SERVICE MINISTRIES

 

Links:          Project Gabriel Volunteer Form  

OLM Senior GEMS page

 

Service Commission

This commission coordinates all groups that perform various services for the parish. Volunteer Opportunity: Individuals are needed to assist in coordinating special events such as the Giving Tree during Advent and Undy Sunday.

 

Bridge Communities

Joe & Christine Riley............................ 898-4397

As a sponsoring parish of a grassroots organization based in Glen Ellyn, Our Lady of Mercy will help homeless families get the support they need for a fresh start. Providing shelter, furnishings, tutoring to children, legal and financial advice, the Bridge Communities network teaches the life skills necessary for independence. With weekly visits from mentors from the parish, our sponsored family will receive the support and advice they need to transition to a self-supporting lifestyle. Over a one-to-two-year period, the sponsored family will learn how to seek responsible childcare, find productive work, erase or reduce existing debt and build a secure financial future for their family.

 

Caring Ministers

Jolene LeRoy............................. 851-3444 xt 403

JoleneL@olmercy.com

Cheryl Hartnett (Meals Ministry)…….. .851-5626

Offer companionship and assistance to elderly, sick or homebound parishioners. Provide a listening ear and caring heart as well as provide meals, transportation, sending cards and making phone calls.

 

Food Pantry

Parish Office............................... 851-3444 xt 221

parishoffice@olmercy.com

Parishioners are invited to donate nonperishable foods, personal hygiene items and Manna certificates during the first weekend of each month. Hesed House provides food to people in Aurora and surrounding areas on an emergency basis.

 

Funeral Luncheons

Cheryl Hartnett....................................... 851-5626

barnboss@sbcglobal.net

Organize, set up, prepare food, serve and clean up for funeral luncheons. Volunteer Opportunity: Individuals needed to prepare a dish or serve or assist with clean-up of funeral luncheons.

 

Grief Ministry

Jolene LeRoy............................. 851-3444 xt 403

jolenel@olmercy.com

Provide support (group or one-on-one) for individuals grieving during a loss or traumatic experience.

 

Hesed House/Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS)

Leonard & Linda Eickhoff..................... 904-0906

Leonard_eickhoff@msn.com

Deacon Phil & Jean Rehmer............... 978-1035

JeanR@olmercy.com

Hesed House is a homeless shelter located in Aurora, which provides men, women and children shelter, food and unconditional hospitality. OLM’s PADS program provides the food/supplies and volunteer workers to serve a meal and provide hospitality on the first Tuesday of each month. Each evening anywhere from 75-125 ‘guests’ are appreciative of the meal and companionship provided through this ministry. Donations are solicited on a monthly basis.

 

Hospitality Committee

Audrey Harris......................................... 898-4665

lakad@comcast.net

It is our responsibility to promote a welcoming spirit in our parish. We hope to establish a feeling of friendship and make all our parish families and guests feel that they are an integral part of the Our Lady of Mercy community. The last weekend of the month coffee, juice, and treats are served in the multi-purpose room after all Masses, allowing parishioners a time to meet and greet each other.  Refreshments for various events throughout the year are also provided. Over the years our members, with the assistance of the parish community have planned, baked, set-up, served, and cleaned up for these many parish functions.

 

Jesus’ Little Lambs: Parish Nursery for 1-4 year olds

Beth Nieweglowski................................ 236-0234

bethnie@comcast.net

Volunteers provide care for toddlers and preschool children in our nursery during the weekend and special liturgies. Volunteers range in age from young teens through senior citizens. Volunteer Opportunity: Individuals are needed to staff the 9:00 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Masses on Sundays from September through May.

 

Loving Hands

Cecilia Sharp......................................... 499-7185

sharpcmr@aol.com

Jolene LeRoy, Parish Nurse..... 851-3444 xt 403

jolenel@olmercy.com

Loving Hands Ministry is an opportunity for women of all ages to reach out to others by making items (such as blankets, baby hats or booties) with prayerful intentions. An important part of this is the prayer blanket ministry. The materials are provided for you to sew the blankets at home. These prayer blankets are given to those who need to be covered with prayer and love during life’s challenges. If you know of someone who could benefit from a prayer blanket, please contact Cecilia or Jolene. Prayers are needed by all for those receiving the prayer blankets and other items. Donations of yarn, fabric, wrapping paper, bows, or ribbon are appreciated. If you are interested in being involved or have questions, please contact the care coordinator. God bless your loving hands!

 

Ministers of Care

Joanne Whetter..................................... 820-7192

These volunteers provide Communion to individuals in hospitals, nursing homes or private homes.

 

Men’s Club

Tom Costigan........................................ 978-0259

Cstgn2@cs.com

Spiritual, social and parish-oriented arena for all men of the parish 18 years or older. Regular meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month from September through May. Activities include a family Wolves game outing; a family Kane County Cougar game outing; Super Bowl pizza fundraiser and annual members’ Christmas party. The Men’s Club sponsors the OLM co-ed summer softball summer.

 

Parent’s of Young Children

Jolene LeRoy............................. 851-3444 xt 403

jolenel@olmercy.com

Informal fellowship group for Moms and their children (Dads also welcome) meets year- round for child oriented activities. The playgroup meets every Wednesday in a different local park during the spring, summer and fall. The Mom’s group also prays the rosary each Monday at 10:00 a.m. in the church. A monthly Mom’s night out is a casual gathering at local restaurants. Mini playgroups have developed within the larger.

 

Peace and Social Justice

Michelle Toschak………………………………………851-5229

mic52@sbcglobal.net

Promotes the Catholic Church teachings of Peace and Social Justice through programs and fund-raisers such as the STEP walk for the less fortunate. Meetings are scheduled as needed and listed in the parish bulletin.

 

Pro-Life Group

Lisa SanDiego...................................... 236-3310

Malisa_D_SanDiego@rsh.net

This ministry engages in education, community service and public policy activities related to pro-life issues (abortion, infanticide and euthanasia among others). We seek to increase respect for all human life, from conception to natural death. Everyone’s welcome to join, whether you want to be active in planning and carrying out activities, or just want to receive our Pro-Life newsletter to keep up on issues.

 

Senior Gems

Roland Vercillo...................................... 585-8260

Social group open to any parishioner 50 years old or older. Regular meetings held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. Activities include spiritual, social and informational events. Transportation is available.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Parish Office............................... 851-3444 xt 400

svdp@olmercy.com

St. Vincent de Paul provides short-term assistance to those in need due to an emergency or ill fortune. A clothing and general merchandise drive is held three times per year. Clothing is sold in the society’s West Chicago store and proceeds are used for the short-term assistance. Furniture and clothing donations may be collected by calling (630) 231-4658.

 

Welcome New Members (Parish Registration Team)

Parish Office............................... 851-3444 xt 221

Parishoffice@olmercy.com

This group welcomes new parishioners at the monthly “New Parishioner” meeting and registration. Newcomers register to become members of the parish, learn about OLM’s many programs and are encouraged to participate in the life of the parish.

 

Women for Women (W4W)

Traci Costigan....................................... 978-0259

Costigan@niu.edu

This group meets the second Tuesday of the month, requires no membership and is open to all women of the parish at any time.  Our mission is to serve the community, enhance spiritual growth and promote the fellowship of the women of Our Lady of Mercy.

 

 

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