Committee Chair: Dan Armstrong Phone: 319-266-4775 Email: [email protected]
Purpose
The purpose of this committee is to foster a sense of belonging for all parishioners and to provide activities which build and strengthen community within the parish and in its outreach efforts. Most of us go to the same Mass every weekend. We get to know the people that sit around us, the lectors, greeters and eucharistic ministers at that Mass. Our Winterfest, Fall Festival and Garage Sale are total Blessed Sacrament events. They are opportunities to put faces to names that you may have heard or read in thie bulletin and to meet people that you never see at your Mass. Come have fun with old friends and new.
Parish Events
Winterfest
Winterfest occurs in February or March. This event is an auction to support the parish and the many programs offered to our parishioners and the Waterloo/Cedar Falls community. An appetizer meal along with a cash bar will be provided for an entry fee. The auction items are donated and gathered by fellow parishioners. Volunteers are needed for setup for the meal and auction, preparation and serving the meal and, of course, cleanup. If you wish to involved, contact the rectory at 319-233-6179.
Garage Sale
The garage sale is held in August for three days. Parishioners provide gently used clean items such as furniture, clothing, kitchenwares, linens, tools, toys, and other household items. This is a great opportunity for everyone to donate items as well as volunteer to help with setup, selling, and cleanup for this event. It is a fun event and helps provide the community with needed items at low cost.
This year our Garage Sale will be held in the Parish Center on August 11th, 12th & 13th. You may begin dropping off donated items for the sale at the Parish Center begiining after Masses, August 6th.
If you are interested in donating items or volunteering to help with this event, please call Margaret Klein at 319-429-1907 or Mary Nichols at 319-830-2122 for more information. You may also email Margaret or Mary by simpling clicking on their name.
Fall Festival
Fall Festival is one of Blessed Sacrament's most popular events. The event features a delicious meal, including homemade pie. Join us each September in the Parish Center for a day of fellowship. And if you want a more hands-on experience, there are hundreds of volunteer opportunities that allow you to work side-by-side with other parishioners - and possible form long-lasting friendships. Fall Festival is your best opportunity to see first-hand what the Blessed Sacrament "community" is all about.
This year, Fall Festival will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017. All parishioners are invited to attend a meeting to organize and plan Fall Festival on Sunday, July 30, 2017 in Putz Hall.
If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Maggie England at 319.939.8409 or email Maggie by simply clicking on her name.
Parish Golf Outing Our annual Golf Outing is held each summer at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo. This event uses a 4-Person, Best Shot format. This year's event will be held on Saturday, July 29th with a 7:30 a.m. Shotgun Start. To register, sposnor a hole, donate or volunteer your time and talent in support of this event, please call Joe Leibold at 319-230-7549 or 319-232-6828 or email by simply clicking on his name.
Ongoing Opportunities
Estate Sale Services
Downsizing? Clearing household goods from an estate? Blessed Sacrament parishioners offer Estate Sale Services for those willing to donate the proceeds back to Blessed Sacrament Parish. At your location, we will set up for a sale, advertise and staff the sale, and dispose of what remains after the sale. If you are interested in discussing or scheduling a sale with us, please call Margaret Klein at 319-429-1907 or email by simply clicking on her name.
Quilters
We meet on Wednesdays from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. in Putz Hall to quilt on commissioned work. All money made is given to Blessed Sacrament. We also make and donate a quilt for a raffle in the Fall.We welcome anyone that loves to make stitches count. Join us any Wednesday. All you need to bring is your scissors and needle. Hand sewing experience is helpful. For more information, please conact Rosalea Schmelzer at 319-232-2217 or Mary Lou Chapin at 319-235-9170. You may also email Mary Lou by simply clicking on her name.
Funeral Dinner Preparation and Service We prepare and serve meals to families and friends after the funeral service. Bernice Einck and Mary Jan Patten organize the setup and serving. If you would like to help, you can contact Bernice at 319-277-1989 or Mary Jane at 319-233-0265 or click on their name for email. If you would be willing to occasionally provide a desert or salad, please call Barb Gaard at 319-493-8805.
Pastoral Care Ministry: Homebound, Sick, Dying, Bereaved The ministry of care for the homebound, sick, dying, death, and bereavement is a privilege as well as very rewarding. The volunteers who do this are called Spiritual Companions. They journey with parishioners who are unable to attend Mass due to illness or some infirmity. Spiritual Companions take Communion to the homes, care facilities, or hospitals; wherever the person(s) they visit are located. This faith journey brings comfort, loving care, attentive listening and compassion to those wanting to receive Communion and companionship. It is a jot to bring Jesus to those of our faith community who are unable to celebrate the liturgy with the Community of Blessed Sacrament. You are encouraged through your Baptismal commitment to discern if the Spirit is calling you to give your TES to this sacred minisry. If you are interested in this ministry or want more information, please contact Sister Madonna Friedman at 319-830-6349 or email by simply clicking on her name.
If you are concerned about some health issue and would like to have our Parish Nurse come to visit you or talk to her about questions you have, call Carol Eastman at 319-230-6779.
Thank you for considering this beautiful ministry!
Men's Group Our Men's Group is a group of men who are interested in fellowship and fun with a little faith thrown in. Their purpose is to establish relationships within the Blessed Sacrament Community. They have a Fantasy Football League, sponsor parish breakfasts, do parish cookouts, are involved with the Pariswh Golf Outing and raise funds to support parish activities and Winterfest. It is loosely organized and does not meet on a regular basis. It is not affiliated with the Pastoral Council but does collaborate with the Parish Community Life Committee. All money raised goes directly back into parish activities. If you are interested in being involved with the Men's Group or would like to learn more, please contact Dan Armstrong at 319-610-7794 or email by simply clicking on his name.
Prayer Chain If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, or wish to be a part of the praying community, contact Helen Tedore at 319-415-7087 or Ida Yearling at 319-232-1021. They will start a calling chain and everyone in the group will be praying with you.