Altar Linen Ministry
Bereavement Ministry
Loaves and Fishes Ministry
Health Ministry
       Blood Pressure Screening
        Dance Class
        Healing Place Newsletter, The
        Medical Equipment Loan Program       
      Presentations and Workshops
Social Justice Ministry

Altar Linen Ladies
[Martha's Daughters]

St. Paul Parish is blessed to have a group of very dedicated ladies who perform a little-known service. They wash and iron all the small linens used during Liturgies and associated functions.

At present the linens are picked up once a week and brought back after being washed, ironed, and folded. Currently, all that's required of volunteer time is a two to three week commitment per year, probably the one committee here at the Church where the least amount of work is involved!

We are always looking for new members. We promise to train you and slowly take you through the process until you fell comfortable about how to do the linens and where to put them.

To volunteer call Dorothy Parker at 916-689-1110.

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The Bereavement Ministry

The Bereavement Ministry of St. Paul’s Parish provides a free reception service for members and their families following funeral or memorial masses.

We provide complete luncheons, or coffee and dessert, depending on the time of day, so that family and friends may gather and celebrate the life of the deceased and share a meal that St. Paul’s parishioners provide. We pray that doing so will alleviate some of the emotional and financial strain such an event places on families, as well as provide them with the love and support of our parish community.

 In order to continue this important service we always need additional volunteers. You may volunteer in two ways:

 1.      To provide food when called.
You might expect to be called once or twice a year to provide a salad, hot dish, vegetable, or dessert sufficient for approximately eight servings, and to deliver it to the church on the day of the event. If you volunteer to provide food you would not be required to serve at the reception. The Bereavement Ministry consists of four teams of dedicated volunteers who will gratefully receive your donations, provide service at the reception, and wash your serving pieces which you may pick up after the event.

2.      To serve as a member of one of our “teams”.
You might expect to be called four or five times a year to spend approximately 4 hours each time serving at the reception and providing appropriate clean-up. You would not be required to set up or take down tables and chairs. That service is provided by others.

 The Bereavement Ministry is a wonderful way to share in our parish family. We would love to welcome you to our group.  For additional information or to volunteer, please call Esther Conrad at 916-421-0615 or the parish office at 916-381-5200.

If you have lost a loved one and are in need of help with a reception after a funeral or memorial Mass,  please call the parish office at 916-381-5200 to schedule a date and time with Ms. Shirley Brown, Administrative Assistant.

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Loaves & Fishes

Many parishioners of St. Paul Catholic Church work with Loaves & Fishes, a private sector, charitable organization dedicated to feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless.

Those who participate from our parish volunteer once a month to prepare the food and feed the poor. They also support Maryhouse, a shelter for women and children.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Martha Smythe at 916-383-8893 or call the office at 916-381-5200.

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Health Ministry (and Parish Nurse)

The Health Ministry of St. Paul Catholic Church emphasizes the congregation's wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

The concept of the Health Ministry is to promote the Church as a "healing place."

The focus is to promote healing, wellness and disease prevention information and resources to parishioners and the church community.

Members of the Health Ministry work together to:

• help parishioners identify their needs and
   
• implement programs or activities to meet those needs.

Volunteers are always needed to assist with these programs and activities. Volunteers need not be members of the medical community to help. There is always a need for volunteers to make phone calls, serve as interpreters, help set-up and take-down before and after events, to facilitate or teach classes, and to provide other help as needed.

You may view, download or print a copy of the St. Paul Health Ministry brochure here. You will need a PDF reader to read the files. If your computer does not  have a PDF reader you can download a free one from 

If you wish to participate in any of these ways please call Clara Heimericks at 689-3932.

 Some of our ongoing programs are:

Free Blood Pressure Screenings 

One of the ongoing activities of the Health Ministry is the free Blood Pressure Screenings offered every first Sunday of the month from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, with the exception of activity blackouts. These screenings are presented to the community to increase awareness and knowledge of prevention, detection, and management of hypertension (high blood pressure). Provided free by your Health Ministry Team. If you are a R.N. or L.V.N. and can give one hour a month to help provide this valuable service please call Clara Heimericks at 916-689-3932.

Patti Morrow, R.N. checks the blood pressure of parishioner, and Knights of Columbus member, "Hank" at the October 1, 2006 free blood pressure screening.

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Medical Equipment (DME) loan program 

The Health Ministry of St. Paul administers and manages the free  medical equipment loan program.  This free service is provided so that parishioners are not required to purchase medical equipment that will not be permanently required. All types of portable equipment from wheelchairs to walkers, crutches and canes as well as bedside commodes are available for loan.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this Ministry, or if you have medical equipment to donate, please call Clara Heimericks at 916-689-3932 or the office at 916-381-5200.

If you or someone in your family is in need of some type of medical equipment, (wheel chair, walker, or other temporary device), please call Clara at 689-3932 or the office at 381-5200 and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

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The Healing Place Newsletter 

Another ongoing activity of the Health Ministry Team is publication of a monthly newsletter, "The Healing Place".  The newsletter provides information and resources requested by parishioners and is distributed to parishioners the last weekend of each month. You can read and print out copies of recent issues (in English y en Español) by using the links below. You will need a PDF reader to read the files. If your computer does not  have a PDF reader you can download a free one from 

If you have questions about the newsletter call Judy Niedzwiedz at 422-1587 or 834-1299 or via email at judithbear@comcast.net or webmaster@stpaul-florin.org

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Dance Classes 

The dance classes have been canceled indefinitely.

The Health Ministry apologizes for the inconvenience this causes.

Please watch the bulletin for announcements for future replacement classes.

Have questions? Call Clara Heimericks 689-3932.

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 Free Presentations and Workshops 

The St. Paul Health Ministry provides presentations and workshops to parishioners on a regular basis, usually quarterly. Event topics are selected in response to requests from parishioners. Past events have focused on: Advanced Directives; Hospice; Depression and Mental Health; Your Healthy Heart; and Bone and Joint Health. Presentations are generally held on evenings during the week and refreshments are served. Presenters include health care professionals and others from the surrounding community. Have questions? Call Clara Heimericks 689-3932.
 

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Social Justice Ministry

St. Paul Parish established a Social Justice Ministry in 2005 as part of the implementation of the Diocesan Synod Initiative on Social Justice.

Our mission is to promote an awareness of social justice, beginning with our parish community, and working toward the needs of the greater community.

Using the Beatitudes as a starting point, we are committed to serve our brothers and sisters who are in need of the basics for life — food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities.

The St. Paul Social Justice Ministry works closely with the Elk Grove Community Food Bank Services' Clothes Closet Program and holds "Share the Clothes" events throughout the year.

We raise funds through the St. Paul Christmas Bazaar, Fall Festival, and other events to provide funds to help our parishioners who are in need.

We work closely with the St. Paul Health Ministry Team to cover the cost of flu shots for those who can not afford the $20 fee; to help sponsor speakers, activities or events which may not otherwise be affordable.

We provide funding to the director of the St. Paul Parish Catholic Faith Formation Program to help purchase First Communion attire for the boys and girls whose family would have a difficult time purchasing these special clothes.

We continue St. Paul's involvement with the men, women and children who come to Loaves and Fishes for assistance by providing funds for essential clothing or toiletries.

As we continue to grow in our mission of service, we hope to become a resource in determining individual needs. We look forward to connecting individuals and families with agencies who can improve their situations.

We welcome all parishioners who would like to participate in our Social Justice Ministry. If you have a willingness to serve, or a special gift, such as bilingual skills, a strong back, or a friendly face, let us know. Monthly meetings are held on a Friday afternoon. If you are interested in participating in this Ministry, please contact Diane Welsh at (916) 682-7810.

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The Beatitudes — The solemn blessings which mark the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, the very first of Our Lord's sermons in the Gospel of St. Matthew (v, 3-10).

• Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
   

• Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.
   

• Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted. 
   

• Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
   

• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
   

• Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
   

• Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
   

• Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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This page last updated on Wednesday, January 09, 2008