Here at St Clare, we see a great many passionate and committed people carrying the load together. A movement of willing hearts, dedicated to serving others and building God's kingdom. We have a number of areas of our church life and ministry in which we need help from our church family -- opportunities for you to give back to the community and to grow in your relationship with Christ. Many of these volunteer areas can be done by one or two individuals, or an entire family. Even better yet, your level of involvement is up to you - there is no set minimum requirement or amount of time you can serve.
Prayerfully consider today how God is calling you to get involved!
#1 SOUP KITCHEN: PROVIDE SOUP, SANDWICHES & DESSERT
Volunteers can donate canned soup, packaged deli meat, hot dogs, cheese, bread and buns, packaged cupcakes or cookies. Homemade food is not permitted. We appreciate and depend upon the food that is donated to help feed the hungry. See our website page, stclarechurch.org/soup-kitchen, for more details.
#2 SOUP KITCHEN: SERVE AND CLEAN-UP
Volunteers (minimum age: 14) serve lunch at Cosgrove’s Kitchen in East St. Louis on the second or fourth Saturday of each month. Volunteers may be called once per month, meet at 8:30 a.m. to carpool, and return to the church by 12:30 p.m. See our website page, stclarechurch.org/soup-kitchen, for more details.
#3 FAIR TRADE SALES/BRIDGE BREAD SALES
This ministry promotes fair trade in commonly used food items by selling them once a month after weekend Masses. By joining, you can help provide a living wage for workers, help the local homeless population and contribute to a better economy. Items include coffee, tea, chocolate, olive oil and bakery items from Bridge Bread in St. Louis.
#4 HOUSE BUILDING PROJECT
Volunteers help build homes for low-income families in the area and assist with other smaller construction and clean-up projects as needed. No experience required
#5 GUATEMALA SISTER PARISH COMMITTEE
We promote our parish’s relationship with Our Lord of Esquipulas Parish in Guastatoya, Guatemala, helping with communication and correspondence and coordinating visits between our two parishes. We raise funds for scholarships and other needs and keep St. Clare parishioners informed on issues involving Guatemala. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful but not necessary.
#6 SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM
Catholic Social Teaching calls us to shape a society that is more respectful of the life, dignity, and rights of the human person and of all God’s creation. The Social Justice Team educates, increases awareness, and encourages St. Clare parishioners’ involvement on justice issues in our local community. Expect to receive email action alerts about various justice issues and invitations to parish letter writing campaigns about twice a year. Honoring the image of God within each of us achieves our full human dignity.
#7 RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE
The mission of Respect Life is to help create a renewed respect for all human life from conception to natural death through legislation, education, action, and prayer. We meet monthly to pray and plan various initiatives, including fundraisers and donation drives to provide support for St. Anne Cradle of Hope, Mosaic Health and other pro-life organizations.
#8 ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC CONFERENCE
The St. Louise de Marillac Conference provides women the opportunity to experience Vincentian spirituality as we help those living in poverty. We also assist the executive director in other duties as assigned at the St. Vincent de Paul Office, 8800 West Main in Belleville. We volunteer on Wednesdays.
#9 ST. VINCENT DE PAUL 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. Members call and/or visit homes to offer assistance.
#10 PEN PAL PRISON MINISTRY
This outreach program coordinated by the Diocese of Belleville allows for an exchange of letters as a way to show compassion to those on the margins of society due to imprisonment. Adults 21+ receive guidelines for the process and how to protect your anonymity. You can engage in this ministry without leaving home.
#11 NATURE TRAIL CLEAN-UP
This parish outreach effort provides individuals and families with a fun and worthwhile service project. Volunteers are scheduled throughout the year to maintain the four nature trails in O’Fallon.
#12 RETREAT COMMITTEE
This committee provides oversight, guidance, and support to individual parish retreat teams, promotes parish and other retreat opportunities, and does continual assessment and evaluation of parish retreats and parishioner retreat needs.
#13 ST. CLARE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S GROUP
Through various events and book studies, grow in faith and spirituality while building community with other women in the parish. Register to be informed about upcoming programs.
#14 ST. CLARE CATHOLIC MEN’S GROUP
Grow in prayer, fellowship and spiritual nourishment with this group of men who meet on the second Saturday of the month from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. No advanced preparation is required, and the topics and activities vary from month to month. Those interested say the rosary in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 7:30 a.m.
#15 MARRIAGE PREPARATION - SPONSOR COUPLE
This ministry is for a married couple who will work with an engaged couple in preparing them for marriage. After a one-time training session, the couple will be assigned one or two engaged couples per year, for a total of four sessions with each couple. Sessions are planned around your schedule and include discussions on faith, finances, communication, parenting, etc.
#16 CHRISTIAN INITIATION CATECHIST/DISCUSSION LEADER
Help people who are becoming Catholic grow in our faith as disciples. Facilitate discussions and explain basic Catholic teachings and beliefs, helping them
integrate faith and life. Training and resources are provided. All catechists are asked to attend a minimal number of trainings and/or adult faith formation events.
#17 CHRISTIAN INITIATION SPONSORS
We need adults and teens 16 years and older to serve as companions for people entering the Catholic Church. Sponsors serve based on the number and needs of those going through the process of Christian Initiation.
#18 HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP MEMBERS & HELPERS
Students: Join our lively and active high school youth group, which normally gathers at 6 p.m. on Sundays for faith formation and fellowship. Adults are invited to help with meetings and events, too.
#19 JOHN PAUL II YOUNG MEN FOR CHRIST
High school men are invited to this theology study group. Food and outdoor adventures may be included.
#20 HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ GROUP
Our girls’ group meets weekly to grow in faith and fellowship. Meetings are currently 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in Meeting Room 1 at the church.
#21 CRAZY 8s - 7TH & 8TH GRADE YOUTH GROUP
If you are in the 7th or 8th grade and want something fun to do on a Sunday or Friday evening, sign up here! Adults are also needed to help chaperone or bring food/drinks for this group which meets monthly.
#22 PSR CATECHISTS, HELPERS & SUBSTITUTES (9TH GRADE & UP)
Help our children in grades K-8 learn about their faith at the Parish School of Religion on Sunday mornings during the school year. Catechists teach a class and helpers assist the catechists. Substitutes are called to help out when needed. No theology or education degree required – just a willingness to help children and share your faith.
#23 LUKE 18 HOSTS & HELPERS
This popular retreat for 8th graders always needs new adult, college and high school volunteers. Especially needed are sleep house hosts, kitchen volunteers and food donors. Our annual retreat is in February. Join us and make a difference to 80+ 8th graders in just one weekend!
#24 CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD LEADER (AGE 17 & UP)
Share the Gospel in a language our youngest members understand as a leader for Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Couples or friends can even sign up together. The program follows the format of the Liturgy of the Word at Mass and explains various elements of the liturgy to the children.
#25 PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS
Share your talent as a photographer or videographer for parish publications and social media. Or work on your computer to edit video someone else captures.
#26 LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Library volunteers are needed to catalog and organize books for our parish library and help with book events.
#27 OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
Office volunteers are needed occasionally for copying letters, mailings, assembling, inputting data in Excel spreadsheets and making phone calls.
#28 PRAYER CHAIN
Participants make a commitment to pray for special intentions listed in the parish bulletin, conveyed over the phone, or e-mailed for more immediate needs.
#29 PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION
Volunteers provide transportation to church, doctor appointments, and parish activities.
#30 ART & ENVIRONMENT
This ministry is responsible for enhancing our worship space by blending each season’s natural plantings, grasses and flowers with banners and candles to encourage parishioners’ spiritual connections with each liturgical season. Volunteer hours and days vary throughout the year, changing to meet the needs of holy days and the liturgical season.
#31 GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Lend your skills and talents keeping the church building operational. Tasks may include painting, carpentry, plumbing, cleaning, light mechanical repair and maintenance. Even if you are not an expert, additional hands get the work done and are always welcome.
#32 GROUNDS AND GARDENS
This is a seasonal ministry, mostly needed in spring and summer. If you can mow, edge, pull weeds, plant flowers, prune trees or know a thing or two about roses and other blooms, sign up for this ministry. All ages are welcome. Help whenever your schedule permits; families are welcome!
#33 SET UP/ CLEAN UP
Volunteers, men and women, are needed to assist in setting up and/or cleaning up before/after special parish events. Ideally volunteers would be called on to help with two or more events per year.
#34 HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
If you like to express warmth, generosity, and kindness to our visitors, guests, and members of the Church while maintaining a hospitable environment that is open, friendly, and sociable, this committee is for you. Fellowship: Pentecost Festival, Trunk or Treat, Easter Brunch, and monthly Hospitality
#35 FOOD FOR YOUTH/SUPPORT FOR YOUTH
Support our youth by baking something for a bake sale, sending refreshments to a youth event, working the kitchen for a youth event or chaperoning. Or you can support the youth twice a year at graduation and finals by writing notes, donating food or helping assemble study bags and care packages. Help with one thing or many. It’s up to you.
#36 FUNERAL MEALS: PREPARE FOOD
Volunteers are called on a rotating basis to prepare a side dish or dessert for families following funeral Masses.
#37 FUNERAL MEALS: SERVE FOOD
Volunteers set up and serve meals to families following funeral Masses
#38 MEALS FOR FAMILIES IN DISTRESS
Volunteers are needed to provide meals when an individual or family is facing a crisis situation.
#39 ALTAR ANGELS
Altar Angels serve God by cleaning the church. We mop the altar area, dust and clean the pews and windows. We have five different groups with each group working one Saturday a month. Your commitment to the Altar Angels would be one to two hours a month. We are a fun-loving group that helps provide a healthy, clean church. We put envelopes in the pews and put out new candles, if needed.
#40 ALTAR SODALITY
The Altar Sodality is a women’s group committed to providing various forms of service: Liturgical items for the parish; funeral meals for grieving parishioners; Altar Angels; and financial support to the Newman Center. The Sodality also offers social activities for its members and welcomes new women of all ages. We meet on the 3rd Monday of the month from September to May. Our group is an affiliate member of the Belleville Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (BDCCW), the Metro East Vicariate Council of Catholic Women (MEVCCW) and the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW). We need more members!
#41 WELCOME COMMITTEE
This committee has three functions, and you can choose your participation level. 1) Welcome potential newcomers after Masses at the monthly Hospitality Weekends, 2) Make phone calls to welcome new parishioners, 3) Provide food and/or help host the newcomer receptions, held every two-three months.
#42 ST. CLARE SENIOR GROUP
Adults 55 years & older are invited to join our vivacious, fun-loving, relaxed group for entertaining meetings and outings.
#43 YOUNG ADULTS
If you are in your 20’s or 30’s - married, single, with or without children - sign up for ways to get involved. Or text "YAs" to 84576 to sign yourself up for text and email alerts.
#44 ST. CLARE MOTHERS’ GROUP (AGES 21-50)
Moms (including expecting mothers and mothers with kids of all ages) are welcome to our child-friendly playdates, book study and weekend events. Weekly gatherings include social time and informal, faith-based discussions. Please check out our FB group - St Clare Mothers’ Group.
#45 NURSERY
Adult and youth volunteers are needed for our nursery, for children ages 6 months and up, during weekend Masses. We especially need volunteers during the 5:00 Mass!
#46 CUB SCOUTS - PACK 94
Open year-round to boys from Kindergarten through 5th Grade and adult volunteers. A traditional scouting program chartered by St. Clare Church under the rules and guidance established by Boy Scouts of America. Cub Scouts is where youth develop the foundations for leadership, citizenship, and personal fitness through fun activities involving parents and legal guardians.
#47 BOY SCOUTS - TROOP 94
Open year-round to boys from 5th to 12th Grade and adult volunteers. A traditional scouting program chartered by St. Clare Church under the rules and guidance established by Boy Scouts of America. Scouts BSA is where youth develop outdoor survival skills, self-confidence, and ethics through youth-planned activities with increased attention to service, community engagement, and leadership.