Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly. Yet many in his world and our world lack those things they need for abundant life. We respond to the needs of the world by seeking to live a life of love for our neighbor. Our mission is especially focused on children, hunger, and healing, and we encourage all who are part of our community to use their gifts to help transform the lives of others.

Second Family Program. Second Family is a program of St. Nicholas that aims to help children and their families in a variety of ways, but especially with food. Children in need and their families are identified for us by school social workers or other professionals. We then “adopt” the family by making an ongoing commitment to help it in all the ways we are able. We support this ministry and our food pantry by conducting neighborhood collections of food several times a year.

Holy Innocents Food Pantry. St. Nicholas operates a supplemental food pantry on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 5 to 7 p.m. The food for the pantry is provided by donations from both parishioners and the surrounding neighborhood.

God's Garden. Fresh vegetables for our hunger programs are grown onsite in the church's community garden.

Franciscan Outreach Soup Kitchen. St. Nicholas members, both adults and children, regularly volunteer to serve the poor at the Franciscan Outreach Soup Kitchen in Chicago, run by our own Manny Borg.

Asbury Court Outreach. One a month, St. Nicholas offers a worship service at the Asbury Court retirement community in Des Plaines. The services alternate between an ecumenical communion service and a service for healing.

Prayer Blanket Ministry. Members of the St. Nicholas community produce prayer blankets to support those inside and outside the congregation who are going through difficulties. The prayer blankets are blessed during a Sunday service before being distributed to the recipients.

12-Step Programs. We are proud to host 10 AA meetings and one GA meeting every week. These 12-step groups bring healing and continuing recovery to hundreds of people each week. AA meets Sundays at 7:30 pm, Mondays at noon and 7 pm (evening, open meeting), Tuesdays at noon and 7 pm, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at noon, and Saturdays at 1 and 8:30 pm (evening, open meeting; ALANON and AA speaker on the first Saturday evening of the month). GA meets Thursdays at 7 pm.