Outreach Groups

NETWORK OF CARE
This group is in contact with the sick and shut-in to offer support and reassurance, reach out to others in times of crisis and give support to
those who have lost a loved one in death.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY/ BLOOD BANK
This group meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Office Building. The first Sunday of the month they take up a collection at the church doors for those in need or requiring other financial help. Members also visit hospitals and rest homes, and provide gifts at Christmas. Through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Ascension Parish is enrolled in the Community Blood Bank. Twice a year, in cooperation with Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church, a blood drive is held at one of these facilities.

RESPECT LIFE
We believe that all life comes from God and we are dedicated to lovingly embracing all victims of anti-life practices. We promote and defend the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death, with specific focus on abortion, euthanasia, physician-assisted suicide and capital punishment. Awareness activities include the participation in the March for Life each January in Washington, the selling of flowers on Mothers Day in support of Dayton Right to Life, taking part in the citywide baby shower each summer to support area pregnancy help centers, erecting white crosses during Sanctity of Life Week each autumn and participation in the Life Sunday Life Chain in October.

FUNERAL AND BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
Parishioners gather at funeral Masses to support the family by presence, prayer, and singing; by assisting the priest at the altar as servers and by serving as Eucharistic Ministers and lectors as needed. Bereavement programs are offered as needed for those who have lost a loved one in death.

FUNERAL LUNCHEONS
We are a group of 80+ volunteers that help serve and facilitate luncheons after a loved one’s funeral. Our purpose is to relieve families of the burden of post funeral congregating by providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere to nourish themselves and share time with family and friends.

ST. MARY’S OUTREACH GROUP
St. Mary’s outreach is a group of volunteers who provide food and assist at brunches and luncheons served at the senior residences operated by St. Mary’s Development Corporation. These meals are served every other month at Grand Place, Hoover Place, Huffman Place, and Twin Towers Place. We hope to add their newest residence, Wright Place in Xenia, in 2006.

ELIZABETH MINISTRY
This ministry responds to the joys and sorrows of a woman’s life during the childbearing years. Elizabeth ministers visit with and offer support to other women who are experiencing pregnancy, birth, infant or child crisis, miscarriage, infant death, and fertility issues. Trained ministers are available to visit with other women who share their experiences.

MOMS (MINISTRY OF MOTHERS SHARING)
MOMS is a seven week journey that leads a group of women through an experience of peer ministry, self-discovery, mutual support, and prayer. The purpose of MOMS is to create in women an awareness of the inner sacred self, while at the same time teaching them new ways to inspire, encourage, and affirm each other.

SOLIDARITY WITH SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE
The group is looking at ways to provide support, prayer, and education as well as reconciliation where possible and measures for changes needed in our church to insure consistent, just practices towards survivors and perpetrators.