Family Is
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“A group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation.”
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“A group of individuals living under one roof.”
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“The basic unit in society having as its nucleus two or more adults who live together and cooperate in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children.”
The IHM family is a group of people united by our common belief in God and our Catholic faith. Whatever your household looks like, you are a part of the family of IHM, and are therefore served by the Family Life Ministry.
Our mission is to develop strong relationships with the members of Immaculate Heart of Mary through fun, community-building activities and spiritual enrichment programs. This ministry includes welcoming new members through baptism and marriage. It extends to single parishioners, the newly married, single-parent and two-parent families with children of all ages, widows and widowers, and those who are retired. At the end of your life, our Family Life Ministry helps your family with your funeral needs at IHM. The Family Life Ministry encompasses the following smaller ministries, many of which rely on volunteer participation. If you feel compelled to volunteer for any of these ministries, please contact us!
Welcome Committee
Welcomes new parishioners into the community of IHM. These volunteers staff the information desk before and after masses on the weekends to disseminate general information and to register new parishioners. Once a quarter, the Welcome Committee hosts a Newcomer’s Social for all new parishioners.
Befrienders
“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.”
Mother Teresa
A listening presence to people who need a “friend” to talk with during times of sadness, loss, loneliness and grief. Befrienders create an atmosphere in which feelings and experiences are heard and respected. Doug Moberg is the coordinator for BeFriender Ministry. He was trained in Minnesota at the National Office for BeFriender Ministry in 2005. He has trained several people to help him in this valuable ministry. Doug is very aware of the need for confidentiality with people who seek out BeFrienders. All Ministers receive extensive training in being an active listener so that people have someone to talk to. If you are lonely or are in a tough situation where you need a non-judgmental sounding board, please call Doug for help.
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Funerals
Volunteers host a luncheon after funeral services for families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Volunteers donate food, coordinate food donations, prepare and serve the meal and/or clean the kitchen.
Bereavement
Volunteers send out letters periodically to the surviving family members to help them with the grieving process after the loss of a loved one. This is a great opportunity for people who would like to volunteer from home.
Friends of the Story
A Liturgy of the Word component of the Sunday Mass designed for children ages 4 to 9, which provides them an opportunity to hear the Sunday readings at their level. Q & A time offers children a chance to ask or answer questions about what they just heard. No registration is required. Volunteers are needed to take turns accompanying the children to the Cenacle room and to stay there to aid with keeping the children focused. If you would be willing to volunteer either at the 8:30 am or 10:30 am Mass, please contact us.
Small Faith Communities
Family Life Ministry supports many groups that help to build community and nourish faith. Please see our Faith Community page for more details!
Sprouts
A program offered during the 8:30 am and 10:30 am Sunday Masses. In order to make coming to church a pleasant experience for children 2 and 3 years old, volunteers work with small children in the Sprouts classroom while their parents attend mass. They help provide very basic Faith Formation. Volunteers rorate by team every 3 weeks. We are always in need of volunteers! Please see our Sprouts page for more details!
MOPS
Moms of Pre-Schoolers is a nationwide organization that provides supports for the mothers of very young children. Moms meet at IHM the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month, either attending a morning group which meets from 9:30 am to 11 am, or an evening group which meets from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Volunteers help gather materials needed for meetings, provide child care during meetings and mentor moms through difficult times (older women are ideal for this position). Share your gifts with young moms or join others for support. Please visit our MOPS page for more information!
Journey Days
A festival held in June each year. Many volunteers are needed to make the festival a success. Volunteers are needed to help setup and tear down the festival, manage bingo and various other games, manage the children’s area, sell food and raffle rickets, work the Silent Auction and various other tasks. Please consider joining us as a volunteer as well as a participant!
Quinceaneras
In order for IHM to host a Quinceanera, the following requirements must be met:
- The young lady and her family must be registered members of IHM
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The young lady must be baptized Catholic and have received her First Holy Communion
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If she is of age, she must be confirmed or currently enrolled in confirmation classes
- The young lady must be enrolled in our Middle School or High School Youth Group
Please contact the family life ministry if you have any questions or require and more information!