Serve Others

Life & Dignity Ministries

Prayer Shawl Ministry:

The prayer shawl ministry began in September 2011.  Sin then, over 50 shawls have been made by our parishioners. Our Pastoral Associate, Monica Cardenas, takes the shawls to St. Mary's Hospital, where they are given to patients. Chaplain Cindy from St. Mary's, tells us that these shawls are incredibly comforting for the recipient. Several of the shawls have also been given to our own parishioners. In the case of one of our homebound parishioners, the shawl makes her feel connected once again to the parish that she has been a part of for over 40 years. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact our Pastoral Associate, Monica Cardenas.

Christ Child Society:

Active for more than 60 years, the Milwaukee Chapter of the Christ Child Society is a volunteer organization of women, Catholic-based but non-denominational in membership, who have a concern for the welfare of children. Activities include fundraising for scholarships, layette items for newborns, providing parental support, helping young children in crisis, and tutoring. They also operate a resale shop at Our Lady of Good Hope and coordinate a literacy program the 2nd Saturday of each month for women and their children. To volunteer and to learn more, contact Peg Rolfs at 332-7368 or prolfs@earthlink.net. For more information, go to www.christchildsociety.com

Funeral Ministry:

Provide hospitality to families as they remember and celebrate the life of their loved one. Share comfort and support at funeral receptions by preparing beverages and desserts and helping to serve in Donovan Hall. Contact Anita Fleisch 964-5465 or anitaf3@mac.com.

Giving Tree:

Each Christmas, St. Monica Parish hosts a Giving Tree to benefit various local non-profits. Parishioners select tags with a person’s name and gift ideas and generously share Christmas gifts with someone in our community in need. Details are available in the bulletin each year starting right before Thanksgiving. Contact Mary Hargarten at 964-9894 or mary.hargarten@aurora.org.

Health Ministry:

St. Monica’s Health Ministry helps keep our parishioners healthy through blood pressure, flu shot, and toenail trimming/foot care clinics throughout the year. Nurses are needed to take blood pressures at monthly clinics. Other volunteers are needed to help run programs. To volunteer or for more information on the various clinics, contact Bernadette Hoeller at 964-2294 or sunnybernie@gmail.com.

Knights of Columbus:

The Knights of Columbus welcome all men of the Catholic Christian community to join them. The Knights are a charitable and fraternal group of Catholic men, 18 years of age or older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is about camaraderie, being involved with your community, supporting your local Catholic Church, and enhancing your own faith and family life. One of our favorite activities, the annual “Tootsie Roll Drive” is a cornerstone of our fundraising, and helps cognitively impaired children. Join the world’s largest Catholic family service organization in our rewarding and fulfilling activities. To learn more, contact Steve Pollock at 916-5944 or at pollock.stever@gmail.com. To learn more about the Knights, go to www.kofc.org.

Ladies of Charity:

The Ladies of Charity is an international association of women whose goal is to provide service to the poor in our communities in the spirit of Founder St. Vincent de Paul. The special mission of the Milwaukee chapter of LOC is the Children’s Clothing Center. St. Monica volunteers help clothe the needy through a clothing donation and distribution facility. They make every effort to provide a modest wardrobe for children referred by their social worker or school principal. Last year, 900 children received a basic wardrobe, including a winter coat, hat and mittens, socks, underwear, etc. Help is needed every Thursday morning and on the 4th Saturday of each month from 9 to noon from September thru May. To serve at the Children’s Clothing Center or to learn more about Ladies of Charity membership, contact Sally Lautmann at 687-8932 or slautmann@wi.rr.com. To learn more about the Ladies of Charity, go to aic.ladiesofcharity.us/

The Martha Ministry:

Volunteers with the Martha Ministry lend a hand to members of our community during a time of need by providing a meal to families experiencing illness or disability, death, or the joy of a new baby. Simply share your email address, sign up online and you will automatically receive notifications when a need arises within the parish community. If available, volunteers sign up to prepare and deliver a meal on the day of their choice. If you want to volunteer, or if you or another parishioner needs this service, please contact Marian Topp 962-4729 or the8topps@sbcglobal.net.

Respect Life Committee:

Belief in the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all Catholic social teaching and the focus of the Respect Life Committee’s work. The Respect Life Committee focuses on prayer programs, education, counseling and fund raising for various pro-life organizations. There are opportunities for parishioners of all ages, from teens to retirees. The Respect Life Committee participates in Life Chain, 40 Days for Life, the Mother's Day Rose Sale and Respect Life Awareness Month during January (the Roe v. Wade anniversary).  Our committee is a member of Catholics 4 Life, a consortium of parishes within the Milwaukee Archdiocese. Meets the first Monday of each month at 7 pm in the Ministry Center. For more information, contact Mary Maug at 961-0604 or mmaug@wi.rr.com.

St. Vincent de Paul Society:

St. Vincent de Paul Society members participate in multiple volunteer services directed to the poor, with a unique focus on one-to-one personal services through home visitation, aid, information/referral services, support, and problem solving. St. Monica’s group is one of 58 St. Vincent de Paul Conference volunteer groups in Milwaukee County. They use donations from the parish Poor Boxes to support those in need. To volunteer, become a member, donate or if you know of someone in our area in need, please contact Bill Brand at 963-9845 or brandy5128@sbcglobal.net. For more information on the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Milwaukee, go to www.svdpmilw.org.

Shoreline Interfaith Older Adult Programs:

St. Monica Parish is one of the sponsoring congregations of our neighborhood Interfaith Older Adult Program. Make a difference in the life of an older adult in our area by joining the Shoreline Interfaith Driver Volunteer Team. You can assist an older adult by giving him or her a ride to a medical appointment or to the grocery store. Volunteers also help with friendly visits and occasional small household chores (like changing a light bulb). Volunteers schedule their own availability and always can say no. Three or four hours each month is so appreciated by Shoreline’s clients. If you are interested in volunteering or if you or a friend or family member needs services from Shoreline Interfaith, please call Anne Bina, Director, Shoreline Interfaith, at 962-9950.

Two St. Monica parishioners serve on the board of the Shoreline Interfaith. If you are interested in this important volunteer role, please contact Gerri Kallas at 332-1305 or gerrikallas@sbcglobal.net or Arthur Harris at 352-8093 or abh@wi.rr.com. For more information on our local Interfaith Older Adult Programs, go to www.home.interfaithmilw.org/