Pro-Life Committee The mission of the Pro-Life Committee is to educate and empower all parishioners to make the parish a center of life. It promotes a renewed respect for all human life by addressing issues including the death penalty, abortion, and more. We also provide volunteers to the local Pregnancy Care Center. Contact Person: Jana Miller, 624-0709
UCM Community Organizing Team This is a ministry that goes beyond charity to work toward social justice. Through United Congregations of Metro-East, members of our parish conduct conversations with local residents to find common concerns in our local area. Then working with other area churches, we conduct research and propose solutions to public officials. Some concerns that we have addressed thus far include encouraging the establishment of a drug court in St. Clair County, storm water problems, and access to healthcare. Time Commitment: 2 to 3 hours a week. Contact Person: Margaret Andrasko, 624-6805
Reading/Tutoring Through the Diocesan Poverty Services Office and Catholic Urban Programs, individuals are needed to both read stories to children and/or to be tutors for children, teens, and adults who want to break the cycle of poverty through education. Tutors are needed during the school day as well as after school. Training is provided for tutors. Time commitment 2 to 6 hours a month. Contact: Cindy Hoef, 632-7855
Nature Trail Clean-up This outreach effort of our parish provides families and individuals with a fun and worthwhile service project. Volunteers will be scheduled throughout the year to maintain the four nature trails in O’Fallon. Time Commitment: 2 to 3 times a year. Contact Person: Babe Papproth, 632-5568
Work of Human Hands Sale Our annual Work of Human Hands Sale each fall features high quality goods handmade by artisans in developing countries around the world. Through Work of Human Hands artisans receive a fair price for their goods and are able to keep their families out of poverty’s reach. Volunteers are needed with tasks such as ordering, organizing, and display items, keeping records, and serving as cashiers. Contact: Cheryl Sommer, 632-4281
Charity Works This group within our parish’s outreach ministry is responsible for various projects that educate parishioners and our broader community about poverty and also raise money to alleviate the suffering from poverty. Past projects have included coordination of the annual O’Fallon CROP Walk, Super Bowl Sunday Collection, and Operation Rice Bowl. Time commitment: Average of 3 hours monthly. Contact: Cheryl Sommer, 632-4281
Guatemalan Sister Parish Committee The purpose of this committee is to promote our parish’s relationship with Our Lord of Esquipulas Parish in Guastatoya, Guatemala. Members of the committee will take turns taking responsibility for monthly correspondence with our sister parish, coordinate visits between members of our two parishes, offer support of small businesses run by parishioners in Guatemala, and keep St. Clare parishioners informed on issues involving Guatemala. Some knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not necessary. Time commitment: Approximately 2 hours a month. Contact: Cheryl Sommer, 632-4281
Legislative Quickline This ministry involves no meetings but simply a commitment to contact our state or federal legislators when votes are about to take place on legislation regarding the dignity of life and other issues of social justice. We rely on organizations such as Catholic Relief Services, Bread for the World, Catholic Conference of Illinois, and our Diocesan Pro-Life Office to inform us when legislators need to be contacted. Because votes on important issues come up rather quickly and need rapid response, you will be contacted by the parish either through a phone chain or by e-mail. Time Commitment: Less than one hour a month. Contact: Cheryl Sommer, 632-4281
Soup Kitchen: Preparing soup, sandwiches or dessert This ministry provides nourishing meals for the homeless and other disadvantaged members of the community. Volunteers prepare meals and/or serve and clean up afterward at Cosgroves Kitchen in East St. Louis.
Soup Kitchen: Serve and clean up This ministry provides nourishing meals for the homeless and other disadvantaged members of the community. Volunteers prepare meals and/or serve and clean up afterward at Cosgroves Kitchen in East St. Louis. Contact Persons: Roseann Thoman, 632-3368, Judy Meier, 632-5733
House Building Project Those who sign-up for this ministry will help build a home for a low-income family in East. St. Louis. You may also be asked to help with other smaller construction projects as needed. Estimated time commitment: 1-3 days a year. Contact: Art Stutsman, 628-8499
Prison Ministry Our goal is to share the love and reconciliation of Christ with the residents at the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center in Washington Park as well as their families. Volunteers are needed to provide a ministry of presence by simply being at one or more of the Masses at the prison at which Fr. Jim presides. Volunteers are also needed to help with programs that assist the children of the inmates. Those who visit the prison must go through a clearance process through the state of Illinois. Time commitment: Two hours for one to eight times a year. Contact Person: Jerre Dudley, 622-9503
St. Vincent DePaul Society This group consists of members of St. Clare, St. Nicholas and Corpus Christi parishes who serve individuals and families experiencing poverty in our local community. When a request for help is received, members respond through a home visit and offer available assistance. Time commitment: 1-4 hours a week plus a 1-2 hour meeting once or twice a month. For more information, call 632-4270 and a St. Vincent DePaul member will contact you. Contact: St. Vincent DePaul Society, 632-4270
St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store Volunteers sort through donations to St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store and do other simple tasks. Time commitment: approximately 2 hours a month. Contact: Cheryl Sommer, 632-4281
Buildings and Ground Committee The purpose of the Building and Grounds Committee is to inspect and maintain the physical aspects of our parish. The group consists of individuals who are knowledgeable about construction principles and experienced in the building trade. Any persons who are skilled in painting, carpentry, plumbing, electrical and mechanical engineering are needed to aid with repairs to the Church when necessary. Contact Person: Bill Matzker, 632-9265
Gardening The St. Clare Garden Ministry is responsible for the care of the Church’s gardens. We have two gardens: A flower garden behind the original Church and a vegetable garden at the farm, the site of our new Church. This is a seasonal ministry, mostly needed in spring and summer. People of all ages are welcome! Contact Person: Bette Lehman, 632-6249, Bill Matzker, 632-9265