Directory of Ministries

EDUCATION
Sacred Heart School
Sr. Jeannette Fennewald, SSND,
Principal

The mission of Sacred Heart Catholic School is to assist parents as primary educators emphasizing respect, excellence and discipline according to the tradition of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. There is a before and after school program, bus service, hot lunches. Tuition is affordable. The school serves grades K-8.

Parish School of Religion (PSR)
Dottie Hibbeler
Coordinator

The parish school teaches the Catholic faith to students who attend public school. It develops faith by sacramental preparation and Christian service. The Mission of PSR is to teach as Jesus did, reaching out to all in a spirit of justice and love. Classes are for students in grades 1-8, and include a Sacramental Class for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings 5:30 - 6:45 and 7:15-8:30 p.m from Sept. to May. If you have time or talent to offer to the PSR program, or would like to enroll your children, please contact Dottie Hibbeler at the parish office. (528-8219)

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Sr. Mary Ann Fisher and Team
Coordinator

The RCIA is more than a program. It is a process inviting people to come and see what the Catholic Church has to offer. It is also for people who are interested in joining the Catholic Church. Meetings are every Monday night in the cafeteria from 7-9 P.M.

Children's Liturgy of the Word
Joan Boessen
Coordinator

Children's Liturgy of the Word is during 10:00 AM. Mass on Sunday. This is for children first through fourth grade. Children's Liturgy gives the children the opportunity to hear the Word of God in an easy to understand language geared for their level. We encourage children to apply what they learn into their daily lives and to live fully as a disciple of God.

Sunday School
Becky Williams
Coordinator

Sunday School is held during the 10 :00 AM Mass on Sunday.It is for children ages 3 through Kindergarten.

Small Faith Communities/Renew
Jane Coose and Peggy Rattini
Coordinators

Small faith communities are open to all members of the Parish. It is a small group faith sharing process that usually meets for six weeks during Advent and during Lent using materials suggested by the Arch-Diocese.

Cursillo
Stan Pollman
Coordinator

Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "little" or "short course". It begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday night. During those three days the candidates (those attending) live and work together, listening to talks given by priest and laymen. They also pray together, celebrate Eucharist and visit the Blessed Sacrament daily. Cursillo primarily deals with the fundamentals of Christianity and obtaining growth in knowledge, awareness and love of God, neighbor and world.

Vacation Bible School
Shelly Sullivan
Coordinator

Vacation Bible School is a one-week summer religious program. Participants learn about Jesus and the Bible through singing songs, stories, and games. Lessons are presented in a loving manner keeping with Church tradition.

Natural Family Planning
Patty Rapplean
Coordinator

The Creighton Model Fertility Care System: Couples are taught through private, professional classes how to achieve or avoid pregnancy naturally and in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The method is 96.8% effective to avoid pregnancy and assists couples with infertility to achieve pregnancy through Naprotechnology (Natural Procreative Technology under the care of a Catholic physician) with a 60-80% success rate. Use of the method also helps couples to build wonderful marriages through SPICE (spiritual, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional bonding).

Baptismal Class
Sacred Heart Staff
The parents, children, and sponsors are prepared for the Sacrament of Baptism. Class is held on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Sacred Heart Room.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Parish Council
Jean Elliot
Chairperson

The Parish Council is a committee of 12 members. They meet on the third Tuesday each month during the school year. Four new members are selected each May for a 3-year term. A secretary and vice president are elected each year. We try to work with all other committees and organizations within the parish to best meet the needs and concerns of parishioners. Interested persons should contact Fr. Tom.

Finance Committee
Denis Heneghan
Chairperson

The purpose of the finance committee is to oversee the income and expenses of the parish. The financial reports are reviewed on a monthly basis and budget variances are analyzed. Other money-related decisions are also made.

School Board
Doug Gildehaus
President

School Board Members serve to advise the Pastor in making policy for the school and to establish philosophy and goals for the program. Members are to act as advisors to the Pastor, partner to the principal and representatives to the school community. They meet the second Tuesday of the month.

St. Ann's Sodality
Virginia Seigler
President

St Ann's Sodality is an organization of women that is involved in various activities in the parish. We have an annual quilt social, and provide quilts for the picnic. We also provide candles for the adoration chapel, and supply flowers for the altar. We have a shower in May for Birthright and donate to various organizations. We meet monthly on the first Wednesday following the first Sunday.

Knights of Columbus

Todd Mack Dave Husmann
Grand Knight Parish+Priest Coordinator

An organization of men that serves the local community in various ways such as a weekly fish fry in Lent, donations, and serving Thanksgiving to the disabled. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the KC Hall on Hwy. J.

Men's Club
Jim Volmert
President

The Men's Club is a social and service group of men--young and old--from the parish. The group coordinates Sacred Heart Picnic and other needs of the parish.

Ladies Auxiliary
Maria Schieffer

Catholic women's organization formed to work with the Knights of Columbus to serve the community. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at the KC Hall on Hwy. J.(There are no meetings in January nor July.)

Home and School Organization
Laura Sarafa
President

This is an organization of parents, teachers, and interested parishioners, who meet concerning the welfare and education of students in our parish school. Please join us. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month in the Sacred Heart School cafeteria. An annual Craft Bazaar is held in October. We hold an annual Auction and Dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall the first Friday of February.

Sports Committee
John Luetkenhaus

Athletics, properly regulated, play a very important role in the development of our youth. Therefore, the goal of the Sacred Heart Sports Committee is to aid in the formation of ideal youth - firmly loyal to God, Church and community, physically fit, and mentally alert. Duties of the sports committee include obtaining and adhering to rules of the CYA, coordinating schedules, roster, uniforms, equipment and playing/practice fields or gyms. The annual meeting is held the first Tuesday in April. Members may call additional meetings as needed.

EVANGELIZATION SERVICE AND MORE

St. Vincent de Paul Society
Dan Colbert

The Parish Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society is a group of men and women dedicated to the assistance of the needy within our Parish boundaries. A small emergency Food Pantry is kept stocked through the generosity of parishioners. The baskets in the vestibule of church serve to remind us of others needs. Your donation of canned goods and products are put to good use. Why not consider donating a bag of groceries once a month or volunteering your time to minister to the needs of the poor.

Jail Ministry
Sally Creech
Coordinator

Jail Ministry is a rewarding ministry for the residents in jail and for oneself. We go twice a month to share our faith, pray with them and read the Bible. The people we see really appreciate us coming. Currently there are only two from Sacred Heart doing this ministry. Please contact me if you are interested or think you may be interested.

Pro-Life Committee
Angela Juergensmeyer
Coordinator

This committee coordinates activities aimed at restoring and strengthening respect for human life. These concerns include not only unborn, but also aged, poor, and the handicapped. The Committee actively encourages the Parish in letter writing, petitions, the Annual Life Chain and the way to vote ProLife.

Youth Ministry & Jr. Youth Group
Sarah Eberhard

The youth at Sacred Heart Church are encouraged in a variety of ways in their personal and spiritual growth journey. Some of the ways are through community service projects; liturgical and religious based studies and various social activities through local and greater Church and Diocese. The High School Youth Group (8th-12th) with the Core Team meet on Sunday nights. The Jr. Youth Group is a fun spirited group, which has been nicknamed the KFC or Kids for Christ - Kid's Faith Club. They usually meet once a month to share their faith and do social activities. These meetings are posted in the Church bulletin. As Sacred Heart fosters ministry to all youth of the Parish, both youth groups offer an open-door policy. Therefore, whether students attend one event or meeting or all the activities, they are welcome to come as they feel called to do so. Contact Michelle and Kendrich Lathrum for the High School Youth Group; Lisa Zorn & Lisa Brown for the Junior Youth Group. for Jr. Youth Group.

CHRISTIAN SERVICES
There is a phrase in Scripture that invites us to give of ourselves. Jesus' words, "To do to others what we ourselves want done to us". Christian Service provides that opportunity for our parish to reach out to others.

Outreach
Susan Peasel
Coordinator

The purpose of Outreach is to provide assistance to those in need. Examples are meals: transportation to Church, doctor's office, grocery shopping; childcare; house cleaning or visits. We attempt to provide whatever support we can give to those in need.

Funeral lunches
Betty Shrum
Coordinator

Lunches are provided after funerals. We make calls requesting covered dishes and help serve the lunches. Any help would be appreciated.

Home and Nursing Home Visits
Sr. Mary Ann Fisher and assistants
Coordinator

Visits are made to shut-ins at their home or in the nursing home.

Women's Retreat
Sr. Mary Ann Fisher and Dottie Hibbeler
Coordinators

To describe the retreat would be an invitation to come, rest, relax and pray with your God and other women who desire the same thing. The retreat is a yearly experience held on the last weekend of February at Pallottine Renewal Center.

Music Ministry
John Sieber, Director of Liturgical Music
Haley Leitman, Choir Director
Lisa Eaton, Contact Person for Cantors
Kathy Schiermeier, Contact person for Funeral Choir
The Sacred Heart Music Organization ministers to all by its involvement in Church Liturgy. We consist of musicians, cantors, men's choir, adult mixed choir, and funeral choir. Our purpose is to provide a Spirit of Prayer and Praise through music and song.

Liturgy Committee
Sr. Mary Ann Fisher
Coordinator

The Liturgy Committee is all about life." An expression of who we are and of who we are trying to become," says William H. Shannon. This is what the Liturgy Committee desires to do when they plan liturgical functions for our church. This includes music, scripture, prayer and services. It is in singing, praying, and praising our God that we become One Body of Christ enabling us to continue sharing daily with each other. The Liturgy Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 4:30 P. M. in the Parish Rectory.

HospitaIity/Welcoming Committee
Men's Club
Coordinators

This committee works to provide a hospitable atmosphere at Church or school functions by welcoming guests and serving reneshments. We host a coffee and donut social on the fourth Sunday of each month after both Masses and welcome and register new parishioners at that time. Men and women interested in joining, please contact the Parish Office.

Eucharistic Adoration
John Boland
Coordinator

Since February 2, 1993, our Parish. has been blessed by having perpetual adoration and exposition of Our Lord. Our adoration chapel is located at the south east comer of Church. There are open hours available or you may sign up and share an hour already being filled. Our purpose is simple: to bring people closer to Our Lord's true presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Please call John or Darlene Boland for more information or to sign up.

Men's Retreats
John Boland
Coordinator

Annually our parish offers a chance for men to get away from their busy lives to enjoy a three-day retreat on the banks of the Mississippi at the White House Retreat. The three-day directed retreat is based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. The retreat is held the third week of January. This is an excellent opportunity to refocus and prioritize the things most important in our lives. For more information call John Boland.

Cemetery Committee
Nick Allen
Coordinator

The Cemetery Committee sells gravesites for Sacred Heart Cemetery. They also set-up gravesites for burial and are in charge of care and upkeep of the cemetery.

OTHER COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS
Scrip
Jean Elliott
Coordinator

This is a program whereby local and national merchants give back a percentage of the cost of certificates purchased by members and friends of the parish. Scrips orders are placed at least twice a month. The person placing the order gets the face value of the certificate and the business gives a percentage to the organization. Sacred Heart School offers these certificates to help defray the cost of tuition.

Parish Picnic Committee
Marty Ruether
Chairperson

Each year the Parish has a Parish picnic to raise money for our Parish. It is held the first Sunday in August. This is a huge undertaking and requires the work and cooperation of the entire parish. Dinners are served and there are a number of booths and activities for the whole family. If you are interested in being on this committee or wish to chair a booth, please contact Larry Fague.

Sacred Heart Auction Committee
Cathy Braungardt, Natalie Cook, and Julie Vermilye
Co-Chairs
sacredheartauction@hotmail.com

The yearly auction takes place the first Saturday in February. The evening starts with a social hour and viewing of the items to be auctioned. During this time, entertainment is provided by Fr. Tom. A delicious dinner is served. There is also a raffle available for anyone who is interested. The evening culminates in a very exciting way with a $500.00 attendance prize which is drawn at the end of the oral auction.

The auction chairpersons rely very heavily on all the committee people who are involved with this endeavor.

Young Adults
We are looking for people interested in establishing a Young Adults Ministry. This would be for persons 18-35. If you think you would like to be involved in the formation of this group, please contact Fr. Tom.