Ministries
While all members of the faithful truly participate in the liturgy in an important variety of ways, certain lay men and women fulfill necessary roles to ensure its orderly running. The liturgical ministry here at Blessed Sacrament Church consists of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Servers and the Music Ministry.
LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion assist the priest in distributing
Holy Communion during the Mass. Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion are selected, trained, and
commissioned in accordance with policies of our parish and the Rockford Diocese.
Lectors
Lectors are lay leaders who are “truly suited…and carefully prepared”
to proclaim the word of God to the gathered assembly (GIRM 101.) Readers
are encouraged to continually meditate on Sacred Scripture, so that their
faithful proclamation of the readings at Mass will in turn inspire the
faithful to turn to God through his word. At the beginning of the Mass,
the Leader introduces the faithful with a brief explanation of the
focus of the celebration and then at the Intercessions reads the
prayers of the faithful for the community and world.
Ushers
Ushers have a valuable role in welcoming our brothers and sisters at the
church doors and ensuring that all are welcomed and have a place to sit.
They also organize and oversee the collections during the offertory.
Altar Servers
Altar Servers assist the priest during Mass; they carry the processional
cross and candles, hold the Roman Missal at various times during the
Mass and when necessary carry the thuribel.
Any youth that is interested in this ministry must be in fourth grade or above and have permission from their parent(s.)
Any youth that is interested in this ministry must be in fourth grade or above and have permission from their parent(s.)
Children's Ministries
Children's Liturgy offers our youth the opportunity to
learn about the Gospel in a way that they understand. Children are
excused from 10:30 Mass during the Liturgy of the Word. In the hall
they listen to one reading and the Gospel for the week.
The homily is geared toward something the children can understand.
This is for Children over the age of three. Parents are welcome to attend with their young children.
For additional information contact Sheridan Gurbal at: (630) 334-8546.
This is for Children over the age of three. Parents are welcome to attend with their young children.
For additional information contact Sheridan Gurbal at: (630) 334-8546.
Music Ministry
The Music Ministry is looking for volunteers who can play piano, organ
or guitar to accompany our cantors.
If you would like to share your time/talent and help in making the Mass a prayerful experience, please call Linda Fandrich at (630) 896-9116
or e-mail: rainbowlady@comcast.net
If you would like to share your time/talent and help in making the Mass a prayerful experience, please call Linda Fandrich at (630) 896-9116
or e-mail: rainbowlady@comcast.net
The Choir Needs You!
Here are some reasons to join our choir:
- Friendship. More than 42 million Americans sing in choruses, so you're sure to make some new friends.
- Student's bring home A's. Research shows that students who sing in choruses get better grades than students who don't.
Blessed Sacrament is in need of a piano player. If you can play the piano or
know of someone willing make a commitment to this ministry, please contact
Linda Fandrich for further information.
Ministry Schedules
All those involved in the liturgical ministry at Blessed Sacrament
are scheduled on a rotating basis and receive training in order to
carry out and understand the functions of their responsibilities.
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering in any of the various liturgical roles please call Jenny Bourge at (630) 897-1029
or email psecretary@blessedsacrament-na.org.
For more information or if you are interested in volunteering in any of the various liturgical roles please call Jenny Bourge at (630) 897-1029
or email psecretary@blessedsacrament-na.org.
*** Click on the buttons below to open the current PDF schedule ***
"Mother Church greatly desires that all the faithful may be brought to take that full, intelligent, active part in liturgical celebrations which the nature of the Liturgy itself requires, and which, in virtue of their baptism, is the right and duty of the Christian people, 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people' (1 Peter 2:9)" (SC, no.14).
PARISH MINISTRIES
Altar and Rosary Society Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry recently distributed 13 prayer shawls to
friends of Blessed Sacrament parish. Each shawl is lovingly hand crafted
by a ministry member and then wrapped and blessed before delivering to
those with a need.
This ministry was formed in 2012 and has provided over 50 shawls to men, women and children.
This ministry was formed in 2012 and has provided over 50 shawls to men, women and children.
To become a part of this amazing ministry contact Sara Casher at (630) 801-8945 or email her at pscasher@comcast.net
These hand-made gifts are symbols of the love of God and our love for each other. While being created, the maker prays God’s blessings for the recipient.
The shawls are often presented during times of illness and grief, but can also mark the arrival of a new baby or the entrance into a new stage of life.
The presence of the love of God is consistently reported by those who receive them and often described as feeling like "a hug from God."
Art And Environment Ministry
Responsible for the changing of banners, altar cloths and
floral arrangements in the church seasonally. This includes
decorating for the major feasts of Easter and Christmas. Also
responsible for the beautification of the outdoor garden spaces,
including planting and maintaining landscaping.
If you have a green thumb, an artistic eye, or just want to be a part of the gardening and decorating of our church then this ministry may be for you. For more information, contact Ann Koskey (630) 896-5375.
Bereavement Ministry
In the Fall of 2016, under the guidance of the pastor, the Bereavement Ministry was
formed. The mission of the Bereavement Ministry is to be a supportive
presence to individuals experiencing grief related to the death of a
loved one, by providing them emotional and spiritual support.
The ministry is led by volunteer leaders Mary Beth and Lou Hutches and a team of parishioners who pray for and reach out to those of the parish who have lost a loved one to death. Support for those who have lost a loved one is given through prayer, phone calls, cards and letters. Each year parishioners who have lost a loved one are invited to the annual Remembrance Mass which is held on All Soul's Day.
For more information please contact Mary Beth and Lou Hutches by email at mbhutches@att.net or by calling (630) 854-4476.
The ministry is led by volunteer leaders Mary Beth and Lou Hutches and a team of parishioners who pray for and reach out to those of the parish who have lost a loved one to death. Support for those who have lost a loved one is given through prayer, phone calls, cards and letters. Each year parishioners who have lost a loved one are invited to the annual Remembrance Mass which is held on All Soul's Day.
For more information please contact Mary Beth and Lou Hutches by email at mbhutches@att.net or by calling (630) 854-4476.
Coffee and Donuts Ministry
If you are interested in helping out, please contact
Eva Castillo at
(630) 391-3993 or castillo_ev@yahoo.com
(630) 391-3993 or castillo_ev@yahoo.com
Food For Friends
Anyone who could use some assistance with meals after an illness
or hospitalization or would like to cook a meal, Contact Kitty Melby at (630) 896-4355.
Homebound Ministry
Our Homebound Ministers have the privilege of taking our Lord, present in
the Eucharist, to those homebound members of our church who are not able
to join us at Mass due to illness or other incapacities. Our home visits
let them know they are loved, prayed for, and still a vital part of our
church community.
How can you receive Communion at home?
A homebound person (or one of their family members) simply needs to call the parish office requesting that someone come to their home. Visits take place fol-lowing both Sunday Masses.
What does a homebound minister do?
The minister attends Mass at the parish, then leaves for the home visit. At the home, there is a prayer format to follow, or depending on the needs of the parishioner, a short prayer, after which the Eucharist is given. After the service, a short time of fellowship can occur.
Who can become a minister to the homebound?
As with all ministers of the Eucharist, you must have a deep faith and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. You must be a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church, and be willing to go out to the people, so transportation is necessary. You will receive training and the necessary materials. For more info, contact
Patricia Whitney at (630) 346-0289 or
pwhitney49@att.net.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Was one of your resolutions to learn more about what Catholics believe or to
receive the Sacraments and join the Catholic Church?
Any adult who wishes to join the church or find out more about our Catholic faith,
is invited to join our continuing classes on
Sunday mornings at 9:00 am in
the Religious Education Center.
For further information, call Brian Pientak at (630) 892-1667 for details.
Support Our Troops
Did you know that four times a year, members of the Altar a
nd Rosary Society of Blessed Sacrament send out handmade greeting cards to
our service men and women on our prayer list? We are looking to update
our list to ensure that these cards arrive to them. Our next mailing
will be for Easter greetings.
If you have a service member in your family and their address has changed or to add them to the list please call the parish office at
(630) 897-1029 or email psecretary@blessedsacrament-na.org.
*This address list is kept confidential and will only be used to send out greeting cards four times a year.
If you have a service member in your family and their address has changed or to add them to the list please call the parish office at
(630) 897-1029 or email psecretary@blessedsacrament-na.org.
*This address list is kept confidential and will only be used to send out greeting cards four times a year.
St. Mother Teresa Prayer Group
"Prayer is as necessary as the air, as the blood in our bodies,
as anything to keep us alive-to keep us alive to the grace of God."
—St. Mother Teresa
The St. Mother Teresa prayer group was established shortly before the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in August 2016 and meets after Communion Service at 9:00 am on the second Thursday of the month in the chapel.
The scriptural Rosary is prayed as well as the prayer requests from the parish and any additional requests that are dropped into the prayer box under the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Narthex. For more information please call Rita Bruner at (630) 966-8589 or email
Barb Bogovich at barbarab34@aol.com.
—St. Mother Teresa
The St. Mother Teresa prayer group was established shortly before the beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in August 2016 and meets after Communion Service at 9:00 am on the second Thursday of the month in the chapel.
The scriptural Rosary is prayed as well as the prayer requests from the parish and any additional requests that are dropped into the prayer box under the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Narthex. For more information please call Rita Bruner at (630) 966-8589 or email
Barb Bogovich at barbarab34@aol.com.