls.

Neighborhood Ministry is an attempt to widen the circle of our community, to open our doors for everyone and to build new bridges between the parish and the surrounding neighborhoods. Neighborhood Ministry hopes to expand into several new neighborhoods in the coming year. We are especially targeting Centennial Crossing and Indian Creek, but would welcome new volunteers from any location within the parish boundaries and would work to build the neighborhood group around you. The time commitment involved is typically about 10 hours per year (2-3 hours, 3-4 times a year).

For more information about Neighborhood Ministry, please contact Jeff Steybe at 847-821-7766 or Maureen Evers at 847-362-1005.