The following activities and programs are available at Blessed Sacrament, and YOU are invited to take part. Call the person in charge for more information.

Adoration:

Parishioners pray in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, open 24/7. Contact Colleen Morrissey, 475-9515.

Altar Servers:

Young ministers in service to the altar during Mass. Contact Bev Bingle, 472-2288.

Baptism Preparation:

Sessions set up through the parish office, 472-2288.

Blood Bank:

In conjunction with St. Piux X and Christ the King, parishioners organize a parish blood drive several times a year. Contact Marcy Gregory, 578-1800.

Cap, Mitten, & Scarf Project:

Knitters and crocheters meet the second Tuesday at 10 to make items for donation to children in central city Catholic schools. Contact Lois Doran, 474-9636.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:

Sunday School, Early Education, and BS School children come to the “atrium” space to learn about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, helping them prepare for fuller and more prayerful participation at Mass. Hands-on materials are provided to connect the children with the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist, the life of Christ, and the parables of scripture. Contact Karen Momenee, 472-0620.

Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP):

A spiritual renewal process which brings adult parishioners together in small groups to deepen their relationship with Christ and each other, CRHP begins with a weekend retreat experience.  Women:  Call Carla Majewski, 472-0041; Becky Grau, 475-3206; or Therese Cherry, 472-8339.  Men:  Call David Luce, 472-5259; or Duane Hoschak, 474-9461.

Christmas in July:

Parishioners reach out to people in need by donating items listed on decorations on the “giving trees” set up by this committee in the narthex during July, filling requests from various charities such as Women Blessing Women, St. Louis Soup Kitchen, and Heartbeat. Contact Janet Secrest, 474-5604; or Pam Simrell, 491-8360.

Confraternity of the Holy Rosary:

Members pray 15 mysteries of the rosary each week, many of them praying together before Mass. Contact Andy Carr, 475-2408.

Cursillo:

After a weekend retreat, Cursillistas invite others, by example, to experience a deep and long-lasting relationship with Jesus Christ while building and encouraging each other in the Christian walk. Contact Bill and Judy Owens, 474-9071.

Elementary School:

Our fully accredited K-8 school aims to help each child grow in awareness of God, neighbor, and self. By providing meaningful academic and social experiences, the school reinforces the values implanted and fostered by parents. Call  472-1121.

Engaged Couples Day:

Parishioners help engaged couples come to a real sense of the spiritual foundation they will receive in the Sacrament of Marriage as well as a basis for success for their future together. Contact Bill and Judy Owens, 475-9071.

Eucharistic Ministry:

Parishioners serve as Eucharistic Ministers of Communion at Mass.  Call Bev Bingle at the Parish House, 472-2288.

Festival Committee:

Help with our annual festival—music, food, rides, great fun! Contact Diana and Mark VanWinkle, 475-2829.

Finance Committee:

Parishioners meet monthly with the Pastor and Business Manager regarding parish/school finances. Contact Mark Meyer, 475-0770.

Fish Fry Committee:

Lent Fridays bring hundreds of hungry folks to our great fish frys. Volunteer, or just show up to eat!  Contact Carla Majewski, 472-0041.

Folk Group:

Music Ministers to the 9 o'clock Sunday Mass invite vocalists and instrumentalists to join them. Call Tom Perzynski, 534-3434.

Funeral Choir:

Parishioners sit in the assembly at funeral Masses and sing - it's a beautiful ministry to comfort the bereaved with the sound of voices lifted in song. Call Evelyn Shordt, 472-4155.

Funeral Luncheons:

This ministry provides a meal for family and friends of the deceased following funerals at Blessed Sacrament. Contact Sherrie Kelly (902-1000) or Sandy Stein (475-6985).

Garden Group:

Monthly diggers and planters beautify the parish grounds under the direction of Mike O’Rourke, the Garden Guy. Call Buck Taylor, 973-3545.

Holy Name Society:

The men of the parish gather to conduct social activities, provide service to the parish, and raise funds for scholarships. Contact Neil Sullivan, 474-1208.

Ladies' Bridge:

Contact Anita Kelly, 841-0516.

Lectors:

Parishioners proclaim the Word effectively at Mass through the training and resources provided by this group. Contact Pat Scharf, 534-2941.

Liturgy Committee:

Gather to help plan meaningful worship experiences at Mass and other liturgical celebrations, such as Reconciliation Services. Contact Judy Owens, 475-9071.

Marriage Preparation:

Deacon Pat McCabe shepherds engaged couples through the process. Call 471-9052.

Mass Coordinators:

Parishioners set up bread, wine, and other items needed for Mass. Contact Bev Bingle, 472-2288.

Mentoring Couples:

This ministry pairs newlyweds with an established parish couple to provide support and resources during the early months of marriage. Contact Deacon Patrick McCabe, 471-9052.

Music Ministry:

Both the Choir and the Folk Group welcome new singers and musicians to help the assembly participate more fully in the liturgy. Contact Bob Rae, 360-3140, for the Choir and Contemporary Group, and Tom Perzynski, 537-0213, for the Guitar Group.

Parents’ Association:

School parents provide support for the school for teacher supplies, school programs, and special needs through various fundraisers like “Breakfast with Santa” and “Ladies’ Night Out.” Contact Marsha Lewis, 475-4654.

Parish House Hospitality Ministers:

Volunteers staff the front desk weekdays from 9-5, answering phones and the door and routing visitors. Contact Cindi Ruff, 304-6564.

Parish Mission:

We partner with St. Catharine, St. Clement, and Regina Coeli to present a Lenten mission. Contact the Parish House, 472-2288.

Pastoral Council:

Members dedicate themselves to pastoral planning and advancing our parish mission in a prayerful and reflective manner, working in concert with other parish groups to determine and implement pastoral objectives. Contact Dan Solarek, 471-0714.

Prayer Chains:

Our parish has two prayer chains, one linked via telephone and the other via email. For the phone prayer chain, contact Helen O'Neil, 536-7707; for the email prayer chain, contact Debbie Marciniak at dtmarcin@aol.com

Pumpkin Pie Project:

Parishioners bake and donate Thanksgiving pies for St. Paul's Community Center, where 350 people share an annual holiday meal. Call Becky or Vicki Fitts (578-1655) or Kyle Gerhart (247-4823 or 292-1026).

Quilting Group:

Quilters (and kibitzers) gather Tuesdays from 6:45pm to 8:30pm to make quilts for raffling off to benefit the parish. Contact Kathy Bonfiglio, 474-1094.

Religious Education:

Public school students in Kindergarten through Grade 8 meet Sunday evenings for the 5 p.m. Mass, share a light meal, and head off to class with Catechist-Ministers for religious formation. Call 472-2288, x 234.

Respect Life:

This group promotes a consistent ethic of life, serving families in the ongoing task of protecting and enhancing human life by way of education, pastoral care, and advocacy. Call Joyce Meyer, 474-8023.

Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA):

Adults desiring to find out about Catholicism meet weekly with sponsors and team members for scripture sharing, instruction, and prayer. Contact Gary and Lynn Rashleigh, 885-4240.

St. Louis Soup Kitchen:

Members of Blessed Sacrament volunteer regularly at this outreach to hungry eastsiders. Contact Tom Ulrich, 472-7650.

St. Vincent de Paul Society:

This group assists parishioners and others in the area with utilitiy bills, food, household items, and financial emergencies; members also visit parishioners in hospitals and nursing homes. Contact John Roesner, 476-3963.

School Advisory Council:

Responsible for offering counsel to the pastor and principal on school matters, the SAC reviews and advises on school policies, tuition rates, personnel, and issues of concern within the school. Contact the School Office, 472-1121.

Scouts:

Kids learn life skills and values through teamwork, competition, charity, and service. Contact Troy Estes, 472-2687, or Chuck Drabek, 475-9718 (Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts) and Juliann Buchele, 474-7112 (Girl Scouts and Brownies).

Seniors:

Parishioners meet the third Wednesday, September through May, for dinner and speaker or entertainment. Contact Walter Zale, 841-9263.

Social Justice Commission:

This group organizes activities to educate and advocate for social justice.  The current  effort centers on environmental justice.  Call Tom McDonald, 474-8801.

Ushers:

These liturgical ministers seat parishioners arriving at Mass, take up the collection, and pass out bulletins. Contact Larry Keel, 473-1057.

Vocations:

Interested in serving God through the Church? Contact Bill Noltner, wanoltner@bex.com.

Website:

News and photos are posted regularly to our website. Contact Bev Bingle by clicking on the webmaster link at the bottom of most pages or call 472-2288, x 227.

Welcoming/Evangelization:

These folks welcome new parishioners to Blessed Sacrament, helping to acquaint them with our many venues for spiritual growth, social activities, and service.  Contact Cathy Ehlert, 578-9021.

Youth Board:

This group raises and distributes funds for scholarships, sports, and other parish youth programs. It supervises and appoints coordinators of various youth activities, prepares and supplies rules and regulations for the youth programs. Contact Stephanie Hardy, 476-5267.

Youth Group:

Students in grades 7-12 are challenged to grow spiritually and socially by their participation in meetings, events, service projects, and worship. Contact Karen McCarthy, 473-0936.

ZZZZ:

If there’s an activity you would like to see at Blessed Sacrament and it’s not listed here, call Fr. Donnelly, 472-2288, and ask him to help you get it going!