Christian Service provides the opportunities for parishioners to live out their faith through actions exemplifying the Corporal Works of Mercy and Catholic Social Teaching. We are committed to the philosophy that ministry transforms the heart of the one who serves while transforming the lives of those who are served.
Some of the areas covered by Christian Service Ministry:
Birthday -- phone call greetings to those over age 80
Bulletin articles & Bulletin Boards -- at the doors of church, next to the sacristy, by the social hall and next to the Video Room
Cards -- get well to those parishioners listed in the Prayer of the Faithful; sympathy to families who are members here or whose loved ones are buried from here
Coffee & Donuts -- [weekly] proceeds support 6 missions
Communion -- to the homebound (usually once a week);
to Huron Valley Hospital (daily);
to nursing homes & Independence Village (weekly; often a Communion service)
Enrichment -- programs such as the annual Women’s Advent Tea, weekly exercise class, guest speakers, etc.
Food for Sharing -- weekly food collection & delivery supports the Open Door Outreach Center
Hospitality -- Funeral luncheons; receptions; pre-baptism class
Meals on Wheels -- deliver in White Lake Twp. 1 week each month; 2 routes each day for 5 days
Networking -- with Vicariate parishes & local service agencies
Sunday Nursery -- during 10 a.m. Mass; co-op basis during the summer
RCIA Nursery -- Child care provided for RCIA participants
Operation Rice Bowl -- almsgiving program during Lent to support Catholic Relief Services
Outreach -- assistance with utilities, rent, food, medical needs, etc. as we are able
Pamphlets and CareNotes -- in the pamphlet racks in the church vestibule, by the door by the tabernacle; and in the corridor leading to the parish hall
Parish Nurse Ministry -- blood pressure screening 1X month; annual flu shots/health fair; Sacrament of Anointing [annual communal celebration];
CPR/AED classes;
Educational information in the bulletin and on the bulletin board
Peace & Justice -- Advocacy; Place of HOPE Warming Center (March); Alternative Christmas Market (Nov.) membership in justice organizations
Recycling/Environmental Justice -- finding a “home” for usable items, medical supplies, cancelled stamps, religious articles, etc.; parish recycling; environmental education
Resources and referrals
Respect Life -- advocacy; fundraising for Lifespan education programs with our Mother’s Day flower sale, Father’s Day candy sale, Christmas card sale; luminary and misc. items sales
Respect Life month activities
Sanctity of Life activities
R.S.V.P. Site -- for Catholic Social Services’ R.S.V.P. program (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program)
Scouting -- Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Venture, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Daisies:
weekly meetings & occasional events for parish troops
Seasonal Sharing -- Christmas
Easter
Back to School
Stephen Ministry -- Monthly SM meeting
Monthly Supervision meeting
occasional weekly meeting between an SM and their care receiver
Support Groups -- New Hope grief Support series [co-sponsored 8 week program in October-November at Orchard Lake Community Church-Presbyterian]; grief support materials mailed to families who are members here or whose loved ones are buried from here; Growing Kids God’s Way 18-week parenting series
St. Vincent de Paul Conference -- monthly meeting, annual clothing truck
Transportation -- to medical appointments, etc as needed
Volunteer coordination -- ongoing recruiting, training, affirmation of people to assist in CS ministry
World Food Day -- Awareness of world hunger issues; Food collection [October]
Not officially Christian Service ministry, but also part of what we do:
Marge Sawruk is the unofficial “parish historian”. She fields many questions related to our past and helps archive historic parish materials. She is also the secretary of the White Lake Township Historical Society.
Judy Polesnak assists people in applying for Annulments and Lack of Form documentation. She is a certified Lay Procurator/Advocate for the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
