Would you volunteer at the reception desk at OLV?

Thursdays:   9am-12pm  &  1:00pm-4:00pm

Seasonal clean-up of the Church

*  Fall clean-up/before we move to the upper church

*  Before Christmas

*  Before Easter

*  Early Summer clean-up/before we move to the lower church

Please contact our office at 773-286-2950 for more information.

Renovation Projects

Would you be willing to share your time and talents with us by being involved in some of our projects?

Painting:

The west & east entrance doors to the church (metal & wooden)

The rectory courtyard metal door

The door in the church tower

Refinishing the wooden doors to the rectory (3 doors)

Ministries

Would you be willing to share your time and talents with our community by participating in one of our ministries?

Human Concerns Pillar

Bereavement Ministry

Parish volunteers and clergy bring spiritual support to families who lost their loved ones. They also help families in planning the funeral liturgy.  

Blood Drive

Parish volunteers coordinate, promote, and assist blood center staff at the annual parish blood drive.

Friends and Neighbors (F. A. N.) 

Volunteers help sick, shut-in, elderly, handicapped or other parishioners in need of assistance by providing transportation to Sunday Mass, health care appointments, and the grocery store or by providing relief to care givers of frail or dependent parishioners.

Sharing Parish 

The Office for Peace and Justice facilitates the Parish Sharing program with the mission to link parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago to mutually benefit from each other by sharing spiritual, community, and financial resources.  Each month Our Lady of Victory Parish collects non-perishable food items and takes up a special collection at Sunday Masses for the benefit of our Sharing Parish.  Parishoners also have the opportunity to participate in the Adopt-A-Family program each Advent.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (or Vincentians) are men and women who strive to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to individuals in need. We are young and old. Our members come in every shade of skin color. Some of us are wealthy, some are financially poor, but all of us are blessed with an awareness that our blessings (time, talent, or treasure) are to be shared with our brothers and sisters in need.  The OLV Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers a weekly food pantry at the Parish Center.

Wellness Ministry

The purpose of the Wellness Ministry is to promote health and wellness to parishioners through programs of advocacy, education, and support; to assist parishioners in acquiring resources and knowledge; and to encourage healthy life styles.

Formation Pillar

Baptism Preparation

The members of the Baptism Preparation group assist the pastor in preparing families to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism.  Members meet with parents of children to be baptized to share their experiences of raising children in the Catholic faith, and they prepare a banner which is displayed in the church for each child.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a child-centered opportunity to discuss and experience the Sunday reading for children ages five and up. It provides children who attend the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass the opportunity to discuss and experience the Gospel in an age-appropriate small group setting.

God Squad/Youth Ministry

The OLV Youth Ministry, “God Squad,” is open to all high school students.  The God Squad Youth Ministry provides an opportunity for teens to share and grow in their Catholic faith and identity in a forum that is relevant and interactive.  This is done in a forum, rooted in Catholic scripture and inviting to the young adults, which includes scripture review, discussions, and activities which encourage teamwork and leadership.  The God Squad plans and serves in leadership capacities for several retreats for middle school students throughout the year.  The God Squad also participates in local service projects.

Mass Krew

Each Tuesday throughout the school year Mass Krew gathers to celebrate the Eucharist at 6:30 a.m. in the School Chapel of Hope. The group is open to students, parents, and OLV parishioners who wish to celebrate early morning Mass with the pastor.  Following Mass they enjoy food and fellowship in the School Hall before the school day begins.

OLV for Me

Lead by caring parishioners, OLV for Me is an enriching religious program with three special small groups - 3 year olds, 4 year olds, and 5 year olds. The program provides an age-appropriate religious education experience to guide young children to understanding their faith.  OLV for Me meets during the 9:30 a.m. Mass.

Religious Education Program (REP)

Formal religious education classes for children in grades one through eight who do not attend the OLV School. Classes are held weekly during the school year to provide age-appropriate formation and instruction in the Catholic faith and preparation to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  REP meets Wednesday evenings.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

The RCIA is a formation process for adults to explore the Roman Catholic faith. RCIA is designed for adults who have never been baptized or who were baptized into another Christian denomination and are now considering becoming Catholics.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)

RCIC is a spiritual journey in faith for children and their parents. Children seven years of age and older are prepared to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

School Advisory Board

The advisory board is a leadership group within the ministry of Catholic schooling.  It is accountable to the pastor and to the principal in its operation. It agrees to follow the policies and administrative procedures of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Office of Catholic Schools.  The School Advisory Board participates in the school’s development, student recruitment efforts, and long-range plans, and acts as the public relations and marketing arm of the school and its programs.

School Endowment Council

The School Endowment Council publicizes, solicits donations to,  and oversees the OLV Educational Endowment, an investment fund established to provide program enhancement, tuition assistance, and facility upgrades to Our Lady of Victory School.

Special Religious Education (SPRED)

SPRED is a religious formation program designed specifically to meet the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

Parish Life Pillar

Alumni Association

All graduates of Our Lady of Victory School are invited to participate in reunions, fund-raisers, and general support of the school through the Alumni Association. 

Community of Catholic Women

Open to all women of the parish, the CCW aims to promote the growth and development of the spiritual life of its members and to  further the spiritual and social objectives of the OLV Parish. 

Holy Name Society

It is a point of pride at Our Lady of Victory that no child has to pay to participate in the sports program. The men of the Holy Name Society make this possible by hosting several fund-raising events throughout the year to support the coaches, pay dues and fees, purchase uniforms and equipment, and keep the gym in great condition.  Membership is open to all men of the parish.

Hospitality Committee

The Hospitality Committee is committed to fostering a sense of community by providing refreshments in a welcoming spirit in the School Hall after all Masses on the last weekend of each month and on other special occasions.  The committee also reaches out to new parishioners to welcome them in the parish community.  Also, school and Religious Education Program children and parents are invited to attend the monthly 9:30 a.m. Family Mass.

Kerala Latin Catholic Association of Illinois (KLCAI)

This is an organization of the Latin Catholics from Kerala, India, residing in the Chicagoland area.  The main objective of the KLCAI is to foster unity, fraternity, and Catholicism among its members. 

Mother’s Club

The Our Lady of Victory Mother’s Club Organization provides the “extras” for the OLV School and Religious Education Program students in order to enhance their educational, cultural and religious experiences.  Our support encompasses many levels; spiritual, social/cultural, financial, and educational. Our goal is to assist our school and parish communities in enhancing both the minds and hearts of our children.  As a school and parish service organization we strive to promote mutual support and Christian fellowship between the parents, students, teachers, school administrators and the OLV community.

Parish Club

Members of the Parish Club seek to encourage and strengthen the social relationships among parishioners.

Scouting

OLV offers scouting programs for girls and boys who are members of the parish.  In a fun and safe environment, scouts are encouraged to grow in faith, morality, and leadership.  All packs and troops are members in good standing of their respective national organizations

             Cub Scouts       Boy Scouts       Girl Scouts

Teen Club

Teen Club is a social/service club which is open to all parish teenagers.  The goal of the club is to provide a supportive environment in which teens may develop holistically through prayer, service, and social activities.

Spiritual Life Pillar

Altar Server

The young people of the parish are invited to serve the community as altar servers.  Altar servers assist the priest and deacon at Mass while wearing the white alb of Baptism.  Parish students, both boys and girls, entering grade four through senior year of high school are invited to inquire at the school or Parish Office about serving.  Training is required.

Arts and Environment

The A and E ministry designs and implements the seasonal decorations, banners, altar cloths, and anything necessary to enhance the aesthetic environment of the church throughout the liturgical year.  Ministers care for the environmental setting throughout the church building.

Bible Study Group

The Bible Study Group meets regularly to read, discuss, and pray over the sacred scriptures and their application to daily life.  All are welcome.  A Bible or Missal is required.

Eucharistic Adoration Circle

Each First Friday of the month all are invited to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.  Adoration begins after 7:30 a.m. Mass and ends at 5:00 p.m. with Benediction.

Eucharistic Ministers

This special ministry administers to the congregation the Body and Blood of Christ.  Eucharistic Ministers are fully initiated Roman Catholics, being baptized, communicated, and confirmed in the Roman Catholic faith.  Training is required.

Greeters and Ushers

Greeters and Ushers welcome the parishioners and guests when they arrive at the liturgy, help in seating, take up collections, direct the communion procession, and issue any programs or publications to the congregation before and after the liturgy.

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the Word of God.  The lector serves the assembly not merely by reading from a text, but by providing an effective proclamation that is deliberately prepared through previous reading and reflection.  Training is required.

Ministers of Care

Ministers of Care bring the Blessed Sacrament to those who are unable, due to health reasons, to attend Sunday Mass.  Training is required.

Music Ministries

The music ministries support the worshiping assembly at weekend Masses, funerals, and major feasts and Holy Days.  Our Lady of Victory Parish provides many opportunities for members to participate in the music ministry including a Traditional Choir, Contemporary Choir, Chamber Singers, Cantors, and Instrumentalists. If you have a pleasant singing voice or play an instrument, please consider joining one of the music opportunities available.

Rosary Prayer Group

Following daily 7:30 a.m. Mass all are invited to pray the rosary.

Sacristan

Sacristans maintain vestments, liturgical linens and vessels, books, and candles and assist the clergy with preparation for liturgical celebrations.  Training is required.

Sanctuary Saints

The Sanctuary Saints are individuals who assist our sacristans and maintenence staff with the cleanliness of the church.  They assist with seasonal cleaning projects.  All are invited to help.