Stewardship

Immaculate Heart of Mary Mission Statement
Immaculate Heart of Mary is a community whose members, called by Baptism and formed by lifelong education, grow in faith and holiness through worship, prayer, and service, guided by the Gospel and traditions of the Catholic Church.

There are many time and talent ministry opportunities available at IHM. Our participation makes our Parish a strong faith community. 

The Time and Talent signup letter was mailed in May. Thank you to all who have turned in your sheet. If you have not, please review and return indicating your preferences to the Parish office. For an additional copy or more information, please contact person identified with each ministry or call 952-935-1432.

Time and Talent Ministry Resource Guide (Updated 1/2013)

Altar Server: Girls/Boys in Grade 5 or higher; also adults. Contact Marianne Charbonneau

Art and Environment: Dress up the House of the Lord.  Time commitment is a few hours around the changes of the Liturgical Church Seasons. Contact Kathy Harmon.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are commissioned through the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and serve under the Pastor's discretion.  Ministers must be confirmed, have a love for the Eucharist, have a good reputation in the community, live in union with the Church and her teachings, and, if married, have a valid Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church. Contact Marianne Charbonneau at 952-935-7077, ext. 1213.

Faith Formation
Offers formational programs for those from three years old through adult.

Adult Faith Formation: Contact Sharon McVary at 952-935-7077, ext. 1215.
> Book Sale Volunteers: Various helpers needed for book collection, sorting and advertising in preparation for the Spring Used Book Event.
> Topic Speaker: Opportunity to share your Catholic faith with those interested in learning about the Catholic Church.  Prepare and present one session for a study of Catholic Beliefs and Practices.  Assistance provided as needed.
> RCIA: Parish sponsor(s) needed.  The sponsor takes responsibility for mentoring one candidate during their year-long conversion faith journey.  Includes regular participation at meetings and commitment to assist the candidate's integration into the Catholic community.
> Telephone Help: Need patient person(s) to help make phone calls on occasion.  Work from home.

Sacramental Programs: Contact Marianne Charbonneau at 952-935-7077, ext. 1213.
> Confirmation Facilitator: Opportunity to share your faith with the confirmation candidates. Facilitators prepare and present 1 to 4 sessions to the candidates between September and April depending on weeks and topics that work for them.  Lesson plans and support are provided.  Each facilitated session involves committing to a Wednesday evening 6:30-7:30 PM and the corresponding Sunday morning 9:15-10:15 AM session. Facilitators should be confirmed adults.
> Confirmation Small Group Leaders: Opportunity to share your faith with the confirmation candidates.  Small group leaders sit with their small groups during confirmation sessions.  They guide the candidates in small group discussions and projects after the groundwork and direction are presented by the facilitator for each session.  Discussion questions, project direction materials and support are provided.  Small group leaders commit to Wednesday evenings September to April from 6:30-7:30 PM or Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:15 AM.  There are 3 events on weekends that are involved.  Substitutes are available when needed.  Small group leaders should be confirmed adults and have a willingness to work with teens.  Past small group leaders say that they have grown in their faith through this program.
> Sacramental Receptionist: 20-30 minute commitment on the day or evening of sacramental programs between the months of September to April; 6:20-6:45 PM on Wednesday evenings; 6:50-7:15 PM on some Tuesday evenings; 9:05-9:30 AM on Sunday mornings.  Receptionists check in candidates or their parents and collect and hand out materials.  Volunteers can be 8^th grade through adult.
> Assist with First Eucharist or First Reconciliation Activity Night from 6:15 to 8:15 PM.  This is a single evening commitment in late Fall for First Reconciliation or early Spring for First Eucharist.  Help with projects or run a video in break-out groups or check in participants for registration.  Volunteers can be 8^th grade through adult.  Adults should not have children currently enrolled in the sacramental program.

Religious Education: Contact Pat Byrd at 952-935-7077, ext. 1214.
> Sunday School: 3 year olds through 1^st grade is held on Sunday morning during the 8:30 AM Liturgy.
> Elementary: Grades 2 through 6 is held on Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30 PM.
> Junior High: Grades 7 through 9 is held on Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30 PM.
  Time commitment: 8 months from September to April.
> Religious Education Teachers: Opportunity to share your faith with our children.  Training and support provided.  Lesson plans have been written to accompany the curriculum and all materials needed to teach the classes are provided.  Teachers for Wednesday night programs should be adults, 18 years and older.  Sunday School teachers can be adults or teens 16 years old and confirmed.
> Teacher Assistants: Provide additional help in the classrooms, working with the whole class or one-on-one with a special child.  Assistants for the Wednesday night program are adults and teens 16 years old and confirmed.  Sunday School assistants must be at least 12 years of age or older.

Youth Ministry: Contact Becky Hanel at 952-935-7077, ext. 1220.
Volunteers for Youth Ministry must be willing to have fun and grow closer to God.  Volunteers are needed from 6^th grade to adult.  Involvement offers service opportunities and retreats as well as social, educational and spiritual growth.  Take a chance and journey in your faith with IHM Youth Ministry. 

Funeral Lunch Ministry/Good Sams:  Provide food (salad or bars) and/or serve and clean-up at funeral lunches.  Commitment: 3-4 times per year.  Contact Mary Ellen McGannon.

Garden Maintenance and Upkeep:  Enhance the Church surroundings by maintaining the garden areas and planters throughout the year.  Select, purchase and plant the flowers in the planters in the spring and maintain (water) throughout the summer months.  Change out the planters and decorate for the winter months.  Assist the Grounds Maintenance committee as needed.  Contact Deann Speltz.

Gift Bearers: Volunteers needed to carry the Gifts up at the Offetory during Mass.  Contact Jeanette Brand at 952-935-1432, ext. 1201.

Greeters: Be present before Mass to greet and welcome parishioners.  Contact Jeanette Brand at 952-935-1432, ext. 1201.

Grounds Crew (Upkeep of the Church Grounds):  Maintain the beauty of the Church grounds (landscaped areas, parking lots, lawns) by picking up trash, pulling weeds, removing fall leaves and trimming shrubs and trees.  Work, except for the fall leaf pickup, can be done at your convenience.  No meetings - all email.  Contact Steve Wolf.

Hearts and Hands Ministry (Upkeep of the Worship Space): These ministers are part of a team of parishioners who help keep the sanctuary of our church clean and orderly. Time commitment: quarterly, two days a month, maximum - one hour each time. Both week day and weekend opportunities available.  Contact Sister Eleanor Wartman at 952-935-1432, ext. 1211.

IHM Catholic School: Contact School Office at 952-935-0004.

Lector/Commentator:  Must be a member of IHM parish.  Time commitment is one or two months per year.  Readings are provided in advance, and training will be given to new volunteers.  Contact Anita Whims.

Liturgy of the Word for Children:  Contact Marianne Charbonneau at 952-935-7077 ext. 1213 or m.charbonneau@ihmcs.org.
> Prayer Leader:  Opportunity to read and share content of the Gospel with 2^nd - 6^th grade children of the Parish during the readings and homily time of the 8:30 Mass.  Confirmed through adult. 
> Musicians:  Those who love to sing (cantor) and/or play music (piano or guitar) and would enjoy doing so in a kid friendly environment.  Music is for the Psalm, Alleluia Verse, and an occasional song.  High school through adult.
Time commitment for all the above: One to four times during the school year. There is no Liturgy of the Word for Children on holidays and major feast days.  A guide for the lessons, readings, music and support are provided.

Loaves and Fishes:  Make brownies and/or prepare and/or serve food to families in need at River of Life Lutheran Church located in North Minneapolis.  Serve on the fourth Friday every other month for two hours.  Dates announced in the bulletin and volunteer sign-up sheets posted in Fellowship.  Contact Arlene Monk or Sue Jensen.

Men's Club (All Parish Men Welcome):  The IHM Men's Club is an organization that provides an atmosphere for fostering Christian fellowship and a sense of community among the men of the parish aimed at strengthening family life in our prish. The MC conducts fund-raising activities throughout the year; and with the funds raised, the MC makes financial contributions to the Church and/or other ministries within the parish.  Events include but are not limited to annual Lenten Fish Dinners, Pancake Breakfast and othe social events. Contact Neil Brackin.

Ministry of Care:  These ministers respond to their baptismal call to serve others with a compassionate spirit.  Time commitment: attend formation sessions; attend monthly enrichment speaker series; visit and/or bring Eucharist weekly or biweekly to those who are unable to come to church; be a listening presence to persons experiencing times of life transition.  Contact: Sister Eleanor Wartman at 952-935-1432 ext. 1211.

Music Ministry: Women's Choir (sings at 8:30 Mass); Mixed Choir (men and women, sings at 10:30 Mass). Choir rehearsals are on Wednesdays (Women's Choir at 6:30 PM; Mixed Choir at 7:30 PM) in the sanctuary. Choirs meet 30-45 minutes prior to Mass for final rehearsal.  Adult choirs are open to anyone in high school or beyond, providing a meaningful social outlet while enhancing the worship community.  Contact Hannah Armstrong, Director of Music at 952-935-1432. 

Newcomers Committee:  Welcome and invite all newcomers into our Parish family by fostering community belonging and involvement at IHM.  Actively participate in Newcomer Committee meetings; assist in planning and hosting Newcomer breakfast gatherings; complete tasks outside the committee as designated.  Contact Laurie Lynch or Sue Lubben.

Prayer Shawl Ministry:  Knitting/crocheting prayer shawls to bring comfort, strength and peace to persons who are ill, hospitalized or just want to be wrapped in the prayerful support of a caring community.  Meet monthly to knit and crochet shawls and to pray over shawls being created and those completed.  Contact Bonnie Brynteson.

Respect Life Ministry:  Promote awareness of pro-life issues and respect for all life through prayer, education, service and advocacy.  Approximately six meetings per year.  Men and women of all ages are welcome.  Contact Mary Campbell.

Sacristan:  Responsible for opening and locking the Church on weekends, preparing for Mass, and finding substitutes for missing ministers among other duties set by the Pastor.  Contact Jeanette Brand at 952-935-1432, ext. 1201.

St. Dmphna's Circle: (All IHM Women are invited) Opportunity to socialize with other women of the parish.  Service to IHM and spiritual enrichment.  Cookie sale, anointing service, Evening of Reflection, Baby Shower for Birthright, and Christmans shopping for a needy group.  Meets about 6 times per year.  Contact Meg Larson.

St. Jude's Circle:  Provide comfort and care for the children at St. Joseph's Home for Children by making small infant quilts for young children and decorative quilts for older residents.  Provide quilt kits for confirmation classes doing community involvement projects.  Collect gifts for the children at Christmas.  Contact Maurine Burke.

Special Talents and Skills:  Special talents and experise that are not part of regular committees.  May include painting, tile work, carpet laying, HVAC, carpentry, office work, mailings, computer data base, communications, website expertise, child care, etc.  Contact Scottie Bahr at 952-935-7077, ext. 1207.

Stewardship Committee:  Support the Pastor by encouraging and educating parishioners in fulfilling their Christian responsibilities by creating and implementing annual motivational time, talent and treasure campaigns.  Pledge drive in the Fall; Time and Talent volunteer initiative in the Spring.  No meetings - all email.  Contact Scottie Bahr at 952-935-1432, ext. 1207.

Ushers:  Facilitate the smooth and reverent movement of people into, around and out of the Church environment.  Ensure ice and snow-free access to Church.  Distribute bulletins and straighten up worship space after Mass.  Contact Paul Lehman.

Women's Club (All IHM women invited):  Encourage hospitality, involvement and support of parish community and activities.  Contact Anne Koss or Kathy Harmon.