Ministries & Outreach

Rooted in Christ, Evangelical Charities foster faith in action by promoting Catholic Social Teaching, engaging families and youth, and empowering evangelization through charitable outreach.

Ministries

Armchair Aerobics is a low-impact, senior-friendly activity designed to help you stay active while enjoying the physical and emotional benefits of exercise—right here at church!

Classes are held every Monday morning at approximately 8:50 a.m., immediately following daily Mass, in the Resource Center near the Prayer Garden entrance.

The exercises are light, gentle, and easily modified for all fitness levels. All equipment is provided, no pre-registration is required, and the class is monitored by a Registered Nurse.

Best of all—it’s FREE.

Come check it out and bring a friend!

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Every day, blood donors help save lives—supporting patients of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

According to multiple sources, a single blood donation can help save up to three lives. This is because one whole blood donation can be separated into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets—each used to treat patients with specific medical needs.

Come be a part of this life-saving event.

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St. Isidore and the American Red Cross host multiple blood drives throughout the year in the Social Hall. Visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your donation.

Blood Pressure Screenings are offered after all Sunday morning Masses on the 3rd Thursday of each month in the Front Conference Room, hosted by the Parish Health Ministry.

Know your numbers!

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Come join us after the 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Masses for a delicious donut, a hot cup of coffee, fresh-cut fruit, and warm fellowship in the Social Hall. This beloved parish tradition is a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends, welcome new parishioners, and strengthen the bonds of our faith community. Coffee, Donuts & Fruit is offered on the first Sunday of each month between September and May, so be sure to mark your calendar.

We are also excited to partner with the Faith Formation Team to actively involve our parish youth in this ministry. Each month, our young people will volunteer to serve the coffee and treats, sharing their time and hospitality with the parish.

Donations collected at these gatherings will be given to a charity, ministry, or organization chosen by our 7th and 8th Grade Discipleship Formation students. This gives our youth the opportunity not only to serve, but also to experience the joy and responsibility of giving from the fruits of their efforts.

This ministry provides a meaningful way for our young people to grow in service, hospitality, and leadership, and we encourage the entire parish to support and encourage them. Bring the whole family and stay for a few minutes—or a little longer!

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CPR/AED Training equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to respond in life-threatening emergencies. This hands-on training covers how to recognize cardiac arrest, perform CPR, and safely use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Open to parishioners of all skill levels, the course is led by certified instructors and provides practical skills that can help save a life at home, at church, or in the community. Dates and registration details will be announced throughout the year —consider joining this important, life-saving training opportunity.

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The Parish Health Ministry will host seasonal Flu Shot Clinics in the Fall.  Check the Parish Bulletin or website for up-to-date information in the fall.

For More Information
  • Email: heather@stisidore.church
  • Phone: 286.1700 ext. 2123

Are you a garden expert or simply a garden enthusiast? Would you like to help keep St. Isidore’s grounds and gardens beautiful? We invite you to learn how you can adopt a little space and make a meaningful difference.

Whether you have one or two hours a week to share or more, we would love to welcome you and your love of gardening. Our grounds and vegetable garden are always in need of tender loving care, and your time and talents can have a lasting impact.

Together, we look forward to a rewarding season of caring for creation—supporting local food pantries, and living out our call to be good stewards of God’s Earth.

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The St. Isidore Health Ministry hosts a Grief Support Program that meets the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 6:30 pm. Meetings are guided by a trained lay-facilitator, where the group provides emotional support for people who are grieving the death of a loved one.  The group environment fosters faith-based understanding, empathy, and connection with others who are navigating similar experiences. The meetings are open to everyone; you do not need to be a parishioner to attend! Here you will find acceptance, support, hope, and encouragement from the caring members who faithfully journey through these difficult times together.

For More Information

Please feel free to call the parish office for more details, or email the facilitators: Heather@stisidore.church or Diane at dialbuck123@gmail.com

Homebound person receiving Holy Communion .

“If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion. “— St Maximilian Kolbe

The faithful who are homebound are deprived of their rightful place in the Eucharistic community. In bringing Communion to them, the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (EMHC) represents Christ and manifests faith and charity on behalf of the whole community toward those who cannot be present at the Mass. For the homebound, the reception of Communion is not only a privilege but also a sign of support and concern shown by the Christian community.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC’s) to the homebound bring the Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass due to illness, age, or disability. Their ministry includes distributing Communion with reverence, leading short prayers, offering spiritual support, maintaining confidentiality, and serving as a link between the parish and those they visit.

Minister Requirements

Ministers must be practicing Catholics (18+), fully initiated in the sacraments, in good standing with the Church, and, if married, in a valid Catholic marriage. All must complete Protecting God’s Children training, the Vulnerable Adults 2.0 module, sign the Code of Conduct, pass a background check, and recertify every three years through the Virtus platform.

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The Ladies Tea is a welcoming gathering designed to bring women together for relaxation, fellowship, and health education. Guests enjoy a selection of tea and refreshments, while connecting with friends. The event also features a keynote speaker who presents engaging topics focused on women’s health and well-being, providing practical information, inspiration, and helpful resources that encourage women to care for their physical, mental, and spiritual health.

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The Right to Life Ministry is dedicated to the protection of human life from conception to natural death. We believe that all human beings regardless of age, health, or disability have the God given Right to Life.

Our ministry strives to Walk with Mom’s in Need by promoting pregnancy resources that connect women with centers that provide counseling, adoption services and material support. We also, advocate for better palliative care and oppose legalization of euthanasia and abortion.

The Right to Life ministry holds several events each year to raise awareness and money to support Right to Life of Michigan. These events include, a Mother’s Day Carnation Sale, Father’s Day candy sale, and a Christmas card/ornament sale.

In addition, our ministry also hosts a baby bottle drive for Abigayle Ministries, which is a residential housing program that supports pregnant women.

Finally, the Right to Life ministry needs prayer warriors to pray for the culture of life and an end to abortion! We participate in The Life Chain hosted by St Therese of Lisieux, Rosary before morning Mass, and side walk prayer at an abortion clinic.

For More Information

If you would like to volunteer to work at our sales, the baby bottle drive, or become a prayer warrior for the unborn, contact Linda Popko at

 

Have you ever wanted to get involved and share your faith with others but time and availability are an issue?  Look no further!  St. Isidore’s Rosary Makers might just be the ministry for you.  While answering our Blessed Mother’s call to spread the rosary, the flexibility of making them in your own home, when your schedule permits, is a win-win.

The Rosary Makers have been a part of St. Isidore’s family since 2005.  There are currently 30 members comprised of both parishioners and non-parishioners, male and female, of all ages.   All are welcome.  Our goal is to provide as many rosaries as we can, each month, to the various groups that have requested them.  We provide rosaries to our U.S. soldiers around the world, nursing homes, hospitals, charitable organizations, and missionaries, etc.  The Rosary Makers have provided 3,913 rosaries so far this year, and a grand total of 196,028 rosaries since 2005!

Anyone interested in becoming a part of The Rosary makers may simply join one of our monthly meetings at 9:00 AM, typically on the first Tuesday of each month (except in weeks where there is a holiday and the meeting is then moved to the following Tuesday).  Meeting dates are normally published in the St. Isidore Church Bulletin under the Parish Calendar section.  The meetings are held in the Executive Conference Room of the St. Isidore Parish Offices.

For More Information

Contact Eileen Nowak, by leaving your name and number with the St. Isidore Parish Office (586-286-1700).

 

Outreach

The Agape Center, located in northern Macomb County, exists to help individuals and families who need emergency assistance.  Our pantry is stocked with canned goods, meat products, fresh produce and personal care items.  In addition to our pantry, the center helps sponsoring churches with clients facing shut-off and eviction notices.  Caring volunteers treat everyone with dignity and respect as they navigate the difficult times in life.

For More Information

Visit www.agapenorthmacomb.org/ for more information about their programs, services, and volunteering.

Back to School Drive text with cartoon backpack.

The Back to School Drive at St. Isidore is an annual outreach that supports children in need by providing them with essential school supplies. Each summer, parishioners are invited to donate items such as backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, and lunch boxes, which are then distributed to local students. This ministry not only eases the financial burden on families but also reminds children that they are valued, supported, and loved by their parish community as they begin a new school year.

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Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that in a world marked by growing inequality, we are called to remember the story of the Last Judgment—and to place the needs of the poor and vulnerable at the heart of our actions.

In response to this call, and as part of a Vicariate-wide initiative, St. Isidore hosts Brown Bag Food Drives in March and October, benefitting the St. Francis-St. Maximilian and Agape Center Food Pantries.

This is a meaningful way for our parish community to respond to the Church instruction to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and for sharing Christ’s love with those most in need.

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Christmas Giving Tree

The Giving Tree serves as a living reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the call to truly live out the Catholic Social Teachings of Option for the Poor and Vulnerable and Call to Family, Community, and Participation. As we are blessed, we are called to be a blessing for others.

Every year, starting in November and running through early December, Giving Trees are located in the Gathering Space and at the Mary’s Garden entrance. Each “ornament” on the trees will be an envelope listing the organizations we are supporting this year. Simply place your donation inside the envelope, check the families/agencies you wish to support, seal it, and return it to Church — or you can donate online.

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In 1990, Forgotten Harvest planted its roots in the greater metro Detroit area with a simple yet powerful mission: to rescue surplus food and get it to those who need it most. They collect excess food from grocery stores, markets, restaurants, caterers, and more — and deliver it free of charge to emergency food providers across metro Detroit.

Every pound of rescued and produced food goes directly to families who are food-insecure and struggling to afford life’s basic necessities. Forgotten Harvest helps bridge that gap, giving tens of thousands of people access to nutritious meals while freeing up resources for other essentials

Today, Forgotten Harvest partners with 68 permanent mobile pantry sites across Southeast Michigan. These pantries provide fresh produce, fruits, grains, and other perishable items on a weekly or bi-weekly basis — reaching families who might not be connected with social service agencies or who feel more comfortable receiving food in a welcoming, low-pressure setting.

Since 2022, St. Isidore has proudly served as a permanent mobile pantry partner. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, volunteers gather in the St. Isidore North Parking Lot to place food directly into the cars of hundreds of local families in need, helping nourish our neighbors and strengthen our community.

For More Information
Regarding St. Isidore’s Drive-thru Pantry
Regarding Forgotten Harvest

https://www.forgottenharvest.org/

Each November, St. Isidore proudly partners with Kids Coalition Against Hunger to host a powerful, hands-on meal-packing event that brings our parish community together to combat hunger. This event is made possible by the incredible generosity of our parishioners—St. Isidore raises the funds needed to secure the meal ingredients, ensuring that every dollar directly supports meals for children and families in need.

More than 500 volunteers—including parishioners, families, students, and ministry groups—come together over the course of the event to pack thousands of nutritious meals. These meals are distributed locally through food pantries, sent to mission partners around the world, and reserved for disaster-relief efforts. This annual event is a beautiful example of our call to serve through action, showing what is possible when a faith community unites to care for the most vulnerable.

For More Information
Regarding St. Isidore’s Kids Coalitions Against Hunger Event
Regarding Forgotten Harvest

https://kidscoalitionagainsthunger.org/

The Lenten Giving Tree Ministry invites our parish family to live the Lenten call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving by supporting communities in need around the world.

Each year, we partner with Cross Catholic Outreach to identify three communities or regions internationally that are experiencing urgent needs in one or more key areas: access to clean water, safe and dignified housing, and educational opportunities for children and families. Together, we support sustainable projects that create lasting impact and help families build brighter futures.

During Lent, Giving Trees are displayed throughout the church with envelopes representing the selected projects. Parishioners are invited to choose a project and make a financial contribution as part of their Lenten journey.

Through our partnership with Cross Catholic Outreach, donations are directed to trusted Catholic ministries serving communities on the ground. Parishioners receive updates about the projects and the difference their generosity makes.

The Lenten Giving Tree Ministry reminds us that our Lenten sacrifices can become blessings for others as we answer Christ’s call to serve our global neighbors with compassion, hope, and love.

For More Information
  • Contact Jenny Racette
  • Phone: 586-286-1700 (Parish Office)

Each August, St. Isidore has traditionally opened its doors for a week to partner with MCREST, a local nonprofit devoted in Mt. Clemens to providing safe shelter, meals, and compassionate support to men experiencing homelessness in Macomb County. MCREST’s mission is to help guests transition toward independence by offering not only immediate relief but also caring guidance and essential services that restore dignity and hope.

Starting in 2026, MCREST events will involve supporting men, women, and children at the MCREST facilities in Mt. Clemens.

During the week of hospitality and service, volunteers from across our parish and community come together in a powerful expression of faith in action—preparing meals, offering hospitality, and lending a helping hand to our neighbors in need. This effort is rooted in St. Isidore’s commitment to living out the Gospel call to welcome the stranger and care for the vulnerable. Whether you can give a few hours or join in for an entire day of service, your participation makes a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

For More Information
Regarding St. Isidore’s MCREST week
Regarding MCREST

https://www.mcrest.org/

Each year at St. Isidore, we joyfully celebrate Mission Weekend, a special opportunity for our parish community to deepen our awareness of the universal Church and to encounter the wider mission of Christ in the world. During this weekend, we invite a priest or representative from an international mission organization to preside at all Masses, share inspiring stories from the mission field, and help us better understand how our prayers and support can make a real impact on lives across the globe.

In recent years, we have welcomed mission leaders from organizations such as Cross Catholic, Unbound, and Food For The Poor. These dedicated missionaries have helped us see the face of Christ in those who are poor, marginalized, and in need of hope. Through their witness, we gain a deeper appreciation for the breadth of the Church’s work in serving human dignity, alleviating suffering, and promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in communities around the world.

Mission Weekend invites us not only to listen and learn, but also to respond with generous hearts. Through prayer, participation, and the opportunity to contribute financially to the mission work being presented, we join in solidarity with brothers and sisters who are living the Gospel in challenging circumstances. This meaningful weekend strengthens our faith, expands our global perspective, and challenges us to live out Christ’s call to be missionary disciples in our daily lives.

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to this inspiring weekend of faith, fellowship, and compassionate action.

For More Information
Regarding St. Isidore’s Mission Weekends
Regarding the various missions

https://crosscatholic.org

https://www.unbound.org

https://foodforthepoor.org

With each purchase of our baked goods, you are helping make possible the provision of supportive housing, training, counseling services, educational opportunities, and self-help programs. On the Rise Bakery & Café is a program where each man is responsible to reach back and support the newest member. The social entrepreneurship would not have been possible without the tremendous support of so many churches and individuals in the metro Detroit area.

This is truly a story of what can happen when a community dreams of the impossible and believes in it. Miracles still happen!

R.O.P.E. – Reaching Our Potential Everyday

Participants in the On the Rise Bakery program reside at the Reaching Our Potential Everyday (R.O.P.E.) House. Our R.O.P.E. Program provides men who have been incarcerated or completed a substance use disorder treatment program with a way to re-enter society. The one-year baker apprentice program with sober living gives them the opportunity to develop abilities that will solidify their sobriety, further their education, and hone their life skills.

To date, there have been more than 120 R.O.P.E graduates who credit the program with affording them new opportunities and a fresh start. Every purchase of baked goods from On the Rise Bakery and Café supports the program.

For More Information
Regarding St. Isidore’s On The Rise Bakery Events
Regarding R.O.P.E – On The Rise Bakery

https://www.cskdetroit.org/en/services-offerings/on-the-rise-bakery/

Each year, the seminary community opens its doors and their hearts to over 2000 children from the surrounding Detroit neighborhood.  This annual tradition, which started in 1989, allows neighbors to meet the seminarians and spend an evening of safe fun for the kids.  On Halloween, the neighborhood families form a line starting at the building’s entrance and entering the vestibule area outside of the seminary chapel.

SHMS’s “Halloween Ministry” is a huge undertaking and would not be as successful without the help of the entire Sacred Heart community.  In October, you can participate by placing your wrapped candy donations in the designated bins in the Gathering Space and Mary’s Garden.

This is an opportunity for us to help our seminarians, and especially the children of Detroit, enjoy a safe and fun evening.

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At St. Isidore, our St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Team lives out the Gospel call to serve Christ in our neighbors who are in need. As a local expression of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a long-standing Catholic lay organization devoted to compassion and opportunity, our team joins a mission that, in the Detroit area, works to prevent homelessness, fight hunger, and provide a wide range of practical support to individuals and families facing hardship. Through assistance with food, utility and rent support, clothing, furniture, and other essential needs, Vincentians seek to meet people with dignity, respect, and Christ-centered care.

What sets the St. Vincent de Paul ministry apart is its personal approach: volunteers not only respond to material needs, but also walk alongside our neighbors in faith and friendship, offering prayers, presence, and hope. By bringing together prayer and action, the St. Isidore Vincent de Paul Team provides compassionate outreach rooted in Catholic social teaching and the belief that everyone deserves care, belonging, and a chance to flourish.

For More Information
Regarding St. Isidore’s SVDP Team
Regarding SVDP

To learn more about the broader work of the SVDP Society in Southeastern Michigan, visit svdpdetroit.org.