Care and Compassion Ministries focus on service and helping those in our community.
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12
Are you looking to do something meaningful during the Advent Season?
Our 12 Days of Christmas Ministry adopts individuals who are in need of a little extra of God’s love, care and kindness this season. During the 12 Days leading up to Christmas, we need volunteers to “adopt a family” and help deliver these random acts of kindness. It’s simple… it’s fun… and most importantly, it’s significant in the life of someone in need! We provide the gifts, the address, everything you need, you just deliver them to the families. We know this year has been beyond challenging for so many reasons… help spread the Christmas joy to those who are hurting this season.
Also, if you know of someone who may need some extra joy and care throughout the season, please let us know. Contact Lisa Homady if you are interested in helping or have someone you would like to add to the list. What a wonderful opportunity to give back and be reminded of the TRUE reason for the Christmas season.
The Saint Ambrose “Angels on Wheels” Ministry offers care, compassion, and a home-cooked hot meal to our families that may be experiencing joy, a loss, or suffering. Are you celebrating the birth of a new child? Are you mourning the loss of a loved one? God is continuously nourishing our hearts, our minds, and our lives with his continued, everlasting love… and our parish family wants to nourish our families in the same way. If you find yourself in need or know someone that would benefit from Angels on Wheels outreach, please contact Jennie Porco or Lisa Homady. We want to shine God’s love upon those that need it and fulfill Christ’s mission of taking care of others!
Visit the Angels on Wheels page to fill out a request or referral form.
CONTACT:
Jennie Porco, 330.460.7317 | JPorco@StAmbrose.us
Lisa Homady, 330.460.7315 | LHomady@StAmbrose.us
We are Parish staff and priests who want to help you walk through the annulment process. We are here for you. If you have been married and are now divorced we welcome you to discuss the Church’s process of annulment, and have your circumstances heard and evaluated in a totally confidential manner in order to ascertain whether or not an annulment of the marriage is possible.
The First Step program, during which Tribunal staff explains the annulment process options and answer questions, is hosted throughout the Diocese. We meet with you on an as-needed basis. Call any of our Priests or Deacons to make an appointment to discuss what’s involved and start the process.
You are welcome to complete our online Annulment Form to get started.
Are you looking to make a difference in someone’s life? This ministry reaches out to those parishioners that may be alone or feeling lonely, by making a few phone calls per month to them. All it entails is just a simple phone call, asking how they are doing, and letting them know that WE care about them and will be praying for them. Imagine someone you care about… sitting home alone without any family members… and what a difference this simple phone call could make in their life. If you are looking to do something that requires minimal time, even from the comfort of your own home, this may be the perfect opportunity for you to really make a difference in the life of someone.
If you are interested in helping to bring joy and God’s love into someone’s life, one phone call at a time, please contact Rebecca Kaaikaula at RKaaikaula@StAmbrose.us.
Our ministry helps the people in need within our parish community boundaries, regardless of age, race, or creed. The time commitment for this ministry is about 12 hours per month. Special events that our ministry helps with on an annual basis include Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas food distribution, as well as the Fresh Produce Program, Community Meals, Blanket Sunday, Christmas in July and the Kindness Pine Tree at Christmas time. We are looking for people who have a positive attitude about helping others in need while maintaining confidentiality.
Suggested Strengths: Connectedness, Responsibility, Restorative, Empathy, Arranger
CONTACT: Jeff Trush, 440.554.6277 | Jeff.Trush@Yahoo.com
Community Day is a one day, community ‘blitz’ when we go out and serve the community by the hundreds! From flower beds to garbage removal to gardening, we serve parishioners and community members in need. Our annual event is scheduled in April each year. It’s an easy way to make a big impact in our community.
Suggested Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Responsibility, Restorative
For information, CONTACT: Gabby Moss at 330.460.7327.
Our monthly community meal provides a free hot home cooked meal on the 3rd Sunday of every month. All are welcome for the meal and fellowship. Deliveries are available for the homebound. Call the rectory to sign up for meals or deliveries.
Volunteers are always welcome; we have a diverse list of jobs that need to be done for each meal. The only requirement is a desire to help our brothers and sisters. We ask volunteers to be flexible and willing to help with whatever needs to be done at the time to help the Community Meal run smoothly. For more information, please contact us.
Suggested Strengths: Connectedness, Responsibility, Restorative, Empathy, Arranger
CONTACT:
Linda Cebula, 440-239-9757 or seapines8@aol.com
Or Bill Zarefoss, 216-287-4552 or wzarefoss@gmail.com
Or Jeff Trush, 440-554-6277 or jeff.trush@yahoo.com
We are a team of parishioners who offer assistance to families in our parish community, completing projects around their homes that they may not be able to do themselves. We work with parish staff, Catholic Works of Mercy, and other community groups to identify families and individuals who need help.
Suggested Strengths: Achiever, Arranger, Responsibility, Restorative
CONTACT: Gabby Moss at 330.460.7327.
Our mission is to foster the deepest appreciation for the sanctity of human life through prayer, education and the organization of opportunities in the community to give witness to the Gospel of Life. The Culture of Life Committee at Saint Ambrose Parish works with the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland to implement the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, in order to create awareness of the dignity of life from conception to natural death and organize to support our community with life affirming programs.
What exactly do we do?
Educate
- Inspire & educate our day school and PSR students to be pro-life.
- Educate our parishioners on abortion, end-of-life issues, adoption, in-vitro fertilization, natural family planning, human trafficking, health care mandates, and other issues.
- Work in conjunction with our priests to promote the sanctity of life.
- Participate in The Gospel of Life – Evangelium Vitae Study Group, held biannually. This is a 6 week study on Pope St. John Paul II encyclical for those looking to deepen their understanding of the Church’s beautiful teachings on the sacredness of human life.
Engage
- Attend the annual March For Life in DC.
- Attend the annual Medina Life Chain in October.
Serve
- Raise money and collect baby items for the local organizations to help mothers and families.
- Participate in the Walking With Moms in Need initiative to support mothers in our community by sharing local resources and supporting those resource centers.
Pray
- Participate in 40 Days for Life campaigns where we pray the rosary outside abortion clinics and hold signs saying “Pray to End Abortion.”
- Attend the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children held annually in September.
Interesting in getting involved?
We welcome anyone with new and creative ways to educate our parishioners and school students to increase the awareness of the pro-life message. We’re looking for individuals with a passion for protecting life at all stages and want to get involved in our many pro-life activities. The best way to help is to PRAY! If you would like to find out ways to support our culture life mission, please contact Trish Shaw.
When do we meet? The Culture of Life Committee meets as needed. Call Trish Shaw to confirm meetings.
For more, visit www.StAmbrose.us/Culture-of-Life.
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Responsibility, Positivity, Belief
CONTACT:
Trish Shaw, 440.590.0083
Marissa Welsh, 440.537.7073
Some people feel so alone when faced with the losses of divorce. Overcoming obstacles and seeking to know Christ’s peace in the valley of divorce or separation is the best goal in such times. This confidential ministry offers important Christ-centered love, a safe haven in which to express your feelings, and tools to deal with common divorce-related problems in an atmosphere of faith, trust, and Christian encouragement.
Support will be waiting for you. Non-Catholics are welcome.
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Relator, Includer
CONTACT:
Mary Beth Garrity, 937.645.9436
Jennie Porco, 330.460.7317
Is your child struggling from your divorce or separation? Are you looking to help your child heal?
Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K) is a scripture-based program designed to help children (aged 6-12) of families experiencing divorce and separation. It is a 13-week Christ-centered support group that is full of games, fun activities, arts and crafts, stories, exercise, videos and music that is centered around a weekly theme.
Throughout Divorce Care for Kids, your children realize that they are not the only ones going through this. They develop friendships with others who understand how they feel. They will learn how to sort through their feelings and will learn how to have healthy relationships- with you, your family and with God. Best of all, children will learn how God’s love can strengthen them and help them turn tears to hope and joy.
If you think your child(ren) would benefit from Divorce Care for Kids and would like more information, or would like to register your child, contact Gabby Moss at 330.460.7327 or GYatson@StAmbrose.us.
CONTACT: Gabby Moss at 330.460.7327 or GYatson@StAmbrose.us.
Interested in 1:1 Career Mentoring? Email your resume to the Saint Ambrose Employment Ministry at st.ambrose.employment.ministry@gmail.com with the subject “Request for Career Mentoring.” Within one week, you will be contacted by a member of our ministry to serve as your mentor.
CONTACT
Career Counseling Available
The Saint Ambrose Employment Ministry offers one-on-one career coaching to parishioners and other area residents interested in career changes, whether new to the job market or experienced employees and managers.
We offer personalized career coaching, which is tailored depending on where a candidate is in their search process. For example, we:
- Coach job seekers on leveraging their strengths
- Offer suggestions to improve their resume, personal marketing plan, and social media presence
- Refer them to other services in the parish, such as the Living Your Strengths workshops, Catholic Works of Mercy, and Stephen Ministry
- Conduct practice job interviews
- Help navigate current (i.e., online) job search/application techniques
- Share contacts in our networks who may be able to assist them
- We also post open positions we learn about on the parish’s LinkedIn page.
To find out how the Saint Ambrose Employment Ministry can help you with your job search, contact parishioner Joe Wollet at st.ambrose.employment.ministry@gmail.com.
Job Postings in Bulletin
If your organization is hiring, let us know. Send a short, 3-4 line ad, to BStec@StAmbrose.us.
We’re on LinkedIn and share career/employment opportunities regularly.
Follow us on LinkedIn, especially if you:
- Want to expand your professional network to include fellow parishioners.
- Are looking for a career change.
- Can post an open position you know about that may be of interest to parishioners.
- Want to connect with the Saint Ambrose Employment Ministry.
- Desire to know about upcoming events and services to benefit job seekers.
When our parishioners experience the death of a family member, we like to offer families the option of having a luncheon here at St. Ambrose, for a minimal charge, after the funeral service. Volunteers are needed to serve, cleanup and to provide the side dishes. Many hands make for light work. This is another compassionate way of expressing support to parishioners in their time of need.
Suggested Strengths: Connectedness, Empathy, Responsibility, Arranger
CONTACT: Marian Swansinger, 330.225.3987
The Gabriel Project is a ministry at Saint Ambrose that seeks to help women experiencing an unplanned or complicated pregnancy.
We become the hands and heart of Christ for the moms needing our assistance.
We help these moms in a loving and compassionate way. Assisting with community resources and material needs, such as pregnancy information, parenting support or adoption information, offering personal and spiritual mentoring, referrals for housing, medical care, and counseling, and gifting baby clothes, diapers and various baby items. For more information on this ministry and to stay up-to-date on current programming and events, please visit the Gabriel Project webpage.
CONTACT: Marissa Welsh at 440-537-7073 or marissa.welsh@hotmail.com or Trish Shaw at 440-590-0083 or ohshaws@gmail.com
Greater than Heroin
Greater than Heroin is an outreach of the FEST. It is a group of civic and religious leaders from Northeast Ohio committed to addressing the heroin epidemic through understanding, collaboration, and awareness.
- Understanding through care, compassion, and support.
- Collaboration through community engagement and coalition building.
- Awareness through community education and resources
VISIT THE WEBSITE: GreaterThanHeroin.com
GriefShare is a non-denominational, “CHRIST CENTERED” group setting with a video/workbook based program for adults who are dealing with the death of someone they love.
We open with a DVD that lasts under 40 minutes and then break in to smaller groups to discuss what we’ve heard. There is a workbook that is handed out for your use so you can follow the DVD’s bullet points, as well as providing you a week’s worth of pages to review and reflect for your own needs during this process.
The program runs for 13 weeks with a different subject each week. (We ask you please try to commit to a minimum of 3 weeks). If it too soon for you, you may always come back when you are ready. If it is not your think thing, we will certainly understand that as well. You may start either session at any time.
This is a SAFE environment where you can laugh, cry, and share your stories and/or memories in confidence. There is NO charge, complimentary snack and beverage provided. We do not offer child care.
For more information on specific sessions, please refer to the parish webpage of events or contact Denise.
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Individualization, Relator, Positivity
CONTACT: Denise Golan, 440.465.7813
Since its formation in 1985, the “Good Samaritan” Ministry ranks as one of the earliest and at the same time Blessed Parish Ministries at St. Ambrose. From 1985 to the present, the “GOOD SAMS” continue to faithfully carry out their mission to bring the “Eucharist” to the Homebound and the Hospitalized, to visit the sick and those recovering from the hospital, to pray with and to listen to whom the Lord sends them with a compassionate ear and heart. If you are experiencing God’s Call to serve as a Hospital or Homebound Minister, please contact Deacon Frank or Kathy Butas.
CONTACT:
Deacon Frank Weglicki, 440.238.1665
Kathy Butas, 330.225.3082
Also known as our Living Word Healing Prayer Ministry, we are a team who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to offer healing to individuals. We work in conjunction with the Evangelization & Tuesday Evening Prayer Group to provide Holy Spirit and healing opportunities throughout the year.
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Belief, Communication, Connectedness
Watch the bulletin for information or contact Cathy Clapper, 330.225.3973.
Children Grieve, Too.
The death of a loved one is one of life’s most painful experiences. While you wish you could spare your child that pain, when a beloved family member or friend dies, it is inevitable. There are so many emotions and feelings, and children just aren’t sure how to process them, how to talk about them, or what to do with them. We have started this ministry here to help children who have lost a loved one and help to bring them comfort and peace.
For more information on this ministry and to keep up-to-date with new sessions, visit the Healing Hearts Grief Ministry webpage.
We are a group of dedicated parishioners committed to bringing health resources to Saint Ambrose. We serve parishioners by organizing informational health talks, hosting health conscious events, and encouraging everyone to live a healthy and holy life to their fullest God-given potential. Email Jennie Porco if you are interested in attending an upcoming meeting so that we can contact you. It does not involve much time to volunteer in this ministry.
If health is a priority to you and your family, then this is a great committee to be involved with.
Contact Jennie Porco or at 330.460.7317.
Hearts of Hope Widows Support Group
Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.
It’s Christ who stands with us always, and especially when you commend your spouse to the Lord. Hearts of Hope is a group of widows who come together to share conversation, prayer, and community. Our hearts will always find the help and the hope we need.
All are invited to come and enjoy our new friendship. Bring yourself a snack and drink if you like!
Please contact Lisa Cinadr to RSVP for the next meeting. LCinadr@StASchool.us
We are parishioners who pray for and visit our incarcerated brothers and sisters. Our ministry helps the incarcerated with their needs, varying from spiritual material, reading material and clothing and looking to expand in other areas such as prayer groups, job placement and tutoring. We also have Masses for inmates throughout the year. Please reach out to this ministry’s leader, Mark for a schedule of when the team visits to the Medina County Jail to lead inmates in prayer, scripture study and reflection through the Alpha program.
If you or anyone you know is interested in being a part of our ministry, please contact Mark to learn more.
Suggested Strengths: Contentedness, Empathy, Positivity, Relator
Mark Oldfield, 440.666.5217
Spend an hour with us on the FIRST Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm at the Lehner Center in the “Mathew room” This group is for cancer survivors, caregivers, family members and anyone whose life has been touched by cancer and needs our prayers and support. Our group is an uplifting group where we all share our personal experience or that of a loved one.
Come and see if together we can make a difference. We enjoy talking, eating and discussing any new treatments, the latest nutrition food fads, take short walks, also participate in relay for life, meet for breakfast, small outings, and even sing.
We pray for our loved ones and we rely on each other’s strengths to smile, laugh and live life to the fullest. Please stop by, check us out, and hopefully share in our lives.
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Individualization, Positivity
CONTACT: Miriam Hopkins, 330.225.9005 or Terri Blasko, 216.990.0082.
Saint Ambrose CARES Mental Health Ministry
Saint Ambrose Catholic Community is committed to serving those in need with a compassionate heart. Our Mental Health Ministry (MHM) works together to offer support, education and a network of resources for individuals and families dealing with mental health challenges. We aim to be a learning community that will increase our knowledge and understanding of mental illness and how best to respond with the care and compassion of Christ.
More than ever before, we are living through a mental health crisis. So many people are suffering and struggling, often silently. They need help…mostly…they need HOPE.
For more information, please visit our webpage dedicated to everything for the benefit and well-being of your Mental Health .
Saint Ambrose pioneered a mission trip to Higuey, Dominican Republic in 2006. We partnered with a poor community devastated by hurricanes and began helping them rebuild. Since then, over 150 people have traveled to Higuey every June and December to build a community center, a school, a chicken coop, establish a water system, hook up electricity, and bring much-needed food and supplies to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This lasting relationship has made a difference in the lives of people both in Higuey and right here in Brunswick. Saint Ambrose parishioners have generously supported our mission outreach through prayers, financial donations, and the donations of clothing, toys and building supplies. Thank you for your generosity!
Visit www.MissionPossible.us to learn more!
Suggested Strengths: Achiever, Ideation, Includer, Arranger, Adaptability
CONTACT: Sarah Krieger, 216.402.5212.
The Ministry of Consolation provides compassion, help, understanding, and spiritual support to families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. We offer to assist the family with funeral liturgy, and continued support through our bereavement programs.
The bereavement program helps to provide comfort and support to those grieving through the use of prayer, music, coping measures, and understanding the pain associated with the loss of a loved one. The series is presented several times throughout the year. In addition, a Holiday Grief program is offered in November. Following the series we continue with ongoing support with monthly meetings of our “Companions on the Journey” group as we travel along the road to healing.
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Responsibility, Belief, Positivity
CONTACT: Monica Kortan, 330.460.7304.
Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish in Brunswick, Saint Rocco Catholic Parish in Cleveland, and others come together in partnership to share gifts and talents, resources and friendship in the building up of God’s Kingdom in Northern Ohio for the spiritual growth and pastoral care in service to the Lord, our members, and the communities we serve.
Suggested Strengths: Connectedness, WOO, Self-Assurance
CONTACT: Bob Marzola
We’re introducing Family Sandwich Nights!
Join us in Hilkert Hall, room 4 on Tuesdays, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to help make sandwiches and to color lunch bags at our Family Sandwich Nights. This is a great opportunity for the entire family to come together to Serve with the Compassion of Christ!
PB&J Brigade Needs Your Help!
Every week, we distribute 2,800 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to those in need and we are so grateful to everyone who helps make this happen! The kindness of members have allowed us as a community to feed our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Every week, we distribute 2,800 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to those in need and we are so grateful to everyone who helps make this happen! We still need more sandwiches and snacks (i.e. granola bars and crackers)!
For more information, visit the PB&J webpage or contact Gabby Moss.
Thank you in advance for all of your help with feeding the homeless in the Cleveland and Akron areas!
This ministry allows parishioners to reach out and ask for prayers for those whom they feel are in need of them. We are looking for compassionate people willing to help us. There are no meetings to attend, as everything is done by phone or email. Time commitment on a weekly basis can be one hour to 3 or 4 hours, depending on length of phone calls.
Suggested Strengths: Connectedness, Responsibility, Empathy, Positivity
CONTACT: Rebecca Kaaikaula, 330.460.7334
We knit or crochet prayer shawls and lap throws for those that are ill. We also make white afghans for babies or others being baptized. Throughout the year, our pieces are brought to church where they are blessed. An example of the blessing that is included with a shawl is: “Compassionate God, bless the person for whom this shawl has been so lovingly created. May this shawl be a reminder of your presence in their life. May this shawl bring love and light, hope and joy.”
We meet weekly on Thursdays, from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, or work from the comfort of your own home. If you know how to knit or crochet, and are looking for a meaningful way to put your skills to use, please join us!
CONTACT: Rebecca Kaaikaula at RKaaikaula@StAmbrose.us
We provide prayer quilts to members of the parish who are ill or struggling with cancer. We come together with love and companionship to create a quilt for each person, reminding them that they are covered in God’s love. We pray for the healing love of Jesus Christ, that they may walk hand in hand with Him through their illness. The Quilting Ministry meets the first and third Tuesday each month.
If you know someone who is in need of a quilt, please let Father Bob know so that he can coordinate the prayer quilt or if you want to join our team, contact Kathy Pearl for more information on how to be involved.
Contact: Heather Zima, 330.225.8847.
The Ministry of our Social Concerns Commission has two aspects:
- The SERVICE aspect includes: Catholic Works of Mercy, Culture of Life Ministry, Community Meal, Employment Network, and Mission Possible, and other community outreach initiatives. Each part of the Service aspect meets according to each group’s needs.
- The ADVOCACY/AWARENESS aspect is a group that utilizes parish resources such as the parish bulletin, liturgy, parish website, quarterly newsletters, educational series, and more to help present facts and opinions on social issues to help our heads and our hearts make informed choices as Christians.
Suggested Strengths: Command, Responsibility, Positivity, Strategic, Deliberative
CONTACT: Gabby Moss at 330.460.7327.
Our group represents Saint Ambrose Parish in the Brunswick community at the Brunswick Relay for Life. This event is held at Brunswick High School in early June and is the signature event for the American Cancer Society. We raise awareness and promote prevention in our community, as well as raise funds in support of ACS. We meet several times a year to organize various fundraisers, with our main event being the 5K Run for the Relay and 1 Mile Fun Run. We are always looking for compassionate, creative people who in one way or another have been affected by cancer and are ready to step up to make a difference
Suggested Strengths: Empathy, Positivity, Includer, Connectedness
CONTACT: Jim Rauschenbach
A wonderful Care and Compassion ministry at Saint Ambrose serving the need for one-to-one lay care for those in our community who are hurting. In conjunction with the church, there is a special group of people who run this ministry. They are our Stephen Ministry Team. Some have gone through a week-long training course or have God given talents that have equipped them with the tools they need to ensure that this ministry runs smoothly.
In Matthew 18, Jesus promises to be with us.
That’s one of the great miracles of Stephen Ministry. When a Stephen Minister meets one-to-one with his or her care receiver, Jesus is present too. He brings the power of His transforming love, and the peace, healing, and comfort that only God can give.
In 1 Thessalonians 5 Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” God has called us all to build up and encourage one another. For those who are experiencing a really difficult time, our Stephen Ministers can provide the special encouragement, care, and support they need until they are past the crisis.
If you would like an application or more information please contact Lisa Homady at 330.460.7315 or Carol Maline at 330.460.7336. Applications are also available at the Parish Life Center office.
LEARN MORE AT www.StAmbrose.us/stephen-ministry
Saint Ambrose Parish has created a new ministry to offer care and spiritual support for parents/families who are supporting and caring for a
child with serious health issues. This beautiful ministry will be called, “Tender Hearts.” We want these parents/families to know the tender mercy and care of God both for them and their child. Kim Nemet is coordinating this ministry and would love to have your involvement. Also, if you know of a family who has a child dealing with serious health concerns, we want to support and offer spiritual/pastoral care for them. Please let us know how we can help. We know the power of prayer.
For more information about this ministry and to keep up-to-date with it’s events and programming, visit the Tender Hearts webpage.
Saint Ambrose Parish feeds over 6,000 people during Thanksgiving. We set up, prepare, cook, and serve thousands of people during Thanksgiving. We need all sorts of different people to help set up the building, deliver/ transport food, wrap silverware, prepare placemats, prepare, cook, and serve food. You name it; we do it and we need your help! The core planning team meets regularly throughout the year, but to sign up and help on Thanksgiving Day, just keep an eye out in the parish bulletin. It’s easy and anyone can help!
Suggested Strengths: Connectedness, Discipline, Harmony, Self-Assurance
Contact: Gabby Moss at 330.460.7327.