Youth
One of the top five priorities from the LRAP was to expand programs for our teens.
The youth commission has initiated 3 events:
• mission trip – this year to the Appalachian mountains
• created youth advisory board and
• expanded social events – such as a ski trip and movie night


Social Concerns
The Social Concerns ministry is one of the groups that provides a very tangible connection to our community.
• Social concerns is responsible for our monthly food pantry which is now serving nearly 200 families. Our donations combined with adult, teen and youth volunteers is the backbone of this program … a program to be proud of.
• Social Concerns also recently launched the St. Vincent DePaul society. They held their first annual rummage sale to provide seed money and raised $9,000! With these funds they went right to work helping families and individuals in need. Each request for assistance is evaluated on a case by case basis – but assistance is usually in the form of helping to cover immediate living expenses during a short-term time of need.
• One of the more recent programs is the employment ministry created in partnership with St. John’s and St. Francis’. Resume review, interview skills and critical transition topics such as COBRA insurance are discussed.


Parish School
Exciting developments continue at our Parish school.
• A key goal in 2008 was to expand efforts in the fundraising arena. Four annual fundraisers were established: Oktoberfest, The Annual Fund, Silent Auction & Dance, and a Golf Outing.
• Fundraising efforts were expanded to provide the dollars needed to enhance programs, technology and curriculum in the school.
• The generous support of so many has enabled the school to invest in the following:
o Flat screen monitors in the Computer Lab
o New Multi Media Carts and Smart Boards
o New workstations in the library
o Updated the Science Curriculum and purchased new textbooks for all
o Purchased new Algebra books
o Expanded the Spanish Curriculum
o Opened a new preschool classroom and a full-day preschool


Development Committee
The Development Committee continues its parish-wide responsibility for development activities. One very large task that was completed last year by this group was to complete an alumni database containing the names of our St. Cletus School graduates.


Technology Committee
Our Technology committee has helped behind the scenes with some “go green” initiatives by creating the Parish eNews and School Scoop – which is our weekly school newsletter. Technology is woven into so much we are lucky to have a group of folks to consistently lend current expertise!


Finance Committee
The finance committee's major accomplishments are directly associated with the challenges highlighted during the parish convocation which primarily focused on financial transparency and accountability. Since the convocation, the finance committee has:
• Published in the Canticle and presented during Mass a summarized annual financial report. Also there is an open invitation to parishioners' specific questions to provide a more detailed look to those who are interested.
• Published in the Canticle a summary of the budgeting process.
• Fully updated and responded to the audit report that was performed during the pastoral change.


Pastoral Care Ministry
Pastoral Care is the umbrella for The Ministry of Care and Compassionate Care groups.
• Ministry of care continues taking prayer and Communion to all Catholic patients at Adventist La Grange Hospital, several times per week.
• In response to a specific challenge from the parish planning process, this ministry has developed a business card to be left for patients that are not available
• Three nursing homes are visited once or twice per week, and shut-ins are visited on a regular basis.
• Also, Ministry of Care is working on a comprehensive organizational structure and on improving communication and minister formation.
• Compassionate Care continues its outreach to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. In response to the parish planning process Compassionate Care has improved their brochure and has hosted meetings with area funeral directors.
• The Parish Nurse program also continues its successful ministry.


Religious Education
Religious Education offers Catholic formation for our youth. There is a challenge to retain enrollment through the confirmation process. To that end:
• The religious education program was made more relevant for the 7th and 8th graders .. to better prepare them for confirmation. The program was restructured to meet twice a month and includes group attendance at Mass.


Worship Commission
The Worship commission has
• Taken the lead to coordinate Ministry weekend which will be in late April this year. This outreach to our parish is to expand the involvement in all our ministries.
• They also created a Ministry Booklet to be distributed on Ministry Weekend as well as given to all newly registered parishioners.
• The Worship commission also initiated a variety of prayer opportunities including: Taize, Evening Prayer, Stations of the Cross and Divine Mercy Chaplet.


Hispanic Ministry
Our Hispanic ministry serves individuals whose first language is Spanish.
• The Hispanic ministry has just welcomed Deacon Jesus Casas as their ministries new leader.
• In December, they hosted a celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• A group of young altar servers as well as other ministerial servers have been trained for the Spanish liturgical services.


Parish Life
Our newest commission. The Parish Life Commission was formed to provide more social opportunities for us to come together as a parish.
• Events such as the Saturday afternoon Game Time which took place mid-March is just one of the first events sponsored with many more to come!


This is just an example of what our parish does .. this is the way our parish through the work of the ministries can make a difference.

Of course the doors to each of these ministries is always open … so if there was something mentioned that you would like to be involved with, just reach out to that ministry to learn more.