Parish Ministries

(Updated July 10, 2008)

Links to sections: A – F | G – L | M – Q | R – Z

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Adult Faith Enrichment

Adult Faith Enrichment is intrinsically linked with the whole of liturgical and sacramental activity, for it is in the sacraments--especially in the Eucharist--that Christ Jesus works in fullness for the transformation of human beings. The role of enrichment is precisely to educate people in the faith, in such a way, as to lead each individual Christian to live the sacraments as true sacraments of faith.

Deacon Bill Whitehead 847-426-2217

Altar Servers

Servers assist the presider during the parish liturgies. Boys and girls 5th grade through high school are welcome.

Robert Waclawik

Art & Environment

This group designs, creates and maintains the liturgical environment for the various seasons and feasts in the Church year. It is responsible for the environment from the sanctuary to the parking lot, and strives to help parishioners encounter God in all that they meet when gathering as a community.

Danette D'Angelo.

Baptismal Preparation Program

This program encourages parental involvement in the Baptismal Rite, providing solid updated liturgical information, as well as preparation for the ceremony. 1 one-hour class is held once a month for the new parents.

Please call the Parish Office 847-426-2217.

Bereavement Ministry

(Coming soon!)

Bible Study

The parish offers a Bible Study on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 throughout the year and twice a month on Monday evenings, beginning at 7 PM. The only requirements are a Bible and an interest in studying the Word of God.

Deacon Bill Whitehead 847.426.2217

Catherine's Spirit

St. Catherine Parish spends time helping at P.A.D.S., which is the homeless shelter in Elgin. It is open all year. St. Catherine's helps the 3rd Saturday of each month, 6:30-10AM and 5-7AM.

Deacon Hank Schmalen

Children's Liturgy of the Word

During the 4:30pm Mass on Saturday, and the 9:30am and 11:30 Masses on Sundays, children in K thru 4th grade are invited to go to a separate worship area to hear and reflect on God's Word at their own level. Adult leaders are needed to proclaim the Word and reflect on it with the children. Adults and teens are also needed for any of the following: directing the children out and bringing them back at the appropriate time, aiding the leaders, and helping with music. Training and resources are provided.

Roberta Bellock 847.426.4712

Finance Council

(Coming soon!)

F.I.S.H. Food Pantry

F.I.S.H. is a non-profit, completely volunteer organization for the purpose of giving food and clothing to the poor in our immediate area. There is a need for volunteers, especially men, for a variety of different tasks. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30am to 11:30am.

Joan Livingston

Funeral Luncheon Committee

Plans, prepares and serves funeral luncheons for our parish, when requested. Help can be given by providing a dish, cleaning up or making calls when you can.

Parish Office 847-426-2217.

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Garden Committee

The Garden Committee encompasses volunteers who enjoy planting and tending the gardens of St. Catherine's. Volunteers can work as a group or on an individual basis or even participate as a family. Planting begins in May or June (as weather permits) and end with a clean-up day on October.

Greeters (Sunday Mass)

Greeters welcome people as they come to weekend and Holy Day Masses. There are usually 2 to 5 greeters at each Mass (which includes single parishioners, couples and families). Volunteers are scheduled about every 6 to 8 weeks.

Barb Wiedmeyer

Habitat for Humanity

St. Catherine Parish is a participating partner in the Habitat for Humanity's New Hope Partnership. With other members churches in the area, volunteers undertake the task of financing and building affordable housing in the Fox Valley. No experience is necessary, but only a desire to participate.

Ray Bellock

Hospitality Committee (Cookie bakers for Parish meetings)

Consists of those volunteers who bake cookies for various church meetings and many social functions. A large number of bakers are needed to fulfill our needs.

Margaret Grant

Knights of Columbus

The Knights are a Catholic men's organization whose principles are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. It is an organization dedicated to the family and youth of the parish. The Knights are devoted to Mary, through prayer and the Rosary. Siena Council meets monthly at St. Catherine's and hosts many events throughout the year.

To visit the Knights of Columbus Siena Council Web site, click here.

Dan Biggins

Lector Ministry

It is a lector's honored task to proclaim the revealed Word of God to the gathered assembly. The ministry of lectors requires not only reading skills, but inner holiness, spiritual preparation and loving imitation of the Word.

Deb Minogue

Library

The parish maintains a library of books regarding many different aspects of our Catholic faith. This library is physically located in the Community Room.

Nell Bartos

Liturgy Committee

It is the job of the liturgy committee to prepare, implement and evaluate the various liturgical celebrations in the parish throughout the year. This includes Sunday Masses, sacramental celebrations, and the liturgy of the hours. Committee meets monthly.

Deacon Bill Whitehead 847.426.2217

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Marian Prayer Group

The prayer group is made up of people from both St. Catherine's and St. Mary's in Gilberts, who meet at 7:00pm on Tuesday evenings at St. Catherine's. The prayer format is not rigid, but usually includes prayers for special intentions, 5 decades of the Rosary, some readings and a hymn, ending with closing prayers to the Holy Spirit and consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Earl McGrath

Marriage Encounter

A weekend experience designed to enhance communication between a couple, to celebrate God's presence in marriage, and to discover one another anew. The weekend is not a group therapy session - couples listen to talks, discuss, and write about the topics with only their spouses. After the weekend, couples are invited to monthly community meetings for fellowship and growth. It makes good marriages, great!

Jill and Gerry Ballard

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

The communion ministers of St. Catherine of Siena Church serve the assembly by giving Holy Communion at Eucharistic liturgies. Communion ministers are scheduled to serve a month at a time. The Eucharist is offered in both species at all of the Masses.

Kim Janicki

Ministry of Care

Ministers of Care bring the Eucharist and pray with those members of our community who are unable to attend weekly Mass due to age or illness. This is a 3-in-1 Ministry: Home Bound Parishioners are visited weekly by ministers who go to homes and bring communion. Nursing Homes (Sherman West and Countryside) are visited on Sundays by ministers who conduct a prayer service and distribute communion. Sherman Hospital is visited on Saturday mornings by ministers who bring the Eucharist to all Catholics.

Dolaine Nichols

Ministry of Praise

An at-home ministry for seniors, the homebound, and the handicapped who cannot take an active part in the working ministries of the parish. Each month, through the mail, specific intentions are requested for prayer by its members. An enrollment certificate, cross and special prayer book is furnished. No meetings.

LaVerne McGrath

Music Ministries

  • Adult Choir

    55 member choir leads and enhances the assembly in song at the 9:30am Mass each week, as well as special liturgies like 1st Communion and Confirmation.

    Dan Bernhard 847.426.2217

  • Cantors

    Lead the assembly in songs at the early Mass and substitute when the regular music groups do not sing.

    Maurice Martin

  • Men's Music Ministry

    Sings for the 11:30 AM Sunday liturgy.

    Joe Sakowski

  • Resurrection Choir

    For those who can participate during the week at parish Funeral Masses. Practices once a month.

    Maurice Martin

  • Contemporary Ensemble

    Sings for the 4:30 PM Saturday liturgy.

    Debbie Kaczynski

Pastoral Council

(Coming soon!)

Pinochle Club

Couples play at each other's home, once a month, during fall and winter months.

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Religious Education (CCD)

The following religious education programs for children and teens are available:

  • Sunday Preschool: a special program for youngsters 3 and 4 years of age, with Bible stories, music and crafts during the 9:30 Sunday Mass.

  • Weekday Classes on:
    Tuesdays for K thru 5th graders at 4:00pm

  • Wednesday for K thru 5th graders at 4:00pm and at 6:00pm for children that are being raised Catholic and attend public school.

  • A Middle School Program is held in the homes of the catechists or parents, and meets weekly from early October to early May.

  • Sacramental Programs: include the preparation for the First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, usually in the 2nd grade.

  • Confirmation Preparation is part of the High School program.

All of the programs listed above require volunteers from the parish.

Roberta Bellock 847.426.4712

Respect Life

Respect for Life Ministry strives to acknowledge and support the importance and respect of each human life, from conception to natural death. The ministry does this by distribution of respect life information to the parish community and encouraging participation and attendance in various activities.

Nell Bartos

R.C.I.A.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the restored ancient practice of the Church, designed to prepare those who seek to enter the Catholic Church. This includes those who have never been baptized, those baptized in another Christian church, or those who have been baptized Catholic, but never made their first Eucharist or been Confirmed. There are many different ministries available: sponsor, catechist, communications, hospitality, etc. Enjoy sharing your faith with others, watching them grow and growing yourself in the faith.

Deacon Bill Whitehead 847.426.2217

St. Vincent de Paul Society

(Coming soon!)

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee's goals are to infuse the theology and practices of stewardship into the life of the parish family. To create opportunities for the parish members to share their time, talent and treasure in proportion to the gifts God has given them.

George Rustemeyer

Ushers

An important cog in making our Sunday liturgy flow smoothly.

Richard Schmel

Women at the Well

Christy Lipinski

Youth Ministry

Young people are not the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today. The youth of our parish are in need of caring adults who can help them make connections between faith and 'real life'. It is our job to help the young people of our parish:

  1. Live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today.
  2. Participate in the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.
  3. Grow personally and spiritually into the adult persons that God has in mind for them to be.

Jessica Cranston 847.426.2217