We are a community of faith striving to involve all members in active, soul-building ministry teams. From our Ministry of Care to the Men’s Group and everything in between, there’s sure to be a ministry to match your interests and gifts. With about 25 ministry teams, there are literally hundreds of opportunities to make a difference by volunteering and caring for our community within and outside of St. Patrick. The benefits of joining a ministry team are many and include meeting new people, seeing long-time friends, and serving our faith community.
"It's not about someone doing everything...
it's about everyone doing something."
Join us after each Mass at our Ministry Fair on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 in the Gathering Space outside the Main Church. Meet leaders from our ministries and explore which ministry might be a good fit for you!
Explore each of our Ministries below and if you're interested in learning more, fill out a Ministry Interest Form and a ministry leader will contact you.
Education and Faith Formation
Religious Education (Grades 1-7)
Religious Education provides our parish youth faith formation and preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and Holy Communion. At the heart of our program are the volunteers who lead our classes. To learn more about our Religious Education program for grades 1 - 7 click here.
Confirmation (Grades 8-9)
The Confirmation program prepares youth to be committed, life-long disciples of Jesus Christ and his Catholic Church. The program is a two-year journey that starts in the fall of eighth grade, continues throughout freshman year, and confirms the spring of freshman year. To learn more about our Confirmation program for grades 8 - 9 click here.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is the entry point for many into the Catholic faith. RCIA process runs from early September through Easter up to Pentecost. To learn more about RCIA click here.
Adult Faith Formation
At St. Patrick we are committed to ongoing adult faith formation and education. Formation covers a wide range of topics such as: Scripture study, prayer opportunities, workshops, community outreach, and parish missions. To learn more about Adult Faith Formation click here.
Thursday Morning Scripture Group
Our weekly Scripture group meets Sept – May from 9:30am to 11:00am in the O’Gara Center. We engage in meaningful discussion based on Scripture and topics to enhance our understanding of the Bible. To learn more about Thursday Morning Scripture Group click here.
Wednesday Night Bible Study
This weekly study group is designed to bring our parish adults to a greater understanding of the Bible and how it can be applied to our daily lives. Our bible study occurs in two sessions (Fall: Sept – Dec and Winter: Feb – May). To learn more about Wednesday Night Bible Study click here.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is held during the 10:00am Mass on Sundays. Our liturgy leaders take our parish children to the O'Gara Center for about 20 minutes where they explain the Gospel of the day at a level our children can understand and enjoy. To learn more about Children's Liturgy of the Word click here.
Get Involved: Adults
Lectors
Adult and teen parishioners are invited to Lector, proclaiming the Scripture readings at our weekend liturgies and during holy days and holidays. Those interested in being a lector attend a 3 hour Archdiocese training workshop followed by a 15 minute parish overview. Lectors provide their availability and typically lector bi-monthly.
Eucharistic Ministers
All parish family men, women, and teens may grow closer to God and remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us by serving during parish Communion at our weekend liturgies and during holy days and holidays.
Ushers
All parish men, women and teens are encouraged to consider serving as Ushers at our weekend Liturgies and during holy days and holidays.
Adult Choir
The Choir is a group of volunteers who enhance the liturgies through song. The season begins in September and ends with Pentecost, (late May or early June). The choir rehearses Thursday evenings 7:15pm - 9:00pm in the Main Church with fellowship afterwards. The choir also sings for special liturgies and holds a few special concerts during the year. To learn more about our Adult Choir click here.
Ministry of Care
The Ministry of Care is dedicated to providing Holy Communion, spiritual support, and visitation to our parishioners and the Catholics in our community who for reasons of health or other incapacities are unable to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist. To learn more about Ministry of Care click here.
Hospitality Sunday
Hospitality Sunday is held once a month following the academic calendar September – June. The parish funds this fellowship event which a small group of volunteers organizes and hosts. Volunteers arrive 30 minutes before Mass to make the coffee and portion out food and manage the table after Mass.
Women’s Group
The mission of the Women’s Group is to support our church, each other, and our community as women sharing in faith, friendship and service. The group hosts spiritual and social events and promotes philanthropic efforts monthly September-May. Many traditional annual favorites include: Bunco for Babies, Trivia Night, Spring Luncheon, Advent Wreath Workshop, and Christmas & Lenten programs featuring guest speakers. Special Mass celebrations and retreat opportunities are offered throughout the year. All women of the parish are invited to participate! To learn more about the Women's Group click here.
Men’s Group
The Men’s Group promotes social activities for men built on a foundation of faith, fellowship, and service. The group assist various organizations and ministries inside and outside the parish. Events held and hosted include: Annual Men's Retreat, monthly meetings featuring guest speakers, First Friday Masses and Lenten Services, Pancake Breakfast fundraiser, and NCAA Championship fundraiser. The time commitment varies depending on the event and role. To learn more about the Men's Group click here.
Youth Ministry Volunteer
Volunteer and build relationships with our young people by accompanying them on their journey of faith through the EDGE, LIFETEEN, and/or Confirmation programs. To learn more about becoming a Youth Ministry volunteer click here.
St. Joseph’s Table
Parishioners are invited to join together at the St. Joseph’s Table typically held on the weekend closest to St. Joseph’s feast day, March 19. A feast, devoted to St. Joseph, to feed the hungry dates back to medieval times. It takes many hands to make the St. Joseph Table a success. The time commitment varies depending on the role.
Bridge Group
For anyone who loves bridge, here is the best way to spend the third Wednesday each month from September to May beginning at 10:00am in the O'Gara Center. We don’t care how good you are, just how nice you are. Contact us if interested! To learn more about Bridge Group click here.
Catholic & Single Together (CAST)
Enjoy fun, social, Saturday night gatherings throughout the year with others who are divorced, widowed or single over 45 years old from parishes in southern Lake County. To learn more about CAST and view upcoming events click here.
Community Outreach
Sharing Tree
Each year this ministry enables less fortunate families to celebrate the meaning and joy of Christmas by providing Christmas gifts. In October or November, our parishioners pick an ornament that at contains a family’s information and provide wrapped gifts that are distributed in Waukegan.
Soup Kitchen
Each 5th Thursday of the month or about 4 times annually, volunteers assist in preparing and serving dinner to those in need at the Soup Kitchen located in Waukegan. To learn more about Soup Kitchen click here.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Each November, our Thanksgiving Food Drive feeds approximately 250 families. The volunteers collect and distribute monetary and food donations from parishioners to provide a Thanksgiving meal to those less fortunate.
Get Involved: Youth
Altar Servers (Grades 5-12)
Altar Serving is open to all parish youth who wish to grow closer to God by serving at parish liturgies.
Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12)
EDGE (Grades 6-8)
EDGE creates a fun and faith-filled environment for middle school students (Grades 6-8) through monthly social events, and service projects. Students meet a few Tuesdays a semester from 5:45 to 7:00 PM. To learn more about EDGE click here.
LIFETEEN (Grades 9-12)
LIFETEEN empowers high school students to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in their daily life through weekly Sunday Life Nights from 7:00 to 8:30pm, monthly service projects, on-going social events, a summer Mission Trip and Steubenville Conference. To learn more about LIFETEEN click here.