Human Concerns
The Mission of the Human Concerns Commission is to strive to meet the social needs within our community and beyond through education, advocacy and service.
The Human Concerns Commission serves as a liaison between the parish council and various ministries involved with human concerns issues and outreach to the disadvantaged of our faith community and beyond.
For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me. I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine you did it to me.
Matthew 25:35-37; 40-41
Sacred Scripture and our tradition of Catholic social teaching emphasize that every Christian is called to serve others and to work for justice. The Human Concerns commission discerns the needs of parishioners and people in our wider community, especially the poor, hungry, and homeless people. We identify resources that help meet their needs and offer our parish family opportunities for active service to God’s people. We also seek to educate and raise consciousness on issues related to justice and peace. For Human Concerns Ministries volunteer opportunities please contact the parish office at (414) 281-8115.
Ministries of Care
Bereavement Ministry
The Bereavement Ministry reaches out to the recently bereaved of our community and provides support and a compassionate, caring presence. Members attend the visitations, wake service, funeral liturgies and keep in contact with the families for one year through cards, phone calls and home visits. Other areas of involvement include singing with the Resurrection Choir, serving as a Eucharistic Minister or lector at a funeral liturgy. Practical help at the time of the wake or funeral is also offered. For more information about Bereavement Ministry click here.
Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound
Homebound Ministers are our Caring Companions who represent the parish community and bring the Eucharist and healing presence of Jesus to the homebound or nursing home residents. For more information about Caring Companions click here.
Eucharistic Ministers to Hospitals
Eucharistic Ministers represent the parish community and bring the Eucharist to Catholics who are hospitalized at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center. They bring Jesus’ healing presence to the sick.
Ministries of Service
Service Volunteers for Human Concerns Projects
This ministry provides people with the opportunity to offer their services for specific projects like the Rose Sale, Baby Shower, Giving Tree, “Undy Sunday”, etc. Tasks include helping to setup for meetings or events, delivery of items collected to outreach organizations, making phone calls, and assisting with mailings or typing. For more information about Service Volunteers, click here.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
These ministers make home visits to people in need within our parish area to give aid and advice. There are opportunities to do Vincentian work city wide: help homeless and battered women start a new life, work with prisoners, work with young mothers to learn parenting skills. They meet every Monday at 1:00pm.
For more information on St Vincent de Paul click here
Ministries of Prayer
Ministry of Praise
This is a spiritual ministry in which the members offer their prayers for the salvation of souls, the intentions of the parish community, the Church and the World. All parishioners, especially the sick, homebound and senior citizens are eligible to be members of this ministry. Correspondence is sent out with a spiritual reflection and specific intentions to remember in prayer.
Prayer Chain Ministry
Our prayer chain is a ministry with a purpose and a commitment. The purpose is to faithfully intercede on behalf of others in times of emergency or special needs. It is made up of a network of individuals who receive prayer request via email plus several other individuals contacted personally by phone that are committed to pray for special intentions. For more information about Prayer Chain Ministry, click here.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Care and love of knitting or crocheting are combined into this prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need. The minister begins each shawl with prayers and blessings for the recipient. Prayerful intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Shawls can be worked on at home at your personal convenience. For more information about Prayer Shawl Ministry, click here.
Local Outreach
- Undy Sunday (March)
- Mother's Day Rose Sale (May)
- Father's Day Carnation Sale (June)
- Capuchin Community Services (Fall Food Drive)
- Respect Life Baby Shower (October)
- Giving Tree (December)
- St. Vincent de Paul
- Prayer Shawls - Distribution
Links to Other Organizations
These are organizations or agencies that we support with our volunteer services or our finances. Please check them out and keep informed of the fine work they do: