Ministries of Service
Bereavement
“Blessed are those who weep and mourn for they shall be comforted”
Purpose
The Bereavement Ministry will serve families who have lost a loved one to death and whose Funeral Mass will be celebrated in our Parish. The members of the ministry are trained to successfully implement our mission to give comfort and support to the grieving families of our faith community by giving them our time, hearing their thoughts and sharing their tears.
What is the Scope of the Ministry?
The members of the ministry personally reach out to grieving families with comfort and support through:
-
- Assisting the family with planning an appropriate funeral Liturgy
- Visiting the funeral home if desired
- Attending the funeral to assist the family, clergy and funeral director
- Providing greeters, sacristan, lectors, altar attendants and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion if needed.
Our members are able to offer additional resources for grief support if requested.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children can do all the things grown-ups do at Mass, just in their own words, at Children’s Liturgy of the Word. After the Introductory Rites, the priest invites the children to leave for their own celebration. The catechists lead the children out of Church, and the group reconvenes to hear the Liturgy of the Word suitably adapted so that it is relevant to the children’s lives and experiences.
There is a Penitential Rite and the Gloria. The Gospel is proclaimed, there is a Creed, and a closing prayer. The Gospel is followed by a discussion to make it meaningful for them. Sometimes there is an activity. The children are brought back to the assembly after the Prayers of the Faithful. This is a wonderful way for small children to learn about what happens in Church, and why it is so important to go and listen closely. Children’s Liturgy helps children to hear their own message from the Gospel and ‘get something’ out of Mass. Parents, you are welcome to go and see for yourself what they do.
All children from age four through fourth grade are encouraged to join us in Children’s Liturgy of the Word.
Communion to Shut-Ins
Parishioners have been called to a very special ministry. Jesus calls each of us to visit the sick: “I was sick and you visited me” (Matthew 25:31-46). Bringing Holy Communion to the sick is both a corporal and spiritual work of mercy. In this service, parishioners minister to the whole person – body, mind, and soul. They serve as an ambassador of Christ (2Corinthians 5:20), the Catholic Church, and our pastoral region. In bringing the Body and Blood of our Lord to the sick, they are an instrument of Evangelization through their actions of love, kindness, and comfort.
Marriage Ministry
FOCCUS couples: These are married couples who meet with our engaged couples assist them in preparation for the sacrament of marriage. They administer the FOCCUS assessment, then meet with the couple again to review and discuss the results. The couples in this ministry have been trained to facilitate the process of interpreting FOCCUS with the engaged couple. For couples with years of married experience, this is a form of peer ministry.
Wedding Coordinators assist the presider with the wedding rehearsal and the entrance procession of the wedding. A team of two coordinators are assigned to each wedding. They organize the flowers, programs, and the procession into church, as well as handling any other details associated with the rehearsal and the wedding.
Network of Care
“Beloved, I pray all may go well with you and that you may be in good health as it goes well with your soul” 3 John 1:2
The purpose of the Parish Health Ministry is to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of parishioners. This is a prevention-related outreach program. It follows the example of the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by promoting wholeness of body, mind and spirit.
What is the role of the parish nurse/health minister?
-
- To promote physical, emotional and spiritual health.
- To provide personal health counseling.
- To provide health and wellness information.
- To provide health education.
- To provide opportunities for health screenings (eg. Blood pressure, Lifeline
- To make home, hospital and nursing home visits as needed.
- To refer people to appropriate community agencies and health related services.
- To be an advocate for the elderly and disabled.
- To train volunteers within the congregation to assist others in need, such as “Friendly Visitors”, transportation and meals.
- To encourage the healing ministry of the church and act as an interpreter of the relationship between faith and health.
- To fulfill all that we want to do, we need your help! Nurses and caring lay parishioners are needed!
Contact: Rose Lindeman – 513- 554-1982
Missions in Motion Ministry
Chair: Fay Fischesser
Vice Chair: Kathy Albrinck
Treasurer: Barb Lohmueller
Secretary: Peggy Schmidt
Mission Memorial Fund: Rose Gibbons
The primary goal of OLV’s Missions in Motion is supporting St. Mary’s Mission in Tohatchi, NM, in addition to various local ministries. The Ministry works with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Prison Ministry, Matthew 25 Ministries, distributing hand-made rosaries to various locations including the Jesuit Retreat Center in Michigan and ministries supported by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
The major fundraiser, supporting St. Mary’s Mission in Tohatchi, NM, is the Annual Raffle which is generally held in the Fall or Christmas Season. One hundred percent (100%) of these donations are sent to St. Mary’s Mission. The Ministry also hosts a Spring Bingo held in the Parish Auditorium, with donations and proceeds going to the Mission in Tohatchi, NM.
Additionally, the Mission Memorial Fund is a gift given to memorialize someone who is deceased and a meaningful way to honor and perpetuate the memory of the named person. This is a wonderful way to support the Mission Ministry while remembering our loved ones with Mass at St. Mary’s in Tohatchi, NM.
The Missions in Motion Ministry meets the 2nd Thursday of each month in the SSPP School Building, Conference Room B (formerly the teacher’s lounge).
If interested in joining or learning more about our Ministry, please contact the Parish Office for Fay’s contact information.
Prayer Ministries
Prayer Warriors is an email prayer chain If you have anything heavy on your heart or you or someone you know needs to be lifted up in prayer, please feel free to email prayerrequest prayerwarriors@catholicolv.org and make a request. Your request will be forwarded to the group (all members are blind copied). Please only use names (who the request is for or you as a submitter) if you want the names forwarded to the group.
Church Cleaners
A dedicated group of volunteers who help to dust, vacuum and polish our worship spaces. Volunteers work in teams and clean once a month. Call Penny O’Brien at 513 240-1817 to join this ministry
Christ Renews His Parish (CHRP)
“I will refresh those who are weary and will satisfy with food everyone who is weak from hunger.”
Christ Renews His Parish is a time to refocus, setting aside all the tasks and pressures of everyday life. It is a time to let your soul catch up to your body. It is based on prayer, Sacraments, Scripture, sharing, great food and fun, and a time to meet and enjoy fellow parishioners. it is a time to share real life experiences and getting to know others who have been through your same challenges and struggles. It is a time to grow in your faith, your love for God and love for your sisters in Christ.
All women of the parish, 18 and older, are invited to attend a CRHP weekend. For more information please call:
CAROL ANTENUCCI @554-0060 or either parish office 554-1010, 733-4950
Pray with us with love…Sing with us for laughs…Join us and see…
Youth Ministry
Our Lady of the Valley offers a comprehensive youth ministry which includes all 8 components directed by the USCCB. We call ourselves the TURTLES: Teens Understanding Religion Thru Life’s Experiences. Our Youth Ministry is open to anyone looking for a safe place to discuss their faith, question their creed and to deepen and explore their spirituality.
