People around us may fall on hard times and not have the means or resources to do simple tasks around the house. They may also lack the physical strength to do basic outdoor work. As Christians, it’s our responsibility to help our neighbors with what they need, and we want them to know they are cared for. Originally, iCare Ministry, Catholic Charities Food Drive, and Stephen Ministry were all part of the Queen’s Helpers Ministry, but they became successful enough to operate independently as standalone ministries.
The Queen’s Helpers started after the parish visioning process in 2018. The ministry members perform basic household tasks for those in need during critical periods in their lives. The group ministers to the aging, disabled, homebound, those going through medical recovery, single parents, and unemployed members of the parish and surrounding community. Dave Janner leads this ministry and has a list of all the gifts of the ministry members — this helps him and the office staff know how to match ministry members with those in need. Some examples of ministry tasks are running errands, cleaning, providing meals, visiting the homebound, transporting people to Mass, raking leaves, and shoveling snow. For some, it’s as simple as stopping by to play cards.
“I enjoy serving, and that helps me grow in faith,” Dave says.
This ministry is blessed with a number of members, so their work is spread out. Dave calls this a ministry of hospitality because people reach outside the parish to help those in need.
This ministry truly fulfills our parish mission — “Inspired by the love and compassion of our Mother Mary, and united with her Son Jesus in the Eucharist, we say ‘fiat’ to our commitment to Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service to the most vulnerable in our Parish, Community, and World.”
Dave encourages parishioners to help spread the word about what this ministry offers. If you can help them, let the office know so you can be added to the list of volunteers. Dave likes to keep track of the work being done.
Outside of the Queen’s Helpers, Dave is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, the Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, and Altar Server coordinator. He also assists with the Catholic Charities Food Drive. He encourages parishioners to survey their gifts and consider how they might use them with the Queen’s Helpers or another parish ministry.