Ave Maria Circle of Willmar - making a difference since 1935!

Willmar - Ave Maria Circle of the Daughters of Isabella of Willmar was organized in October of 1935. Ever since then, the Circle has promoted peace by having a special Mass for Peace, followed by the recitation of the rosary, each first Saturday of the month. This past December, the Circle had the honor of having Bishop John C. Nienstedt concelebrate the Mass with the Circle’s Spiritual Director, Fr. Joe Steinbeisser.

The Circle has been active in St. Mary's parish since the day it was organized. The Circle purchased the bells for St. Mary's when the new church was built in 1960. Each year Bibles are purchased so each student has their own, and a $500 scholarship is given to a graduating senior. The Circle has purchased a set of handbells, and recently purchased updates for the bells. Two pianos were donated to the parish, and the latest project has been a donation toward the purchase of new choir robes. A quilting group was organized five years ago, and during that time the ladies have made more than 1400 quilts, wheel chair and walker bags, baby wraps, robes, and baby blankets, all of which have been donated to organizations in the Willmar area.