Ministry of Care: This group visits the homebound, nursing homes and hospitals. They also plan the annual Anointing Mass as well as the All Souls’ Day liturgy. Many have received special training for this ministry. All are welcome to join these active parishioners.
Contact: Sr. Jerome Fitzgerald 440-777-2168
Communion to the Homebound: These are Eucharistic Ministers who have been trained to take communion to the homebound. Some of these Eucharistic ministers also provide a Sunday Communion Service at North Olmsted Manor and assist Fr. Charles at a monthly mass.
The Bereavement Committee: This group helps the families plan the liturgy for the funeral, serve as greeters at the mass and attend the mass and/or visit the funeral home.
Adult Funeral Servers: Volunteers are trained to assist the presider at the funeral mass.
Funeral Luncheon: This group sets-up and serves the funeral luncheons in the Lenahan Room.
Bakers: These individuals provide bakery for the funeral luncheons.
Social Action Committee: Issues related to the care of the poor, justice, peace, and respect for life are deeply rooted in the gospel message and in the Catholic tradition. Our Mission is to provide opportunities that will involve St. Richard Parish in outreach programs. These programs help serve a need in our own parish community, the city of North Olmsted, and surrounding communities in need.
You can contact Fran Wolf for additional information on any of the programs listed below unless otherwise noted.
Contact: Fran Wolf 440-777-2396 fkwolf@wowway.com
Adopt-a-Family: We provide ages and needs of individuals that enables you to provide a Christmas for a family or an individual.
Contact: Jane Bohne 440-777-0372 bonesjanie@aol.com
Advent Giving Tree: We collect items that serve critical needs of this community and various other service agencies.
HuGSS: Hats, Gloves, Scarves, and Socks for the homeless are collected during the month of February and delivered to shelters and food kitchens.
Walk-the-Walk: Critical items for our own community and service agencies are collected during Lent.
Community Meal: In conjunction with the North Olmsted United Methodist Church, we prepare and serve 2 meals, May and October, at their location. Over 100 people are served on the last Thursday of each month.
Casserole Caravan: Volunteers from our parish prepare and serve a meal every other month to feed the homeless and those in need at St. Pat’s Church on Bridge St.
Contact: Bob & Jane Bohne 440-777-0372 bonesjanie@aol.com
Food/Financial Assistance Program: Members collect and distribute food in conjunction with the North Olmsted Food Pantry. They also provide confidential aid for those in need and work with various agencies, included North Olmsted Senior Center and Food Pantry, to meet the needs of their clients. Contact can be made through the rectory if you know of parishioners in need.
Contact: Ed Spiezio 440-427-0413 speez5@cox.net
Food Collection: There is a large bin at the Lorain Rd. exit for on-going food donations. Donations are given to the North Olmsted “Oxcart Food Pantry” to help local families in need.
Thanksgiving Food Drive: There is an annual food drive held in November requesting specific Thanksgiving meal items that are used to assemble baskets for families in need for the holiday. A food collection is also taken during the annual ‘Thanksgiving Day” mass.
Back to School Drive: The annual drive is usually the last weekend of July or first weekend of August. An assorted list of items are collected and distributed to local families in need.
Employment Ministry: This ministry brings together job seekers and networking contacts in a faith-based, volunteer-led group that assists people in finding employment and sharpening their job-seeking skills while providing each other with spiritual and motivational support. You can join the Yahoo job group at www.srnoem.org and stay informed about job openings, meetings and speakers.
Contact: Anne Sako 216-409-0848 anns@srnoem.org or sako.anne@yahoo.com
Respect Life Group: Helps to keep the parish informed of current life issues, from the unborn child through the end of life, through various parish activities such as Postcard Sunday, Baby Bottle Campaign, Christmas in July and Holy Hours.
Contact: Karen Gelmas 440-777-3311
Baby Bottle Campaign: This is a 6 week campaign which begins on Mother’s Day weekend and concludes Father’s Day weekend. Baby bottles are distributed and used as a ‘bank’ for loose change, cash or filled with a check that a family or individual donates to help Cornerstone Among Women. Cornerstone provides crisis intervention, long-term support and practical assistance to women and families facing unsupported pregnancy. Cornerstone offers various programs for moms and dads as well as providing for the baby’s needs (up to 2 years of age). By participating in this campaign you help to make a lasting difference in the mother’s life and save the lives of many unborn children. Cornerstone’s resale shop called “Among Other Things” accepts all donations. The shop is located at 364 Griswold Road, Elyria.
Christmas In July for Birthright: This is an annual baby item collection – sizes newborn to six months. All donations are greatly needed especially during the lean summer months. Birthright is dedicated to the belief “that every woman has a right to give birth and that every baby has a right to be born.” Each month Birthright provides pregnancy tests, layettes for newborn babies, formula, diapers, and maternity clothes to their clients. Birthright has many personal and confidential services available to help women in need. Through our parish’s continued support we participate directly in the work of Birthright.
Fast & Pray to Change Hearts: Respect Life Group initiated a 9 month “Fast & Pray” for our parish on the 3rd Wed. of the month until June. Fasting can be done by limiting meals, desserts, coffee, etc. whatever would be a sacrifice for you. Praying can consist of any prayers offered for our parish including rosaries, novenas, or personal prayers. Sacrifices can be offered up as well as works of penance, or by attending a holy hour/benediction, etc. All fasting and prayers will be offered for our parish community to strengthen and change hearts, to reawaken and bring Catholics back to Church and in relationship with Jesus, and for a spiritual renewal with many blessings. Choose your favorite day, place, and way to pray!