Service Ministry
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 15
Epiphany Parish's Service Ministries are opportunities through which members serve parish needs or the special needs of individuals and families.
Buildings and Grounds Committee
The Building & Grounds Committee consists of parishioners experienced in professions that help maintain the church, school, convent, rectory, and grounds. If you are interested in serving the parish as a volunteer, please contact Fr. Eric.
Caring Team
Helps with light cleaning in the church. This is usually a once-a-month commitment and will take about one-half hour of your time. Contact Norma at 309-663-8784 or s.vanscoyoc@comcast.net
Elizabeth Ministry
The mission of Elizabeth Ministry is to respect all life, cherish children, encourage families, enrich marriages and build community. Current areas of ministry at Epiphany Parish include pregnancy and celebration of birth; infertility and adoption; miscarriage, stillbirth, and child death; special needs; and family crisis such as hospitalization. We provide practical support such as meals and gifts to baptized children, social support through visits with those who share similar experiences, and spiritual support through prayer.
To get involved email the coordinators. For women who would like to request the services of the Elizabeth Ministry, please contact a coordinator. We will match you with an Elizabeth Minister who has lived a similar experience.
For women who want to become Elizabeth Ministers, there is a one-hour training required before ministering.
We gather at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (except July and December) in the Cenacle Room at the church. Attendance is not required to minister.
See also Elizabeth Ministry International.
Faith in Action
Faith in Action is a non-profit organization that serves seniors age 60 and older with basic needs, such as transportation to doctors, grocery stores, and other necessary errands; friendly visiting; and minor home maintenance chores. Services are free and provided by volunteers from a coalition of churches, including Epiphany Church and other community members.
Volunteers who transport can choose their client on an internet-based program called Ride Scheduler. There are no minimum hours of service and volunteers can even serve seasonally, when they are available. Volunteers need to be able to get in and out of the car independently.
Seniors 60 and older desiring service must call the office at (309) 827-7780 to request service from Faith in Action. An in-home visit will be scheduled by one of the visiting assessment nurses who explains the program. A person must be registered with Faith in Action in order to receive any services. There are no fees and no income qualifications.
Those seeking to volunteer or needing help should visit the local Faith in Action website.
Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council is mandated by church law: "In each parish, there is to be a finance council to help the parish priest in the administration of the goods of the parish." The principal function of the council is to promote adequate parish revenue for the services and activities of the parish. Every year in the spring elections are held to replace that member leaving the council at the end of their term. Candidates should be well versed in financial matters and need to be active and supporting members of the parish. If interested in running for office, please contact Fr. Eric.
Faith and Works
James 2:26 For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Faith and Works Logo
This ministry was established based on feedback received during the Leadership Summit held last year at Epiphany. The feedback recommended that service opportunities be offered to Epiphany Parishioners. With that goal in mind, the Faith and Works Ministry is being established to facilitate service opportunities. There will be a combination of events that are set up by the Faith and Works Ministry as well as opportunities that are provided by Nonprofits with goals that are in line with our Catholic Faith. Some opportunities will be onetime events, and some are longer-term commitments. The goal is to offer a variety of options for parishioners. In the spirit of communication of service opportunities, we are establishing a Flocknote group for people that would like to receive communication from this ministry about future opportunities. There is no commitment required for any opportunity to be on the email list. It is simply a way to get direct communication of opportunities as they are made available. The frequency of communications would be as needed, most likely not more than once per month.
If you would like to be added to the "Epiphany Faith and Works Volunteers" Flocknote group to receive direct communication about future volunteer opportunities, please complete the Flocknote form below.
Funeral Luncheon Committee
Families may request a luncheon in the parish hall after a funeral. The Funeral Luncheon Committee provides needed services during the luncheon. As a committee member, you can help with the following tasks: donate a dessert, set up the parish hall, help during lunch, or clean up the hall after lunch. Committee members are not committed to helping with every luncheon. You determine what works best with your schedule and which task you can perform.
Committee members are notified about a luncheon request through Flocknote (email and text messages) or personal phone calls. You can join the Funeral Luncheon Committee using the Flocknote form below, or contact Suzanne Ferrara at sferra@ilstu.edu if you have any questions about the Committee.
Co-coordinators: Suzanne Ferrara and Brian Judd
Hospitality Ministry
Meet your Epiphany family! Building community and fostering friendships is central to becoming a vibrant parish! This is an opportunity to become friends with other Epiphany parishioners by serving treats and drinks after masses or other parish social events. More volunteers are always welcome to join this worthwhile ministry! Won't you please consider joining us? If you would like to help, signup for the group with the Flocknote form below.
Knights of Columbus
At Council #6498 in Normal, IL, you will find brother Knights working to fulfill the central mission of the Order: striving in charitable works, serving the Church and unified in following its teachings, supporting brother Knights in their temporal and spiritual needs, acting for the good of their country, and giving aid to widows, orphans, the sick and the poor.
Membership in the Knights of Columbus is open to practical Catholic men in union with the Holy See and who are at least 18 years old. A practical Catholic is one who lives the Commandments of God and the Precepts of the Church.
The Knights of Columbus Normal Council 6498 meets the first and third Tuesday's at 6:00 pm in the Epiphany Parish Hall. Please also visit the web site of Knights of Columbus Normal Council 6498, and see the national web site of the Knights of Columbus.
Natural Family Planning
Epiphany offers multiple Natural Family Planning options for married and engaged couples as well as single interested women.
Couple to Couple League's Sympto-Thermal Method:
Each series of classes meets Sunday afternoons in the Cenacle Room once a month for three consecutive months. The sympto-thermal method teaches couples to understand the three main signs that show when women are fertile and infertile and empowers couples to be able to apply the method correctly to help achieve or avoid a pregnancy. Volunteer teaching couples remain in contact with former students to help with any cycle issues that arise and to direct them toward the right interventions if needed. The classes cost $135 and include a year's membership to CCL, all class materials, and access to fertility aps and online magazines to support the cause. If cost is an issue, there are scholarships available so don't hesitate to ask!
To register, go to ccli.org, and for more information, contact Matthew and Michelle Koetters at mkoetters@yahoo.comor Bobby
Creighton Model:
The Creighton Model FertilityCare System is a method of fertility awareness that can be used by married couples to avoid or achieve pregnancy and by any woman, married or single, to monitor her gynecological health.
As a woman learns to chart her cycle using the Creighton Model, NaPro Technology (Natural Procreative Technology), provides treatments to address gynecological issues and the underlying causes of infertility. The Creighton Model FertilityCare System can be used to promote health before, during and after pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and in the time leading up to menopause. In addition, it allows specially-trained medical professionals to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of conditions such as ovarian cysts, unusual bleeding, painful periods, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage, and infertility. Call or email Erica Miller to schedule the introductory session on an individual basis. Following the introductory session, the couple or single woman will attend regular follow-up sessions to ensure learning and monitoring of her cycle.
Erica Miller, OTR/L, MS, FCPI
OSF Medical Group, Normal
Contact Erica Miller at erica.l.miller2@osfhealthcare.org for more information.
Outreach Ministry
Our mission is to assist members of the Bloomington/Normal community find financial peace through mentoring, employment counseling, referrals to appropriate non-profit organizations, and financial assistance where possible and appropriate. We will assist our brothers and sisters in the Bloomington/Normal community with dignity, sharing our faith, while providing support.
We will recruit volunteers with the interest, time or resources to help reduce suffering, with respect for all people in need. We will strengthen our mission through collaboration with other non-profit organizations with compatible goals like Birthright of Mclean county, Crisis Nursery, and others. In sharing our resources with the community we will take our ministry into the local community where there is a need, fostering self-help, faith, and hope. Please contact Orlando Lopez at outreach@epiphanyparish.com for more information or to help.
Our mission and services include:
Classes in Personal Financial Management
Employment Search Help
Resume Review and Proof Reading
Job Interview Skills Development
Limited Financial Assistance
Referrals to Other Non-profit Organizations
Prayer Chain
Epiphany Parish Prayer Chain is a group of parishioners who love their neighbor in time of need through prayer. When a prayer request is received, Prayer Chain members are notified through Flocknote by email or text messages. If you are interested in praying for other people, please join the Prayer Chain on Flocknote. with the form below.
To request prayer for your personal intention complete the Prayer Requests form. The prayer request can be sent anonymously.
Prayer Quilt Ministry
1st Prayer Quilt
The idea behind these quilts is simple, but powerful. A heavy thread is used to secure the quilt layers and the ends are left free to be tied with a square knot. As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is offered for the person who will be receiving the quilt. The quilt is then given to the recipient. What makes each quilt special is not the pattern, color, or workmanship, but the fact that prayer is symbolically tied into each one. These comforters are a statement of faith, and a testimony to our belief in God and in the power of prayer. Each quilt will be blessed during the masses after the knots have been tied. Quilts will be displayed in the Narthex and Adoration Chapel for one or two weeks prior to the blessing so that everyone has an opportunity to tie a knot and offer a prayer.
If you have questions about our new Prayer Quilt Ministry, please email the Prayer Quilt ministry lead. There are many opportunities to support this new ministry even if you don’t sew! Watch for more information coming in the bulletin.
If you’d like to request a quilt for someone, please complete this form:
If you’d like to join this group complete the Flocknote form below.
Sanctity of Life
The mission of the Epiphany Sanctity of Life Committee is to promote respect for human life from conception until natural death through education, prayer, and service.
Throughout the year committee activities include:
Holy Hours for Life offered in January, July, and October.
Monthly Mass offered for Respect for Human Life.
Articles and information pertaining to life issues submitted to the bulletin.
Information about state and federal life-issue legislation sent to parishioners who have signed up to receive these alerts.
Occasionally the committee sponsors speakers to come to the parish and talk about pro-life subjects.
Observance of National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children at Holy Cross Cemetery Memorial for the unborn.
Attendance at the diocesan pro-life meeting.
Baby bottle fundraiser for Birthright of McLean County, a pregnancy help center
Contact Life@EpiphanyParish to get involved or to be placed on our legislative alert email tree.
Epiphany Catholic School Leadership Team
At Epiphany Catholic School, a Leadership Team has been formed to ensure that communication is even more enhanced and on a regular basis. Currently, the Leadership Team of the Board President, Pastor, Principal, and a Faculty Member (Karen Overby) meet bi-weekly to discuss school operations, mission effectiveness, and issues that may surface and require prompt attention. The point of the Leadership Team is not to abbreviate grievance or appeal processes but to ensure a balanced team around the school administrator when issues reach his desk as a result of the above-mentioned processes and when communication around school issues at all levels and kinds surface and are time-sensitive. Please do not hesitate to contact the School Leadership Team.
Contact Fr. Eric if you have questions. For more information about the school leadership, see the school website.
St. Nicholas Charity on Wheels
Sister Michell with the van and Bishop Jenky
St. Nicolas Charity on Wheels is a ministry of Catholic Charities that serves those in need throughout the Diocese of Peoria. The individuals will be given items such as blankets, towels, book bags, school supplies, socks, gloves, canes, gift cards and non-perishable food. These items may change on a monthly basis based on need and what is donated.
The ministry also has a spiritual dimension. Individuals will always receive a religious item such as a bible, a rosary, or a holy card. We will take their prayer requests and offer masses in their regions. The ministry will also offer prayer to them at the parish in the form of praying a rosary, a chaplet, or simply praying a vocal prayer with them.
At Epiphany we try to help by filling up bags for families that Sister Michelle Fernandez, SCTJM can then hand out from the van. Stephanie Demboski coordinates this for us. You can join this group be signing up in Flocknote.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
Non-perishable food items are collected on the 3rd Sunday of each month and delivered to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Bloomington.