8S055 Dugan Road, Sugar Grove, IL 60554    |    630-466-0303    |   info@skdmail.org

Ministries

At St. Katharine Drexel, there are many opportunities to share your time and talents with your parish family.  Below is a brief description of all the ministries offered. To volunteer or to ask for additional information about any of the listed ministries, fill out the volunteer form below. Click HERE to jump straight to the form.

Required Safe Environment Documents – Revised September 2019

In an effort to continue to make church a safe and healthy place for all persons who enter, volunteers are required to read and sign safe environment documents. Bishop David J. Malloy has declared emphatically, that “one case of abuse is one too many.” Sexual misconduct can have devastating consequences and effects on the victims and their families, the Church community, and for the transgressor. The Diocese of Rockford remains committed to preventing sexual abuse and remains diligent in its vigorous efforts to educate in the detection, and prevention and reporting of abuse, and to assist victims in healing. As a parish of the Diocese of Rockford, we respectfully ask all our volunteers to complete the following paperwork virtually through Virtus. Click HERE to access complete instructions.

Every volunteer (16 and older) must read the following policies online at the diocese website and sign the applicable Acknowledgement Form at the end of each policy:

  1. Code of Pastoral Conduct
  2. Code for the Pastoral use of Technology and Social Media
  3. Guidelines for Youth and Those Working with Youth
  4. Norms for the Prohibition of Sexual Misconduct (Requires password dmalloy!)

Additionally, all volunteers (16 and older) must:

  1. Complete “Protecting God’s Children” and/or submit a certificate of completion

Lastly, all volunteers (18 and older) must:

  1. Sign/Submit an Authorization to Conduct Background Check
  2. Sign/Submit a DCFS Acknowledgment of Mandated Reporter Status (Volunteer) form

Click on any of the ministries listed below for a description.

Worship & Liturgy

Liturgical Ministries

Spend time in prayer before the Lord truly present in the Eucharist. Adoration is on Wednesdays from 8am to 6pm.
Commitment: One hour weekly or as you are able.

Youth (>4th Grade) assist the priest at the altar during weekend liturgies, and for funerals and weddings as needed.
Commitment: Attend training and ongoing formation. Arrive 20 minutes before Mass and serve on a rotating schedule.

Parishioners with an artistic eye, floral arranging skills or ability to help move things into place are encouraged to join this ministry. This team sets the prayer mood for our Church seasons. Volunteers also are responsible for continued watering and care of live plants.
Commitment: Plan and arrange the environment as needed.

Parishioners (> 16 y/o) assist in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass.
Commitment: Attend training and ongoing formation as offered. Arrive 20 minutes before Mass and serve approximately twice monthly.

Great family ministry! Greet each person as they arrive at Mass with a warm welcome and give assistance or direction as needed.
Commitment: Arrive 20 minutes before Mass and serve on a rotating schedule.

Proclaim the Scriptures and Prayers of the Faithful at Mass.
Commitment: Attend training and ongoing formation as offered. Arrive 20 minutes before Mass and serve approximately once a month.

Assist with weekend Mass by assuring that all ministers are present.
Commitment: Arrive 30 minutes before Mass and serve on a rotating schedule.

Volunteers work to maintain vestments and altar linens, clean vessels, as well as set up for and clean up after Mass.
Commitment: After training, twice monthly.

Assist people as we gather for Mass, facilitate collecting our gifts of treasure, direct people to Communion, and distribute bulletins.
Commitment: Arrive 20 minutes before Mass and serve on a rotating schedule.

Coordinators assist the priest with the needs of the bride and groom at church. They will be responsible for conducting the rehearsal, preparing the church, and providing assistance at the wedding ceremony as needed.
Commitment: Varies.

Music

Assist the congregation in song during liturgy by playing piano, organ, or other instrument. Solo proficiency on the instrument and an audition with the director are required.
Commitment: Serve as scheduled, with regular rehearsals.

This fun and faith-filled group is a SATB choir whose style ranges from classical to contemporary.
Commitment: Attend rehearsals on Thursday evenings and sing at the 9:00am Mass twice a month and as needed.

Lead the parish in song during liturgy. Requirements include a clear, inviting tone, ability to read noted music, and time for planning and rehearsals. An audition with the director is required.
Commitment: Serve as scheduled, with regular rehearsals.

Kids (3rd – 8th grade) are invited to join this contemporary music ensemble that provides the music once a month for the 10:30am Mass.
Commitment: Weekly rehearsals on Thursdays; there’s no experience required to come and sing!

Teens (9th – 12th grade) are encouraged to join this ensemble either as a vocalist or an instrumentalist to enhance our liturgy at 10:30am traditionally on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

Education

Adults guide students through textbook lessons, art activities, songs, and prayers using a designated teacher’s manual, as well as other books and teaching materials. Can serve individually or as co-catechists.
Commitment: Orientation, weekly classes, and ongoing faith formation during school year.

Confirmed High School students are invited to assist in the Religious Education classrooms.

Preschool and elementary school children are invited to participate in a week long Vacation Bible School experience at SKD each summer. Many teen and adult volunteers are needed to help plan and execute this exciting program.

Evangelization

Adult Faith Formation

Volunteers facilitate classes for parents wishing to have their child baptized into the Catholic faith.
Commitment: 90-minute classes are offered the fourth Saturday of each month.

Join other parishioners to read, study and discuss various books of the Bible. Groups form at different times throughout the year based on need and interest.
Commitment: Varies depending on the Bible study that is being used.

Parish-based retreat offered once a year.
Commitment: A three-day weekend retreat and participation in follow-up faith-building activities.

After completing a “Fully Engaged” assessment, engaged couples wishing to be married in the Catholic Church will meet one-on-one with a married couple from our parish for four sessions to discuss different aspects of married life.  Commitment: Attend a training session. Couples will mentor one or two engaged couples each year.

This program is for any adult considering full membership in the Catholic Church, as well as those who were baptized Catholic but who did not complete their Sacraments of Initiation. Participants will be welcomed into full membership at the Easter Vigil.
Commitment: Attend 90-minute weekly classes from September through Easter as well as periodic additional activities.

Active Catholics who are willing to share their faith with individuals involved in the RCIA program are invited to serve as sponsors or team members.
Commitment: Attend 90-minute weekly classes from September through Easter as well as periodic additional activities.

At least twice each year, parishioners have the opportunity to participate in Small Faith Groups to learn more about a specific topic and to share with others in a small group format (10-12 adults). Previous topics have included Marriage Building, Journey through the Bible, Theology of the Body and Catholicism.
Commitment: Varies.

Youth Ministry

Adult parishioners excited about encouraging teens in the Catholic Faith can volunteer in a variety of ways to support Sunday Night Live (for teens in grades 8-12) or Soul Patrol (for teens in grades 6 & 7).  Teams include prayer partners, event planning, hospitality, on-site supervision, small group leadership, etc.
Commitment: Varies depending on the capacity in which you volunteer.

Parish Community Life

Volunteers coordinate efforts to care for those who are working through grief following a death. Often, those who are grieving need not only counseling, but practical, everyday help. Be a comforting presence or an integral part of a funeral Mass, offer to help with funeral luncheons, or be involved in efforts to care for those who are working through grief following a death. Grief support meetings are held monthly.
Commitment: Varies.

Contribute to the worship experience and evangelization efforts through the use of technology and multimedia.
Commitment: Varies.

A brand new ministry at SKD. The first initiative, “Project Embrace”, is an effort to retain a sense of community in the midst of the pandemic. Volunteers will be sending cards as the first step in reaching out to fellow parishioners, in the hope that we can follow up with phone calls to learn of ways to further enrich the lives of neighbors.
Commitment: Write and mail notes/cards from home – providing the stationery and postage, a willingness to reach out by telephone.

Work to help the SKD community take a “wholistic” view of health that encompasses body, mind, and spirit. This ministry plans and sponsors programming to encourage healthy lifestyles.
Commitment: Varies.

This ministry provides fellowship opportunities on a variety of Sundays after Mass and at select Parish functions throughout the year. Responsibilities could include picking up donuts or coordinating sweets, setting up refreshments, and cleaning up.
Commitment: Varies. e.g., Hospitality and clean-up lasts until approximately 30 minutes after Mass. Teams serve on a rotating schedule.

Parishioners are invited to gather after Tuesday morning Mass to enjoy fellowship and refreshments.
Commitment: Varies.

An international organization of nearly 2 million Catholic men whose principal work involves helping others in need, both within the local community and internationally. Visit the SKD council website here.
Commitment: Monthly and other activities as planned.

Volunteers make and deliver meals to parishioners and their families during times of sickness or suffering, offering care and support during a difficult time.
Commitment: On an as needed basis for families in need.

Men of the parish (18+) meet monthly to build connections to their faith and provide service to the parish community.
Commitment: Monthly (1st Monday) and other activities as planned.

Volunteers help with parish mailings and answering the phone on those occasions that office personnel have meetings or retreats.
Commitment: Varies.

Parishioners 16 or older is invited to represent SKD in this local church-based softball league.
Commitment: Games are held May through July.

Ministry volunteers agree to pray from home for specific parishioner requests shared via email or phone.
Commitment: As prayers are requested.

Parishioners aged 65 and older are invited to be a part of this social group.
Commitment: Events scheduled periodically.

The committee plans, recruits volunteers for, and implements social events throughout the year. They also coordinate simple receptions after parish events such as the Parish Mission and guest speakers. If you enjoy baking, consider signing up to provide treats for social events.
Commitment: Varies.

Ministers will plan and host monthly gatherings to welcome new members and answer general questions about the parish.
Commitment: Before/after one Mass each month.

Building & Grounds

Join others with backgrounds in safety-related fields to help ensure SKD is a safe and secure environment.
Commitment: Meets quarterly.

Our grounds need many hands to keep them looking wonderful, in any season of the year. Volunteers can help during spring thru fall with spreading mulch, planting flowers, and pulling weeds, typically on Wednesday evenings. Volunteers can also help assist with snow removal at the church entrance and sidewalks during the winter months. There is also the occasional need for other special projects such as power washing bricks, staining driveway lights, etc.
Commitment: Once a month or as you are able.

Stewardship

Do you like to write or take pictures? Consider lending your talents to the SKD newsletter. Writers must be high school freshmen or older.
Commitment: Newsletter is produced semiannually.

Justice & Service

This ministry is made up of parishioners commissioned to serve the values and principles of St. Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
Commitment: Monthly meetings with an annual commissioning at Mass.

The SKD Creation Care Team follows Pope Francis’ social teaching on the stewardship of the environment by organizing educational events and working toward the enhancement of our parish’s green initiatives.
Commitment: Meetings typically on the 4th Tuesday of the month, as needed.

This support group provides a healing support from a Catholic perspective for those currently going through a divorce or recently divorced.
Commitment: Sessions vary.

Women offer prayer, support, and meals to pregnant women and new parents within the parish. The group also offers assistance, fellowship, and support to parishioners experiencing difficulty conceiving or adopting, as well as couples experiencing the loss of a child. This ministry is currently inactive pending a volunteer leader.
Commitment: Women willing to share their experience or make meals as needed.

We provide manpower to the Aurora-based Feed My Starving Children organization to pack meals for distribution to poor children around the globe. Children age 5 and older are able to participate with an accompanying adult.
Commitment: One weekday morning each month.

Volunteers collect donated items before Masses on one weekend a month and transport those items to Sugar Grove’s food pantry. The pantry also needs assistance with stocking items.
Commitment: Monthly collections before all Masses on the fourth full weekend each month.

Volunteers assist with setting up and tagging the tree, sorting, packing and distributing gifts, and purchasing missing gifts.
Commitment: A few hours in Advent.

Volunteers cook, receive, transport and/or help with dinner and breakfast at Hesed House four times a year. The current need is high for volunteers to be at the church to receive and organize donations before they are transported.
Commitment: Our parish is assigned to serve every fifth Tuesday.

Ministers take the Body of Christ to sick parishioners in hospitals, at home and in local nursing homes. These parishioners bring spiritual comfort, love, and encouragement to those unable to attend Mass.
Commitment: Attend special training and serve on rotating schedules or as needed.

Team members are dedicated to the support and advocacy of those who have experienced abuse. Support is offered through prayer, personal support, and referrals.
Commitment: Monthly Meetings.

These parishioners provide news and information to the SKD community on right-to-life issues and events such as the Worldwide Rosary for Unborn Babies and the Life Chain.
Commitment: Varies, with events primarily focused in May and October.

Our motto is “Changing Lives…Restoring Hope.” We do this by providing person-to-person service to those in need within the community. Visit their website for more details, https://svdp-skd.org/
Commitment: Meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. Team members also do home visits as needed.