Mary Our Queen Church in Omaha, NE

Bread Basket Ministry
Minister to parish individuals and families in a time of crisis. The objective is to provide nourishing, fresh, prepared meals. A team captain coordinates meals for each team, including finding team members to make and deliver the meals. A team member provides the part of the meal that is requested by the captain. You may be asked to deliver a meal. Contact: Kolleen Hoffman

Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
The Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) creates in women an awareness of the inner sacred self, while at the same time teaching them new ways to inspire, encourage, and affirm each other. Through the process of personal and spiritual growth, women have the opportunity to clarify their values, claim their own giftedness and bring these new strengths to their family relationships and the Christian Community. The time commitment is 2 and 1/2 hours per week for 8 weeks. Then once a month or more if the group desires. The 8 week sessions are offered once in the Spring and once in the Fall.
Contact: Denise Goddard

Pro Life Ministry
The Pro-Life Committee is a part of the National Organization of Bishop's Pastoral Plan for Respect Life and the local Right-to-Life Organizations. This committee works to raise awareness and educate the parish community on Pro-Life issues.
Contacts: Lois Coyne / Deacon Bob and Lori Hamilton

Older Adults/Seniors
Meet to share in educational, social, spiritual activities. One does not have to be a member of the parish to attend. Activities are planned by the coordinator and members of the group.
Contact: Sr. Stephanie Matcha

Parents with Special Needs Children
This ministry is for families who have children who are physically and/or mentally challenged or medically fragile. Emphasis will be focused on the following areas:

Teams of Our Lady
Teams of Our Lady are small groups formed to strengthen the faith life of married couples. Each Team (5 to 7 couples and a Spiritual Counselor) meets monthly to share a meal, prayer, scripture, and discussion. Couples of all ages enrich their marriages and spirituality in this worldwide movement.
Contacts: George and Mary Klosterman

Vocations Committee
Summons parishioners' prayer support for an increase in vocations for priests, sisters, brothers, and permanent deacons, and incease the level of awareness of the need for church vocations. Jesus said "Pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send more laborers to His harvest."
Contacts: Deacon Bob and Lori Hamilton

Health Ministries

Mental Illness
It is the mission of this ministry to break the silence about mental illness, to bring facts about mental illness out of the darkness and into the light, and to erase the stigma associated with mental illness. We do this by offering factual information through education and literature, sharing true life experiences, showing how faith plays an important role, offering information about community based services, and offering comfort and support.
Contact: Micki Marr

Prayer Ministries

Perpetual Adoration
Participation in perpetual adoration offers a means of fostering devotion to our Lord in the reserved Eucharist as those committed to the program are asked to offer prayers of worship and intercession at church in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Prayers are requested for the program, our parish family, and community. The prayer vigil continues twenty-four hours each day. Interested individuals commit to one hour of prayer each week at church or participate as a substitute.
Contact: Al Peters

Centering Prayer
Come learn centering prayer where we rest in God in silence. Opportunities to share and discuss our spiritual journey with others, listen to videos on Centering Prayer by Fr. Thomas Keating. Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM.
Contact: Eleanore McNulty

Spiritual Book / Spiritual Classics
Provides an opportunity for parishioners and others to meet and discuss the spiritual classics of our faith. Time commitment is 1 and 1/2 hours per week.
Contact: Tom McNulty

Ministry of Praise
The Ministry of Praise is for homebound and sick parishioners. Age is not a criteria. Do you often miss Mass because of poor health? Do you have a loved one who has diminished mental capacity? Is your loved one in a coma or semi-coma? If so, you or your loved one can perform this special ministry at MOQ. It is designed for those who are in poor health to take an extremely important role in our parish family. We give the person a special cross made by a parishioner and blessed by our pastor, a special certificate and prayers which, if the person is able, could be said every day. If one is not feeling well enough to say all the prayers, simply the word "Jesus" said over and over again would be enough. For those interested in becoming members of this ministry, we will hold a special commissioning ceremony in your homeor at Church.
Contact: Mary Ellen Pospishil

Prayer Chain
Praying for others in their time of need. Parishioners committed to prayer, receive prayer requests for needs of parishioners family and friends through a phone network. Making calls on the phone network as needed when prayers are requested.
Contacts: Diane Mohatt / Connie Garza

Human Needs Ministries

Craft Ministry
The Craft Ministry is a group of volunteers who knit and crochet hats, gloves, scarves, and throws for the needy. The group also makes quilts from donated sheets, blankets, and fabric. Meets monthly for two hours.
Contact: Joan Brejnik

Dorothy Day House Ministry
Our parish donates almost a ton of food and paper products each month from August to May on the 4th Thursday. Can you help by donating a ham, coffee, sugar, produce or money? You may also volunteer to call and remind some of those who have offered to donate.
Contact: Mary Ann Brader

Habitat for Humanity
Currently works with a coalition of eleven other church communities under the guidance of Omaha Habitat for Humanity and Habitat International to annually build a single family home in the Omaha area. This group is currently looking to expand its work on a parish level to assist needy families with small house repair needs.
Contacts: Al and Chris Peters / Gordon Bennett

Ministry of the Heart
Coordinates the Advent Tree Project. During the season of Advent, the parish community is invited to purchase Christmas gifts for the needy who frequent the Dorothy Day House. Contact: Mary Alice Lanspa

Human Needs Committee
Human Needs helps the less fortunate in our parish and community. This help is to meet their material needs (food, clothing, rent, utilities, etc.) We will in turn give the parishioners a vehicle for them to be able to provide this help. Our focus is to provide aid to the less fortunate working through referrals, shelters, and parish ministry groups. All aid is confidential to isure those in need are allowed to retain their pride. Although we provide aid throughout the year, our one major fundraiser is the ANNUAL GARAGE SALE involving parish volunteers. "The poor we will always have with us" and help them we will, with the help that comes from volunteers in the parish community. Service opportunities include the Annual Garage Sale and the Needy Family Christmas Project. Volunteers determine the amount of time they want to commit.
Contact: Mary and Mike Parizek

Homeless Shelter Ministry
The Siena/Francis Homeless Shelter Ministry cooks and serves the evening meal for the Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter on the 5th Thursday of the month throughout the year. The next opportunity is June 29th. Individuals are asked to provide a portion of the meal, such as meatloaf, a casserole dish, or potatoes.The Siena/Francis Homeless Shelter served over 283,000 meals in 2005 and daily serves over 400. If you would like to join this ministry and cook a portion of the meal, please call Ann Harsh. If you would like to serve evening meals from 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM call Sr. Stephanie at 333-8231 ext. 231.
Contact: Anne Harsh or Ann Huber

Hospital Ministry
Visit Mary Our Queen parishioners in hospitals. As members of our parish we extend cheerful as well as spiritual support to patients. We do not give communion.
Contact: Mary Ellen Pospishil

Jail Ministry
To visit the women in jail and have Sunday services. During the week we show bible stories on videotape. Our focus is to bring faith to these women and hopefully get them to turn their lives around with God's help.
Contact: Deacon Bob Hamilton

Liturgical Ministries

Adult Servers
Men and women who volunteer to assist the priest at funeral Liturgies.
Contact: Chuck Hughes

Altar Servers
Boys and girls in the 6th - 8th grades may serve as ministers at Liturgy. They will assist the Priest and Deacon at the altar and carry the cross and candles in procession.
Contacts: Rev. An Duy Phan or Daena Schweiger

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs)
To assist the clergy in the distribution of the Body and Blood at Communion time. Some EMHCs take Communion to the sick and shut-ins. You are required to attend training and Archdiocesan Mandation once every three years. There may also be periodic parish training as new procedures are implemented.
Contact: Jim Monaghan

Homebound Ministry
To assist the Mary Our Queen parish homebound Senior Citizens with medical appointments, grocery shopping, rides to Church, and other errands. We bring communion to those who can't attend Mass weekly due to illness or other infirmities.
Contact: Deacon Bob Hamilton

Lectors
Since the mid 1960s, Lectors have been entrusted with the crucial task of making the Word of God come alive by proclaiming it for the Christian assembly. Anyone interested in becoming a Lector must first be mandated by the Archdiocese either preceded by, or followed by, parish-specific training at Mary Our Queen. You are required to attend training and Archdiocesan Mandation once every three years. There may also be periodic parish training as new procedures are implemented.
Contact: Jim Monaghan

Music Ministry
Music Ministers at Mary Our Queen are composed primarily of volunteers who realize the importance of being good stewards. They share their time and talent with the parish by taking a leadership role in leading the congregation in sung prayer during Liturgical celebrations. These parishioners encompass a wide range of ages that include cantors (song leaders), and many varied instrumentalists.

Sacristans
The Sacristan ministry functions to assist the clergy in preparation for all Liturgical services by preparing the sanctuary area, setting out the vessels and necessary equipment, and coordinating personnel. Other responsibilities include cleaning and maintaining equipment and the sanctuary area. Sacristans are assigned for all liturgies including daily and weekend Masses, weddings, and funerals. They are assigned to a team serving during alternate months.
Contact: Jan Antczak

Ushers
Ushers, whose role is deeply rooted in scripture and tradition, provide the physical needs of the priest and the people at Liturgical services. They make sure that people feel welcome, comfortable, and serve them in any way they can. They provide service in a friendly and reverent manner.
Contact: Dick Liebentritt

Parish Life

Bridge Club
This ministry meets in homes to play bridge and socialize.
Contact: Lucy Marasco

Fall Festival
Parish organizations, committees, families and individuals work together to create the fall festival and a fun time for all. Service opportunities include set-up, running games or booths, clean-up, or serving on the Fall Festival Committee. Service opportunities available for all ages.
Contact: Sue Carlson

Funeral Luncheons
To serve the needs of all parishioners who have a death in the family when the funeral Mass is held at Mary Our Queen. The committee is made up of people who provide the salads and desserts and those who serve the luncheons.
Contacts: Gail Villotta / Lucy Marasco

Golden Years
"Get Together" and fellowship for Senior Citizens both within and outside the parish. Lunch followed by BINGO happens the 2nd Thursday of each month. The Ladies Guild provides the lunch ten months of the year. Also join this group for the annual Christmas Gala which promises delicious food, drinks, a multitude of gifts, and a fun time.
Contact: Lucy Marasco

Ladies Guild
Foster friendship and spiritual welfare among the women of the parish. The guild has a board which consists of approximately 40 members. There are also eleven circles which have members consisting of the ladies of the parish. There is a circle to fit every woman's need. Each activity requires a different time commitment. We realize this is a volunteer position, and we welcome any amount of help any woman can give. Ladies Guild Board and Circles meet once a month.

Men's Club
Mary Our Queen Men's Club works to unite spiritually and socially men of the parish, foster an appreciation for true sportsmanship, and provide funding and volunteer support for various parish needs and improvements. Service opportunities may include holding an office position, and/or participate in various functions such as Mary Our Queen Fall Festival, Wild Game Feed, Father/Son Breakfast, Golf Outing, Baseball Outing at Rosenblatt, MOQ 7th & 8th Grade Football Committee, and other parish projects and needs.
Contact: David Lawson

Stewardship and Development Council
A consultative body of parishioners to the Pastor providing vision and direction for our Parish regarding Stewardship of Time, Talent & Treasure. The Council normally consists of 12 members, the term is 2-3 years and meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the fourth Thursday of every month (except July and December). Time commitment varies according to projects and individual roles within the Council. It is an honor and a privilege to serve on this Council.
Contacts: Mike and Mary Parizek

Religious Formation

Adult Education
Our committee was formed to implement programs for the continuing spiritual, pyschological, and intellectual growth of the adult membership of our parish. We seek to implement these goals by means of speakers, visual, audio, and printed resources, and spiritual events for Advent and Lent. We strive to offer programs to enhance personal, family, and community growth.
Contact: Barb Eastridge

Baptismal Preparation
Recognizing that parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith, we offer catechetical instruction to help them:

understand their responsibilities as baptized Christian parents
realize the purpose and significance of the sacramental symbols in the ritual of initiation
grasp the reason for renewing their own baptizmal vows
make a new commitment to actively live this life of faith
actively worship with the community

There is always a need for additional team members. Training is provided. No previous skills necessary.
Contact: Steve Floersch

Evangelization
Our mission is to catechize and educate parishioners and inquirers in the basic tenets of faith, as well at those who have lapsed in their faith practices.

Returning Catholics - a program offered to facilitate the re-entry of lapsed Catholics back into the sacramental life of the Church

Volunteer Parishioners, individually or as couples, can be a sponsor for Returning Catholics (journeying with them by attending the five classes), or if the Lord leads you in this direction, you can be available for one-on-one direct evangelization, as needed.

You can also be on an ad hoc committee, suggesting ideas for outreach and evangelization.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
This group is the parish vehicle for introducing inquirers to the Catholic Faith traditions. Inquirers can be:

baptized or un-baptized adults wishing to learn more about the Catholic Church

un-baptized adults wanting to be baptized in the Catholic faith

baptized adults from other expressions of the Christian Faith family wanting to become Catholic

baptized Catholics wanting to complete the Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist and Confirmation)

Emphasis is in the areas of religious education, liturgical worship, retreats, discernment, and "breaking open" the Word of God.

Family Life Ministries