Service, Support, & Social Justice Ministries

As a parish community, we recognize the sanctity of human life.  The Elizabeth Ministry is a national Catholic organization that was founded to provide hope and healing for women and families experiencing the joys and sorrows of the childbearing and parenting years. The St Isaac Jogues’ Elizabeth Ministry chapter was founded 25 years ago, in 1998, by Mary Bauer, uniting her extensive professional experience with her strong, active faith. It has evolved with the needs of our parish, and is now again evolving to reach out to women and families, especially after being so isolated during the pandemic.  

Having become aware of the many diverse needs of our parish community feeling distress in their families in addition to losses, including grandparents' concerns for their own grown children and grandchildren, we are supporting them currently via our prayer ministry.  Adjacent to the statue of Saints Anne & Mary is our Rosebud Program.  Please take a moment to visit this area at any time, complete your prayer requests, and place a rosebud in the vase.  

If you or any loved one is experiencing greater difficulty surrounding grief related to a loss or are experiencing a crisis pregnancy, these SIJ parishioners can provide a listening ear and can help direct you to resources in our area.
Elizabeth Ministry: Mary Bauer, RN, CNM  630-567-6217 or [email protected]
Respect Life: Amy Keane 630-234-3866 or [email protected]

For further help

* Still Missed Support Group of Hinsdale Hospital for families coping with pregnancy/newborn loss. 630-856-4497
* Postpartum Depression Alliance of Illinois 847-205-4555
* North Shore University Health Systems MOMs 24/7 Hotline 1-866-364-6667
* Illinois Suicide and Crisis Hotline call or text 988

St. Isaac Jogues does not offer direct financial assistance to those in need. However, we do partner with some excellent local organizations that do. If you or someone you know in our community are in need of emergency assistance, we suggest you reach out to the following organizations:

Hinsdale Family Services
19 E. Chicago Ave.
Hinsdale, IL  60521
630-323-2500
(hosts a food pantry and offers holiday gift assistance)

Joliet Diocese Catholic Charities
3130 Finley Rd., Suite 520
Downers Grove, IL  60515
630-495-8008
(offers a large variety of services including mobile food pantry, emergency housing, aging & disability services, community classes, and early childhood services) 

People's Resource Center
104 Chestnut Ave.
Westmont, IL  60559
630-682-5402
(offers a food pantry, clothes closet, job assistance, emergency rent & mortgage, financial/social services, adult learning & literacy, and more)

On the first full weekend of each month, parishioners are encouraged to donate non-perishable food and household items for those in our community who are undergoing financial hardships. Donations can be placed in the designated wood collection boxes in the southeast corner of the Narthex and beside the exit at the porte-cochère.Suggested donations:

• canned vegetables, fruits, tuna, chili, soups,
• dry items like pasta, rice, instant potatoes, hamburger helper, and pasta sauces
• household items such as paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning supplies
• personal items like deodorant, shampoo, soap, and toothpaste

In the past, parishioners from St. Isaac Jogues Parish have participated in an interfaith ministry providing food and volunteers to two soup kitchens in Chicago and LaGrange. Volunteers help in a variety of roles, from preparing soup at Union Church here in Hinsdale, to delivering soup to the San Lucas storefront mission church in Chicago, to serving hot meals at the La Grange Soup Kitchen.

Our participation in this ministry was put on hold out during the COVID pandemic. We'll announce in the bulletin and here on the website when opportunities to serve in this ministry open up again.

Provides housing and mentoring for homeless families, funded by St. Isaac Jogues parishioners and partnering with Bridge Communities, Inc., and Catholic Charities.
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To get involved in this ministry, contact Deacon Bill ([email protected]).