Our faith is something that we all need to continue to nurture and strengthen! One key way is to become involved in one or more of the ministries related to worship at Divine Savior Parish. There are many opportunities to share our gifts with each other as we journey together in reflection and awe of the unending love that God has for each of us:

Liturgical Ministries

 

 

At the very foot of the altar, both children and adults can participate as Servers during the Mass. There becomes a greater sense of involvement while still being able to choose which Mass to attend and serve at.  Click servers on the left for current schedule.

 

 

Another possibility for anyone over Confirmation age is to, with great joy, literally “share” our Lord Jesus with fellow parishioners as a Eucharistic Minister. Just attend some training and then choose the Mass and number of times per month that you want to serve. Click Eucharistic Ministers on the left for current schedule.

 

Do you enjoy meeting and greeting people? Our ushers serve to welcome everyone, assist in seating and take up collections. With just these few ministries mentioned so far, you can see that celebrating Mass can become very family-oriented. In fact, combined with other ministry opportunities, members of the same family can and have served together in different capacities at the same Mass!

 

Do you feel at ease in speaking in front of people? God just might be calling you to the ministry of Lector. This is your opportunity to proclaim God’s Word to the parish community two to three times per quarter. Lack experience? Don’t worry! Training, worship guides and support are also provided. Lectors meet once a quarter to discuss ministry issues and to study God’s Word. Click Lectors on the left for current schedule.

There are still other possibilities for involvement with our worship services. In fact, depending on your God-given gifts, Divine Savior Music Ministry offers several different ways to worship and praise the Lord! There are choirs (Traditional, Contemporary, Children’s and Resurrection), a cantor program and always the need for instrumentalists to accompany our choirs and enhance our liturgies. Practices are scheduled at different times during the week.

Service Ministries

Saint Francis once said, “Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words”. Another key aspect of Divine Savior’s ministries related to worship is what is done outside of the liturgy of the Mass. Recall that at the end of every Mass, there is a dismissal that states: “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord”.

 

Every day there are Ministers of Care who participate in hospital and/or nursing home visitations for distribution of the Eucharist to Catholic patients. Involvement in this ministry requires attending a training program that the parish pays for on behalf of the parishioner.

 

 

Another opportunity for those who have the time for the commitment is our Companion Ministry. This involves one-on-one companionship and visitations to Divine Savior parishioners or their family members who are either homebound or residing in other non-hospital care facilities such as assisted living, nursing homes or group homes. Getting started in this ministry includes a discernment interview with our Deacon and required attendance at two training programs. There is also participation at several ministry meetings per year.

Prayer Blanket Ministry

Volunteers who can sew, knit, Crochet or quilt lap blankets, shawls and caps work on these projects at home and come together once a month for prayer and fellowship.  After the blankets are blessed, they are distributed to people who are in physical or emotional distress.  This ministry is a symbol of a faith sharing community's "covering of prayer" for the individual who receives one of the hand made items.  For more information on joining this ministry or if you would know someone who would benefit from receiving one of the blankets etc., please contact Jackie Griffith at 630-737-0755 of jacqueline.griffith@comcast.net. They always welcome donations of washable yarn (same color) any cotton, fleece or flannel fabric (1-1/2 yards) or monetary donations to help defray the costs.  They can be dropped off at the Parish Office during regular business hours

Prayer Ministries

Prayer is the way we all come closer to our Lord. It exists in many forms and allows each of us to develop our own relationship with the God who loves us so much. At Divine Savior, there are several prayer groups that provide us with the ability and experiences to know and trust the One who is the Master of all creation. They are the Spirit of God Prayer Community, Legion of Mary, and Divine Savior Prayer Chain.

The Legion of Mary meets at a member home each Monday evening for Rosary prayer starting at 7:30 pm. The group strives to reflect the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation, under the Church’s guidance, in Mary’s and the Church’s work of advancing the reign of Christ. Members are committed to living their lives in prayer and exemplifying their prayer with active evangelization of their Catholic faith.

 

The Divine Savior Prayer Chain offers the opportunity to intercede in prayer for all of our brothers and sisters. Members pray for God’s healing touch in mind, body, and spirit for all those who need and request spiritual support. A well organized calling tree provides the necessary communications from member to member.

 

“As generous distributors of God’s manifold grace, put your gifts at the service of one another, each in the measure he has received. The one who speaks is to deliver God’s message. The one who serves is to do it with the strength provided by God. Thus, in all of you God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 4: 10-11a