CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMISSION

CONTACT:	Parish Office · 777-9116
IMPORTANCE:	This commission is the arm of the parish that reaches out to all in need of compassion and service. It keeps the community aware of issues, needs, and opportunities to help others.
WHAT:	Attend meetings on the first Monday of each month to plan and implement activities that fulfill the parish goals and to share information and concerns relating to service of the community. In addition, members are expected to take active leadership roles in areas of service that interest them.
TIME:	A minimum of one and one-half hours per month. Additional time as members commit to various projects and/or committees.
SKILLS:	Friendly and caring personality, and a willingness to work.
TRAINING:	No special training required.

BLOOD DRIVE

CONTACT:	Pastoral Associate
IMPORTANCE:	The Red Cross Blood Banks save lives. The semi-annual blood drive is Sacred Heart's contribution to the community effort to fill the need.
WHAT:	Serve as hostess during the drive; recruit blood donors; prepare a meal for the workers.
TIME:	2 hours to prepare a meal; 6 hours to serve as hostess during the drive; several hours to make phone calls one month prior to each drive.
SKILLS:	A willingness to serve.
TRAINING:	None

STEPHEN MINISTRY

CONTACT: Pastoral Associate

IMPORTANCE: To provide one-to-one ministry as caring church members reaching out to others in time of need under the guidance and supervision of Stephen Leaders.

WHAT: To minister to a person in a crisis situation.

TIME: Approximately one hour per week with a care receiver and two hours bi-weekly for continuing education and supervision.

SKILLS: A love of people, compassion for those who are hurting and a willingness to listen and respond to needs.

TRAINING:
50 hours initial training and one hour continuing education bi-weekly.

M.C.R.E.S.T.

CONTACT: Pastoral Associate

IMPORTANCE: M.C.R.E.S.T. is an important way for the parishioners of Sacred Heart to answer the Lord's call to discipleship by providing shelter, food, and hospitality to the homeless.

WHAT: Approximately 35 homeless people are fed and sheltered on the premises of Sacred Heart Parish for one week each year. Parishioners prepare meals, do laundry, provide transportation and supervise the program.

TIME: Dependant on the volunteer's personal schedule, one hour to an entire week may be spent on this project.

SKILLS: Compassion for the homeless, listening skills, organizational skills, and a willingness to help.

TRAINING: Several planning meetings are held two months previous to Sacred Heart's assigned week.

ST. VINCENT DePAUL SOCIETY

CONTACT: Parish Office · 777-9116

IMPORTANCE: Vincentians are a direct spiritual influence and helping hand of the pastor and parishioners. Through them funds and goods from parishioners directly help the needy.

WHAT: Two Vincentians are assigned to each call that comes to the Parish Office. Home visits are made to acquire all necessary information and determine the best way to serve the need.

TIME: Monthly meetings. Within the limits of a person's schedule, s/he may be called upon to make home calls as needed.

SKILLS: Compassion for the needy, spirituality, confidentiality. Additional skills (financial, mechanical, etc.) are helpful but not necessary.

TRAINING: Reading an instructional manual and going on calls with an experienced Vincentian.

ADVENT GIVING TREE

CONTACT: Christian Service Chairperson

IMPORTANCE: Outreach from the parish community to the needy. To insure that no needy parishioner is forgotten during the holiday season. In addition, selected organizations may be included at the discretion of the commission.

WHAT: To identify individuals and their needs, prepare tags for selection by parishioners, sort and deliver gifts donated by the parish community.

TIME:
Approximately one hour preparation prior to Advent. Two to three hours for sorting and distribution during the last week of Advent.

SKILLS: Confidentiality and a willingness to work.

TRAINING:
None required.

FUN-RAISERS

CONTACT: President

IMPORTANCE: To serve the parish by building community spirit by sponsoring social events necessary to foster the spiritual and financial viability of Sacred Heart Parish. To maintain an association of persons interested in the friendship and fellowship of Sacred Heart Parishioners.

WHAT: Attend monthly meetings and participate in social events.

TIME: Two hours at monthly meetings and participation in social events.

SKILLS: A willingness to be involved at monthly meetings and social events.

TRAINING:

HOSPITALITY

CONTACT:
Pastoral Associate

IMPORTANCE: It is our desire that the Eucharist extend beyond the altar and the doors of the church. We extend the Communion begun at Mass to the Fellowship over coffee and donuts in the Parish Auditorium.

WHAT: Prepare and serve coffee and donuts following each weekend liturgy.

TIME: Thirty minutes to an hour before and after Liturgy once each month.

SKILLS: A willingness to serve and dependability.

TRAINING: One hour instruction once per year.

FUNERAL LUNCHEONS

CONTACT: Pastoral Associate

IMPORTANCE: Through this ministry the parish reaches out to grieving family members at the time of the funeral with sympathy and compassion.

WHAT: There are three levels to this ministry: the co-chairpersons who receive the call for a funeral lunch, arrange for workers and food donations; workers who come the morning of the funeral, set tables, serve and clean-up; and those who cook or bake to provide the side dishes and desserts.

TIME: The time varies depending upon the task to be accomplished; less than an hour to prepare a dish to several hours over three days to arrange the complete lunch.

SKILLS: Willingness to serve others, organizational skills, and/or ability to cook or bake.

HOMEBOUND MINISTRY

CONTACT: Pastoral Associate · 777-9116

IMPORTANCE: Parishioners who are homebound through age or illness, particularly those in nursing homes, often feel lonely and cut off from the life and friendships that are important to them. Yet they are still as important to our Christian Community as they ever were and should not be forgotten.

WHAT: Make weekly Communion calls to one parishioner who is in a nursing home or homebound. Drive someone to church who is otherwise unable to attend.

TIME: Thirty minutes to an hour once per week.

SKILLS: Patience, concern, dependability, the ability to listen, comfort with the elderly.

TRAINING: Meet with Pastoral Associate. Dependant on your level of expertise and parishioner's needs.

RIGHT TO LIFE

CONTACT: Parish Right to Life representative

IMPORTANCE: Christians have a moral obligation to defend the sanctity of all human life "from the womb to the tomb." We are dedicated to peacefully educating the parishioners of Sacred Heart in pro-life issues and providing current information on moral issues.

WHAT: Attend monthly meetings. Assist in the Mother's Day flower sale and the January candle sale.

TIME: One to two hours monthly.

SKILLS: None

TRAINING: None

CONTACT:	Parish Office · 777-9116
IMPORTANCE:	Vincentians are a direct spiritual influence and helping hand of the pastor and parishioners. Through them funds and goods from parishioners directly help the needy.
WHAT:	Two Vincentians are assigned to each call that comes to the Parish Office. Home visits are made to acquire all necessary information and determine the best way to serve the need.
TIME:	Monthly meetings. Within the limits of a person's schedule, s/he may be called upon to make home calls as needed.
SKILLS:	Compassion for the needy, spirituality, confidentiality. Additional skills (financial, mechanical, etc.) are helpful but not necessary.
TRAINING:	Reading an instructional manual and going on calls with an experienced Vincentian.

CONTACT:	Christian Service Chairperson
IMPORTANCE:	Outreach from the parish community to the needy. To insure that no needy parishioner is forgotten during the holiday season. In addition, selected organizations may be included at the discretion of the commission.
WHAT:	To identify individuals and their needs, prepare tags for selection by parishioners, sort and deliver gifts donated by the parish community.
TIME:	Approximately one hour preparation prior to Advent. Two to three hours for sorting and distribution during the last week of Advent.
SKILLS:	Confidentiality and a willingness to work.
TRAINING:	None required.

CONTACT:	President
IMPORTANCE:	To serve the parish by building community spirit by sponsoring social events necessary to foster the spiritual and financial viability of Sacred Heart Parish. To maintain an association of persons interested in the friendship and fellowship of Sacred Heart Parishioners.
WHAT:	Attend monthly meetings and participate in social events.
TIME:	Two hours at monthly meetings and participation in social events.
SKILLS:	A willingness to be involved at monthly meetings and social events.
TRAINING:

CONTACT:	Pastoral Associate · 777-9116
IMPORTANCE:	Parishioners who are homebound through age or illness, particularly those in nursing homes, often feel lonely and cut off from the life and friendships that are important to them. Yet they are still as important to our Christian Community as they ever were and should not be forgotten.
WHAT:	Make weekly Communion calls to one parishioner who is in a nursing home or homebound. Drive someone to church who is otherwise unable to attend.
TIME:	Thirty minutes to an hour once per week.
SKILLS:	Patience, concern, dependability, the ability to listen, comfort with the elderly.
TRAINING:	Meet with Pastoral Associate. Dependant on your level of expertise and parishioner's needs.

CONTACT:	Parish Right to Life representative
IMPORTANCE:	Christians have a moral obligation to defend the sanctity of all human life "from the womb to the tomb." We are dedicated to peacefully educating the parishioners of Sacred Heart in pro-life issues and providing current information on moral issues.
WHAT:	Attend monthly meetings. Assist in the Mother's Day flower sale and the January candle sale.
TIME:	One to two hours monthly.
SKILLS:	None
TRAINING:	None