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Caring Ministries

Chairperson: Wayne Baumgarte (wbaumgarte@yahoo.com) or765-457-3625

The Caring Ministries of St. Joan of Arc develop and promote outreach programs with an emphasis on social services, respect for life issues, social justice and community ministries. We have a wide range of activities within this ministry that calls for people who have many different talents and interests.

  • Catholic Ministry of Care – Wayne Baumgarte – 457-3625

The primary duty of the Catholic Ministry of Care is to bring Holy Communion each week to those who cannot attend weekend Mass. This involves bringing the Blessed Sacrament to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living and private homes. To participate within this ministry, one must be a commissioned Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion and be open and willing to visit these members of our parish family within their various living situations. Also, meetings are held once a month.

If you are interested in sharing your gifts within this ministry, contact Wayne Baumgarte (765-457-3625).

  • Ministry of Care Bus – Mary Stackhouse – 765-404-1153

This ministry brings parishioners to Mass who need transportation. Parishioners are needed to ride the bus to assist shut-ins/passengers on an doff the bus and into the church. If you or someone you know needs a ride to get to Mass or if you would like to help please call Mary Stackhouse at 865-6684.

  • Ministry of Praise – leader TBD

This is a spiritual ministry in which we offer all prayers, joys and sufferings to God for the salvation of souls. All sick, homebound, handicapped and senior citizens are invited to be members. There are no meetings. The pastor formally commissions members at Mass or at home.

Contact Wayne Baumgarte for more information (457-3625).

This ministry provides dinner for families and friends of the deceased. All parishioners are eligible to help in this ministry. The group is set up on a 4-month cycle, so each group is on duty once every 4th month.

Contact Rita Straub if you are interested in sharing your gifts and talents within this ministry (455-0468 or rjstraub2@comcast.net).

This group promotes the sanctity of human life through educational programs. This organization welcomes the support and assistance of all persons who share the concern for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.

If you would like to participate or would like more information, contact Jan Marrah (865-6684 or jmarrah@saintjoan.org ).

The Chapel Gift Shop provides our faith community with the opportunity to purchase religious articles for gifts and personal use. The shop is open to everyone and is run by volunteers. The workers work in 3 hour shifts once a month. The shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m.

Contact Sharon Kelly if you would like to volunteer to work in our shop (868-8069 or CLKELLY39@aol.com).

  • Serra Club of Kokomo – Larry Nix – 453-5908

The Serra Club promotes and fosters religious vocations. The organization strives to be better informed about the Catholic Church and all its canonical principles. All lay people in good spiritual standing with the Catholic Church who live within a 30-mile radius of Kokomo are eligible. Meetings are twice a month – the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and the third Sunday Mass followed by breakfast at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Contact Larry Nix if you are interested in joining the Serra Club (453-5908).

  • Prayer Shawl Ministry – Cheryl Genovese 453-5304 & Lydia Baumgarte 457-3625

The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first and third Wednesday of the month, from 9 until 11am at the church. We meet for prayer, socialization, and crafting shawls. We pray that the works of our hands will bring warmth and comfort both to those who receive them and to those who prepare them. Completed shawls are blessed and made available free for those in need of support.

Contact Cheryl Genovese (453-5304) or Lydia Baumgarte (457-3625) if you are interested in joining our ministry or would like to receive a prayer shawl.

  • St. Vincent de Paul Store – Doris Thomas – 865-9964

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic organization of lay persons who wish to live their faith by loving and serving as Jesus did. The Society works through personal contact, encompassing every form of aid that alleviates suffering, and promoting the dignity of all. Volunteers work towards increased spiritual growth through acts of charity. The group operates the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store on South Union Street in downtown Kokomo. Meetings are held once a month.

If you are interested in joining this ministry or would like more information, contact Doris Thomas (865-9964).

  • Tele Ministry – Ralph Reddersdorf – 452-3309

The Tele Ministry is commissioned to make regular contact with all St. Joan of Arc parishioners, inquiring about household statuses and prayer requests, as well as passing on other parish information. Meetings are held as needed.

Contact Ralph Reddersdorf (452-3309) for more information.

  • Birthright of Kokomo – Elaine Chmiel – 868-8369

Birthright is an international organization of crisis pregnancy centers. It offers a range of services designed to help support a woman’s desire not to have an abortion, including referrals to legal, medical and psychological services, as well as a range of community-support assistance. The local group has unscheduled meeting periodically.

Contact Elaine Chmiel (868-8369) if you are interested in sharing your gifts with this organization.

  • Hispanic Ministry – Diana Voiles – 865-9964

The Hispanic Ministry aims to take care of the spiritual, material, and social needs of migrant farm workers and their families who harvest crops in our area from May to October. Anyone willing to share their time, talent and treasure is welcome to help. Core committee meetings are held once a month from March through October. This ministry has many areas of service that could use a variety of talents.

Contact Diana Voiles (865-9964) if you are would like to help or would like more information.

  • Haiti Twinning Project – Gerry Tackett – 453-4988

The purpose of this ministry is to help support a parish in Haiti through individual donations and parish outreach programs. It promotes the development of friendships though visits, correspondence by parishioners, and a yearly medical mission to our sister-parish in Bas-Limbe, Haiti. A portion of the proceeds from the annual Parish Rummage Sale goes to support the Haiti Parish. Meetings are held as needed.

Contact Gerry Tackett for more information (453-4988).

  • Parish Nurse Ministry – Jackie Hossum – 453-6604

The parish nurse program is a healing ministry designed to promote wellness of body, mind and spirit. Based on the wholeness of individuals, the goal of this ministry is to assist members of the congregation to live full, abundant, and healthy lives, as well as enhancing the individual’s capacity to take responsibility for their physical, emotional and spiritual well being. This ministry also offers periodic blood pressure screening is available after Sunday Mass. Registered nurses are needed to perform this ministry.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Jackie Hossum (453-6604).

  • Jail Ministry – Deacon Ron Morrow – 453-2632

This ministry brings the Word of God to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are incarcerated. Compassionate adults who possess a knowledge of and a love for the Gospel and are willing to share that love and understanding with those in prison are welcome to participate. A volunteer must be willing to complete the jail background check requirements.

Contact Deacon Ron Morrow (453-2632) if you are interested in participating in this ministry.

  • Cancer Support Group – Collette Inderhees – 453-6921

This ministry helps those who are suffering the effects of cancer, cancer treatments, and the after effects of the illness and treatments. This group also supports family members of those who are suffering. Additionally, the Cancer Support Group reaches out to those who may have lost a loved one to cancer. Support meetings are held the second and forth Tuesday of the month at church.

Contact Collette Inderhees for more information (453-6921).

  • Habitat for Humanity – Barbara Sehr – 455-1282

We are a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. We build with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds.

Contact Barbara Sehr (455-1282) if you are interested in joining us.