Ministries
"Stewardship is a way of life, a way of thanking God for all His blessings by returning a portion of the Time, Talent and Treasure allotted us."
Through the Sacrament of Initiation, the Holy Spirit has bestowed on us gifts that are intended to enhance the life of the Church and the lives of our brothers and sisters. As a member of our parish community, you are invited to share your gifts and talents in at least one of our parish ministries or activities.
At Our Lady of Consolation Parish, we embrace and celebrate Christian Stewardship as a planned, proportionate response of our time, talent and treasure to our loving and gracious God. In addition to prayer, worship and love of neighbor, we are called by God to volunteer our time in church and community activities that help others and promote justice. We truly understand that God has given each of us the ability and gifts to do certain things well and we are to develop those talents for the building of the parish community. We are happiest when we are using our gifts.
We invite you to pray about sharing your talents and gifts with your Our Lady of Consolation Parish community.
Music Ministry
Various opportunities are available for parishioners to become involved with our music ministries. Listed below are some of the ensembles that make up the music for our weekend Eucharistic Liturgies. Perhaps one is right for you!
Adult Choir - Tami Hjelm, Director
Gift of time: Rehearsals are on Monday every week, from September through May. We rehearse from 6:30PM to approximately 8:00PM. We usually sing at the 11:00AM Sunday Mass.
Qualifications: High school age and older people who love to praise God with their voices.
Training: The voice you already have, plus rehearsals.
Cantors - Mary Harkema, Coordinator
Gift of time: 1 or 2 Saturday or Sunday Masses a month, plus individual practice time.
Qualifications: Music reading skills, plus previous vocalization training are strongly encouraged.
Training: Work with Tami Hjelm to develop Cantor Skills. Choir membership is very helpful.
Children's Choir - Tami Hjelm and Mary Harkema, Directors
Gift of time: This choir usually sings twice a year for a Sunday Mass (winter and spring).
Qualifications: 2nd through 5th graders are welcome due to the need for good reading skills.
Training: This group practices 1 day a week for 4 consecutive weeks before the Mass in an after-school rehearsal format.
Instrumentalists - Mary Harkema, Coordinator
Wanted: Keyboardists, Guitarists, Percussionists, Brass, Woodwind and String Players.
Gift of Time: 1 or 2 Saturday or Sunday Masses a month, plus individual practice time.
Qualifications: Must be able to read music and perform on the instrument proficiently to aid in Worship.
Training: Education on the instrument, plus rehearsals.
Practice files and resources
Click the link to listen to the file, or right click the link and select "Save Link As.." or "Save Target As.." to save it on your system.
Career Support Ministry
To Prospective Job Seekers:
Thank you for your interest in the Career Support Ministry. This ministry is here to support you while you are in your job search. I would like to explain to you how the Career Support Ministry works.
You will be given a job seeker number. We do this for 4 reasons:
- We protect your privacy if you are searching for a position while currently employed.
- We prevent you from unwanted solicitations.
- It helps you, the job seeker, be able to call a prospective employer at your convenience. You will not be put on the spot with an interview at an inconvenient time.
- It gives you time to do your research concerning the company who is hiring.
What we do for you:
We will advertise for you under your job seeker number in our monthly bulletin insert and on the Job Board in the Commons. We will also send you weekly emails which state jobs listed in this area. When we get someone who is interested in hiring a person with your skill set then you will receive a call and you can decide if you are interested in applying for the position. It is your responsibility to follow through with the return call or the application process.
We also have professionals who will help you with your resume and interviewing skills. At our meeting we share tips on who is hiring, what are some ways to get an interview, and how to focus on networking. We also offer resources for those who are struggling financially or need assistance on where to go for help. We have a support group on LINKEDIN. We will also keep you updated on any new information concerning the unemployed/underemployed in our area. Sometimes we even have drawings for gift certificates or products.
What we would ask of you:
Every month, it is your responsibility to either email me, phone me, or attend one of our semimonthly meetings. You only have to do one of these three tasks every month to qualify for the services. If I don't hear from you, we don't advertise for you. This procedure is in place so we make sure we are advertising for those who are seriously looking for employment.
We welcome you!
If you would like to be a part of the Career Support Ministry we welcome you. You will begin receiving our support services and advertising after your initial contact and after you send me your 30-40 word advertisement and your resume.
To those with professional skills who would like to offer their services to our job seekers: We also welcome you!
If you have experience with resumes, interviews, community resources, finance counseling, local job connections, skill trainings, information on local job fairs, etc we would love to have you consider participating either as an occasional resource or as-need basis.
To our employed:
I'm sure you have counted your blessings many days and are thankful for being able to use your talents and gifts to provide for your family. It is very important that we not forget about those who continue to seek employment. Please watch your company's website and inform us of the opportunities within your place of employment.
Please consider it a responsibility to read the monthly Job Seeker insert in the bulletin. Our job seekers hope is that, with your help, they will get an interview.
Today's method of applying for work makes it very difficult to get past the online application. Please let us know if you have any insights into how to speak face-to-face with a recruiter at your place of employment.
If you are willing to help educate our job seekers about your company before an interview, your time and knowledge is very valuable.
We respect the right for any employer to choose the best candidate. The Career Support Ministry is thankful for any and all opportunities where job seekers are given hope. It is very discouraging to spend countless hours applying for positions and never get any kind of a response, as the personal aspect has been taken over by the computer. If you wish to remain anonymous or keep your sources confidential we respect that but please consider this ministry as a means to reach out to those who are burdened and help them in any way you feel God's call.
For more information contact:
Julie Buehler - Christian Service Coordinator - Our Lady of Consolation Parish
jbuehler@olcparish.net
616-874-6841
Communion Visitation Ministry
This ministry provides visits to those parishioners that are either homebound or unable to attend Mass due to illness who would like to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist.
Gift of time: Varies - dependant upon parishioner needs.
Qualifications: A loving heart.
Training: One initial training session; updates as needed.
Women's Ministry (a.k.a. Prayer Serving All Ladies Ministry)
P.S.A.L.M Mission Statement:
P.S.A.L.M. is dedicated to the strengthening of Our Lady of Consolation parish and the community through giving aid and comfort to women in need or in crisis.
Gift of time: What you make of it. Some of the activities PSALM partakes in are monthly meetings where we plan our next steps, preparing a meal or donating time to a woman and her family and contributing toward one of our philanthropic projects. Our activities are on a pick and choose basis, depending on your interests and time. P.S.A.L.M oversees the Knitting Ministry, the Meal Ministry, and the Grief Card Ministry.
Qualifications: Female parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation.
Training: None
Knitting Ministry (a.k.a Knit One, Pray Too!)
This ministry is for anyone who would like to come together as a group to knit prayer shawls, which are then given out to sick or grieving family members. We get together on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:00PM to 8:00PM in the Elizabeth Ann Seton Room (watch bulletin for changes).
Gift of time: This all depends on how much time you want to put into it. Most people knit (or crochet) at home in their free time. There are no time limits on making prayer shawls.
Qualifications: The ability to knit/crochet - and pray, too - or a willingness to learn.
Training: If you do not know how to knit we can teach you. We provide a pattern, and you supply the yarn and needles, and an endless amount of prayers that go into each shawl.
Meal Ministry
We provide meals during time of illness, birth of a baby and after a death. To support women and their families we also baby sit, house clean, provide transportation, whatever is needed.
Grief Card Ministry
Acknowledging during times of grief that you are not alone and that God and Our Lady of Consolation is there for you.
Parish Nurses Ministry
Parish Nurses Mission Statement:
We, the nurses of Our Lady of Consolation Parish, believe we are to use our gifts of healing as a sign of love for our Christian Parish Community. We feel we can use our varied talents to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed while at the same time enhancing our own spiritual growth. Our love for God calls upon us to care for the needs of our Brothers and Sisters everywhere and to strive to fulfill His will in all we say and do. We are dedicated to Our Lady whose consolation helps us comfort God's people. June 1996
The Parish Nurse Ministry was started in late 1995 by Roberta Shripka, RN. For 7 years the PNM met monthly, writing the mission statement, providing various informational meetings and programs, and doing monthly blood pressure clinics after Masses. By 2002, monthly meetings ceased and a core group of RNs continued with the blood pressure clinics. We proudly continue the blood pressure clinics on the first full weekend of the month (no clinics in July and August). Any nurse interested in assisting with the blood pressure clinics is encouraged to call Jennifer Shane at 361-0946.
Gift of time: 15 to 30 minutes after one Mass during first full weekend of each month. Most members participate 2-3 times per year.
Qualifications: RN or medical personnel skilled at taking accurate blood pressures.
Training: Will be trained in blood pressure clinic process/procedure.
Respect Life Ministry
The Respect Life Ministry seeks to help parishioners understand, value and live out the Catholic vision of respect for life. The Respect Life Ministry carries out its work in four areas: education, spiritual formation, pastoral care, and legislative advocacy.
While the Respect Life Ministry chiefly addresses the issues of abortion, euthanasia and capital punishment, it collaborates with other parish ministries in addressing broader social justice issues. In embracing a consistent ethic of life, we are attentive to the Gospel's all-encompassing vision of respect for life, even as we deliberately devote our efforts and attention to a more focused agenda.
The ministry collaborates with local agencies in areas such as crisis pregnancy support, Project Rachel (post-abortive support), and the annual March for Life.
Gift of time: There are numerous events each year; you may volunteer as often as you like.
Qualifications: A desire to peacefully spread the message that all life is sacred.
Training: Training will be provided on an as needed basis.
Welcome Ministry
Coordinators act as liaison with parish staff to be informed of new parish registrants. New families are matched with welcome volunteers/mentor families. Mentors meet new families at church, give them a tour of the facilities and provide them with resources and opportunities to use their gifts and talents. Coordinators must be aware of parish, school, faith formation and ministry events and meetings to properly place new parishioners within the parish community. Coordinators are responsible for recruiting volunteers.
Gift of time: Two 90 minute meetings per year. Additional time is dependent upon the number of new families one meets with per year.
Qualifications: A positive, outgoing personality to meet and welcome new members and engage them in parish life.
Training: Gifts you already have.
Young Adult Ministry : Trifecta
Trifecta is a young adult ministry comprised of faith, fun, and fellowship. It is for anyone 18 - 35 years of age, single or married Catholic or non-Catholic.
Trifecta is focused on meeting the needs of young adults through various programs within the parish, as well as in the diocese and community.
The ministry includes components of catechesis, prayer, praise and worship, bible study, discussion, interactive activities, social events and service.
We meet on Monday nights from 7:00PM - 9:00PM in the Kateri Lodge in the John Paul II room.
Informational brochures and calendars can be found in the wall racks next to the parish office.
Young Adult Coordinator - Phil Dolci - pdolci@olcparish.net
Young Adult Contact - Teresa Border - tlbmgr@yahoo.com
Young Adult Facilitator - Theresa Cole - mithcobox@gmail.com