Advent and Lent Outreach
During sacred times of the Church year, we offer short-term outreach to parishioners. Holiday Plant Delivery is held on the second Saturday in December. We deliver beautiful poinsettia plants to our parishioners who are homebound or living in a health care facility. We always need extra volunteers for this event because we visit 200+ parishioners who are unable to leave their homes for health reasons. Ash Wednesday/Holy Week is another time we make a special visit to our parishioners who are homebound. On Ash Wednesday we bring blessed ashes, the Eucharist, and a Lenten bag lunch. On the Tuesday or Wednesday of Holy Week we revisit the same parishioners who are homebound. This simple act of charity means so much to our older adults, who need our friendship.
Contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Catholic East Elementary
Do you love reading with young children or perhaps working math problems with a young scholar? If you said yes and have time during the day or early afternoon, your Catholic school would love to hear from you! We are exploring the possibility of connecting parishioners with school children in an effort to provide more one-on-one school support, but perhaps more importantly, fostering strong community between our parishes and school.
If you are interested in this or other volunteer opportunities, please contact Catholic East at 414-964-1770.
Children’s Choir
The Three Holy Women Children’s Choir is looking for additional singers! Children ages 6-12 from any parish are welcome to join us. We sing about once per month and practice on Thursday evenings 6:30-7:30 pm. We practice 3 or 4 times, sing at a Mass, and then take a few weeks off – and then start up again! It’s an easy, fun and important service that children can take on in their church community. Fun, prayer, making music and laughter are a big part of our choir curriculum, so don’t miss out!
Contact Mary Robertson, Director of Liturgy and Music, at mrobertson@ffpmke.org or 414-271-6577.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is for K4-2nd graders during the 8:30 am Mass in late September-May. Adults who love God and love children are invited to become volunteer leaders for CLW, while middle schoolers can serve as lectors for our liturgy, and high schoolers volunteer as CLW assistants. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your love and faith with the young children of our parish and to grow in your own faith too!
If interested or for further information, please contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
Christian Women Society
The Christian Women Society provides opportunities for women to develop deeper relationships with God and our patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, through prayer, service, and friendship. All women of Three Holy Women, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Old Saint Mary, and Saints Peter and Paul parishes are welcome. Read more about the Christian Women Society.
If you are interested in joining or learning more about the society, please contact Mary Hessel at marymhessel@gmail.com or 414-559-5966.
Family Justice Brigade
We are excited to launch a new ministry, Family Justice Brigade (FJB)! By putting families’ faith into action, the FJB will provide families opportunities to serve others in our community, to learn about social justice, and to work towards a more peaceful and just city. We are open to families of all faith backgrounds. Our families can all work together to bring about more peace and justice in our community! Please visit tinyurl.com/familyjusticebrigade to register to attend or to get more information on upcoming events. You may also contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
FOCCUS Ministry
FOCCUS is an internationally used inventory for couples preparing for marriage. It is not a test, but is rather a tool to help couples learn more about themselves and the manner in which they relate to their partner. FOCCUS and other similar inventories can be very useful for diagnosing areas of both strength and weakness in couple communication. Within our parishes, married couples serve as facilitators for this process that our engaged couples complete as part of their marriage preparation.
Contact Chad Griesel, Pastoral Associate, at 414-271-6577 or cgriesel@ffpmke.org.
Funeral Ministry of Hospitality
Funeral Ministers of Hospitality assist with funerals before, during, and after the liturgy. They offer support to the family and warmly welcome their guests. They distribute and collect worships aids, assist people to their seats, and answer any questions that occur. Most important, Funeral Ministers of Hospitality help to create a welcoming environment that encourages the congregation to become involved in the liturgy. This is a vital ministry, as all who enter our church doors should experience our warm hospitality.
Contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Good News Adventure
Come join us for a free, fun, faith-filled summer camp for kids of all ages! Good News Adventure is all about sharing the good news of God’s love with every child through games, songs, snacks, Bible stories, and a whole lot of fun! GNA takes place in July each year for children entering K4 through 5th grade. Older kids are invited to join in the fun as volunteers, and we also are in great need of adults to join the volunteer team to make this week possible for our kids. To register to volunteer, visit ssppmilw.org/gna.
Contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at 414-962-2443 or aclausen@ffpmke.org.
Liturgical Ministry
The Church calls forth people with special gifts and talents to serve the parish community. These include Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers/Ministers of Hospitality, Acolytes/Servers, Cantors and Choir Members. These ministers are asked to serve our community as scheduled, approximately 1-2 times/month. A formation day is offered once a year as a way to help you deepen your commitment to your ministry and to keep you informed regarding your particular ministry. Read more about Liturgical Ministry.
Contact Mary Robertson, Director of Music and Liturgy, at 414-271-6577 or mrobertson@ffpmke.org.
Ministry of Care
A Minister of Care has the opportunity to visit parishioners who are homebound or living in healthcare facilities and are unable to attend Mass due to complications with their health. This important ministry allows our parishioners to remain a vital part of our community. It is a humbling service and a significant way to share Christ’s healing presence.
Contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Nursery Volunteer
We are always looking for new volunteers to add to our childcare team for Moms Groups on weekday mornings twice a month and other parish events. Would you be able to give a few hours a month to cuddle sweet babies and play with adorable preschoolers?
Please contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at 414-962-2443 or aclausen@ffpmke.org if you would consider helping out!
OremusMKE
OremusMKE is an outreach ministry that seeks to literally open the doors of our churches to welcome people in. The life of our churches does not always coincide with the life of our neighborhoods. By opening our churches for prayer, adoration, music and reflection during a busy weekend night, we hope to bring people into our churches so that they can experience the power of God and the hospitality of our parish community. Pairs of people go out and invite our neighbors and passersby in to see our beautiful churches, light a candle, and spend some quiet time in prayer. All in our four-parish family are welcome to join these nights by coming to pray in the church. If you are interested in getting involved further, we are looking for volunteers to greet/welcome people at the door, to go out to invite our neighbors in to the church, and/or to assist with planning.
Contact Nino Rebholz, Associate Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at 414-271-6577 or nrebholz@ffpmke.org.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl group typically meets one Thursday each month. When these prayer shawls are completed, they are blessed and given to our Director of Pastoral Care, Terri, to share with those who are in need of prayer and support from our community. This ministry has a great spirit! These gifted individuals share their faith with the sick, lonely and heavy hearted, and remind them of God’s love. Prayer shawl gift bags are always available to anyone in our parish.
If you or someone you know needs a prayer shawl or you have a question, please contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
RCIA Team
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process that guides individuals who are interested in being full members of the Catholic Church. RCIA invites those who have never been baptized, those who may have been baptized in another Christian tradition, and those who were baptized Catholic but have not received the sacraments of first Holy Communion or Confirmation. Beginning each fall, this group seeks to learn about the Catholic faith, to be formed within the faith community and to live out that faith within the Church and within their lives.
Contact Chad Griesel, Pastoral Associate, at 414-271-6577 or cgriesel@ffpmke.org.
Reflecting on the Sunday Readings
On the first and third Mondays of each month, we invite individuals to share and reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings. In a small group setting, we break open God’s Word, allowing it to speak to our lives and to challenge us to grow in our understanding of who God is, who we are, and who God is calling us to be.
If you are interested in facilitating a group, contact Chad Griesel, Pastoral Associate, at 414-271-6577 or cgriesel@ffpmke.org.
Religious Education (UPLIFT Family Formation)
Have you considered becoming a catechist for our religious education program? Perhaps God is calling you to this rewarding ministry. We begin in late September and go through mid-May. Catechists will be provided materials and support for teaching. We also offer formation opportunities at various times during the year.
Contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
SPRED (Special Religious Development)
Share your faith and friendship. Be part of our SPRED small faith group. SPRED, Special Religious Development, meets the spiritual needs of people with intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties. We are looking for warm, friendly, faith-filled people to join our SPRED group as catechists. No background is needed, and training is provided. You don’t need to be a specialist to be a part of a SPRED community. Can you step up and make a difference in the life of a special someone who can benefit from your friendship and the fellowship of growing in faith with others? Click to learn more about SPRED.
Please contact Laura Michaelis at Laura_Michaelis@mac.com or 617-571-3905.
St. Anne Society (Old St. Mary)
The St. Anne Society provides opportunities for parishioners to assist Old St. Mary Parish and its programs by encouraging spiritual and corporal works. The Society’s main mission has always been to supply the needs of the Sacristy and Sanctuary through social activities and fundraisers over the years. Vestments, altar linens and altar breads have been purchased on a regular basis. Meetings are held the second Sunday of the months of September through May. Gathering together in the morning after Mass, members are led in prayer and blessing of their breakfast and then plan programs, social events and fundraisers. The Society is made up of women and men, not only of Old St. Mary Parish, but also of other parishes who wish to join. Click to learn more about the St. Anne Society.
Contact Holly Rausch, President, at 414-801-1400 or hollyjrausch@icloud.com.
UPLIFT Young Adult
“Uniting People Living in Faith and Truth” (UPLIFT) Family Formation Program is the Family of Four parish formation program for all ages. We are excited to kickstart a young adult aspect to connect with each other, meet some new people, and enjoy a spiritual conversation and reflection. We are excited to grow together as our faith continues to take shape. This year, we will be introducing the “SUNDAY SURGE,” where we will be gathering for a guest speaker on Sunday afternoons from 2:30 – 4:00 pm to tackle a deeper topic.
If you are interested in joining other young adults on the planning team, contact Nino Rebholz, Associate Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at 414-271-6577 or nrebholz@ffpmke.org.