OUTREACH MINISTRIES
The information below gives you an idea of the many and varied Outreach Ministries that St. Nicholas provides.
Bereavement Committee
This ministry provides support for those walking through the grieving process. They also provide simple refreshments for families during Parish held Wake Services. For more information, please call Barb Distler at 624-6077, Rita Baker at 531-2569, or Jane Gaubatz at 632-9454.
Coffee and Donut Sunday
This gathering after the Sunday Masses is an opportunity to get to know one another, to visit and meet new parishioners. For more information, please contact Mark or Christine Richardson at 624-9356 (for the 8:00 AM Mass) or Jacob and Laura Hong at (708)533-1940 (for the 10:30 AM Mass).
Giving Tree
At St. Nicholas, the Giving Tree is a long standing tradition. This is our way of providing Christmas gifts to those families less fortunate than us. We get most of our families referred to us from St. Vincent De Paul. These are normally families that they have helped throughout the last year. We also get families nominated from parishioners, school counselors, and assisted living managers who might know of a person or family that is struggling to make ends meet, or who are alone at Christmas. Gift requests, in the form of an angel, are hung on our Giving Tree the weekend before Thanksgiving. Our parishioners then purchase and wrap the gift, and return it at a specified date in December. We then sort the gifts by family on Sunday, and deliver the gifts to the families the next Sunday. For more information, please contact Tom & Janet Lintker at 792-8868, or work2play@charter.net.
Guatemala Group
The Guatemala Group coordinates and supports our sister parish in Guatemala, works to keep us aware of their presence, and initiates special projects for them throughout the year. For more information, please call Gerry Riley at 624-2096.
Marriage Enrichment
This activity offers a variety of sessions to married couples aimed at providing them an opportunity to grow in their marriages in the midst of the pressures and complexities of today’s society. Couples are provided with a fresh outlook on how to deal with issues commonly encountered in marriage and family, with an emphasis on Catholic values. Sessions are normally held the 1st Saturday of each month following the 5 PM Mass. Watch the bulletin for updated information. For more information, please contact Joe & Pat Kaiser at 622-8851, or at joepatkaiser@yahoo.com.
Men’s Gathering
This is an informal get together of all men of the parish for food, inspirational message, and Christian fellowship. For more information, please call Rich Yahl at 624-6371.
Ministry to Homebound and the Ill
This ministry provides assistance to those in need who require transportation for doctor appointments or shopping, or other consideration. For more information, please call Joe and/or Maureen Edwards, 624-8310
Newsletter
The Newsletter provides information and communicates with all parishioners, including shut-ins on activities and events going on at St. Nicholas. Writers, reporters, photographers, and lay-out designers are encouraged to volunteer. The Newsletter is composed every other month and sent out via mail and email around mid month. For more information, please email Cathleen Klusek at webmaster@stnicholasofallon.org.
Newsletter Mailing Committee
This committee prepares the Newsletter for mailing. This is normally done the last week of each month. For more information, please call Michelle McLean at 622-4461.
Nursery
Ever find it hard to give both the Word of God and your small children adequate attention during Mass? We’ve been there! But, the co-op nursery at the 10:30 Mass has changed all that! Now, our children, 6 months to 4 years old, can play, wiggle, and make noise and we get to enjoy Mass to our fullest abilities. The nursery has pagers and can contact you when your child needs you. The nursery is located left of the gathering area through the double doors. What does joining the co-op nursery mean? Your little ones get to play every Sunday at the 10:30 Mass while you attend Mass noise free. All you need to do is volunteer at the nursery (with the help of teen volunteers) once every few weeks, as it fits your schedule. The more parents that join, the less often you need to volunteer. So recruit your friends! We are also looking for teen volunteers. If you would more information on the nursery, please stop by on Sunday or contact Carol Loyet at 632-4441 or dcloyet@att.net. References from a co-op parent also available.
Parish Picnic Committee
This committee organizes and coordinates St. Nichols’ annual parish picnic, which is held in late August or early September. For more information, please contact Joanne Smallheer at 977-3768.
Parish Lottery
This Parish activity is held in late May or early June to raise funds for specific projects determined each year. For more information, please contact Ginny Emmons, Ann Daniels and Sr. Judy through the Church Office at 632-1797.
Parish Health Ministry
This ministry provides health screenings and health information. For more information, please contact Judy Tulis at 632-4111.
Respect Life Committee
This committee informs and educates parishioners on sanctity of human life concerning unborn children, newborn infants, and individuals with physical or mental disabilities, incurably ill, the aged and all human beings. For more information, please contact the parish office at 632-1797.
Retreats
Our Retreats are scheduled and planned retreats in cooperation with King’s House in Belleville. They will be announced in the Sunday bulletin, Parish Newsletter or on or website. For more information, please contact Leona Ahring [women] at 632-3819, or Kitty Hohrein at 632-6061, or Joe Rademacher, Sr [men] at 632-6625 or Jude Hopper at 624-8412.
Single Parent Experience
This group, for single parents, provides support, spiritual guidance and practical tips on this unique journey of being a single parents. It is open to parents of children of all ages. It normally meets the 1st Sunday of month, from 10:30-11:30 AM, and is facilitated by Sr. Joyelle Proot, SSND. For more information, please call Bobbi Pelfry at 632-2971.
Social/Community Life Committee:
This committee coordinates and plans parish social events that promote a sense of belonging, includes receptions following the RCIA rituals, confirmation, and first Eucharist liturgies. For more information, please contact Kitty Hohrein at 632-6061.
Soup Bus
Our Soup Bus ministry prepares food donated by volunteers. The soup bus distributes food to hungry children and adults in E. St. Louis. Those who assist the Soup Bus meet on the on the 2nd Thursday and 4th Wednesday of the month. For more information, please call Rita Baker at 624-2569.
St. Nicholas Party
Annual Parish Party in honor of St. Nicholas our patron saint. An evening of fun, food and fellowship in a very family friendly atmosphere. For more information, please contact Donna Price at 624-5590.
St. Nicholas Altar Angels
A team of volunteers who do light cleaning of Church on Saturday morning in preparation for the upcoming Masses. For more information, please call Nancy Holly at 632-2419.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul serve the poor by taking phone calls, visiting homes to assess situations, responding to individual’s and family need, and recommending those in need to agencies for help. Those who assist St. Vincent de Paul meet monthly, on the 1st and 3rd Mondays. For more information please call the St. Nicholas office at 632-1797 or the hotline at 632-4270.
Teen Nights
This ministry includes a mix of spiritual, social and educational experiences. It normally meets weekly on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:30 PM. Fr. Bill teaches the high school students twice a year. On one Saturday each month teens volunteer at the “Karen House”, a homeless shelter for mothers and their children. For more information, please call our Youth Coordinator Terri Terhaar at 628-0629.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is held for one week each summer during late June or early July. Listen for announcements and check the bulletin for this year’s schedule. For more information, please contact Terri Terhaar at 628-0629.
Welcome Committee
This committee is a group of parishioners who take care to call new parishioners each month, and follow up with a home visit, personal welcome and presentation of helpful St. Nicholas materials. The church hosts an evening of Welcome in the Spring & Fall each year to welcome new parishioners. For more information, please contact Jeff Worthing 975-6138 or Kathy Goodman 632-5591.
Yesterday's Kids
Is a gathering of mature adults, 55 and older in order to promote a common bond through spiritual, ministerial and social events. They meet monthly, normally the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 PM. For more information, please contact Nancy Kohrig at 628-8029. One ministry of YKids is to organizes food donations and provide food service for Funeral Luncheons following Mass or burials. For more information, please contact Loretta Gross at 632-4523.
Website Management
Website Management designs, maintains, and updates the St. Nicholas website and Facebook page. Material for website content is reviewed, edited, and uploaded. Social Media is authored, maintained, and monitored. Photographs are resized for web use. For more information or to submit material for consideration, please contact Cathleen Klusek at webmaster@stnicholasofallon.com.