The Community Builders Committee works to develop a spirit of Christian community within the parish. It promotes social (Coffee and Donut gatherings after the Sunday morning Masses on the 2nd Sunday of each month) and relational activities which will strengthen community bonds and tries to extend the hospitality of the parish to all members.

Chair:

Linda Hernandez-Renfro

Faith Formation / Evangelization Committee

The primary mission of the Faith Formation / Evangelization Committee is to enrich our parish community in the ways of faith. The committee’s purpose is faith enrichment in the context of the physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of the whole person God created. The focus of the committee is to coordinate, facilitate, and sponsor various life-enriching learning activities which address the needs of every age level, especially in the areas of adult religious education and faith development.

The committee sponsors and coordinates courses, study groups, speakers, and programs which address these faith concerns and needs.

Over the years, the Faith Formation / Evangelization Committee has attempted to enrich the faith of our parish community in a variety of ways. We've coordinated several parish missions. We've worked with the Diocese of Springfield to implement many innovative programs including small church communities, JustFaith, Why Catholic? and Generations of Faith, to name a few. We also host simple soup-suppers / reflection series offered weekly during Advent and Lent as well as Scripture classes to deepen the parish's appreciation and understanding of the Holy Scriptures.

An Invitation from the Faith Formation / Evangelization Committee:

Do you have a desire to grow in your faith, to deepen your personal relationship with God? Do you enjoy sharing your faith with others? Would you like to partner with others to enrich the faith of our parish? If you answered "Yes!" to any of these questions, then consider becoming a member of our parish's Faith Formation / Evangelization Committee!

Our mission is to serve YOU! Let us know what we can do to help you grow in your faith. If you have suggestions about programs you'd like to see us offer in the future, please let us know. Better yet, come join us and enrich not only your own faith, but the faith of the entire community! We can't do it without you!

Please contact Karen Siciliano at 217-787-9561 or aksiciliano@yahoo.com or Sister Mary Ellen Backes, OSU, at 217-801-7922, mebackes@stjoseph.dio.org for further information. Thank you!

The Chairperson, Vice-Chair and the Secretary of the Parish Council meet with the Pastor to help set the agenda for upcoming Pastoral Council meetings.

Chairperson:

Vice-Chair:

Secretary:

Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Health & Wellness Committee is to nurture and strengthen parishioners in body, mind, and soul through education, counseling, advocacy and referral to available resources.

Committee:

Members of the Health Committee meet on a regular basis to collaborate on the health needs of the parish.

Chair:  Diane Mounce

Members:  Lucinda Buescher, MD, Kathy Cory, RN, Lois Jirgal, 

Roles of the Parish Nurse

As each parish is unique, so are its health care needs.

As health educator: the Parish Nurse helps parishioners understand the connection between Catholic values, healthful attitudes, healthy lifestyle, spiritual faith and good health.

As health counselor: the Parish Nurse discusses health concerns with individuals in home, hospital and nursing home visits as needed.

As health care advocate: the Parish Nurse works with parishioners, their families and primary health resources to provide what is in the best interest of the whole person.

As referral agent: the Parish Nurse assists parishioners and their families to locate resources needed to meet their holistic needs.

Why Talk About Health Care At Church?

Throughout the centuries, church communities have promoted health and wholeness through worship, music, prayer, sharing and caring. A specially trained registered nurse can offer a ministry of education for health and wellness to each interested parishioner for a fuller sense of wholeness through physical, emotional and spiritual care. With our aging parish population, a major focus of this ministry is support to parishioners and their families who have concerns about the varied medical and social issues facing our elders.

What's new and healthy?

These tips were shared at one of our Health Promotion displays during a blood pressure screening. We will update this section periodically. Watch for more great tips on keeping healthy!

10 Essential Health Tips - (The Basics to Practice Every Day)

"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian Proverb

1. Move More

Make it a daily challenge to find ways to move your body. Climb stairs if given a choice between that and escalators or elevators. Walk your dog; chase your kids; toss balls with friends, mow the lawn. Anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it's a stress buster. Think 'move' in small increments of time. It doesn't have to be an hour in the gym or a 45-minute aerobic dance class or tai chi or kickboxing. But that's great when you're up to it. Meanwhile, move more. Thought for the day: Cha, Cha, Cha.... Then do it!

2. Cut Fat

Avoid the obvious such as fried foods, burgers and other fatty meats (i.e. pork, bacon, ham, salami, ribs and sausage). Dairy products such as cheese, cottage cheese, milk and cream should be eaten in low fat versions. Nuts and sandwich meats, mayonnaise, margarine, butter and sauces should be eaten in limited amounts. Most are available in lower fat versions such as substitute butter, fat free cheeses and mayonnaise. Thought for the day: Lean, mean, fat-burning machine.... Then be one!

3. Quit Smoking

The jury is definitely in on this verdict. Ever since 1960 when the Surgeon General announced that smoking was harmful to your health, Americans have been reducing their use of tobacco products that kill. Just recently, we've seen a surge in smoking in adolescents and teens. Could it be the Hollywood influence? It seems the stars in every movie of late smoke cigarettes. Beware. Warn your children of the false romance or 'tough guy' stance of Hollywood smokers. Thought for the day: Give up just one cigarette.... the next one.

4. Reduce Stress

Easier said than done, stress busters come in many forms. Some techniques recommended by experts are to think positive thoughts. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like. (i.e.,Soak in a hot tub; walk on the beach or in a park; read a good book; visit a friend; play with your dog; listen to soothing music; watch a funny movie. Get a massage, a facial or a haircut. Meditate. Count to ten before losing your temper or getting aggravated. Avoid difficult people when possible. Thought for the day: When seeing red, think pink clouds....then float on them.

5. Protect Yourself from Pollution

If you can't live in a smog-free environment, at least avoid smoke-filled rooms, high traffic areas, breathing in highway fumes and exercising near busy thoroughfares. Exercise outside when the smog rating is low. Exercise indoors in air conditioning when air quality is good. Plant lots of shrubbery in your yard. It's a good pollution and dirt from the street deterrent. Thought for the day: 'Smoke gets in your eyes'...and your mouth, and your nose and your lungs as do pollutants....hum the tune daily.

6. Wear Your Seat Belt

Statistics show that seat belts add to longevity and help alleviate potential injuries in car crashes. Thought for the day: Buckle down and buckle up.

7. Floss Your Teeth

Recent studies make a direct connection between longevity and teeth flossing. Nobody knows exactly why. Perhaps it's because people who floss tend to be more health conscious than people who don't? Thought for the day: Floss and be your body's boss.

8. Avoid Excessive Drinking

While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day (two for men) can help protect against heart disease, more than that can cause other health problems such as liver and kidney disease and cancer. Thought for the day: A jug of wine should last a long time.

9. Keep a Positive Mental Outlook

There's a definitive connection between living well and healthfully and having a cheerful outlook on life. Thought for the day: You can't be unhappy when you're smiling or singing.

10. Choose Your Parents Well

The link between genetics and health is a powerful one. But just because one or both of your parents died young in ill health doesn't mean you cannot counteract the genetic pool handed you. Thought for the day: Follow these basic tips for healthy living and you can better control your own destiny.

Upcoming Events: Blood Pressure Screenings after Sunday masses

The Health Committee chooses our monthly health promotion topics from this website:

http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp

The Liturgy Committee's work focuses on the worship and prayer life of the parish. Members plan the liturgical seasons and celebrations, coordinate the ministerial roles and participation of parish members within the liturgy, attend to the environment within and without the Church building, and promote the continuing education of the parish concerning liturgical theology and practice.

Chairperson:  

THIS COMMITTEE UNDER PRAYERFUL RE-CONSTRUCTION

This group strives to address the issues of social needs and concerns within the parish and in the larger community. It invites members of the parish to participate and to get involved in various activities and events. It also speaks in an advocacy role on behalf of the needy. The Social Concerns Committee strives to educate members of the parish about contemporary social issues. At times, the committee may represent the parish in the broader community.

Chairperson: Matt Power, 217-415-3227 (cell), mattpower1@yahoo.com

Members:  Lois Jirgal, Bob Fanale, Jill Cooper, Barb Schmidt, Michael Dura, Beth Murphy, Sr. Mary Ellen Backes, Deacon Larry Day

Upcoming Activities:

Other Ongoing projects are: Kumler Outreach-3rd Tuesday of every other month, Helping Hands Outreach-3rd Wednesday of each month; Springfield Warming Center-November through March; additional partnership opportunities with Kumler Outreach Ministry in support of those in need in our parish and neighborhood as they arise.

The task of the Stewardship Committee is to encourage and promote the good stewardship of parish resources. Committee members help to plan and coordinate the efforts of parish members by identifying the talent and treasure of the parish and soliciting the sharing of these gifts and talents for the well being of the entire community.

Chair:

Diane Best - (544-2814)