The Caring Ministries at St. Joan of Arc develop and promote outreach programs with an emphasis on social services, respect life issues, social justice and community ministries. We have a wide range of activities within this ministry that calls for people who have many different talents and interests.
If you are in need of the services provided by these ministries or are interested in offering your time and talent, please call the parish office (765-865-9964 ext 200) or the numbers listed below.
Catholic Ministry of Care – Sheila Springer - [email protected]
The primary duty of the Catholic Ministry of Care is to bring Holy Communion each week to those who cannot attend weekend Mass. This involves bringing the Blessed Sacrament to nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living and private homes. To participate within this ministry, one must be a commissioned Extra-Ordinary Minister of Holy Communion and be open and willing to visit these members of our parish family within their various living situations. Also, meetings are held once a month.
Ministry of Care Bus - Karen Bergin 765-271-5455
This ministry brings parishioners to Mass who need transportation. Parishioners are needed to ride the bus to assist shut-ins/passengers on and off the bus and into the church. The bus is not currently picking up people for Mass due to Covid-19.
Funeral Dinners - Donna Thatcher 765-210-0695
This ministry provides dinner for families and friends of the deceased. All parishioners are eligible to help in this ministry. The group is set up on a 4-month cycle, so each group is on duty once every 4th month.
Pro-Life Events – Cindy McClure and Patty Griswold
This group promotes the sanctity of human life through educational programs and other events. This organization welcomes the support and assistance of all persons who share the concern for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.
Chapel Gift Shop – Mary Nettles 765-776-6680 ([email protected])
The Chapel Gift Shop provides our faith community with the opportunity to purchase religious articles for gifts and personal use. The shop is open to everyone and is run by volunteers. The workers work in 3 hour shifts once a month. The shop is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. until Noon. and on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Serra Club of Kokomo – Bridget Whitmore
The Serra Club promotes and fosters religious vocations. The organization strives to be better informed about the Catholic Church and all its canonical principles. All lay people in good spiritual standing with the Catholic Church who live within a 30-mile radius of Kokomo are eligible. Gatherings are twice a month – the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and the third Sunday they gather as a group for Mass (alternating between SJA and SP).
Prayer Shawl Ministry – Lydia Baumgarte 765-457-3625
The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first and third Wednesday of the month, from 9 until 11 am at the church. They meet for prayer, socialization, and crafting shawls. They pray that the works of their hands will bring warmth and comfort both to those who receive them and to those who prepare them. Completed shawls are blessed and made available for free for those in need of support.
St. Vincent de Paul Store – Marcia Eckstein 765-457-4747
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a Catholic organization of lay persons who wish to live their faith by loving and serving as Jesus did. The Society works through personal contact, encompassing every form of aid that alleviates suffering, and promoting the dignity of all. Volunteers work towards increased spiritual growth through acts of charity. The group operates the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift store on South Union Street in downtown Kokomo. Meetings are held once a month.
Birthright of Kokomo – Carrie Lupini
Birthright is an international organization of crisis pregnancy centers. It offers a range of services designed to help support a woman's desire not to have an abortion, including referrals to legal, medical and psychological services, as well as a range of community-support assistance. The local group has unscheduled meeting periodically.
Haiti Twinning Project – Tim Bath 765-868-9621
The purpose of this ministry is to help support a parish in Haiti through individual donations and parish outreach programs. It promotes the development of friendships though visits, correspondence by parishioners, and a yearly medical mission to our sister-parish in Bas-Limbe, Haiti. The proceeds from the annual parish rummage sale supports the Haiti Parish. Meetings are held as needed.
Parish Nurse Ministry – Jacque Hossum 765-453-6604
The parish nurse program is a healing ministry designed to promote wellness of body, mind and spirit. Based on the wholeness of individuals, the goal of this ministry is to assist members of the congregation to live full, abundant, and healthy lives, as well as enhancing the individual’s capacity to take responsibility for their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. This ministry also offers monthly blood pressure screening after Sunday Masses. Registered nurses are needed to perform this ministry.
Jail Ministry – Deacon Chuck Springer
This ministry brings the Word of God to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are incarcerated. Compassionate adults who possess a knowledge of and a love for the Gospel and are willing to share that love and understanding with those in prison are welcome to participate. A volunteer must be willing to complete the jail background check requirements.
Cancer Support Group
This ministry helps those who are suffering the effects of cancer, cancer treatments, and the after effects of the illness and treatments. This group also supports family members of those who are suffering. Additionally, the Cancer Support Group reaches out to those who may have lost a loved one to cancer. Support meetings have been suspended but please call the parish office so we can direct you to someone who can help.