In existence since 1994, we gathered information from other
parishes and created our program of respect and sympathy to the
immediate family of a deceased member and parishioner. Contact is
made with the family three weeks after burial and then again at three
months, six months and one year. We pray as a team and offer prayers,
sympathy and spiritual help as needed. We also honor all the deceased
persons of Our Lady of the Ridge Parish Family during a special Mass
on the evening of All Souls Day. In preparation for the Mass, we send
out invitations to the families of the deceased of that year.
All the deceased names for the year are also printed in the parish
bulletin on the Sunday before All Souls day.
For the past 21 years, Our Lady of the Ridge Grief Recovery has been
offering a support program for the bereaved in our community. One
session starts in the spring and another in the fall. Both are six
week programs that are on Tuesday nights at the Parish Center from
7 p.m. to 8:30p.m. No fee is required, but pre-registration is
necessary. For more information, contact the rectory.
Public Action to Deliver Shelter assists with the overnight needs of
the homeless in our community. There are various ways to aid in the
plight of our neighbors. Please contact the rectory if you would like
to see how you can volunteer.
The St. Vincent DePaul Society in our Parish is dedicated to
providing emergency assistance to needy families in our
community who have become distressed due to loss of employment or
problems of a personal nature. The men and women of our Conference
will visit these families or individuals to determine their needs.
While our main source of assistance will be food boxes and
certificates, we can assist with other necessities of life contingent
on the availability of funding. The financial assistance for our
society is mainly funds donated by our supportive parishioners who
drop their donations in the poor box in the Gathering Space with
additional support brought in by our annual pumpkin sale and raffle.
We welcome any parishioner who wishes to join our ranks. Gender or
age is no impediment to membership. Meetings are held on the first
and third Thursday of each month. If interested please contact the
Rectory.
Elizabeth Ministry is an on-going ministry that encourages women to minister to other women during the joys and sorrows of their childbearing years. If you are interested in this ministry, please leave your name and phone number at the rectory.
The Pro-Life Ministry was established to foster appreciation and protection of all human life from conception to natural death. Our efforts focus primarily on prayer, education, and service. For example, we have sponsored holy hours and fasting for an end to abortion, spiritual adoption of an unborn child, education on stem cell research, flower sales to benefit the Women's Centers, and a baby shower to benefit the Southside Pregnancy Center. We also participate in the annual Life Chain and Walk for Life. Our meetings are usually held on the second Sunday of the month, and all parishioners are welcome.