Community Action Commission
The Community Action Commission’s social action ministries provide a variety of services to members of the community. The purpose of the Commission is to serve the parish by establishing hospitality, fellowship and good will in serving the needs of both our parishioners and community, and to provide opportunities for parish members to serve by meeting the needs of the infirm, aged, disadvantaged or underprivileged of the parish and the community at large.
SHARE stands for Serving Helps Another and Reaps Enrichment. Volunteers provide a variety of services for fellow parishioners through this ministry. Informational SHARE brochures are located on the literature rack in the gathering space of church.
- Grief Ministry provides outreach to parishioners/others who are moving through the grief process of the death of a loved one.
- Circle of Friends is a part of Grief Ministry and provides additional support to families of deceased parishioners with phone calls, notes and/or cards for one year after the death of a loved one.
- Ministries of Respite/Care gives non-medical and temporary relief (respite) to family members who are caring for a loved one at home and provide reassurance phone calls and/or visits to those who live alone. Confidentiality is upheld for all concerned.
- Food/Meal Ministry coordinates and provides meals following a recent hospitalization; during extensive medical treatment or in another emergency.
- Ministry of Transportation - Weekend Mass provides rides to weekend Mass for parishioners in need of transportation while respecting their safety and dignity.
- Ministry of Transportation – Medical Appointments provides transportation for doctor’s appointments, medical treatments and other medical needs.
- Communion/Social Ministry to the Homebound brings Communion to and visits with homebound individuals.
- Sunday Communion to the Nursing Homes Ministry takes Communion to the residents of local nursing home and rehabilitation facilities.
- Word and Communion to the Nursing Homes Ministry leads a scriptural prayer service with Communion for the residents of local nursing home and rehabilitation facilities.
- Rosary and Social Ministry leads the praying of the rosary and visits with the residents of local nursing home and rehabilitation facilities.
- Sunshine Ministry is a greeting card ministry offering support and encouragement to parishioners because of a hospital stay, nursing home stay, long-term illness, birth or adoption, anniversaries or for those in need of encouragement.
- Prayer Ministry is spiritual ministry in which parishioners who may be restricted by age or ill health pray daily for the parish, the world and for individuals experiencing problems as well as pray in thanksgiving for prayers answered.
- Minor Home Repair Ministry is designed to help senior citizens or people on fixed incomes maintain their homes. Repairs may include minor plumbing, storm doors, minor electrical work, etc.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry members meet monthly to knit and crochet warm and comforting shawls. The shawls are blessed when completed and distributed to parishioners and those in need who are suffering from an illness, a loss or a problem due to advanced age. The shawls provide a tangible way to encounter God’s love and represent the prayers of the caring community of Saint Dennis.
- Hospital Visitation Ministry volunteers visit and offer support to hospitalized parishioners at Madison hospitals. Spiritual support with prayer and/or Eucharist is a part of the visit. The parish SHARE Ministry is explained and patient needs for the Ministry’s services upon discharge are determined during the visit.
Community Outreach
- EXCEL Ministry: Okolona, Mississippi is a nonprofit community service corporation that offers educational and community programs. Visits are made yearly by a group of Saint Dennis parishioners in June. The volunteers assist with special classes and field trips for children; help in the resale store and perform construction and repairs as needed.
- EXCEL Ministry: Calhoun City, Mississippi is a branch of the Okolona EXCEL program specializing in academic and fitness programming. Annual June visits coincide with the beginning of the elementary school children’s six week summer school program.
- Habitat for Humanity Twice a year, parishioners participating in this ministry provide, prepare and serve a Saturday lunch on-site to volunteers building a Habitat home.
- Luke House Members of Saint Dennis donate food as well as serve and share a community meal at Luke House the fourth Thursday of every month.
- Red Cross Blood Drive promotes the collection of blood for use in surgeries, health care and research at area hospitals through periodic blood drives at the church. Volunteers are donors and keep records and promote the drives as needed.
- Right to Life: Mother’s Day Rose Sale Volunteers sell roses on Mother’s Day with donations going to Dane County Right to Life. The monies educate people on life issues and provide necessities for struggling mothers.
- Saint Vincent de Paul Conference Members of the Conference assess the needs and provide food, clothing, home furnishings and other assistance to individuals and families. Saint Vincent de Paul also collects clothing and other small items in spring and fall, picks up donated furniture, conducts food drives in March and September, and solicits contributions in November to aid with partial rent and utility assistance and other services of the program.
Organizations
- Venture Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts offer character development and values-based leadership training through responsible fun and adventure. Scouting instills lifetime values and develops ethical character as expressed in the Scout Oath and Law; trains young people in citizenship, service and leadership; serves America’s communities and families with its quality, values-based programs.
- Girl Scouts is an informal, educational organization in which girls are encouraged to build character and skills for success in the real world. In partnership with trained and dedicated leaders, girls develop qualities which will serve them all of their lives, such as strong values, a social conscience and the conviction of their own potential and self-worth.
- MOMS Group is a regular drop-in group where moms can find support and discuss parenting skills, faith development, and life in general.
- Saint Dennis Quilters freely share their love of quilting. The group has given quilted comfort to those who fight for our country and provides warmth to others who have earned their peace. They teach and nurture all within the group and welcome new members.
- Adult Co-Ed Volleyball provides league play for all skill levels, from novice to seasoned players. The goal is both exercise and fellowship. Teams are chosen at random each year so that participants can get to know other members of the parish.
- Adult Men’s Basketball provides an outlet for active athletic interaction of parish members for physical fitness and a sense of parish community.
- Bible Study/Faith Sharing A number of Bible study and other faith-sharing groups meet periodically, using the Bible, videos on religious topics, and other materials to guide their discussion.
- Book Club meets monthly (except December) to share thoughts, ideas and feelings on the book read that month. The club is a social, educational and recreational group that enjoys a diverse selection of writings: novels, spiritual, religious or theological works, history, biography, psychology and others.
- Knights of Columbus is an organization for Catholic men ages eighteen and older committed to exemplifying charity, fraternity, patriotism, and the support of religious vocations.
- Women of Saint Dennis promote religious, educational and charitable activities for the benefit of women, families, church, school, religious education and community.
- Funeral Luncheon Ministry involves members of the Women of Saint Dennis organization who volunteer to serve a luncheon to families after a funeral service at the parish.
- Fellowship Sunday Ministry involves members of the Women of Saint Dennis organization who volunteer to serve donuts and beverages in Fellowship Hall on the third Sunday of the month, September through May.
- Welcoming New Parishioners welcomes new parish members and supports them as they transition into the life of the Saint Dennis community.
- Saint Dennis Festival takes place the last full weekend (Friday night, Saturday and Sunday) of July. Many parish volunteers work before, during and after the event to make this primary fundraiser for the parish a community builder and success.
- Cornerstone/Young Adult is a group of Catholic young adults and those of similar faiths, ages eighteen to thirty-nine, who gather to cultivate and share their faith, contribute to the community and enjoy fellowship. Young adults from Saint Dennis, Saint Bernard, Saint Peter, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Saint Patrick (in Cottage Grove) parishes form the group.