Service Ministries

Delores Peterson, 715-934-2344

As each child in the parish receives the sacrament of baptism, he/she is given a white garment that looks like a child’s bib.  The garment is cut out of white cotton, the edges are hemmed by machine and then the front is embroidered with symbols of baptism, a cross, water and a dove.  Pattern and materials are stored in the storage room behind the kitchen.  We generally make a dozen at a time and store them in the church office. I say “we” here, because usually there are two or more people who participate in this ministry.  Some like to embroider and others prefer to sew.  The secretary lets us know when we are running low and then we make plans to make more. You can do the cutting at the church and take the sewing to do at home or at church (the church has two sewing machines) and the embroidery has been done by people who like to have a project to work on in their free time.  Sometimes this work has been done by shut-ins and the materials are delivered and picked up.
 

Steve and Karen Menke, 630-964-5122 or [email protected]

Hunger and loneliness are prevalent in the world and in our very own community. Every Wednesday evening at 5:00 PM a community meal is served in the fellowship hall at First Lutheran Church. The meal is free of charge and take- out plates may be brought home to those who are unable to physically make it to the dinner. Guests come for great cooking and to have fellowship with their community. No questions are asked. The Community Supper is serving 70 to 80 meals each week, every week, even Christmas. First Lutheran has been serving meals since 1998, 24 years. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church serves supper four times a year, joining with other groups such as the Lions Club, United Methodist, Ascension Episcopal, and People’s Bank to support the mission of First Lutheran. Our volunteers prepare, serve and clean up after these meals. You can help us by volunteering. It doesn’t take a huge time commitment to be there for your neighbors – a couple of hours four times a year. Age doesn’t matter – anyone can help: Bake a dessert, Prepare a side dish, Donate a bouquet of flowers for us to put in bud vases on the tables, Kids can decorate place mats or cards for special occasions (St. Patrick’s Day , Easter, Fall, etc), Make some table decorations (we have 10 tables), Prepare a little treat bag for guests to take home, Entertain our guests with some music (open mic night?). Come up with your own ideas to bring a little happiness into the community.

Mary Jane Moffet, 715-462-9060 or Darlyne Carson, 715-634-4733 or 715-558-4145

This is a ministry in which women help other women during times of pregnancy, birth, adoption, miscarriage, infant/child crises.  Women are volunteers who have experienced one of these areas and want to support those who are also experiencing the same now.  We are a faith based ministry that strives to bring celebration, healing, support, and affirmation
to all with complete confidentiality. We need, want, and welcome new members. Please join us in this beautiful ministry. 

Flower beds and planters – “Bean" Timmerman, 715-634-2901 or 715-558-3071, [email protected]

Gardening Angels
Grounds landscaping, seasonal clean-up, planning & maintaining plant containers, general flower bed maintenance

Help with seasonal projects is always welcome.

Sandy Kruger, 715-634-2548 and JoAnn Evans, 715-634-1726

Every Christmas the Giving Tree is decorated with names of children and families who are struggling, so that parishioners may assist in easing the strain that often comes with the holidays.  Many people are involved with this ministry, from selecting the recipients to wrapping the gifts for distribution. Please consider joining in the fun of making a happier Christmas for those in need.
 

Kitchen/Hospitality – Dawn Luethe, 715-296-1324
Funeral Luncheons – JoAnn Evans, 715-634-1726
Diocesan Meetings – Dawn Luethe, 715-296-1324
Sunday Mass Socials – Jerry and Pat Kaiser, 715-816-4577
Special events/Birkie Spaghetti feed – Dawn Luethe, 715-296-1324
Potlucks/Socials – Cindy Gidley, 715-634-4069 or [email protected]; JoAnn Evans, 715-634-1726 or [email protected]

This ministry offers the caring presences of our community by providing a meal for
family and friends following the Funeral Liturgy of a loved one.  Join us in helping by
being on our call list to help set up, serve luncheons, or bake a cake.
 

Lynette Duh, 715-634-3279 or 715-699-3279 or [email protected]; Teresa Black, 715-634-2455

Lovers of knitting and crocheting are invited to join St. Joseph's Prayer Shawl Ministry.  Our mission is to comfort the sick and suffering by providing a shawl, a tangible sign of prayer and support. We have made and distributed over 133 prayer shawls so far.  We meet every third Monday of the month from September through June at 1:30 to 2:30 in St. Joseph Parish Center.

Mary Wallace, 715-462-4726 or [email protected]

Our goal in life is to provide comfort for babies and those in need.  If someone asks for a quilt
we provide one; for people who have lost everything due to a fire or to someone who could just use some extra comfort.  In the past year we have provided over 100 baby quilts in the gift bags given to the newborns at our local hospital.  We meet twice a month on Thursdays from 9:00 to whenever. We accept donations of sewing materials.
 

Jo Mazik, 715-634-3709 or [email protected]

Recycled Christmas is a fund raising event for our youth program.  It is a rummage sale for used and unwanted Christmas/winter decorations that parish members donate.  It is held the third Saturday in November which is also the opening day of deer season!  Volunteers are needed to sort the donations, to donate baked goods for a bake sale and to cook a simple lunch for the sale on Saturday.  This is different from the usual rummage sale because everything sparkles!  Fun to volunteer!  Fun to shop!
 

Sue Armsbury, 715-634-0500 and Delores Peterson, 715-934-2344

For approximately 20 years members of St Joseph have been making cord rosaries to give to anyone who wants one.  These rosaries are on display on a table next to the Blessed Mother statue on the east side of the church. The church provides the cord and medals and there are people who will give instructions to anyone wishing to learn how the rosaries are made.  It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to learn how to make the knots.  We are always in need
of more people willing to make rosaries. Once you know how, you can make a rosary in about a half hour and do it while you watch your favorite TV show or while riding in a car or while visiting with friends. 
 

Jean Carryl, 715-699-1272

Our mission is to provide fellowship, charitable contributions and community
service.  We meet on Mondays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM from September to June and then intermittently during the summer months. Most of our time is spent making items for the Elizabeth Ministry gift bags given to new moms and babies. These items include receiving blankets, newborn hats, bibs, etc. We also spend time creating cards for the card ministry project. We have used our sewing skills to provide the local nursing homes with items they have needed and we have made dresses for young girls in need around the world. In November and December we focus our efforts on making items for our Christmas sale.
Fundraising activities have included bake sales and a Christmas craft sale. Our parish activities include working and baking for the social hour after mass on Sundays and in the spring of the year we have also hosted a spring Ladies Salad Luncheon.

Darlyne Carson, 715-634-4733

When a new parishioner registers, contact is made with them for a home visit at their
convenience. A beautiful gift bag is given to welcome them to St Joseph Church and Parish.