Parish Life
Buildings and Maintenance
This committee attends to the maintenance, repair and
replacement needs of the parish facilities. In the past this has
included replacement of the cross on church, the church name over Kolin
Avenue and the doors to the parking lots; installation of vinyl fencing
at the parish center; painting the exterior of the school and activity
center. Installing a handicap ramp to the Parish Center, replacement of
Parish Center garage doors, and patching of the parking lot. Jim Shea
serves as chairman.
New Parishioners
Members visit and meet with all newly registered parishioners
to provide them with an information folder and welcome them to the
parish. Gino Pacetti coordinates this outreach.
Finance Committee
In order to maintain a balanced budget the Parish Finance
Committee monitors parish financial activity, approves annual budget,
advises on capital spending, and assists with capital campaigns and
encourages increased Sunday collections.
Gardening and Grounds Committee
In an effort to improve the appearance of the parish grounds,
volunteers landscap around the school on the parking lot side and plant
flowers in boxes. In addition, Dorothy Denton and a group of volunteers
started a vegetable garden to benefit guests of pads. Jack McDermott
leads this team.
Holy Name Society
This organization involves the men of our parish who work
together to support the needs of our parish and school. Some examples
of our activities are: provide support and assistance to our parish and
school; provide a scholarship program for Catholic high school
education; assist with the parish picnic, primarily the raffle; provide
spiritual enrichment of members, including monthly Mass attendance;
serve as focal point for recruitment of parish volunteers; organize
men's and father/son outings as well as family events. Jim Baker is the
president.
Hospitality Committee
The Hospitality Committee hosts donut Sundays several times a
year, and provides greeters before Masses. They also help other
organizations with functions as requested. Cindy Pender serves as
contact person.
Parish Picnic
Each year, this committee organizes the parish picnic to
promote parish involvement, strengthen old friendships and make new
friends, and have fun! This begins with a parish Mass followed by a
barbecue and food and refreshments. The committee also arranges for
children's games, adult games, dancing, a DJ, and the annual Cub fans
vs. Sox fans softball game.
SCOUTING
Girl Scouts
St. Germaine offers all levels of Girl Scouting from Daisys, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors (Grades K through 12). Each troop is headed up by 2 or 3 trained volunteer adults. We are members of Cattail Creek Association and are part of Girl Scouts of South Cook County. The Girls Scouts organization offers informal educational activities of many kinds. Activities and projects are girl planned and adult directed and include trips, earning patches, arts and crafts, singing, camping and doing service projects. They continue to offer girls opportunities to learn new skills, to have new experiences, to make new friends, and to grow in ability as well as do service projects for the community. The program is coordinated by Deb Devlin.
Cub Scouts Pack 4605
Activities have included campouts, weekly meetings, outings to museums, teaching boys the meaning of the scout law and oath, first aid, physical fitness, teamwork, learning about our religious community and teachings, learning about village government. The Cub Pack strives to bring families together to support the boys in learning all they can, and have fun. Additionally; it teaches young boys timeless values and sends them in the right direction and helps all boys advance to the next level of scouting. Joe DiNovo is the Cubmaster.
Boy Scouts Troop 1605
The boys go camping every month somewhere in the country, as
well as week-long camping at Owassipe. They continue to work hard
toward earning merit badges. The program continues to work toward
improving the lives of young men through scouting and encourages the
boys to work on more and better service projects for the parish and
community. They raise funds through a successful parish pancake
breakfast. Don Kita is Scoutmaster.
Teens
Club Chill
Each Sunday evening, the Club Chill meets to offer teens the
opportunity to gather for fellowship, fun and some faith sharing. The
Club Chill also provides a core group to conduct a Teen Retreat
("Retreat FRESH") and plan activities aimed at World Youth Day. More
information can be found on the Teen
Website.The Chill Club has its own Internet Message
Board. Dale and Kathy Rolenc serve as moderators with Fr.
Mike Furlan.
Women's Club
The Women's Club assists the pastor in special events. There
are two monthly meetings which begin with Benediction and end with a
social gathering for food and friendship.
The Women's Club is also committed each year to providing funds for the
Adoration Chapel. It continues to search for new ways to enrich the
spirituality of the women of St. Germaine, with a focus on
strengthening the bonds of sisterhood in Christ, and having fun in the
process. Mary Pat Crowe is president.