Social Concerns Ministries

Social Concerns Ministries: The mission of the Social Concerns Committee is to facilitate communications and guidance between the Social Concerns subcommittees and the members Parish and Parish Council.

Bereavement Committee - Food Preparation, Reception Set-up, Clean Up: This group prepares/delivers a buffet luncheon to the homes of the families of our deceased parishioners following the funeral service.  They may also provide hospitality on site for families wishing to use the facilities at St. Stephen Martyr for the luncheon.

On site ministry includes receiving the food, setting out the food at the appropriate time, and cleaning up the area afterwards.

Bereavement Prayer Participant:  This group will participate in the vigil service at the funeral home or the church.

They will assist the priest or the deacon through their prayer responses during the vigil service.  Afterwards they may choose to interact with the family members and friends who are in mourning.

Holy Communion Ministers:  Individuals involved in this ministry take Communion to patients at Audubon Hospital and to the sick and homebound members of the Parish Community.

HOSS (Health of St. Stephen):  HOSS is our Parish Health Ministry group whose members work to improve the overall health and safety of our community.  Members only have to have an interest in the health and safety of mind, body and spirit - do not have to be in the medical field. 

Ways to be involved in HOSS include, but are not limited to, Blood Drives, Health and Safety Fairs, Screenings, Homebound Visitation and letter writing, Prayer Services, Educational offerings, etc.

Martha's Cooks:  Dedicated to the patroness of cooks, St. Martha, this ministry provides an evening meal to those parishoners unable to prepare their own.  By offering food and companionship we are reminded of the connection we all share with one another.  We are all "active" vital members of the SSM Parish Community.

Respect Life Team:  The mission of this organization is to educate, inform and bring awareness to the importance of the sanctity of life with the utmost respect and dignity from conception to grave.  At the same time it gives parishioners the opportunity to respond to the various needs of the people to whom we minister.

St. Vincent DePaul Society Members:  This organization leads men and women to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering, making no distinction to those served, because in them, members see the face of Christ.

Parish Nursing:  The Parish Nurse Program is a group of Registered Nurses (RN) who have received additional training in faith centered nursing.  They come together on a volunteer basis to use their time, talent and treasures to aid the spiritual, physical and mental health of SSM.  The ministry will focus on the promotion of wellness through prayer, education, referrals and screenings.

Health Professional Pool:  This group works with the Parish Nurse Committee to use their specialty health training in events that minister to the SSM Community on an "as needed basis".  Ways to be involved include but are not limited to : HOSS activities, blood pressure screenings, school screenings, educational offerings, health and safety fair, etc.  This group includes but is not limited to anyone in the health field (doctors, nurses, EMT, CMT, psychology, social workers, audiology, nutritionist, pharmacy, dentist, pharmaceutical sales, physical therapists, etc.)

Health Fair:  This group helps plan and set up for the annual October health fair.

COSS (Companions of St. Stephen) (part of the Parish Health Ministry):  This Ministry is a Caring for the Caregiver Ministry.  It gives a few hours of non-medical relief and peace of mind for the caregivers who provide 24-7 care for a loved one.  You will be giving the caregiver a much needed break knowing that their loved-one is safe while they have a brief time to themselves.  Volunteers must be a responsible adult or young adult who will be screened by the current chair of COSS and each volunteer will receive an orientation to the Ministry.

If you can provide transportation for those who do not drive this Ministry is also where you can volunteer.