Ministries

Adult Faith Formation

Adult Faith Formation is an ongoing process that has four essential components: evangelization, education, spirituality and initiation. Coordinated by the director of Adult Faith Formation,

Altar Servers

Altar Servers minister at Sunday and weekday liturgies, funerals, weddings and various other liturgical rites. They minister to the assembly by carrying the cross, candles, and incense, presenting the Sacramentary to the priests, preparing the altar, and undertaking other tasks that serve the liturgy.

Cantors

Cantors lead the music at Sunday liturgies and at other liturgical rites. Cantors must be registered members of the parish and are typically high school age or older.

Catholics Returning Home

Catholics Returning Home is a six week series of ninety minute sessions held three times per year – after Christmas, after Easter, and in the Fall. It is an opportunity for Catholics who have been away from the Church

Choir/Music Ministry

The choirs at St. Joan of Arc lead the worshipping assemblies in song at Sunday Masses and other major festivals and rites. There are currently four distinct parish choirs:

Commission on Divine Worship

The Commission on Divine Worship consists of representatives from the various ministries that serve the liturgy (e.g., musicians, servers, communion ministers) as well as from the parish at large. The purpose of this commission is twofold:

DAYBREAK Transitional Housing Ministry

DAYBREAK provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless families with children so that they can work toward recovering economic and familial stability. There are five transitional housing units in the neighborhood.

EarthMatters

EarthMatters exists to raise environmental awareness and promote environmental advocacy within our faith and local community by creating, encouraging, and enabling environmental education, and providing support and guidance for parish and personal sustainability initiatives.

Elementary Religious Formation (Grades 1-8)

Elementary Religious Formation is the educational and formational program provided for the children in grades 1-8 who do not attend the parish school. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings throughout the school year.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary ministers of communion assist the priests and deacons (the “ordinary” ministers of communion) with the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ. Initial and ongoing formation is provided.

FISH

FISH is an ecumenical organization that ministers to the material needs of our community. FISH maintains a free food pantry and clothes closet in the basement of the Downers Grove Township building. Each Monday, members of our parish are needed to take donated food to the FISH location.

Funeral Ministry

Funeral Ministry arranges the luncheons in the Parish Center after funeral liturgies upon request of the family. Those who participate in this ministry prepare side dishes such as casseroles, salads or desserts.

Golden Agers

The Golden Ager’s is a parish organization open to any member fifty-five years of age and older.

Greeters

Greeters minister in the narthex of the church by joyfully welcoming those who gather for Sunday worship. All registered individuals and families are welcome to serve in this ministry of hospitality.

Grounds Committee

Members of the Grounds Committee help maintain and improve the landscaping of the parish grounds.

High School Youth Ministry

High School Youth Ministry provides programs for high school age students that aim at deepening the students’ Catholic faith as well as their commitment to the church community. Faith formation classes are held on Sunday evenings.

Hospitality Ministry

The Hospitality Ministry coordinates events and receptions that foster a spirit of community within the parish. These include the annual parish picnic and numerous receptions after liturgical events.

Just Faith

Just Faith is an eight month adult education program that is designed with a twofold goal, to deepen the participants’ knowledge of Catholic social teachings as fond in the Scriptures and historical witness, and to grow in one’s relationship with God

Knights of Columbus

Knights of Columbus St. Joan of Arc Council #15168 serves the community of Lisle. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic Men’s Organization

Marriage Preparation Program

The Marriage Preparation program is designed to assist engaged couples for the sacramental celebration of their marriage, and to prepare them for the life long commitment of husband and wife as envisioned by the Catholic Faith.

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter)

The PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program shelters homeless persons in different churches and congregations throughout DuPage County each night of the week. St. Joan of Arc parishioners sponsor six such nights in the course of a year.

Pastoral Council

The Pastoral Council is a group of parishioners, selected through a discernment process, that represents the needs of the parish community to the pastor.

Pastoral Ministers of Care

Pastoral Ministers of Care visit the sick, the elderly, and the dying in hospitals and nursing homes. Through their presence and their bringing of Holy Communion, they offer emotional and spiritual support on behalf of the parish community.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel

St. Joan of Arc parish sponsors perpetual adoration (24/7) of the Blessed Sacrament in an chapel designed for this purpose and located in the Parish Office Building.

Prayer Blanket Ministry

The Prayer Blanket Ministry is a ministry in which lap blankets are distributed to those who are seriously ill or undergoing surgery. The blankets are knitted, crochetedm quilted, or sewn by volunteers. They are blessed by a priest, prayed over by the St. Joan of Arc Rosary Group, tagged, wrapped, and distributed.

Pro Life Ministry

Pro Life Ministry
St. Joan of Arc Pro Life Ministry seeks to promote the Church’s “Gospel of Life” through prayer, political advocacy, social action and education.

Project Gabriel

Project Gabriel is a Christian-based network of volunteers who assist women and families facing crisis pregnancies. Members of this ministry meet individually with pregnant mothers who are referred to them.

REACH Program

The REACH Program of faith formation is available for any child or adult with special needs.

Readers (Lectors)

Readers proclaim the Scriptures at the Sunday Eucharist and other liturgical rites. In the absence of a deacon the readers also announce the Prayer of the Faithful. Initial and ongoing formation is provided as well as resources to assist in the preparation of their ministry.

Resource Center Volunteers

These volunteers are welcoming members of the parish who staff the Resource Center in the church lobby fifteen minutes before and after the Sunday liturgies. They are on hand to assist people who wish to register in the parish

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process of growth and discernment regarding the Catholic faith and a person’s free choice to become a member of the Church. It is designed to accommodate people of various backgrounds.

Social Justice and Peace Committee

The Social Justice and Peace Committee is organized to respond to the Church’s call to safeguard and enhance the dignity of every human person, especially the poor, the dispossessed, the marginalized and alienated members of society.

St Joan of Arc Health Ministry

St. Joan of Arc Health Ministry promotes body, mind and spiritual harmony within the faith community. Volunteers are needed to assist the parish nurse in creating and implementing programs that foster health and well being in St. Joan of Arc parish.

St. Vincent de Paul

The parish conference of St. Vincent de Paul invites parishioners to join them in “silent” works of charity by discretely aiding needy families, visiting homes, hospitals and institutions, seeking and serving the distressed and by growing spiritually through the gift of self to others.

Sunday Nursery

The Sunday nursery is maintained by volunteers for children ages six months through three years.

Sunday Preschool Program

The Sunday Preschool Program is an introductory religion program for children 3-5 years of age. It is conducted on Sunday mornings during the 9:30am Mass while parents attend the liturgy. Separate classes are arranged for each of the three age levels.

Ushers

Ushers provide hospitable service at the liturgy by helping to keep order and a sense of safety within the worshipping assembly. Their tasks include: assisting parishioners with seating, procuring the gift bearers for the Offertory procession

Women's Ministry

The Women's Ministry of St. Joan of Arc is a dynamic group of women who offer a variety of events throughout the year. These events provde the opportunity for all women in our community to nourish their Catholic faith, and to be a support for each other.