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Would you like to make a real difference in
our community of faith and in our world? Then why not consider joining one
(or more!) of the many active ministries at St. Joan of Arc? There's
certain to be one that not only interests you, but could really use your unique
God-given talents. So come join us! Together, we really can
make a difference! !
SACRAMENTAL/LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
OUTREACH SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
AND FORMATION
HOSPITALITY
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL
SACRAMENTAL/LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
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Lectors/Commentators
- The lectors publicly read the scriptures
at the Sunday and Holyday liturgies. They are also assigned to read at other
liturgical services held in our Church. The commentators assist with the
general intercessions and various announcements. Training will be provided. To
serve as a lector/commentator, an individual must be a baptized and confirmed
member of the Catholic Church, a registered parishioner at St. Joan of Arc,
and living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church (i.e.
if the person is married, they must be married within the Catholic Church)
(Rev. Kenneth Zigmond, ext. 4524).
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Eucharistic Ministers
- These extraordinary ministers of
communion assist the priests and deacons (the “ordinary ministers” of
communion) with the distribution of the Eucharist. Training will be provided.
To serve as an Eucharistic Minister, an individual must be a baptized and
confirmed member of the Catholic Church, a registered parishioner for at least
three years at St. Joan of Arc, and living a life in harmony with the
teachings of the Catholic Church (i.e. if the person is married, they must be
married within the Catholic Church). Those Eucharistic Ministers who are able
and willing to do so also bring the Eucharist to homebound members of our
parish (Rev. Kenneth Zigmond, ext. 4524).
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Altar Servers
- Serving is an act of
faith and worship. Servers offer themselves as Jesus did, for the benefit of
others, the worshipping community. Serving is a true liturgical ministry. It
is a service to the gathering of God’s people. Servers are concerned with
detail and with almost every aspect of the celebration of the liturgy
(Margaret Barouski, ext. 4517/4528).
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Music Ministry
- This ministry provides
music for the 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Sunday liturgies and for major feasts,
celebrations, and rituals throughout the year. The Music Ministry is divided
into the Sunday ensembles (Contemporary Choir and the Classical Choir) that
rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, respectively; the Elementary,
Junior High, and High School Children’s Choirs rehearse at various times; and
a Resurrection Choir, which provides music for all funerals (there are no
regularly scheduled rehearsals for this choir). Instrumentalists are also
welcome to play with the choirs when appropriate. The choir season runs from
September through Pentecost in late May or early June. The Music Ministry is
open to all registered parish members (Barney Walker, ext. 4520).
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OUTREACH SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED
Pastoral Ministers of Care
Pastoral Ministers of Care visit the sick, the
aged, and the dying in hospitals and nursing homes. Through their presence and
their bringing the Holy Eucharist, they offer emotional and spiritual support on
behalf of the parish community. Pastoral Ministers of Care must be at least 18
years old, a baptized and confirmed member of the Catholic Church, registered
parishioner at St. Joan of Arc, and living a life in harmony with the teachings
of the Catholic Church (i.e. if the person is married, they must be married
within the Catholic Church). They must also receive certification through the
Diocese of Joliet through participation in a twelve-hour formation program and
also participate in occasional ongoing formation sessions (Rev. Kenneth
Zigmond, ext. 4524).
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Funeral Ministry
The funeral ministry arranges luncheons in the
Parish Center for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The
ministry also provides a variety of dishes and help in serving after the Funeral
Mass. Volunteers are needed to prepare a side dish, dessert, or help as a
hostess (Patricia Murray, ext. 4528).
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DAYBREAK Transitional Housing Ministry
DAYBREAK provides transitional housing and
supportive services to homeless families with children, so they can work their
way back to economic and family stability. There are five transitional housing
units in our neighborhood. Families in DAYBREAK work a goal-oriented, structured
program on issues like employment, education, budgeting, parenting skills, and
counseling. Volunteer mentors meet with them weekly, sharing their wisdom and
experience. Training is provided. Help is also needed in preparing apartments
for families entering the program (Tom Richardt, ext. 4522).
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PADS
The PADS (Public
Action to Deliver Shelter) program shelters homeless persons in different
churches and congregations throughout DuPage County each night of the week. St.
Joan of Arc parishioner’s sponsor six such nights—this includes providing
breakfast, a sack lunch, and dinner. Parishioners provide food, serve meals, set
up, clean up, and monitor sleeping quarters at the host church (Tom Richardt,
ext. 4522).
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Social Justice and Peace Committee
The Social Justice
and Peace Committee is organized to respond to the Church’s call to safeguard
and enhance the human dignity of each person, especially the poor, the
dispossessed, the marginalized, and the alienated members of our human
community. The committee works with the parish coordinator for Social Justice
and Peace to address social and community needs through direct services and
through action for social justice and peace. All of the committee’s work is
motivated by our desire to respond to the Lord’s call to love, especially as it
is expressed in the Beatitudes (Tom Richardt, ext. 4522).
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FISH
FISH is an ecumenical
organization that ministers to the material needs of our community. FISH
maintains a free food pantry and clothes closet in the basement of the Downers
Grove Township building. On Monday’s, members of our parish are needed to take
food which has been donated by our parishioners throughout the previous week to
the FISH location. Drivers are also needed to offer transportation on an
emergency basis for people to get to medical appointments, therapy, court dates,
and public aid offices. FISH also needs volunteers to perform household chores
and errands (Tom Richardt, ext. 4522).
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Elizabeth Ministry
The Elizabeth
Ministry (EM) are women of all ages supporting other women through the ups and
downs of the childbearing and grandparenting years (including, but not limited
to, complicated/bed rest pregnancies, celebrating healthy births, multiple
births, infertility, adoption, infant/child crisis, grandparents raising
grandchildren, and grandparents far away from grandchildren). Other areas of EM
involvement include hosting the annual SJA Women’s Retreat, coordinating the
nursery for 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, and organizing the Magi Tree giving program
at Christmas time. Most Elizabeth Ministers choose one or two areas of interest
in which to get involved, keeping enthusiasm strong, and meetings and
formalities to a minimum (Tom Richardt, ext. 4522).
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St. Vincent de Paul
The parish conference of St. Vincent de Paul
invites parishioners to join them in silent works of charity by quietly,
discretely aiding needy families, personally visiting homes, hospitals and
institutions, seeking and serving the distressed and by growing spiritually
through a gift of self to others.
The works of the St.
Vincent de Paul Society are supported by the contributions of the members, the
poor boxes located in the Church lobby, and the pew collection on Thanksgiving
Day. The St. Vincent de Paul Society also sponsors an annual collection of
clothing and household items (Tom Richardt, ext. 4522).
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St Joan of Arc Health Ministry
- The St. Joan of Arc
Health Ministry promotes body, mind, and spiritual harmony within the faith
community. Volunteers are needed to assist the parish nurse in creating and
implementing programs that foster health and well being to the St. Joan of Arc
family. Health care professionals may participate in this ministry by
assisting in, but not limited to, health fairs or blood pressure and health
screenings, or offering a lecture on their area of expertise to their St. Joan
of Arc family. Parishioners without a health background are also needed to
assist with non-medical functions, such as hospitality for various programs
(Sandy Razka, ext. 4533). For health care topics and tips from Parish Nurse Sandy Razka,
click here .
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Women's Ministry
The mission of the
Women's Ministry of St. Joan of Arc is to provide the opportunity for all women
in our community to nourish their Catholic faith by focusing on spiritual
growth, education and outreach in an atmosphere of prayer, fun and sisterhood
(Margaret Barouski, ext. 4517).
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Pro Life Ministry
The St. Joan of Arc Pro Life Ministry seeks through prayer, political advocacy,
social action and education to promote the Church's "Gospel of Life" Our goal
is to promote and support the sanctity of life with all issues such a s
abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and capital punishment (Tom
Richardt, 4522).
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SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
AND FORMATION
Elementary Religious Formation (Grades 1-6)
The Religious Formation Program is a vital part of the faith formation program
the parish offers to our grade school age children. The faith must be taught to
our young, and it is a law of the Church that parents provide a Catholic
education for their children, either through the day school or religious
education program. The program needs catechists, catechist assistants, and a
host of office and other program assistants. (Kathleen Greyson, est.
4550.4547)
Junior High Youth
Ministry (Grades 7&8)
The Junior High students from our parish are invited to a deeper appreciation of
what it means to live as a member of the body of Christ. Our young people are
encouraged to deepen and strengthen their relationship and commitment to God
through Christ and their community by embracing a community identity; sharing
the “Good News”; answering the call to serve; and understanding the nature of
worship and prayer (Margaret Barouski, ext. 4517/4528).
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Senior High Youth Ministry
The purpose of the Senior High Youth Ministry Program is to provide programs, in
a Christian setting, for youth of high school age and to provide the means for
development of, and participation in, a well-rounded program of spiritual,
social, and civic cultural activities.
Through parish Youth Ministry, we encourage development of a better knowledge,
understanding, and appreciation of the Catholic faith. We try to foster a love
and desire for personal holiness, develop leadership, realize a responsibility
to our parish community, and encourage cooperation with other parishes in our
diocese (Margaret Barouski, ext.
4517/4528).
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Adult Religious Education
and Formation
As Christians, we are all challenged to deepen our faith and understanding
of the message of Jesus. Through the Adult Religious Program, our parish
provides an excellent opportunity to proclaim the Gospel values and share
community in a continually hostile world. (Margaret Barouski, ext.
4517/4528).
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults (RCIA) assists people in their faith journey to the Lord.
Members of this group are responsible for educating candidates in the knowledge
of our Roman Catholic Faith. Just as importantly, they also share their own
faith and love for the Lord with those seeking to join us. They have the special
and important task of teaching the Faith of the Church (Jim Susic, ext.
4529/4528).
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REACH Program
The REACH Program of
faith formation is available for any child or adult with special needs. Working
with a core group of volunteers, the director leads classes in which volunteer’s
work one-on-one with students to teach the ways of Jesus and His scripture, and
to help students understand the sacraments adequately for worthy reception.
There are fourteen, 1 1/2 sessions per year held in a handicapped-accessible
classroom. Classes are scheduled on Saturdays from September through April
(Kathleen Greyson, ext. 4550/4547).
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Sunday Preschool Program
The Sunday Preschool Program is an introductory religion program for children
three, four, and five years old. It is conducted on Sunday mornings during the
10:00 a.m. Mass while parents attend the Mass. Separate classes are arranged for
each of the three age levels. The teachers are volunteers, with prior
experience, and usually with one or more children in the program. Fundamentals
of Catholic religious beliefs are covered, with emphasis on singing, arts and
crafts, and occasional performances for parents such as the Christmas pageant in
December (Kathleen Greyson, ext. 4550/4547).
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Marriage Preparation Program
The marriage
preparation program helps the priests to prepare our young couples for the
reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Through the sharing of faith and life
experience, and presenting the Church’s teaching on marriage, sexuality, and
morality, we hope to prepare our young people to live a truly Christian,
sacramental marriage where Christ is much more than a welcome guest (Margaret
Barouski, ext. 4517/4528).
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Catholics
Returning Home
If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church for a while, this
invitation is for you! Our faith community misses you and is incomplete without
you. No matter how long you have been away and no matter the reason, we invite
you to consider renewing your relationship with the Catholic Church.
Please join us for informal listening sessions and an update of the Catholic
faith conducted in a support group format. Everyone is welcome, no matter where
they are from. Catholics Returning Home is a six week series of 90 minute
sessions held three times per year - after Christmas, after Easter and in
the Fall. We will welcome, listen, discuss, help, and pray with you as
well as bring you up-to-date with the core beliefs and changes in the
Catholic Church on a journey of reconciliation. In a gentle, prayerful,
and open listening/ discussion environment, this six-week series includes:
Session 1 -Welcome; Overview of the Series; Faith Sharing.
Session 2 - Stories of Faith; Why I Left and Why I Returned. Session 3 - The
Church Today. Session 4 - Walk-through of the Mass; The Eucharistic Celebration.
Session 5 - October 9, 2006 Sacrament of Reconciliation; Session 6 - The
Nicene Creed; What Catholics Believe. For additional information, please contact
Tom Richardt at 963-4500 Ext. 4522 or at trichardt820sja@comcast.net
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HOSPITALITY
Greeters
The greeters are the
first to greet and welcome worshipers to our liturgical services in our Church.
All individuals and families are welcome to be greeters at St. Joan of Arc
(Patricia Murray, ext. 4528).
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Ushers
A liturgical ministry of hospitality, service,
and safety established for the benefit of the worshipping assembly.
The
ministry is open to men and women, starting at age sixteen and over, with a
hospitable and patient attitude willing to assist with seating at Sunday
obligation liturgies and other liturgical services including Holy Days,
Confirmation, 1st Holy Communion, Holy Week, and other special
liturgies as required. Ushers take up the collections, maintain order in the
assembly for the reception of communion, provide assistance, and order in
emergencies and/or during health incidents and distribute bulletins after the
service.
Every attempt is made to assign the usher to a Mass normally attended on
alternate weekends. Sign-up sheets are usually posted for other special services
on a volunteer basis. Additional ushers are always welcome and needed to
maintain the rotations and the voluntary service fulfillment (Margaret
Barouski, ext. 4517/4528).
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Resource Center
Volunteers provide an
important and necessary service to the parish. They are often the first person
with whom a newcomer or visitor comes in contact. Their warmth and friendliness
reflects the spirit of our parish, as we welcome all God’s people to worship
with us. Volunteers staff the Resource Center in the Church lobby 15 minutes
before and 15 minutes after each weekend Mass to assist people who wish to
register in the parish. They also respond to persons with specific questions
about parish life and activities and refer them to the appropriate staff member
(Cathy Weinberg, ext. 4514).
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OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Sunday Nursery
The nursery is
maintained by volunteers for children six months through three years every
Sunday during the 10:00 a.m. Mass in the Parish Activity Room. During the summer
months, children may attend from the age of six months to five years (Cathy
Weinberg, ext. 4514).
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Golden Agers
Our Golden Ager’s
group is open to anyone 55 and older. There are no initiation fees or dues of
any kind, and we avoid business type meetings. Generally, we have monthly
luncheons, which consist of a full meal, games, and entertainment. Occasionally,
we will have a bus trip or a day of recollection away from the parish. Events
are published weekly in the Church bulletin and sign-up sheets are at the
Resource Center. Come and join us—you’re sure to make friends (Tom Richardt,
ext. 4522).
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Grounds Committee
Members of the
Grounds Committee help maintain and improve the landscaping of the parish
grounds. Because of their interest in gardening and their dedication to the
parish, expenditures for the upkeep for the parish grounds are minimized.
Experienced gardeners or those interested in learning are always welcome to join
the Grounds Committee (Tom Richardt, ext. 4522).
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Pastoral Council
The Pastoral Council is a group of men and women selected through the
discernment process to represent the parish community. The pastoral council
safeguards and promotes the unity of the parish community. The function of
leadership in a pastoral council is to assist growth and development of the parish
as a people of faith. The council is actively involved in several committees
including the Hospitality, Ministry Fair and Social Committee. All parishioners
are invited to attend meetings which are held on the first Tuesday of every
month from September through May. Minutes from each council meeting are
available by calling the parish office.
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Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus Robert P. Connelly Council #5918
serves the community of Lisle and
Woodridge. We are part of the world’s largest Catholic Men’s organization
promoting the principles of Charity, Unity Fraternity and Patriotism. Any
practical Catholic over the age of 18 may join our organization. We are a
family oriented organization, dedicating our services to our Church, our Family
and our Community. To learn more about who we are and what we do in the
Lisle-Woodridge community, visit our website at:
http://www.kofc5918.org
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PERPETUAL ADORATION CHAPEL
Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Perpetual Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament exists solely for the praise and thanksgiving of
Almighty God. Its sole purpose is adoration of Jesus Christ present in the
Blessed Sacrament. While all will be welcome at any time, we are in need of
people to commit themselves to being regular adorers. The Blessed Sacrament
exposed on the altar of the Chapel must never be left alone. By signing up
people for every hour of every day, there is always someone to keep watch with
the Lord. This is a silent, yet infinitely rewarding service. Individuals or
families (either together or making sure one member is there to fulfill the
commitment) are welcome to sign up as regular or substitute adorers (ext.
4511/4514).
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