SOCIAL MINISTRIES: WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Social ministries are an excellent opportunity to fulfill your baptismal call of service to one another. We want to utilize the talents and gifts that God has given this community to the fullest extent. Participation through “behind the scenes” preparation and planning or through a public role of service within the Mass are greatly appreciated, as is parishioner outreach and support of others outside of church.
Contact the parish office at 618-397-2287 to help with our social ministries in one of the following ways:
Funeral Luncheon
The Church provides homemade or purchased food after funerals for family and friends. Volunteers also offer parish support for grieving families. Workers are needed to set up, serve the meal and clean up. Time commitment varies; must be available to provide food or help on 2-3 days notice.
Blessed Sacrament contact persons: Claire Hatch and Co-chairs: Sandy Cullen 618-398-2506 & Sharon Reiher 618-398-8226
Our Lady Queen of Peace contact person: Julie Grubb [email protected]
Mary & Martha Ministry
This ministry seeks to cooperate with the leaders of our Prayer Chain, Ministry to the Homebound, Ministry to the Nursing Homes and Bereavement Committees to provide spirtuual and emotional support to our parishioners.
contact person: Sharon Needham 618-234-7550 or [email protected]
Ministry to the Homebound
There are various opportunities to become involved in visiting people in nursing homes or taking Holy Communion to individuals who are homebound. Time commitment of 3-4 hours per month is requested.
Contact Person: Fr. Matt Elie 618-397-2287 or Karen Vick 618-277-3374
Bereavement Ministry
A ministry offering support to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. A bereavement team member will journey with the grieving person(s) through visits, phone calls, cards, etc. as needed.
Referrals to the ministry initiate from our pastor, parishioners requesting support for themselves, or another. Time commitment varies.
Blessed Sacrament contact person: Parish Office 618-397-2287
Our Lady Queen of Peace contact person: Sharon Needham 618-234-7550
St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Vincent de Paul Society provides corporal and spiritual works of mercy to those in need. Acts include providing food, assistance with utility bills, prescription drugs, rent and other needs.
Blessed Sacrament St. Vincent de Paul members meet the first Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. A time commitment of 2-3 hours per month is requested.
Contact Person: Charlie Cullen 618-398-2506
Our Lady Queen of Peace St. Vincent de Paul members meet on the last Thursday of the month; hotline volunteers meet at 6:30 p.m. in a closed session, followed by an open meeting for all members at 7 p.m. in the church meeting room.
Contact Person: Pat Keefe 618-978-5653
If you have a need for assistance and wish to contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society, please leave a message at the hotline number 618-398-9540.
RCIA
Volunteer team members for The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults help prepare individuals for their faith journey toward becoming members of the Catholic Church. Team members work together to share the facts of our faith and to explore Sacred Scripture with each individual. Volunteers should be open, welcoming, and willing to share their own faith journey. Time commitment is about 1 hour per week, but may vary.
Contact person is Greg Nowak at 314-479-6197 or [email protected]
Infant Baptismal Preparation
Volunteers have one meeting with the new parents to help explain the meaning of Baptism and the responsibilities in raising their child in the Catholic faith. Time commitment depends on the number of Baptisms each year.
Contact person is Greg Nowak at 314-479-6197 or [email protected]
Men’s Club
The Men’s Club handles minor repair jobs and maintenance around the parish such as painting, carpentry, plumbing, etc.
Blessed Sacrament club meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Attendance at meetings is not necessary. Simply offer your services when needed. Time commitment varies depending on project.
Contact Person: Ken Berg 618-257-2261.
Ladies Sodalities
Ladies Sodalities at both parishes provide support to various ministries.
St. Ann Sodality members at Blessed Sacrament visit nursing homes, visit the Pregnancy Care Center, quilt, serve as greeters at church and host coffee and doughnuts after Mass. The club meets the third Wednesday of each month at 12:45 p.m. Time commitment varies with project.
Contact Person: Carol O’Brien 618-772-8288.
The Sodality/Mothers’ Club at Queen of Peace provides fun fellowship opportunities for all women of the parish, while serving the parish in various community programs. Members assist with parish and school functions. New members are always welcome. Click here to visit the QP Mothers’ Club/Sodality web page.
Contact Person: Monica Brackman 618-960-4788 or [email protected]
Parish Quilters
Quilters create beautiful quilts, which are donated to fundraising events. Members also enjoy teaching new quilters their art.
Blessed Sacrament quilters meet every Monday and Thursday between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact Person: Carol O’Brien 618-772-8288.
Queen of Peace quilters meet every Monday 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact Person: Marianne Arns 618-277-8533
Soup Bus
Blessed Sacrament Parish operates the Soup Bus every third Tuesday in East St. Louis. Volunteers needed to provide hot dogs, chips, cookies or cash donations. Bus drivers and food servers are also needed. A time commitment of two to three hours every third month is requested.
Contact Person: Charlie Cullen 618-398-2506
The Giving Tree
Volunteers make gift bags for needy children and families in our community during the holidays. Assistance is also needed in organizing and delivering gifts to families. This is a wonderful family project and helps teach the true meaning of Christmas. Time commitment of four to six hours is needed for one month per year.
Contact Person: Sandy Cullen 618-398-2506
Queen of Peace contact: Marsha Kurowski 618-398-9540
Fish Fry
The Blessed Sacrament PTO sponsors fish fry’s during Lent. Approximately 60 volunteers are needed per fish fry for assignments that include set-up, food prep, cooking and serving, desserts and clean up. A time commitment of three-four hours per fish fry is requested.
Contact Person: [email protected]
Queen of Peace Parish sponsors Fish Fries during Lent. This year, Fish Fries are on Ash Wednesday, March 3 and March 24. We are looking for many helping hands to join us in the fun. We also need donated desserts.
Contacts – Eric Edgar – 618-691-9261 and Jodi Edgar Reinhardt – 618-806-3384
Boy Scout
Boy Scout Troop 529 at Our Lady Queen of Peace serves boys ages 11-18. Volunteers are needed to lead groups, assist in camping and other activities and run the troop.
Contact person: Bob Luetkenhaus 618-416-2691
West End Belleville Catholic Youth Program
The West End Belleville Catholic Youth Program serves youth in 7th grade and above. For more information, visit https://wbcyp.com/
Contact person: Deacon Tim DeRousse [email protected]
Cosgrove’s Kitchen
Queen of Peace Parish prepare and serve food on the first Saturday of the month from October to May. Volunteers needed to provide sloppy joes, chips, cookies or cash donations.
Contact Person: Julie Grubb 618-222-7173 or [email protected]
Prayer Chain
Pray for specific intentions for members of Blessed Sacrament and Queen of Peace Parishes and their family and friends.
Blessed Sacrament and Queen of Peace Contact Person: Marian Meyer 618-277-8155
Prison Ministry
This requires a wide variety of ministries available to clergy and lay volunteers under the banner of Pastoral Care and Advocacy that can be practiced inside and outside the prison and in various support services.
Queen of Peace Contact Person: Lou Slapshak 618-234-83345