The Northfield Community blesses us with many opportunities to give and receive God’s mercy through others.
The Catholic Church teaches the importance of both Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy. The Spiritual Works are: Counseling the Doubtful, Instructing the Ignorant, Admonishing the Sinner, Comforting the Sorrowful, Forgiving Injuries, Bearing Wrongs Patiently, and Praying for the Living and the Dead.
The Corporal Works of Mercy are: Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Shelter the Homeless, Visit the Sick, Visit the Prisoners, Bury the Dead, and Give Alms to the Poor.
Community Assistance
The Northfield Community Action Center (CAC) is the centralized location for much of the financial and material support of the community. You can support them or receive help in many ways, and those ways are always changing to meet the needs of the community. Current programs include:
- Clothes Closet: Shopping at the Clothes Closet raises money for the CAC and clients of the CAC receive discounted or free items. For current information about hours, see their website.
- Community Legal Clinic: The CAC hosts local lawyers on the first Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00 PM for their clients to meet for free legal advice. Make an appointed through the CAC at 507-664-3550.
- Emergency food is provided at The Food Shelf, and free dinners are available each Thursday at Thursday’s Table.
- Emergency Shelter is provided, but space is limited. Household products are needed for the growing demand. Virtual Furniture Donations are also accepted for individual client requests—contact the CAC to offer your furniture for someone in need or check current needs for toiletries and household items.
Discount food packs are available the second Thursday of each month from 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM through Fare For All. St. Dominic hosts: follow their updates on their website.
Health Finders and Health Finders Dental
As mentioned on the Parish Nurse page, HealthFinders Collaborative (HFC) provides health services to those with little or no insurance.
Support Groups
In His Time
Infertility Fellowship and Support Group: Second Monday (except Dec.)
7:00-8:30 PM
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Hopkins
Area Separated/Divorce Support Group, St. Wenceslaus Parish, New Prague
In the church rectory on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, St. Wenceslaus facilitates a support group for all. If you have questions or comments, contact Deacon Bob Wagner (952-758-0463) or Mary Pieper (952-873-6781). A full list of topics can be found on the virtual bulletin board.
Hospital Support Groups:
All support groups meet at the Northfield Hospital, are all free, and are all welcoming. They include: Breast Cancer Support Group, Cancer Wellness Group, Can’t Eat Wheat Support Group for Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance, Diabetes Support Group, Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, Stroke Support Group, and Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group. See their website for current schedule and contact information.
Project Rachel: A Post-Abortion Support Group
Project Rachel is compassionate, free, one to one support from trained lay volunteers to individuals in emotional, psychological, and spiritual pain as a result of abortion. And all communication is kept confidential.
Contact Sonya at 651-291-4515, respectlife@archspm.org
Other Programs
Northfield Women’s Center & Earn to Learn:
A place for the support and growth of women in the Northfield community. The Northfield Women’s Center provides pregnancy counseling as well as life coaching and mentorship.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota
Volunteer or Enroll
Contact Megan Horton, 507-414-0308
Car Seat Safety Clinics: Second Saturday
9:30-10:30 AM
Northfield Hospital EMS Station
Pro-Life Action Ministries
This organization offers many workshops, meetings, and events to help protect the lives of the unborn. Visit their website for a calendar of events.
Laura Baker Services Association offers a Saturday Fun event from 2-5pm on the second Saturday of the month. It is a break for caregivers, engages participants, and encourages volunteers. If you are a family caring for an individual with developmental disabilities or an interested volunteer, come by.