Beacon Moms Groups
Moms, do you need some time for yourself, to recharge and refocus on what really matters? Are you looking for support from other women on this journey of motherhood? Would you appreciate a little boost in your faith in the midst of your busy family life? Please consider joining a vibrant community of love and support in one of our five wonderful Beacon Moms Groups. These are small, friendly groups of women who meet twice a month for conversation and prayer. We offer a variety of both daytime and evening groups, as well as a monthly morning drop-in Playgroup and a monthly Moms Night Out.
Please contact Mamie Riyeff, Family Ministry Coordinator, at 414-962-2443 or mriyeff@ffpmke.org for more information about connecting to this friendly community of mothers. We would love to have you join us!
Bacon Dads Group
The Bacon Dads Group gets together for prayer and a lively conversation every other week September through May. They are a community of men from a variety of faith experiences who share the common goal of developing a deeper faith through fellowship, conversation, and the occasional beer. The hope is to become better men, husbands, and fathers by sharing in each other’s wisdom and strength. All men are invited to be part of our dads group. Register at tinyurl.com/bacondadsgroup.
For more information or to be added to the email list, contact Andy Clausen at garnet888@gmail.com.
Caregivers Support Group
Our Caregivers Support Group meets on the first Saturday of the month, from 8:00-9:30 am, at Old St. Mary’s Parish Center (835 N Milwaukee St). This is a safe, loving, and supported environment for caregivers to share their story and receive the healthy support they need. Caregivers need care too! The role of caregiver can be both challenging and rewarding. You may have questions about yourself and your relationship with God. Give yourself permission to discover how not to lose yourself while caring for others. Let us help!
Contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Creation Care Team
To help Catholics respond to the Church’s call to care for creation and care for the poor, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has been supporting the formation of “Creation Care Teams.” A small group at the Family of Five Parishes is beginning to take the first steps to form our own “Creation Care Team.”
Contact Nick Wagner for more information on the Creation Care Team at nickwagner100@gmail.com.
Doing Time Together
Doing Time Together is a support group for families experiencing incarceration. This free, confidential group is open to all. Meetings are held on every second Saturday of the month from 9:30 am – 10:45 am at the Cathedral of St. John in the second floor meeting room, 831 N Van Buren St. Please contact Deacon Tom Hunt at 414-961-0332 with any questions.
Grief Support Group
We offer this program twice a year. The group meets weekly at Old St. Mary’s Parish Office (835 N Milwaukee St). The program will touch on many different topics such as different stages of grief, understanding anger, depression, and unfinished business. You will have the opportunity to share your memories and feelings with others who are walking the same journey. In a Grief Support Group, grievers can hear testimony from those who have “been there.” They will discover that others have suffered similar pain, fears, sadness, and anger. It is critical for grievers to know that it’s okay to feel lonely, depressed or isolated, and know with certainty that someday they will feel better. A Grief Support Group can offer HOPE. Let us walk this journey with you.
Contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Human Concerns Small Groups
When was the last time you had an experience that touched your soul? If you are looking to encounter your faith in a way that challenges you, changes you, and charges you to live as a Christian in today’s world, our human concerns small groups may be for you! We offer a variety of topics and commitment levels, ranging from racism to environment, pro-life to community-based. Our groups last anywhere from a few weeks to even year-long meetings!
If you are interested in seeing what is currently available, joining a small group, or facilitating a JustFaith group, please contact Idalia Nieves-Reyes, Director of Social Justice and Outreach, at 414-276-9814 or inievesreyes@ffpmke.org.
Missionary Discipleship Groups
The Family of Five Parishes invites any adult to join one of our Missionary Discipleship Groups. These groups are forming at our parishes so that the Lord can lead and form us in faith personally through small group conversation and spiritual accompaniment. These groups meet for about one hour per week for six weeks. The goal is to grow intentionally together as disciples of Jesus Christ. We would love to have you join!
Contact Trevor Beach, Director of Evangelization, to sign up or with questions at trevorbeach@stjohncathedral.org or text ‘Disciple’ to 312-771-9508 for more information.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl group typically meets one Thursday each month. When these prayer shawls are completed, they are blessed and given to our Director of Pastoral Care, Terri, to share with those who are in need of prayer and support from our community. This ministry has a great spirit! These gifted individuals share their faith with the sick, lonely and heavy hearted, and remind them of God’s love. Prayer shawl gift bags are always available to anyone in our parish.
If you or someone you know needs a prayer shawl, you have a question, or are interested in joining this group, please contact Terri Balash, Director of Pastoral Care, at 414-469-6173 or tbalash@ffpmke.org.
Reflecting on the Sunday Readings
On the first and third Mondays of each month, we invite individuals to share and reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings. In a small group setting, we break open God’s Word, allowing it to speak to our lives and to challenge us to grow in our understanding of who God is, who we are, and who God is calling us to be.
Contact Chad Griesel, Pastoral Associate, at 414-271-6577 or cgriesel@ffpmke.org.
SPRED (Special Religious Development)
SPRED is a small faith community which includes children or adults with special needs. SPRED integrates people with developmental disabilities more fully into the mainstream of parish life: it offers faith formation, gives parishioners an inviting place and opportunity to connect with persons with disabilities, and offers ways to more fully include persons with disabilities into the liturgy.
For more information on this inclusive small faith community contact Helen Bolgrien, SPRED Parish Chair, at 414-322-3412 or hbolgrien@gmail.com.
