There’s a place for everyone to make a difference in the community through St. Jude. Whether you have a few hours to give, a special talent to share, or simply a heart for helping others, we invite you to join us in putting our faith into action. Through serving those in need, supporting our parish, and caring for our neighbors, we have the opportunity to share Christ’s love and build a stronger community together. Explore the opportunities below and find a way to get involved today.
Ship of Hope – Food Pantry
On the first weekend of every month, we collect donations for the North End Community Ministry food pantry. We are always in need of volunteers to deliver the donations to the food pantry located at New City Church (214 Spencer NE). Deliveries occur once a month after the Ship of Hope collection weekend.
Contact: Parish Office 616-363-6885
The Good Neighbor Project
Holiday Food Baskets
St. Jude parishioners deliver food baskets, turkeys and hams to needy area families for the holidays. These are put together by St. Jude parishioners from donated food collections during November and December. Deliveries are done on a Saturday, usually 10-12 days prior to the holiday. Please volunteer your time and be a part of holiday sharing and giving.
Contact: Parish Office (616)363-6885
Knights of Columbus
We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, lending a hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers by donating ultrasound machines or providing top-quality financial products. For more information, please check out our Knights’ page!
Meal Train
We are starting a new meal train program! To start this will be available for any families with new babies. After it has been established, we will open it up to other families in need. We need volunteers to make this happen! Please sign up to be put on the email list HERE. You can also find more specifics on the program, too.
Contact: Sue Wuorinen, (616)560-8107 or EMAIL
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Every year at Christmas and at Easter we donate prayer shawls that we have made to residents in area nursing homes. A prayer shawl is a knitted or crocheted garment that residents use to cover their shoulders when it is cooler. As we work on the shawl we pray for the person who will be receiving it. We supply a prayer or you may pray one of your own choosing. The shawl is a rectangle that measures approximately 60 x 20 inches. It does not have to be fancy, you may use any stitch and size needle or hook you like. There are no meetings or time frames. You work at your own pace and when finished you can hand it in at the parish office. Once finished, we wrap the shawl and include a card that tells where it came from. The card also includes the prayer that was prayed for them.
Contact: Peg Manuszak, (616) 361-5836
Prison/Jail Ministry
The purpose of this ministry is to bring God’s word and love to the incarcerated and their families. This is done in many ways — from Bible Study and Communion Services in prisons, jails, work release or juvenile centers to one-on-one written communication, collection and delivery of holiday presents, and providing input for Healthy Living Classes. The mission of this ministry is also to address the aftercare needs of ex-offenders and to raise awareness of justice issues surrounding incarceration. Participation in this ministry requires prayerful discernment and training with the diocese program director.
Contact: Parish Office, (616)363-6885
Shut In Ministry
Our mission is to deliver fruit baskets or flowers during the holiday season to those who are ill and unable to leave their homes. We also visit those who are homebound and check on their well being, try to build a rapport and remind them that we are all part of the parish family. We are open to anyone, from teenagers on up, who would like to help out. An ability to drive and a willingness to serve are the only requirements.
Contact: Parish Office, (616)363-6885
Hospital Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are a necessary and valued part of every Mass. It is also important to remember those that are unable to attend Mass due to hospitalization. Hospital Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are called upon one weekend per month to take communion to our parishioners who are in the hospital. Prerequisites are simply that you be a confirmed adult or teen Catholic and that you perform your duties with common sense and reverence for the Sacrament.
Contact: Linda Parks (616)363-6885