Bereavement Ministry
Our bereavement ministry provides spiritual assistance to parishioners suffering the loss of a family member through death. They provide guidance and support to the family in arranging the funeral liturgy by helping the family to select appropriate readings and hymns. A program for the funeral Mass is provided for those attending the funeral. Foremost, the members of the Ministry pray diligently for the eternal rest of the souls of the deceased and for the peace, comfort and acceptance of this loss by the families and friends. Contact is maintained with the family after the funeral to provide spiritual assistance, sympathy and information on support groups.
Our bereavement ministry members are also available to assist you in pre-planning your funeral or a family member’s funeral. Pre-planning may free loved ones from the decision making during potentially difficult times and may help assure your wishes are met. If you are interested in pre-planning a funeral, please contact us to arrange to meet with a member of our bereavement ministry. Our funeral planning guide can be found here.
If you are interested in discussing our bereavement ministry, please call Caren Soltysiak at 847-541-1450 or email csoltysiak@stmarybg.org.
Interfaith Council
The Interfaith Council is comprised of representatives from synagogues and churches in our area who meet to promote understanding and cooperation between the different religious faiths in the Buffalo Grove area. It strives to encourage fellowship between congregations, to promote understanding within the community and to perform works of charity. Please contact the parish office at 847-541-1450.
Ministry of Care
The Ministry of Care members provide pastoral care to our parishioners and their families who are sick, elderly, homebound, hospitalized or currently experiencing a time of need. They minister to individuals in our parish community by taking the Eucharist to those confined in hospitals, nursing homes, or in private homes. This is a parishioner-to-parishioner ministry. This group serves whether the care is long-term or short-term.
Training is provided for this ministry twice a year, in the spring and the fall.
If you would like to become a member of our Ministry of Care or would like one of our minister to visit you or a family member/friend, please call the parish office at 847-541-1450 or email ministryofcare@stmarybg.org.
Respect Life
The Respect Life Group works to proclaim the sanctity and value of human life, from conception until natural death, as a gift from God and the foundation of human dignity. The issues they study and work on include: protecting the family, the unborn, the elderly, the handicapped, and the homeless. Please contact Richard vanSpankeren at 847-541-2169 or email.
Sharing Parish
The Sharing Parish Committee promotes activities that focus on spiritual and social sharing with St. John de la Salle Parish. Please call Amanda Pomareda at 847-541-1450 or email.
Substance Abuse Team
The Substance Abuse Team’s main objective is to provide a place for persons with an addiction, or persons living with someone with an addiction, to find the proper support structures.
Contact Ellen Kelly for further information at 847-537-4846 or email.
Cancer Ministry
The Saint Mary Cancer Ministry offers a variety of services to men and women who are cancer patients or cancer survivors. These include:
- Daily prayers for you by our volunteer Prayer Team;
- A faith-based Women's Prayer & Support Group that meets monthly to share tips, feelings, and prayers.
- Emails (accessible by members only) related to topics of interest to cancer patients.
Find out about the latest research findings, upcoming free telephone-based programs featuring cancer experts, new programs at the local Cancer Wellness centers. Members can post their, “What worked for you?” questions and exchange tips for getting through the treatment process more easily.
Help with securing assistance (Communion at home, meals, babysitting, transportation, etc.) in times of need.
For information about the Cancer Ministry or to be placed on the prayer list and the email distribution list, call Karen Preston at 847-541-2228 or email.