Ministries

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is held every First Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.    The contact person is Laura DeFrain in the parish office or Louise White 217-473-7593.

Open to all women of the parish and supports the church through prayer and by supplying altar and sanctuary needs (altar bread, wine, candles, linens, etc.).  The group meets at 1:30 PM on the second Monday of each month in the Upper Room of the convent.  This organization is part of the Springfield Deanery and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Contact Alice Massey 217-243-2758.

Plans and creates the decor of the church for various liturgical seasons, i.e. Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time.  Time commitment is minimal.  If interested, contact the Betty Gibson 217-371-0813

This ministry is the liason between family and church during the loss of a loved one. The people in this ministry work with the family to help plan the liturgy and follow up with the family to offer support as needed. This ministry also plans the liturgy for All Souls Day. For more information please contact Rose Marie Beeley 217-491-1167.

To maintain a cemetery that is intended for the interment of Catholics who are entitled to Christian burial according to the rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church. For information please contact Tim Ritzo 217-883-0798.

A national organization, the local chapter has been in existence since 1936.  CDA meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 320 ½ E. State Street.  

Trained adult volunteers take children ages 4-up to those who have not received 1st Communion/Confirmation to the bell tower chapel during the Liturgy of the Word during 10:30 AM Sunday Mass (Sept. - May).  The Scripture readings are discussed.  Adults wanting to volunteer should call Sarah Wilson, (217) 370-4393.

A retreat weekend which provides a living understanding of basic Christian truths and a desire to serve the Church.  This three-day experience is a powerful instrument of renewal in the Church, concentrating closely on the personal teachings of Jesus Christ.  Weekends are offered six times during the year.  Area representatives are Carrie and Beaux Cole 217-371-1742 and Corinne & Caleb Briscoe 217-473-9002

Provides religious coordination for Catholic students at Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD) and the adult deaf community.  Volunteers fluent in sign language serve as catechists for ISD students.  Christine Lansaw is in charge of Deaf Ministry, (217) 371-0700. Father Adam Zawadzki provides deaf masses and retaining duties of the Deaf Apostolate. Call the Church Office 245-6184 for more information.

The Discipleship & Stewardship Council assists Father in moving the Parish forward to embrace discipleship and stewardship as a way of life, meeting 8 times a year.

Parishioners deliver hot noon meals and sack-lunch suppers to those in need, Monday-Friday, on a rotating basis with other community churches and organizations.  Call Kaye Coop, (217) 243-6176.

Assist the priests in the distribution of the Eucharist at all Masses.  Please contact the parish office, (217) 245-6184.

Brings the Eucharist to the hospitalized, nursing homes and/or homebound on Sundays or weekdays.  Arrangements are made through the parish office, (217) 245-6184.

This ministry is responsible for creating, planning and development of all events hosted by Our Saviour Parish. We aim to increase fellowship and community by bringing people together outside of the church to continue our community atmosphere and togetherness.

The Finance Council is an appointed advisory council to assist Father in financial matters.  It prepares Our Saviour's annual budget, gives advice to Father on repairs and maintenance, helps in the formulation of the school's tuition, and prepares the end-of-the-year financial report for the diocese.  The Parish Finance Council meets 8 times a year.

This ministry collects food and donations for the Jacksonville Food Center. They volunteer on Wednesdays. For more information please contact Ed Preston 217-320-5016

Volunteers are contacted to prepare dishes to share at luncheons following funerals of parish family members.  Volunteers also set up and serve these meals.  Contact Cindy Johnson if you can help with this ministry, (217) 675-2092.

Are ministers of hospitality for our parish.  Our greeters stand at the church doors to welcome those attending liturgy or other services.  Contact at the parish office, (217) 245-6184.

A national organization, Council 868 was established in 1904.  The local Knights of Columbus Hall is located at 320 ½ E. State Street, (217) 243-1015.  The Grand Knight is Adam Haas.

Proclaim the Word of God at our parish liturgies.  

Members offer prayers for the needs of the parish.  Participants are given a book of prayers and are mailed a list of monthly intentions.  Especially good for Nursing Home or Home Bound members to stay in touch or be a part of your Parish. Those interested may contact Betty Gibson 217-371-0813

This ministry meets on a weekly basis to deep clean in the convent, do special cleaning projects in the church bell tower and complete other special projects. To join please contact Linda Curtis 217-553-7715

Meet most Monday mornings to assist with plumbing, electrical, carpentry, lawn care and general maintenance to help provide a safe, clean environment for the parish.  Contact Harry Coop for more information, (217) 248-6329.

Gather on Sunday mornings to count money and make bank deposits of the Sunday collection.  Money Counters are scheduled 5-6 times during the year.  Contact the parish office if interested in helping,  217-245-6184.

Cantors work with the accompanist to lead the congregation in sung prayer during each Mass.  A pleasant, confident singing voice is required.  

Organist and Pianists  provide organ or piano music for Mass and other parish services.  

For Music Ministry information, please contact Interim Music Director Ann Marie Stahel at 217-602-1377.

The Pastoral Council consults with Father regarding aspects of parish life that support wholeness and holiness.  The council strives to assure that all aspects of parish life reflect the mission and ministry of Jesus.  The Parish Pastoral Council meets 8 times a year.

Members of the parish who offer prayers for immediate needs via phone tree requests.  Karolyn Robson is the contact person, (217) 245-7789.

Provides religious education for public school students of the parish. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings at Our Saviour Grade School from 6:15 to 7:15 PM from September through May.  

This ministry is designed to celebrate the sacramental vocation of marriage. Our primary goal is to welcome, educate, inspire, and support engaged couples preparing for the sacrament of marriage. The group meets 2-3 times a year to plan and during February for the Pre-Cana retreat. 

Listens and shares faith with prison residents through Saturday morning Masses, and one Residents Encounter Christ (REC) retreat weekend a year.  Tom & Judy Cisne direct our Prison Ministry program, (217) 371-6670

Team members & sponsors journey with those interested in joining the Catholic Church, offering love, prayers and support.  Call the Parish office for more information 217-245-6184.

Catechists, sponsors and parents journey with these children seeking the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).  Madonna Berry is the director of this process.  Children meet September through May.  Contact Fr. Joe or the  Parish Office for more information 217-245-6184.

Parish group who work with and support the local Right to Life organization, focusing on parish involvement with RTL issues.  Linda Curtis is the contact person, (217) 245-9848.

Different small groups meet weekly to read and study the Bible, or to study and share an understanding of the Sunday readings.  Two groups meet on Monday mornings at 7:30 AM and  9:30 AM. Contact Betty Gibson 217-371-0813 or Mary Ann Rapozo 217-370-4144.

These parishioners help nurture the relationship with our sister parish in Guatemala. We financially support our sister parish with a second collection at all Masses on every first Sunday. 30% of the First Sunday collection is distributed among six local charities, while the rest goes to our sister parish

This Catholic lay organization leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, blessed Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul.  Those interested should contact Joe Kaufmann, (217) 370-0109.

Greet those coming in our church, offer assistance to those in need, distribute parish bulletins, parishioner Mass counts.  They can also help take up the gifts during Mass or choose a family to do this.  They help guide parishioners during communion.

 This ministry hosts a free Catholic based Vacation Bible School for one week in the summer for all children from any church entering Pre-K through 5th grade. Participants meet monthly from December to July to plan and organize the curriculum, set up, organization, and volunteer base for this wonderful spiritual journey for young children. 

The goal of this ministry is to provide welcome packets to all new parishioners and make personal contact with them to welcome them. To be a part of this ministry please contact Shelly Heideman (217) 626-1004.

 "The Outlet and SWAG", our groups of middle school and  high school students that grow spiritually though prayer, activities and service. The group meets 1st and 3rd Sundays at 7pm in the Convent Upper Room. Contact Annie Ratliff 309-371-7559 -Outlet or Randy Scott 217-473-1654-SWAG.