Our Lady Of Ransom Catholic Church

Anointing of the Sick	First Saturday of the month after the 8:15 am mass.
Benediction and Holy Hour	First Friday of the month at 7:00 pm.
Reconciliation	Saturday, 11 AM - Noon or Individually as requested

MINISTRIES PERFORMED AT OLR

A ministry is an activity performed by a person or persons that enables the Gospel message to become transparent in the lives of the people whom those in the ministry are called to serve. It involves participation in the sacramental life of the church as well as other areas of charitable works and in sharing the faith with others on a personal level. The role of ministry in the life of any parish becomes an important and defining way for people to identify their faith and mission.

The presence of lay men and women as Liturgical Ministers is the result of a revolutionary set of reforms undertaken by the Church with the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960's.*

Ministry of Altar Servers

The name "server" identifies their role at Mass - to serve God and his people by helping the priest and the assembly in their worship and celebration of the mass. They carry the cross, candles, ashes, censer, bread, wine, and water, and assist the priest or deacon as needed.* Adult altar servers are used on weekdays for funeral masses. Youth altar servers are generally volunteers from the Religious Education Program (REP). If you are an adult and are interested in becoming an altar server, contact the Ministry Center at 847/823-2550. If you are a youth in the REP, discuss your desire with your instructor.

Ministry of Baptism Preparation

Baptisms take place on the first and third Sundays of the month at 1:30 PM in the Church. Baptism preparation sessions are held on the third Monday of the month at 7 PM in the Ministry Center. Families requesting baptisms must be registered in the parish prior to making arrangements. Please register by calling the Ministry Center at 847/823-2550 and speaking to one of the priests 2-3 weeks prior to the preparation session.

Ministry of Bereavement

Members of the Ministry of Bereavement bring peace, comfort, and assistance to individuals and families at difficult times. One Bereavement Minister typically stays with the family through the entire process to help coordinate the spiritual components of a very emotional time.

If you have lost a loved one and need help, contact the Bereavement Ministry at 847/823-2500 in the Ministry Center.

Ministry of Care

Members of the Ministry of Care provide spiritual care and administer communion to those who are sick, hospitalized, or homebound. Please call the Ministry of Care at 847/823-2550 in the Ministry Center and make arrangements to provide these services.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Each week after the introductory rites at the 10:45 am Mass, children who are kindergarten through fourth grade age will be invited to go to classrooms with our catechists to focus on God's Word in a way that we hope will be more meangingful for them. The children will then return at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Ministry of Communion Ministers

The responsibility of Communion Ministers is more than just distributing Holy Communion at mass. The ministry requires them to be Christ-like, so that Christ may touch those to whom they minister.* Contact the Communion Ministry at 847/823-2550 in the Ministry Center if you have an interest in participating in this ministry.

Human Concerns Commission

The mission of the Human Concerns Commission is to improve the corporal and spiritual lives of the members of the parish and the community. It is also the "umbrella organization" under which the following ministries, organizations, activities function:

Crop Walk
Food Pantry
Hopeline
Soup Kitchen
Ministry of Bereavement
Ministry of Care
Vincent de Paul Society
Welcoming Committee

Ministry of Lectors and Commentators

Lectors, sometimes called readers, help communicate the Word of God at Mass. They are trained to help the congregation to better understand the scripture, and to successfully communicate the message to the people in attendance at Mass.* Contact the Lector and Commentator Ministry at 847/823-2550 in the Ministry Center if you have an interest in participating in this ministry.

Ministry of Music

The music ministers strive to involve every parishioner in worship through the use of tunes and texts. The importance of the Ministry of Music magnified greatly since Vatican II promulgated that the entire assembly actively participate in the singing of the liturgy.

Adult Choirs meet every Wednesday at 7:00 PM in the school in room 14/16.
Youth Choir meets the 1st Monday & Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM; Wednesday 12 pm Church, and sings at the 10:45 AM mass on the second Sunday of the month.
Cantors meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM in Church.
"New Spirit", the contemporary ensemble, sings at the 12:15 PM mass on the second Sunday of each month. Practice is at 7:00 PM the two preceding Thursdays in the school.
Filipino Choir sings at the 12:15 PM mass on the fourth Sunday of the month. Practice is at 7:00 PM on the two preceding Thursdays in the school. Contact Linda Sales.
Quartet Ensemble is a new group at OLR. The Ensemble is made up of 4 singers, a soprano, alto, tenor and a base. They sing at special liturgies where the full choir is not need or is not available. They are called upon and rehearse on an "as needed" basis. They are under the direction of the music director.

Call the Ministry Center at 847/823-2550 if you are interested in participating in this ministry.

Ministry of Ushers

The Ministry of Ushers, also called Greeters or Ministers of Hospitality, is the oldest ministry in the Church. Their focus is to create a climate of genuine Christian hospitality for everyone who attends the liturgies.* Contact the Ushers Ministry at 847/823-2550 in the Ministry Center if you are interested in participating in this ministry.

Rainbows

Rainbows is a program, offered in coordination with A Mother's Touch, for children who have experienced a loss, most often through divorce or death. It provides a guided environment where children meet regularly, do activities together, and are better able to experience and work through the dynamics of loss in a healthy way. See www.rainbows.org.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Those adults who wish to become Roman Catholics must take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Meetings are every Thursday from 7:00-8:30 PM in the Antioch Room of the Ministry Center from October thru Easter. Call the Ministry Center at 847/823-2550 if you are interested in joining our Catholic faith community.

Religious Education Program (REP)

For children in grades one through eight.

We at Our Lady of Ransom Parish endeavor to create a community in which young people can grow in a personal relationship with God. We strive to model qualities Jesus himself lived. We bring a spirit of enthusiasm and hospitality, honesty and empathy, which fosters an openness to God's Word. We commit ourselves to pass on the riches of Scripture and traditions of the Church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and rooted in prayer, we will call ourselves and others to respond to the challenges of the Gospel by loving service to all.

Classes meet from September through April:

Monday from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.
Tuesday from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.

Schedule of Classes

Our sacramental program is a parish program and the children need to be in a religion class for two years prior to receiving any sacrament.

First Communion is received in the second grade.
Reconciliation is received in second grade.
Confirmation is received in eighth grade.

Provisions are made for older students to receive the sacraments at any grade level.

We welcome your calls and invite you to visit our Religious Education classes. Please contact Sandra Motz, Religious Education Director, at 847-696-2994

Thank You.

Scripture Study

An organization of parishioners who meet to read and discuss the writings of the Bible. They are guided by approved reading materials for the upcoming Sunday readings. By learning the scriptures with others they are able to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit. The group meets every Wednesday morning after the 8:15 am mass in the ministry center.

St. Vincent De Paul Society

Our St. Vincent De Paul Society began 15 years ago. The society itself was founded in France in 1883. The members of the society believe that everyone must give a gift of self through silent works of charity, considered to be more precious than material things. Our society executes this belief by operating a Food Pantry, clothing drop off boxes, and a Soup Kitchen. The Society gets its money from the special collections every fifth Sunday and from the proceeds of the St. Joseph's Table. Meetings are held the second Monday of the month in the Ministry Center. If you are interested in joining the society, contact the Ministry Center at 847/823-2550.

Welcoming Committee

An organization of volunteers from the parish who contact each new registered parishioner and officially welcomes them to the parish. They supply handouts describing the various organizations of the parish and invite the new parishioners to a dinner welcoming them to the parish.

Marriages

Weddings take place on Saturdays at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Weddings on weekdays and Sundays are arranged individually. Please notify one of the priests 6 months before you plan your wedding. Families requesting weddings must be registered in the parish prior to making arrangements.

* Submitted by Rick Fox.

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