OCIA:

OCIA is a program for those adults (18 and older) who would like to become Catholic.  Classes begin in September of each year and conclude at the Easter Vigil.  Classes meet on Tuesday evenings at the Padua Center at 7:00 pm.  For more information contact Steve Contreras at [email protected] or call Deacon Tony Schlott at 815-469-6198 and we will be happy to help you.


Adult Religious Education:

Catholic Adult Religious Education is to help Catholics deepen their relationship with God and recommit themselves to the responsibility of sharing their faith with others.  The Church’s catechetical mission aims to help the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity, enriching the whole of life with the Gospel.  We try to touch all faith dimensions of an adult life:  communicating the faith, skills needed for the faith growth, the experience of family life, relationships, community service and concern for the common good.  Our adult Religious Education ministry engages the particular needs and interests of the adults in our Parish. Three major goals guide and direct our efforts in Adult Religious Education as directed by USCCB:

1. Invite and enable ongoing conversion to Jesus in Holiness of Life
2. Promote and support active membership in the Christian Community
3. To call and prepare adults to act as disciples in the mission to the world.
 For more information contact Deacon Tony Schlott at 815-469-6198 or at [email protected]

Religious Education Program - REP:

We recognize that in our hectic world, a commitment of time is often a great sacrifice. Volunteer is a very important element in the religious instruction of the young people of our Parish. Whether you are teaching a 1^st grader the basics of prayer, helping a child to get safely into the building from the parking lot, or guiding a young person from Confirmation to a leadership role as a Catholic Christian, you will be a very important part of the process. Contact the REP Office if you would like to volunteer in our program.  815-469-6072 or [email protected].

Altar Servers:

Altar Servers assist the priest and deacon at Mass.  Boys and Girls who want to serve weekend Masses, Holydays, Weddings and other special liturgies are invited to join this ministry.  Contact Steve Contreras at [email protected] for more information.

Arts and Environment:

Work together to create a prayerful environment in our Church for weekend Masses and special liturgical seasons.  Contact Carmella Kimble by email [email protected] for more information.

Eucharistic Ministers:

Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass.  Eucharistic Ministers are asked to participate in a formation session to prepare for their ministry.  Contact Deacon Joe Johnson at 815-469-3750 or [email protected] for more information.

Homebound:

The Homebound Ministers visit the sick upon request to bring them the Holy Eucharist and pray with them.  Please call our Parish Office to schedule a visit or for more information. 

Lectors:

The Lector is entrusted with the honorable task of making the Word of God come alive by proclaiming it for the congregation.  Lectors are asked to participate in a formation session to prepare for their ministry.  Contact Rich Zaremba at [email protected]

Ushers:

Ushers help with the organization, greeting, and collections at Masses.  Please contact Dan Dan Walenga at [email protected] for more information.

Adoration:

When Catholics say they are “going to Adoration,” they are typically referring to Eucharistic Adoration. Which, in the most basic terms, is the worship of Jesus in the form of the Eucharist outside of the Mass. We are Blessed to have perpetual Adoration, which means that we are able to pray before the Lord at any time, day or night.  If you feel called to it, you can become a scheduled adorer.  Please contact the Parish Office. Regardless of your decision, know that you can come any hour, any day that is convenient for you. HE is waiting. The Adoration Chapel is open for 24/7.

Holy Spirit Prayer Group:

The power of the Holy Spirit lies within each one of us and needs to be brought to light in our everyday lives.  The St. Anthony Parish Holy Spirit Prayer Group offers the opportunity to learn more about living life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit through weekly prayer group meetings and Life in the Spirit Seminars.  Come and learn about the how the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are within you can help you become a more active member of the Body of Christ at St. Anthony Parish and the outside community.  Our weekly prayer group meetings are held on Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm at the Padua Center and are open to everyone who would like to join us and grow spiritually through praise, prayer, scripture and spiritually enriching music.  For more information, please contact the Parish Office.

Pro-Life Rosary Group:

St. Anthony Pro-Life meets the every Monday at 4:30 pm at the Parish and prays the Rosary of Life for the unborn. All are welcome to join! For more information please contact Donna at 815-277-2941 or Rose Mary at [email protected]

Tuesday Morning Rosary and Scripture Group:

The Rosary and Scripture Group meets every Tuesday at 9:30 am at the Padua Center.  If you would like to join us, please call the Parish Office at 815-469-3750.

St. Anthony Parish Council of Catholic Women (CCW):

As part of the National and Joliet Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, St. Anthony CCW is dedicated to educate and empower ALL catholic women in spirituality, leadership, and service. Through shared activities and meetings St. Anthony CCW members offer prayerful support for one another and organize acts of service for our parish and all those in need.  All women 18 years and older of the parish are welcomed members.  An active member is one who pays annual $10 dues and participates in events.  Meetings and programs along with hospitality are held September-May on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 P.M. in Memenas Hall.  Always check the bulletin for information on upcoming meetings and scheduled events.  For more information contact Jennifer Rafacz, St. Anthony Council of Women President, at 325-212-0212 or email at [email protected].

St. Anthony Parish Funeral Luncheon Ministry:  Our mission is to help at the luncheons held in the Church Hall following a funeral.  We will bake the sweets, set up, serve, and clean up.  All the family has to do is arrange the menu and payment with a caterer.  For more information and to volunteer contact Linda at [email protected].

St. Anthony Knights of Columbus:

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.8 million members in over 15,000 local councils. Last year, Knights donated 70 million volunteer hours and $170 million to charitable and benevolent causes, sponsoring projects to benefit their Church, communities, councils, Culture of Life, families and youth.

The St Anthony Council #9770 was founded in 1988. Since then the Council has given more than $250,000 to local charities and the church.

The St Anthony Knights of Columbus Council #9770 business meetings are the second Tuesday of every month and the Council social meetings are the 4^th Tuesday of every month.

Any man interested in joining the Knights of Columbus can do so online at www.kofc.org or by contacting John Hein at 815-474-0560.

Visit our Council Website HERE 

St. Vincent de Paul - Outreach:

The Outreach ministry coordinates events such as the monthly food drives, yearly coat drive, Annual Easter Baskets Giving Tree, Christmas Giving Tree, and other collections.  This team of volunteers devotes their time and talent in helping those who are in need.  If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call 815-469-3750 ext. 114.