In dialogue with SMV’s spiritual life ministries, the Spiritual Life Commission encourages evangelization for the life and mission of the parish. The commission seeks to forward a vision honoring worship, sanctification, and stewardship as a response of the entire church to God’s mercy and grace.

 

Altar Servers (see Liturgical Ministers Page) - Our Mass Servers are young people of the parish who assist the priest and Eucharistic Ministers during Mass and other services. On the average, each serves once a month. There is an initial training class and refresher class once a year. Students must be in fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade.

 

Bereavement Ministry - As a people of faith, we believe that God created each person for eternal life and that as Christ was raised from the dead we too will be raised to glory. Bereavement Ministers are trained lay people who comfort families in their loss, help them plan a funeral liturgy that is respectful and comforting to the bereaved, and offer support as needed.

 

Eucharistic Adoration - Come spend time in prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament every first Thursday of the month in the Day Chapel. Adoration begins immediately after the 9 am mass and continues throughout the day until 7:30 pm and concludes with Benediction immediately afterward. Everyone is welcome to stop by and spend any amount of time in prayer during these hours. There is a continual need for people to commit to a specific hour of Adoration each month throughout the year. If you are interested, please contact Andy and Sally Mosko 847-816-8599 or Miriam Preussner 847-486-2154.

 

Eucharistic Ministers (See Liturgical Ministers Page) - So that the people of SMV can prayerfully receive the Body and Blood of Jesus during our liturgy, men and women are designated by the pastor to be trained as auxiliary ministers of the Eucharistic. Throughout the year, the pastor gathers names for this ministry - from staff recommendations and from parishioners who offer suggestions or volunteer themselves. When a need arises for additional ministers, he calls individuals from this list, seeking to reflect the variety within our parish family.

 

Greeters (see Liturgical Minsters Page) - Greeters make sure that the people attending weekend masses feel welcome as they enter church. Greeters’ responsibilities are completed in plenty of time for volunteers to participate in the liturgy.

 

Infant Baptism Ministry - Infant Baptism Ministry helps to prepare parents for the sacred moment of their child’s baptism. Informal gatherings are held on the second Sunday of each month with parents who are requesting baptism. At these gatherings, facilitators answer questions about the ceremony and guide the parents exploring the meaning of the sacrament.

 

Lectors - Lectors and Commentators are trained lay members of the parish who proclaim the word of God through readings of scripture and who present the Prayers of the Faithful as written by the Liturgy Team.

 

The Liturgy Team - The Liturgy Team prepares and implements all aspects of worship services. Duties include studying, writing reflections, and enabling a prayerful environment for worship. We are an open, informal group.

 

Marriage Preparation Ministry - SMV’s Marriage Preparation Ministry is directed by married couples from the parish who meet with engaged couples to discuss topics of interest and concern for people approaching marriage in contemporary society. Gatherings, which are scheduled on a Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, take place in a casual & relaxed atmosphere. This ministry offers a parish-based alternative to the Archdiocesan Pre-Cana program.

 

Ministers of Care - Through Ministry of Care, trained lay people bring the Eucharist to those who cannot share Sunday liturgy with us due to illness. Ministers of Care visit homes and local hospitals. They conduct Communion Services at Hawthorn Lakes Retirement Center, The Wealshire, and Sunrise Assisted Living.

 

Music Ministry - Music Ministry is a prayer-centered service ministry, dedicated to the Liturgy of the people and our parish. As such, we are focused on welcoming, encouraging the song of the assembly, and supporting each other in our love for the Lord. All who sing and play at regular weekend liturgies rehearse together each week, forming a community of faith based on the common bonds of music and Christian life. We encourage adults, teens, and children, singers and instrumentalists, to come join us.

 

Prayer Ministry - Parish Prayer Ministers pray daily for the intentions of parishioners requesting prayer. Special intention slips are available in the vestibule of the Worship Center, on the stand that holds the Book of Prayers. The slips may be filled out and placed in a box on the right hand side of the stand. Prayer Ministers pray for these intentions for one week, after which time additional prayer requests may be submitted.

 

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) -The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is designed for non-Catholics who wish to learn more about the Catholic Church. The RCIA process explores the meaning of faith and how Catholics express that faith in the community and in the world. It offers a chance to ask questions, raise doubts, acquire information, share, learn, and grow. The process helps one to discern whether or not God is calling one to become Catholic. For more information look under teh Sacraments tab and/or contact the Director of RCIA, Mark Zwolski. 

 

Ushers - Would you care to serve as an usher for our Church community? We welcome anyone interested in a parish ministry to assist us in meeting this very important need at all the weekend Masses. You do not have to commit yourself to every weekend. A schedule can be made to accommodate your availability.

  

Click on the ministries on this tab for more information.