Ministries

Liturgical Music Ministry

Our Liturgical Music Program offers a diversity of styles and repertoire from the Church's treasury of sacred music. Under the leadership of our Music Coordinator Mrs. Rita Wise there are a variety of opportunities to share your talents with the parish. If you are interested, Mrs. Wise will help you to discern exactly where you would best fit into the Liturgical Music Ministry Program.  Presently we need cantors and choir members and substitute organists.

Eucharistic Adoration

The Adoration Chapel ~ located in our new parish center building [across the street and north of the church] ~ is available from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily for private prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  EVERYONE is encouraged to make frequent visits to the Chapel. However, we are in constant need of regular, committed adorers in the Chapel at all times. Ideally, we want two people for every hour of the day and night. If you are interested, please call the parish office. Click here for more. 

Finance Council

Advises the Pastor on financial matters of the parish and school. Responsible for monitoring all income and expenses, and approving the annual budgets.

Offertory Counters

A group that counts the funds collected at Mass each week. Each group volunteers about once a month.

Parish Pastoral Council

The PPC is involved in most activities and programs effecting the liturgical and spiritual life of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church.

Stations of the Cross

Held Friday evenings during Lent.

Usher and Greeter

Greeters are our ministers of hospitality before and after our liturgical celebrations in our Church. They are the first people to greet worshipers in the House of God and represent the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Community to all who worship with us. Not only do the greeters welcome people to the liturgy, but they also pass out bulletins after Mass and help provide a more welcoming and friendly setting for people to come home to pray. Ushers have the duty of taking up the collection and, in general, attending to any needs of the congregation that arise before, during, and after the liturgy. For the most part, they help preserve good order in the Church. Training is provided. Responsible teens and adults are welcome to join these ministries.  Please contact the parish office at 815-634-4171 for more information.

Occasional Opportunities

Occasionally, we need help in the parish office for bulk mailings, bulletin inserts, or other tasks. Please contact the parish office if you are interested in helping.

Catholics Come Home

A program designed to invite Catholics who have wandered from a devout practice of the Catholic Faith, back to the Church. People leave for a variety of reasons, and this program will hopefully help to reconcile them back with the Church. Besides people joining the process, we also need parishioners to volunteer to help support the program in a variety of ways. Visit the Joliet Diocese website

Marthas

The Marthas ministry is the parish’s Funeral Luncheon Committee.  With Saint Martha as their patron saint, for twenty-five years parishioners who have volunteered in this ministry have provided funeral luncheons for families of deceased church members here at the parish.  Following the funeral and burial they serve the meal in Berst Hall.  There is something powerful about the gift of being able to give a family comfort, no matter the form, during their time of bereavement.  If you would like to join the Marthas ministry and help with the preparation of a meal or assist with the serving, set-up, and clean-up at these funeral luncheons, or if you would simply like to donate a food item to assist their ministry, please call the parish office.

Minister of Care

Ministers of Care assist in this ministry by bringing Holy Communion to those who wish to receive it. This is a most rewarding opportunity and a real opportunity to build a faith relationship with another person. To serve as a Minister of Care, an individual must be a Baptized and Confirmed member of the Catholic Church, a registered and active parishioner of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, and must be living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church [i.e., if the person is married, they must be married according to the law of the Church]. Training will be provided.

Lector

The Lectors are scheduled to publicly read the scriptures at our Masses.  To serve as a lector, an individual must be a Baptized and Confirmed member of the Catholic Church; a registered and active parishioner of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, and living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church [i.e., if the person is married, they must be married according to the law of the Church].

Fellowship Committee

Volunteers who coordinate social activities and gatherings of parishioners during the year.

Parish Welcome Committee

This Committee was formed to welcome new parishioners to our parish community and introduce them to all that Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish has to offer. If you are interested in helping the Parish Council in this endeavor, please call the parish office.

Altar Servers

Both male and female servers are used at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish. Servers are welcome, encouraged, and needed. Servers assist the priest in the celebration of the Eucharist. The server's presence is necessary, and adds great dignity to the liturgical celebrations in our church. Young people wishing to be servers are ordinarily contacted and trained beginning in fourth grade through our religious education program.  Adult men are also welcome to become Altar Servers.

Baptism Preparation

In preparing parents for the formation of their child’s faith, the Baptismal Preparation Program assists parents in understanding their role as the first of teachers of their newborn children. Through the program, we hope to invite them to deepen their commitment to the Lord and to His Church, and to bring their children up according to the law of Christ and His Church.  Baptisms are celebrated on the second and fourth Sundays of every month.  Please call the Parish Office at 815-634-4171 for more information.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned to assist the priests and deacons with the distribution of Holy Communion during the celebration of the Mass. Training will be provided, and ministers are expected to function according to the guidelines set forth by the pastor. To serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, an individual must be a baptized and confirmed member of the Catholic Church; a registered and active parishioner of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church [i.e., if the person is married, they must be married according to the law of the Church].

Flowers and Grounds

Volunteers who care for and beautify the grounds and church.

Altar Linens and Server Robes - Laundry Care

The altar linens regularly needed for Mass need to be washed and pressed on a regular basis. Also, the robes our servers wear need laundering and occasional repair work. If you are able to help with this important task, please consider signing up.

RCIA Program ~ The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The RCIA Program is established to help adults become full members of the Catholic Church. This program is for those who are seeking Baptism, and/or Full Communion with the Catholic Church. We are in need of parishioners to act as sponsors - spiritual companions to those who seek admission into our Catholic faith. Please contact the parish office.

Sacristan

Duties include preparing the altar for Mass and cleaning the altar following Mass.

Assumption Food Pantry

Open Wednesday
9 a.m. to Noon and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
100 S. Baima Street, Coal City
Information: 815 518-2000 

Saint Vincent de Paul Society

These dinners are offered here and at other faith communities in our area throughout the year. Call the parish office to find out the location for this week. Donations to support this ministry are truly needed each month. If you would like to inquire about helping with this ministry, please call the parish office at 815-634-4171. 

PADS Shelter

The PADS shelter at Immaculate Conception Parish is open each Friday from October through April. It provides a place to sleep, eat dinner and breakfast, as well as a sack lunch to go. If you would like to volunteer for our Parish please contact Joanne Morrall at 815 942-8389 or Kris Werden 815 942-5338.

Bible Study 

Our weekly bible study sessions are on Thursday mornings in the Madonna Room of Berst Hall from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. For futher information, please contact Pat Hudetz at 630-935-2103.

Knights of Columbus

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization. Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus. Knights are men of faith and men of action who volunteer countless hours of their time to charitable causes around the world and in the local communities. Council 1574 has been serving the area since 1911. They serve the Parishes of Immaculate Conception in Braidwood, Assumption in Coal City, St. Lawrence in South Wilmington, Sacred Heart in Kinsman, and St. Mary's in Reddick as well as their surrounding communities. 

The Knights continually strive to bring the hope of Christ's love to our area through our service and support. They live out the Faith in their families, who are a crucial part of their events. Explore the benefits membership offers. You can keep up to date on their events or learn more about them at https://braidwoodkoc.yolasite.com/ or on Facebook at Braidwood Knights of Columbus.