Pastoral Ministries

Prayer Shawl Ministry
A group of women in the parish have begun a Prayer Shawl Ministry with the mission to create shawls for people who are ill, dying, or homebound. These shawls serve not only to provide the comfort of warmth, but also a visible sign of the care and prayers of fellow parishioners. Members knit at home, but meet from September through May on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM in the Parish Center. Any shawls completed during the summer months may be dropped off at the parish office. The ministry is always looking for more knitters!
If you are interested in being a part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry (knitting or crocheting pray shawls) contact Elizabeth Hansen at hansene8653@gmail.com or at 608-617-3533 (Portage) or Sr. Anita Henning at 608-981-2282 or by emailing stmaryhofc@maqs.net (Briggsville).
Not a knitter? Donations of unused yarn (any type) could be dropped off in the Parish Center.
A group of women in the parish have begun a Prayer Shawl Ministry with the mission to create shawls for people who are ill, dying, or homebound. These shawls serve not only to provide the comfort of warmth, but also a visible sign of the care and prayers of fellow parishioners. Members knit at home, but meet from September through May on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM in the Parish Center. Any shawls completed during the summer months may be dropped off at the parish office. The ministry is always looking for more knitters!
If you are interested in being a part of the Prayer Shawl Ministry (knitting or crocheting pray shawls) contact Elizabeth Hansen at hansene8653@gmail.com or at 608-617-3533 (Portage) or Sr. Anita Henning at 608-981-2282 or by emailing stmaryhofc@maqs.net (Briggsville).
Not a knitter? Donations of unused yarn (any type) could be dropped off in the Parish Center.
Funeral Luncheon Committee
The Funeral Luncheon Committee consists of six groups, each group having two chairpersons. Each group is responsible for a two-month period. The funeral director contacts one of the chairpersons when there is a funeral. One of the chairpersons plans the menu with the family and orders the main food items. The other chairperson calls for help and for donations of food if necessary. The committee picks up the food from the grocery store, serves the food, and cleans up the kitchen and church hall. Each Funeral Luncheon Group has a list of regular workers who help them with the luncheon. In addition, there are usually family members and friends who bring in food for the luncheon. We are always ready to welcome anyone who would be able to help in any way, either as a worker or as someone who would be glad to donate a salad or dessert when needed.
If you would like to volunteer with the Funeral Luncheon Committee, please contact Kathy Johnson at 608-697-5049 or by emailing rudy011@frontier.com (Portage) or Cheryl stmaryhofc@maqs.net (Briggsville).
The Funeral Luncheon Committee consists of six groups, each group having two chairpersons. Each group is responsible for a two-month period. The funeral director contacts one of the chairpersons when there is a funeral. One of the chairpersons plans the menu with the family and orders the main food items. The other chairperson calls for help and for donations of food if necessary. The committee picks up the food from the grocery store, serves the food, and cleans up the kitchen and church hall. Each Funeral Luncheon Group has a list of regular workers who help them with the luncheon. In addition, there are usually family members and friends who bring in food for the luncheon. We are always ready to welcome anyone who would be able to help in any way, either as a worker or as someone who would be glad to donate a salad or dessert when needed.
If you would like to volunteer with the Funeral Luncheon Committee, please contact Kathy Johnson at 608-697-5049 or by emailing rudy011@frontier.com (Portage) or Cheryl stmaryhofc@maqs.net (Briggsville).

Homebound Ministers
Many people in our parish community can no longer participate in parish life on a regular basis. Homebound ministers volunteer to bring the care and compassion of the parish to members of our community who can no longer come to us. Homebound ministers visit and share the news of the parish to help the homebound person stay connected. Homebound ministers have the privilege of offering prayers and the Blessed Sacrament to the homebound.
If you are interested in volunteering with Homebound Ministries, please contact the Nancy Davis, Pastoral Ministries, at 608-742-6998, ext 217, or by emailing ndavis@stmaryotic.org (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 or by emailing stmaryhofc@hofc@maqs.net (Briggsville).
Many people in our parish community can no longer participate in parish life on a regular basis. Homebound ministers volunteer to bring the care and compassion of the parish to members of our community who can no longer come to us. Homebound ministers visit and share the news of the parish to help the homebound person stay connected. Homebound ministers have the privilege of offering prayers and the Blessed Sacrament to the homebound.
If you are interested in volunteering with Homebound Ministries, please contact the Nancy Davis, Pastoral Ministries, at 608-742-6998, ext 217, or by emailing ndavis@stmaryotic.org (Portage) or Sister Anita at 608-981-2282 or by emailing stmaryhofc@hofc@maqs.net (Briggsville).

Prayer Chain
A prayer chain is an electronic way of contacting people who will individually offer up intercessory prayer for those in in need. So many of us have situations arise that only prayer can help. God hears and answers prayers. This is a way of amplifying the power of prayer and drawing us closer as a church family. In times of sorrow or ailment, it is comforting to know that the whole congregation is behind you in prayer. Become a pray-er. You will be contacted weekly when prayer requests come in.
If you would like to become a link, please call Nancy Davis, Pastoral Ministry, at 608-742-6998, ext. 217, or by emailing ndavis@stmaryotic.org.
A prayer chain is an electronic way of contacting people who will individually offer up intercessory prayer for those in in need. So many of us have situations arise that only prayer can help. God hears and answers prayers. This is a way of amplifying the power of prayer and drawing us closer as a church family. In times of sorrow or ailment, it is comforting to know that the whole congregation is behind you in prayer. Become a pray-er. You will be contacted weekly when prayer requests come in.
If you would like to become a link, please call Nancy Davis, Pastoral Ministry, at 608-742-6998, ext. 217, or by emailing ndavis@stmaryotic.org.