St Vincent de Paul Society – Our St Vincent de Paul Society has been part of this international charitable organization since 1955, providing assistance for the less fortunate in our local community. They meet every week throughout the year to review each application received, determine what financial help can be given, and what referrals are available that also could be of help. So many desperately need someone who cares, who will listen, and who is willing to share their burden. It is during this time we can let applicatns know of God’s love for them, and that He can have a direct, positive impact on their lives. Contact the parish office for more information.

The SERRA Club fosters vocations to priesthood and religious life and increases the spiritual growth of its members. The club supports vocations by supporting those who already serve the church and by encouraging vocations through prayer, education and collaboration with the bishop and the diocesan vocations office. The group meets monthly at St. Mary’s rectory. Contact:  Dick Alge, 419-668-1830.

 

 

Communications Team – The communications team informs, teaches, promotes and communicates interactions that are occurring within the parish. They do this through the monthly newsletter, the church brief in the newspaper, the bulletin, and flyers. Contact: Geri Dow, 419-668-6044

Health Ministry - This team is made up of volunteer nurses, doctors, funeral directors, and caring people willing to help our congregation by promoting good health practices. The Health Ministry Team focuses on wellness and disease prevention and takes a holistic approach in helping the community of God’s people. The team meets monthly to discuss the health needs of the community.  To view the ‘Huron County Community Resource Guide’, visit www.norwalkunitedfund.org. Contact: Peggy Lonz, 419-668-9367

The Social Concerns Ministry Team meets monthly to plan, implement and evaluate programs which educate parishioners regarding Catholic Social Justice teaching, discern the social needs of our parish and community, and organize parish responses to those needs.  Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044   patk@stpaulchurch.org

Transportation to Mass for the Homebound – St Paul Shut-in Transportation helps transport those who are homebound and unable to drive or find a ride to church. The van service is available for the 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday mornings and on Holy Days. People are picked up and helped aboard and off the van. If you are interested in driving or if you can use this service, please call the parish office at 419-668-6044 for arrangements.

Welcoming Ministry Team – The St Paul Welcoming Ministry Team plans programs to welcome new members to the parish, reach out to inactive members, and educate the parish on how “all of us” can be a welcoming community. Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044   patk@stpaulchurch.org

WOW Widows/Widowers Group: This is a group of widows and widowers that meet socially once a month. Come enjoy laughter, fellowship, great food and lots of fun. Contact: 

Baptism Preparation Ministry Team – The St. Paul Baptism Ministry Team meets with parents to explore the implications of the Sacrament of Baptism for them and their children. Team members facilitate the parent sessions and assist at the baptism ceremony.  Initial training is provided for team members.  Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044   patk@stpaulchurch.org

Engaged Couples – The Engaged Couples is a ministry of married couples assisting those who are preparing for the sacrament of marriage in the Catholic Church. The objective of this ministry is to draw from the wisdom and life experience of our married couples, so that these may be shared and passed on to those preparing for marriage.  Initial training is provided.  Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044   patk@stpaulchurch.org

 

 

The First Reconciliation /First Communion Ministry Team helps with the preparation of our parish children and their families for these “first” sacraments. Two “Family Gatherings” for each sacrament are held at the Parish Center. The Gatherings consist of child and family activities and parent meetings. Volunteers are needed to help make reminder phone calls and help with children’s activities. Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044  or patk@stpaulchurch.org.

First Communion Info Sheet	First Reconcilation/Communion Calendar of Events

The Confirmation Ministry Team helps with the preparation of young people of the parish for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Four Confirmation Candidate/Sponsor Gatherings are held in the Parish center. The gatherings consist of candidate/sponsor activities, and retreat-like prayer and reflection elements. Volunteers are needed to help make reminder phone calls.  Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044  or patk@stpaulchurch.org.       

    Confirmation Program Dates

 

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults –The RCIA is a liturgical/Catechetical process designed to prepare adults for initiation into the faith community and for the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Parish members are needed to help in various ministries of the RCIA: sponsors, catechists, and hospitality ministers. Contact: Fr. Eric Mueller, 419-668-6044. More information...

BeFriender Ministry -  BeFrienders are trained lay volunteer parishioners  who provide pastoral care to people in difficult and transitional situations, such as illness, loss of a job, or divorce.   BeFrienders embody the caring presence of God and of the faith community.   BeFrienders accept people as they are and listen with compassion.   They hold everything they hear in strict confidence.   Through spiritual and emotional care, BeFrienders allow those they befriend to make their own decisions.  Since their role is to care, not cure, the skills BeFrienders learn in training allow them to respond to any pastoral care need with confidence that they can provide a nonjudgmental and compassionate listening presence.   To find out more about BeFriender Ministry contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044  or patk@stpaulchurch.org.

Bereavement Committee – The Bereavement Ministry is a group of lay people that come together with the family at the time of the death of a loved one to help plan and carry out the funeral liturgy. This ministry team helps the family plan the funeral liturgy; they print a funeral program; visit the funeral home in the name of the parish community; and greet people coming to the funeral Mass. They also participate in a Holy Hour in the name of the deceased, and celebrate a special liturgy at the beginning of November. Contact: Ruth Weisenberger, 419-668-7223

Crown Ministry – Crown Financial Ministries is an interdenominational ministry that uses a remarkably effective small group study to train people to apply the financial principles from the Word of God to their everyday lives. The study is very practical, and with this study many are now enjoying the freedom, contentment, and economic stability that come from implementing these biblical principals into their daily lives. Other significant benefits are strengthening of marriages and people building close personal relationships with others in the small group. Most importantly, people enter into a closer relationship with God.  Ministry team members help in organizing for the small group study, babysitting, teaching and promoting the classes.  Contact: Sue Riley, 419-668-4795

Good News Prayer Group – The Good News Prayer Group meets every Monday night in the basement of St Mary’s rectory at 7:15 PM. Any one from the area is welcome to join. The style of prayer expression for this group is primarily Charismatic, meaning to pray with an openness and receptivity to the Holy Spirit’s presence and the power of the Spirit’s Gifts, These various charismatic gifts are manifested through the community’s prayer and ministry. Contact: Bev Reichert, 419-668-6044

Jail Ministry is one of the outreach endeavors of the Good News Prayer Group. Its purpose is to help the jail inmates develop and deepen their relationship with God. Bible Study and the celebration of Mass are offered each Wednesday afternoon with women and men inmates alternating in attendance. The opportunity for confession and personal counseling is offered on a regular basis. Contact: Bev Reichert, 419-668-6044.

MOMS – Ministry of Moms Sharing – This is ministry designed to support and affirm women who are also mothers. Throughout history, countless women have shared the joy and miracle of bringing new life into the world. Those who have taken the time to reflect on their experiences and share their stories have realized more fully the sacredness of their call to motherhood and the challenge of personal spiritual growth. Here at St Paul’s we try to offer MOMS twice a year. Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044  or patk@stpaulchurch.org.

Perpetual Adoration – Members of our parish and the surrounding community take part in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament by maintaining a continuous prayer vigil in the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. This is open to all people of faith for quiet, prayerful reflection and adoration of the Eucharist. People are needed to commit to specific one-hour periods throughout the week to ensure the Blessed Sacrament is always accompanied.  Contact:  Marilyn Kocher, 419-668-8742

Prayer Chain – Our parish has a group of people who serve by praying for people in need of prayer during times of illness, injury, and other difficulties in their lives. Prayer help is generally requested by calling the parish office, and the Prayer Chain is then started. This is a very powerful way to help serve our families, friends and neighbors in their time of need. Contact:  Kathleen Sigsworth, 419-668-6044

Stewardship Committee – As caretakers of the many gifts and talents that God provides, this ministry provides opportunities and encourages parishioners to receive Gods gifts gratefully, nurture them responsibly, share them justly and charitably, returning them with abundance to God.  Through prayer, service and sharing, we develop a stewardship way of life and a closer relationship to God.  Meetings are two hours, once a month.  Contact:  Sue Riley, 419-668-4795

Vacation Bible School – VBS - The parishes of St. Mary and St. Paul in Norwalk collaborate each year to sponsor a summer Vacation Bible School - usually in the 2nd or 3rd week of June.  The program is held Monday to Friday on one of the parish campuses from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.  Children ages 4 to 10 participate while adults lead them in a variety of activities.  Young people 6th grade and up serve as aides and helpers in the activities.   We are always looking for volunteers to teach, help, lead games, snacks, crafts, decorate, or just come join the fun.  All are invited to help even if only for a few days or hours during the week. Contact: Patricia Krause, 419-668-6044  or patk@stpaulchurch.org.