Service & Outreach

“Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of others, exercise hospitality, rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

— Romans 12:12-13
The mission of the Bereavement Ministry is to bring solace to the family of the deceased and to aid in planning a liturgy within the rules of the Church that would be most fitting to the deceased and most comforting to the family. By entering into the Corporal Work of Mercy with a humble and prayerful attitude, the minister receives great satisfaction for having helped his/her fellow parishioners at a time of great sorrow.

• When notified by the Parish Office of a funeral the Bereavement chairperson or a Bereavement member contacts the family contact to arrange a meeting with the family members to plan the liturgy. Other members of the Bereavement Committee are notified of the death and are asked to respond whether they can help on the day of the funeral Mass.
• All others who need to be contacted regarding a funeral are notified by the Office Manager. (Music Director, Custodial Staff, School Personnel, etc.)
• Usually the Bereavement Member meets with the family in the Parlor of the Atrium Building.
• Within the liturgy the family may choose the first and second reading, and the gospel. The Responsorial Psalm used is usually Psalm 23. They also choose five music selections. All choices are recorded on the proper form along with the decisions on lectors, distributors, gift-bearers, and servers. Copies of the form are sent by e-mail to the Pastor, the Music Director, and the Funeral Home.
• Bereavement Members usually sit in the rear of church and help with gift bearers and any emergency.
• No Parking signs are put out early on the morning of the funeral. All doors are unlocked. Lights and microphones are on. The Easter candle, programs, hosts, cruets, binder with readings, purificator, and tabernacle key are in place. Holy Water is in the bucket. Censer and boat are ready. Pall is out. Reserved signs are out for the family. Table is in place if the person is cremated.
• Bereavement Members place programs in pews for the family and greet and pass other programs to people as they arrive.
• After the service is over Bereavement Members straighten things up, wash articles used, return all materials to their proper place, and leave the church in order.

Want to Volunteer?

Contact the respective parish office to where you want to volunteer:

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – Riverview Catholics Conference

– established in 2003 –

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Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Who we help: serving those in need in neighboring East End communities including Linwood, Columbia-Tusculum, Newtown, Mt. Lookout, Mt. Adams, East Walnut Hills, and Walnut Hills

What we do: offer help and hope to our struggling neighbors when they need it most.

Our volunteers’ ministry is made up of two parts:

1. Home visits to provide practical emergency assistance (food, rent, utilities, prescription drugs from Charitable Pharmacy, furniture, and clothing); guide neighbors to other social services agencies (legal, family, woman’s, senior, homeless shelters, food pantries, jobs and education); and spiritual support to our neighbors-in-need by praying with and for them.
2. Distributing the Holy Eucharist to homebound parishioners and to individuals at nearby Medicaid nursing homes in the Avondale and Walnut Hills areas.

Other works by our Society of Saint Vincent de Paul conference:

• Annual spring and fall clothing, furniture, personal care items and food drives.
• Delivering gifts for annual Christmas program supporting parishes Adopt-A-Family programs.

Learn more about St. Vincent de Paul in Cincinnati:

SVDP Cincinnati District Website

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OUR TEAM

Our volunteer team of Vincentians is now approaching 45 strong. We are proud to have current active members from all four of our parishes within our Riverview Catholics Family.

Our team meets on the 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. (2^nd Thursday only in June, July & August).

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VOLUNTEER

Get involved. Team members needed …

• This is an opportunity to give back and make a difference in your community.
• Please consider joining us in changing lives —yours and others’—by putting your faith into action.
•  Our motto is service to the poor, Vincentian spiritual growth, and friendship. 

There are many volunteer opportunities (ministries):

1. Administrator support (processing voicemails left by our neighbors on our helpline)
2. Home visits to provide basic emergency assistance (food, clothing, rent, utilities, prescription drugs, and furniture) and spiritual support to neighbors in need
3. Distributing Holy Communion (Eucharistic visits on Sundays at nearby nursing homes or to homebound parishioners
4. Annual special projects (deliveries of Adopt-A-Family Christmas gifts)

Everyone has a talent or ability that can be used to help others. All it really takes is a heart to help. We give our time, talent and treasure.

CONTACT US

If you are ready to make a difference in our community and join our St. Vincent de Paul team, please reach out to:

Don Saelinger at 513-543-9049 or dsaelinger@icloud.com, Sharon Weckel at 513-235-1706 or sweckel223@gmail.com, or our parish contact: Vincentian voicemail, 513-898-9718 or OLCTK.SVDP@gmail.com .We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

Donate

“Come and join us for a rewarding day of work.”

Volunteers from a coalition of ten churches build and renovate affordable homes to sell to low-income first-time homebuyers.

Contact us to get involved!

Contacts:
Bob Brandstetter, rwbrandstetter@aol.com
Bob Miller, miller1327@hotmail.com

As the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal service organization with 1.9 million members, it provides members and their families volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, their communities, families and young people.

Contact: 
TJ Russo, russo_aj@yahoo.com
Archbishop Moeller Council