Ministries
As you reflect upon the gifts with which God has blessed you, please consider the time and talent you might have to offer our parish. A host of opportunities are waiting for you here at St. Joan of Arc:
Altar Servers Program, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Music, Sacristans, Ushers, Art & Environment, Garden Club
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Altar Servers Program
Our altar servers are young people wishing to lend their time to enhance the liturgy by assisting our priest. A server must be in the fourth grade or older and will be trained in the liturgy. Training normally takes place at the start of the school year by the priest. The coordinator helps with the training, ensures the altar servers’ robes are clean and in good repair and coordinates scheduling.
Contact the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Eucharistic Ministers
"I am the living bread that comes down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give to the life of the world is my flesh." (John 6:51)
The Eucharist is the primary liturgical event for the renewal of faith because it celebrates the paschal mystery that is the foundation of the Christian faith. Today, most Catholics receive the Eucharist at every mass they attend. Furthermore, many people desire to receive the Eucharist daily. The Church, in her wisdom, recognizes the need for lay ministers to assist with the distribution of the Eucharist due to the shortage of priests. St. Joan of Arc Parish invites you to consider joining this special ministry. If you wish to become a Eucharistic Minister, please contact the Parish Office. A training class for new ministers will take place in September.
Contact Coordinator Christy King through the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Lectors
The mission of the lectors is to understand and proclaim the Word of God so that all those present receive the message of God. Ministers of the Word need to not only be effective communicators but also be able to absorb and express the spirit of the Liturgy. Lectors should spend time during the week to prepare the readings for Sunday so they are able to bring the story of the Gospel to the parishioners in an interesting manner, much like storytelling. Lectors are asked to arrive at least 10 minutes before Mass to check the lectionary, read through the Prayers of the Faithful and be informed of any last minute changes. Training for new lectors is held each fall.
Contact Coordinator Linda Hickey through the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Music
We take special pride in our music ministry at St. Joan of Arc and have a variety of opportunities for sharing talents. We welcome singers as cantors and in our many choirs, and instrumentalists for the occasional inclusion in our music at masses.
Contact our Director of Music, Jo Ellen Madden 847.673.0409 for more information on how to share your musical talents, and to learn more about all our of music ministries: Cantors, Children's & Youth Choir, Teen Choir, SJA Adult Choir, Filipino Choir, Boyz Band, Sisters in Song, and Instrumentalists.
Sacristans
Preparing the liturgy and taking care of the elements of our liturgy is an important task for our sacristans. We look to them to water the plants in the sanctuary area, take care of the altar linens, cruets, candles, and maintain the cleanliness and order of the sacristy.
Contact the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Ushers
Ushers provide for the good order of our liturgies. They greet and welcome parishioners and visitors at church entrances, and direct people to available pews. They collect envelopes and donations to take up for the collections, arrange for parishioners to bring up the offerings, direct communicants to the altar, open windows, set up additional chairs, assist in times of illness, distribute bulletins after Mass, and straighten up the pews when the liturgy is completed.
Contact the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Art & Environment
The Art & Environment Ministry is the care and beautification of our church in conjunction with liturgical guidelines. The decoration of the church supports and enhances the liturgy experience for all parishioners. Our responsibilities include decorating the entire sanctuary year-around. Major liturgical events such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Thanksgiving have special decorating efforts.
One interesting place you might find Art & Environment volunteers is in the church attic and basement... organizing our storage and creating new and interesting arrangements.
The Art & Environment committee always welcomes help. Talents needed include volunteers who can assist maintenance with banner changes, plant placement, decorating for special events, and general organization for the committee. If you are interested in assisting, bring your talent, muscles, or simply a willingness to serve!
Contact Carol Busam through the Parish Office 847.673.0409 for more information.
Garden Club
If you have a green thumb, we need you! Come join the Garden Club who maintains our beautiful flowerbeds and plants to enhance our church gardens. Outside areas maintained include the Prayer Garden, the Marian Garden, the planters and general care of the plants.
Contact Corrine Kozlak for more information.