For the sake of our relationship to the Universal Church and St. Patrick's Church in particular, the message is the same. When we show God we care for him in our words and actions, God readily invites us to enter the kingdom. When we do not, we have the tendency to show God that we do not care.

Below are some ministries with which parishioners can prayerfully consider to help with by using their time, talent, and financial resources. What we are asked as parishioners to do is to make an investment in God and the Church God gave us on that cross. What we are being asked to do is to do our part.

The life of the Church and serves all in the community.

• Lector for Mass
  
  
• Greeter for Mass
  
  
• Altar Server - Junior or Senior
  
  
• Musicians - Vocal volunteers as Cantors, seasonal choirs and instrumentalists for Mass
  
  
• Worship Commission - Advisory Committee
  
  
• Ushers
  
  
• Eucharistic Ministers - for Mass, Homebound Visitation, and Hospital Visitation

Serves the community of St. Patrick's neighborhood as well as parishioners.

• St. Vincent de Paul - Benevolent group to aid parishioners in time of need with Food Pantry and/or financial assistance.
  
  
• Holy Name Society (Men's Club)
  
  
• Council of Catholic Women
  
  
• Young at Heart (55 Club) - social group for those 55 and older. Offers service project opportunities as well throughout the year.
  
  
• Service Commission: Advisory committee
  
  
• Trades: electrician, carpentry, tiling, plumbing, etc., interested in helping the church.
  
  
• Pro-Life Committee

• Church Volunteer: to assist in the upkeep of the church and seasonal assistance for decorating.
  
  
• Office Volunteer (Rectory): clerical duties and substitute secretary duties as needed.
  
  
• Bulletin Stuffer committee: as needed on Saturday mornings to stuff additional information into bulletins.
  
  
• Finance Commission: Advisory committee for the pastor for parish finances.
  
  
• Spanish Translations for upcoming events, Masses & services.
  
  
• Parish Council: Advisory committee for the Pastor.

• Rite of Christian Initiation in Adults: classes run from October through May. Volunteers for teaching
  
  
• Religious Education for K-8th grade.
  
  
• Continuing Adult Faith Formation
  
  
• Faith Formation Commission: advisory committee
  
  
• VBS: Vacation Bible School volunteers for this annual June event.
  
  
• Marriage Preparation Program.

Not mentioned above in any area.

Lector for Mass:
the lectors publicly read the scriptures at the Sunday and Holy Day Liturgies. Training provided.

Greeter for Mass:
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. Patrick's.

Altar Servers:
Serving is an act of faith and worship. Servers offer themselves as Jesus did, for the benefit of others, the worshipping community. Servers are concerned with detail and with almost every aspect of the celebration of the liturgy.

Musicians:
This ministry provides music for the weekend Liturgies and for major feasts, celebrations and rituals throughout the year. Practices for seasonal choirs are listed in the bulletin.

Worship Commission:
Advisory Committee to Pastor for planning of special and seasonal liturgies. Meets the third Tuesday of August, November, February and May at 7pm in Vonesh Hall.

Ushers:
A liturgical ministry of hospitality, service, and safety established for the benefit of the worshipping assembly.

Eucharistic Ministers:
These extraordinary ministers of communion assist the priest and deacon (the "ordinary ministers" of communion) with the distribution of the Eucharist during weekend Masses and Holy Day Liturgies. Training is provided. To serve, an individual must be baptized and a confirmed member of the Catholic Church and living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Homebound & Hospital Eucharistic Ministers:
Training is provided. Hospital ministers generally choose a day of the week or month when they can serve. Homebound ministers serve a specific small group of parishioners and the visitation schedule is according to need.

St. Vincent de Paul:
Through referral, counseling and financial or food assistance this group assists those in need. Meetings are monthly on the first Tuesday and are held at 7pm in the Teacher's Lounge.

Holy Name Society (Men's Club):
Parishioners meet as needed to volunteer their time and talent to various projects in the parish and to build community.

Council of Catholic Women:
The CCW advocates the women of the parish whether young or old to build community within St. Patrick's Church, fundraising for various causes, and holds a yearly craft show. CCW Board meets the 4th Monday of the month in Vonesh Hall. The CCW members meet as a group throughout the year and are notified via the bulletin.

Young at Heart (55 Club):
Social group for those 55 and older. Offers service project opportunities as well throughout the year. Fall and Spring Luncheons are planned yearly.

Peace & Social Justice Committee (Christian Service):
Advisory Committee to the Pastor. This committee is organized to respond to the Church's call to safeguard and enhance the human dignity of each person in our human community. The committee works with the parish coordinator for Peace and Social Justice to address social and community needs through direct services and through action for social justice and peace. Meets on the 3rd Tuesday in October, January, April and July at 7pm in Vonesh Hall.

Trades:
Group of tradesmen and women who donate their able to their particular specialty to defray the costs of such specialties being charged to the parish by non-volunteer companies. Electricians, HVAC, carpentry, tiling, plumbing, drywall, plasterers, etc are encouraged to contact our maintenance department (Jim Smith at 815-726-2924) to offer their services.

Pro Life Committee:
This committee seeks through prayer, political advocacy, social action and education to promote and advance the Church's "Gospel of Life".

Church Volunteer:
to assist in the upkeep of the church and seasonal assistance for decorating. Weekly cleaning or church furnishings as well as seasonal set-up are needed.

Office Volunteer (Rectory):
Clerical and reception duties as well as substituting for the secretary on an as needed basis. Hours needed are generally 9am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Bulletin Stuffer committee:
as needed on Saturday mornings to stuff additional information. Usually meets at 9am on Saturday for 1-2 hours.

Finance Committee:
Advisor Committee to the Pastor. Meets the second Tuesday of February, May, August and November at 7pm in Vonesh Hall.

Parish Council:
This group of men and women are selected through the discernment process to represent the parish community. The Pastoral Council safeguards and promotes the unity of the parish community. Meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7pm in Vonesh Hall.

Rite of Christian Initiation in 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. RCIA meets on Wednesday nights beginning in October through the Easter Vigil and conclude in mystagogy in the weeks following Easter.

Religious Education:
Teachers and helpers for students Kindergarten through 8th grade in preparation for Sacraments and life in the Church. Classes meet from the end of September through May 8:30am to 9:45am on Sundays.

Adult Faith Formation:
As Christians, we all challenged to deepen our faith and understanding of the message of Jesus. Through various activities throughout the year, such as special liturgies, Masses, speakers and Missions, our parish provides an excellent opportunity to proclaim the Gospel values and share community in a continually hostile world.

Faith Formation Commission:
Advisory group for the Pastor. Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of September, December, March and June in Vonesh Hall at 7pm.

Vacation Bible School:
This annual week-long opportunity for fun and faith is held in late June in the school. Volunteers meet with the Director of Religious Education for planning sessions. Teen and adult volunteers welcome.

Marriage Preparation:
Married Couples are asked to meet with engaged couples to help them discern their call to the vocation.