It is through the Mass that we as Catholics ordinarily receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

However, there are many who are unable to be present at Mass due to illness, disability, or the infirmity of old age, who, nonetheless, desire to receive Holy Communion.

Currently the parish has Eucharistic outreach in the community in the following areas:

• Hospital
• Nursing Homes
• Residential Facilities
• Assisted Living
• Alzheimers Units
• Private Homes
• First Fridays

Training is provided by the Parish.

Ongoing education and support is offered as needed.

If you feel God may be calling you to this ministry, or if you or a family member is unable to get to Mass, please contact Mary Wanhala

The Council of Catholic Women was founded in 1920 at the request of the U.S Catholic Bishops to give women a more unified voice in the Church, by uniting the various groups and circles that already existed, and to foster the growth of new ones. The council has historically responded to the needs of the times, supported the work of our Priests and Bishops, served the needs of the poor, the elderly and the marginalized. They do this as a unified body within the Body of Christ, nourished on the Eucharist, and on the word of God.

In varying degrees, Our Parish CCW currently supports or sponsors:

• Pregnancy Life Center
• Lenten Soup Suppers
• The Seder Meal
• Outreach to Missions
• The Bazaar
• Parish Mailings
• Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life
• Outreach to the Needy

Members may choose which activities they would like participate in.

There is a need and a place in the CCW for all Catholic women!

BeFrienders provide care through a listening presence to anyone experiencing grief, loss, transition or other concerns. Befriender program leaders train and support BeFrienders in offering care, a nonjudgmental presence, and active listening. Training is provided in areas such as:

• Grief and loss
• Spirituality
• Listening
• Confidentiality
• Communication

BeFrienders also participate in regular small group meetings with the supervision of the leadership team. The meetings provide peer support as well as accountability and growth to assist BeFrienders in their ability to listen, to be nonjudgmental and to put aside their own prejudices or desire to give advice. This is a caring, not curing ministry.

In addition to the regular group meetings, there is a Commissioning and Re-Commissioning ceremony of BeFrienders in the fall and a Memorial Dinner for deceased BeFrienders and Befriendees in the spring.

A 30 week Bible Study of the Acts of the Apostles. This in depth study of the early Church is authored by Dr. Scott Hahn, Mark Shea, Steve Ray, Jennifer Phelps and Carl Olson. In addition, Fr. Matthew Kauth and Fr. Patrick Winslow have produced a DVD lecture series that accompanies the CCS study program.

Men’s Brown Bag Bible Study meets Mondays at noon at the Parish Center, the Parish Bible study meets Mondays at 3 pm at the Parish Center.

For information about the next session contact Mary Wanhala

7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free is a Catholic small group study for managing your money. It will help your parishioners deepen their relationship with the Lord, strengthen their marriages and family life and build a support network for living Catholic values. The program will teach them how to break free from the bondage of consumer debt and develop a realistic and Godly financial plan for the future.

Discover what the Bible has to say about personal finances in areas such of earning, spending, saving, investments, inheritances and learn practical applications of money management.

The After Friday Morning Mass Prayer Group meets at the back of the Blessed Sacrament Church after the 8 am Mass to pray for individual needs, for the needs of the Parish, the Church, our country and the world. Anyone may stop and pray with the group on the Fridays that they choose. Prayer requests are welcome.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Grief support is offered to those in need through:

• Intercessory Prayer
• Support Groups
• Pre-Holiday Support Sessions
• Individual Counseling, as needed

The human person is a composite being of body, mind and soul. As good stewards of this gift from God, it is our responsibility to cultivate health and well being, for ourselves and others. The newly formed Health Ministry is concerned with ways that we can assist each other toward maintaining or improving health through prayer, education and assessment.

The Health Ministry is available in conjunction with regular medical care, not in place of it. “Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was that established his profession. From God the doctor has his wisdom…God makes the earth yield healing herbs which the prudent man should not neglect.”(Sir. 38:1-4)

All health care workers of the Parish are invited to join the Health Ministry. In addition to the Health Cabinet Team, there is a need for other professionals to assist at various planned events, such as health fairs, workshops and screenings. This allows flexibility to those who may wish to participate sporadically.

Newly formed support group for all area caregivers meets at 3 pm at the Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation Center, 1500 3rd Avenue East, in Hibbing.

Objectives are to:

• Provide emotional support to caregivers by providing connections and dialogue with peers.
• Provide a safe environment to vent frustrations.
• Identify stages of caregiving and provide resources specific to each stage.
• Identify topics of interest to caregivers