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"Each of us has a part to play,
a gift to share,
a service to offer
for building up the Body of Christ in love."
Pope FrancisStewardship: your gift of time, talent and financial resources
Stewardship as a way of life invites Catholics to offer back to God the “first-fruits” of their lives to support their parish, its programs and associated ministries. Everyone has something to give, and every gift, big or small, is truly a blessing to your church, to your community and a thanksgiving to God. This commitment of your time, of your talent and of your financial resources is important and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church cannot thrive without every member’s personal and financial support. Therefore, we hope that you will pray and carefully discern how you can joyfully support the many ministries and needs of the parish.
Financial giving and donations can be made weekly via parish envelopes, electronically through direct debits from your checking or savings account, through stock transfers, investments, trusts and by simply placing cash in the collection baskets during Mass. We also have parish endowments at the Catholic Community Foundation (http://www.ccf-mn.org/) in funds which provide interest income designated for tuition assistance, youth and faith formation, Catholic Charities, Maintenance and Operations. Another way to show joyful support is to volunteer your time and talent. Please consider sharing your special skills with the church and contact the Parish Office or an individual staff member or parishioner in a leadership position for details about the specific opportunities available.
Parish fun-raisers, like the January Thaw , the Growler Gathering, and Heaven's House Halloween Party are additional events that build community and provide another opportunity to share of your time, talent and of course your treasure. Immaculate Heart of Mary is blessed with many wonderful, generous and talented people – if you are not currently involved and desire to be, any of your parish leadership or staff would be happy to help you get connected and engaged.
Time and Talent Ministries
You can read about some of the many ministry opportunities available at IHM. Our participation makes our Parish a strong faith community. Thank you for participating financially and sharing your gifts of time and talent. If you have any questions or if you want to participate, please call the contact person identified with each ministry or the Parish office at 952-935-1432.
Faith Formation: Offers formational programs for those from three years old through adult.
Adult Faith Formation: Contact Parish Office.- Bible Study: either topical or study of particular book of the Bible; held for 8 weeks in the fall and spring. Materials are provided in advance and participants prepare at home and attend small group meetings each week at IHM.
- RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is a guided process for those who wish to enter the Catholic Church. Sponsors mentor candidates during their year-long faith conversion journey, participate in discussion sessions, and assist the candidate’s integration into the Catholic community.
- Lenten Adult Faith Formation: 6-week guided book study where participants meet for guided small group discussions.
- Adult Faith Formation on Varied Topics: Offered throughout the year. See the bulletin or contact the Faith Formation Coordinator for more information.
Sacramental Programs: Contact: Parish Office for Eucharist and Reconciliation. Contact Sam Schepers for Confirmation.- Confirmation: We are using an exciting program called Decision Point. The goal of the program is to offer youth a powerful, life-changing experience as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is our hope that Decision Point will not only offer youth a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Faith, but will also win over their hearts at this critical time in their lives. The program has been carefully designed to address and answer fundamental questions about life, and to challenge teens to embrace a life of faith. Confirmation is open to youth in 10th through 12th grade. Contact Sam Schepers.
- First Eucharist and First Reconciliation: Parents are provided materials to educate their children with the support from the Sacramental Coordinator. Each sacrament has a parent session and one parent/child activity session that take place during the preparation time. Reconciliation preparation takes place in the fall and Eucharist preparation takes place starting in early winter with reception of the Eucharist taking place in early spring. Contact Marianne Charbonneau
- Baptism and RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children):
Infant (0-2 years of age) – Contact the parish office 952-935-1432
Children (3 years or older) – Contact the Faith Formation Coordinator- Marianne Charbonneau
Religious Education: Contact: Parish Office
Children's Liturgy of the Word beginning in the fall.
Elementary: Grades 1 through6 is held on Wednesday evening from 6:30-7:30PM
Junior High: Grades 7 through 9 is held on Wednesday evening from 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Liturgical Ministries
Altar Server: Boys and Girls, 4 th grade and older through adult. Contact: the Parish Office at 952-935-1432.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Ministers must be confirmed, have a love for the Eucharist, have a good reputation in the community, live in union with the Church and her teachings, and, if married, have a valid Sacramental Marriage in the Catholic Church. Contact: Heather Discher or email hdischer@ihm-cc.org.
Gift Bearers: Gifts of Bread and Wine brought up at the Offertory during Mass. The Sacristan selects volunteers before each Mass.
Greeters: Be present before Mass to greet and welcome parishioners.
Lector: Must be a member of IHM Parish and be confirmed. Time commitment is preparation and reading during mass one or two months per year. Readings are provided in advance, and training will be given to new volunteers. Contact: Heather Discher or email hdischer@ihm-cc.org.
Daily Mass Lector: Responsible for proclaiming the scripture reading and Psalm for that day and also to assist the celebrant with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist. Commitment would be 1 full week every 6-8 weeks. Training provided. Contact: Pam Sutherland 952-935-1432 or email psutherland@ihm-cc.org.
Daily Mass Sacristan: Assist pastor by preparing the altar and worship space for daily mass. Commitment would be 1 full week every 6-8 weeks. Training provided.
Contact: Pam Sutherland 952-935-1432 or email psutherland@ihm-cc.org
Ushers: Facilitate the smooth and reverent movement of people into, around and out of the Church environment. Participate in the collection of Sunday and/or special giving by passing the basket throughout the church during Mass. Distribute bulletins and straighten up worship space after Mass. Contact: Heather Discher or email hdischer@ihm-cc.org.
Liturgical Decoration and Environment: Dress up the House of the Lord. Time commitment: a few hours around the changes of the Liturgical Church seasons. Contac the parish office at 952-935-1432.
Music Ministry
The Parish Choir:
The Parish Choir (comprised of both men and women, primarily sings at 10:30 Sunday Mass).
The Parish Choir is the principal liturgical choir for the parish. An ensemble of 10 to 12 auditioned and non-auditioned professional and volunteer musicians, the Parish Choir sings for all major liturgies throughout the liturgical year. Singing music ranging from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to that of contemporary composers, the Parish Choir always welcomes new singers! A level of comfortability in reading music is encouraged but not required. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. and are open to anyone in high school or beyond, providing a meaningful social outlet while enhancing the worship of our community.
About the music at Immaculate Heart of Mary:
Gathered together around the tables of both word and sacrament, we are the body of Christ called to prayer. This is the heart of our liturgical celebrations here at Immaculate Heart of Mary. All are welcomed and encouraged to fully, consciously, and actively engage in the coming together, the listening, the responding, the singing, the receiving, and the accepting of the mission to go forth and glorify the Lord by our lives.
At Immaculate Heart of Mary, music is integral to our worship and takes on many styles and forms, from chant to gospel, from hymns to contemporary songs. The organ and piano are used interchangeably and choirs of adult voices and cantors often greet and support us in our song, always mindful that the assembly is the primary minister of music.
Sung prayer gathers our many voices into one, builds us up as the body of Christ, and sends us forth to love and serve our God through our loving service to one another.
Parish Leadership
Finance Council
Parish Pastoral Council
Stewardship Committee: Support the Pastor by encouraging and educating parishioners in fulfilling their Christian responsibilities by creating and implementing annual motivational time, talent and treasure campaigns. Time and Talent volunteer initiative takes place annually. For involvement in time and talent, contact the Business Administrator. Pledge drive takes place in the fall. For involvement in treasure, contact the Business Administrator at 952-935-1432 Ext. 1208 or email kdennehy@ihm-cc.org
Parish Outreach Ministries
Funeral Lunch Ministry/Good Sams: Volunteer to serve and clean-up at funeral lunches. Commitment: Many hands mean less work, so please consider how you can help us. Approx. 4-5 times per year. Contact: The parish office at 952-935-1432.
Ministers of Care: These ministers respond to their baptismal call to serve others with a compassionate spirit. Time commitment: attend formation sessions; attend monthly enrichment speaker series; visit and/or bring Eucharist weekly or biweekly to those who are unable to come to church; be a listening presence to persons experiencing times of life transition.
Contact Sister Eleanor 952-935-1432, Ext 1211 or email ewartman@ihm-cc.org.- Eucharist to the Homebound/Hospital. Ministers visit and bring the Eucharist weekly to those who are homebound, in Care Centers and in medical facilities.
- Visiting the Homebound: Ministers visit weekly those who are homebound and in Care Centers to share fellowship that extends beyond the church walls .
- Ministers of Eucharist at Methodist Hospital: These ministers bring Communion to Roman Catholic patients at Methodist Hospital on Wednesdays. Contact Beryl McHale 952-937-2983.
Remembrance Luncheon: An informal gathering on the 4th Thursday of each month with a luncheon, for those persons in the IHM parish who have lost a loved one.
Prayer Shawl: Knitting/crocheting prayer shawls to bring comfort, strength and peace to persons who are ill, hospitalized or just want to be wrapped in the prayerful support of a caring community. Meet monthly to knit and crochet shawls and to pray over shawls being created and those completed. Contact: Bonnie Brynteson, 952-934-3511 or email bmb2247@aol.com.
Prayer Ministry: Volunteers needed to pray for the welfare and intentions of our community. Contact Sister Eleanor 952-935-1432, Ext 1211 or email ewartman@ihm-cc.org.
Parish Outreach
ICA/Food Shelf: Provide food and monetary gifts throughout the year. Special drives are done in November (Thanksgiving Drive); Minnesota Food Share & Empty Bowls in March; Peanut Butter & Jelly in June for summer months when children are out of school. Contact: Darlene Meixell 952-934-9237.
Sandwich Making Ministry: Volunteer to prepare sandwiches to be distributed to the homeless on the streets of Minneapolis through Alan Law's 365 Days ministry. Dates announced in the bulletin and volunteer sign-up sheets posted at IHM. Contact: Arlene Monk 952-938-3847.
St. Jude’s Circle: Provide comfort and care for the children at St. Joseph’s Home for Children by making small infant quilts for young children and decorative quilts for older residents. Provide quilt kits for Confirmation classes doing community involvement projects. Collect gifts for the children at Christmas. Contact the Parish Office for more information.
Respect Life Ministry: Promote awareness of pro-life issues and respect for all life through prayer, education, service, and advocacy. All ages are welcome. Contact: Parish office 952-935-1432
Sacred Heart Seminary: Support Sacred Heart Seminary and Fr. Matthew Odong with prayer and monetary donations. Contact: Parish Office 952-935-1432.
Salvation Army Bell Ringers: IHM volunteers ring the bells for the Salvation Army during the Christmas season. Contact: Paul Lehman 952-934-5315.
Minnetonka/Hopkins Family Resource Center in Hopkins: The “55 & Better” outreach project – invites all parishioners to collect school supplies in Aug/Sept and warm winter wear in December. Contact Sister Eleanor 952-935-1432, Ext 1211 or email ewartman@ihm-cc.org.
Hearts and Hands Ministry
Garden Maintenance and Upkeep: Enhance the Church surroundings by maintaining the garden areas and planters throughout the year. Select, purchase and plant the flowers in the planters in the spring and maintain (water) throughout the summer months. Change out the planters and decorate for the winter months. Assist the Grounds Maintenance committee as needed. Contact the parish office at 952-935-1432.
Grounds Crew (Upkeep of Church Grounds): Maintain the beauty of the church grounds (landscaped areas, parking lots, lawns) by picking up trash, pulling weeds, removing fall leaves and trimming shrubs and trees. Work, except for the fall leaf pickup, can be done at your convenience. No meetings – all email. Contact: Steve Wolf 952-933-1501 or email stevelynnfam@comcast.net.
Upkeep of Worship Space: These ministers are part of a team of parishioners who help keep the sanctuary of our church clean and orderly. Time commitment: quarterly, two days a month, maximum – one hour each time. Both weekday and weekend opportunities available. Contact Sister Eleanor
952-935-1432, Ext 1211 or email ewartman@ihm-cc.org.
Special Talents and Skills: Special talents and expertise that are not part of regular committees: may include painting, tile work, carpet laying, HVAC, carpentry, office work, mailings, computer data base, communications, website expertise, child care. Contact: Business Administrator 952-935-1432 Ext 1207 or email kdennehy@ihm-cc.org
Parish Social Activities
Men’s Club: (All Parish Men Welcome): The IHM Men’s Club is an organization that provides an atmosphere for fostering Christian fellowship and a sense of community among the men of the parish aimed at strengthening family life in our parish. The MC conducts fund-raising activities throughout the year and with the funds raised, the MC makes financial contributions to the Church and/or other ministries within the parish. The MC may also perform various service projects on behalf of the parish. Events include but are not limited to the annual Winter Thaw Dinner, Lenten Fish Dinners, Pancake Breakfast, and other social events. Contact: Blake Nelson at bnelson@hjlawfirm.com.
Women of Immaculate Heart of Mary (WIHM): All women are welcome to join our women's group promoting faith, fun and fellowship. We meet the fourth Tuesday of every month (September-May) from 7-9PM. We might have a speaker or an activity, but we always save time for getting to know one another in a relaxing environment.Hospitality: Hospitality in our parish is the sense of openness and warmth people feel when they come into our midst. Regular hospitality is hosted on the 2nd weekend of each month after each Mass serving treats and beverages. Hospitality is also hosted for other parish social events such as Ministry Fair, Growler Satruday, Halloween Party, Pie Social, Mardi Gras, Easter Egg Hunt, Mother's and Father's Day; along with celebrations of First Communion, Confirmation and other special anniversaries and events. Volunteers are needed to help with set up, serving and clean up at these events.
55 & Better: Plan monthly gatherings with those over 55 for a luncheon and speaker or entertainment and plan group outings. Contact Sister Eleanor 952-935-1432, Ext 1211 or email
ewartman@ihm-cc.org.