Warm Up America

Warm Up America   is a wonderful group of volunteers who use their talents to serve others by knitting and crocheting afghans, lap blankets, hats, gloves, scarves, mittens and other creative, handmade items for non-profit organizations and those in need. This Ministry at St. Columbkille started in 1997 – over 25 years ago! The group celebrated a record-setting year in 2022 with members creating over 2,975 handmade items. They are on track to break that record this year (2024)!!

Volunteers knit or crochet whatever items they wish - in their own homes, at their own pace. On the third Monday of the month, volunteers have the opportunity to stop by St. Columbkille rectory basement meeting room to pick up (free of charge) new yarn and supplies for their next projects, and to drop off their finished items. 

All items received are donated to non-profit organizations and individuals in need! Some of the non-profit organizations that benefit from Warm Up America’s handiwork include the Christ Child Society, Blessing House, St. Augustine Health Ministries, Jennings Home, Mount Alverna, Hattie Larlham, Migrants and refugees assisted by Catholic Charities, and the Veterans Administration. 

Warm Up America’s passion for helping others is so great that, when the need arose, they expanded their ministry to include handmade fleece and flannel blankets! The children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are cared for and supported through the Hattie Larlham organization, specifically asked for the softer blankets and Warm Up America came through!

How Can I Help?

Do you like to knit or crochet? Use your talents to provide warmth and comfort to the less fortunate in our community by becoming involved in the Warm Up America Ministry.

Donate! Donations of yarn and fleece are always appreciated and may be dropped off at the rectory.

Looking for more information? Contact Lois at 216-524-6735 or Anna at 216-524-2369

Men of Mercy

The Men of Mercy Ministry is a group of over 50 men from the local area who pool their financial resources and expertise to help those in need meet their basic needs. Together they have assisted 256 in-need individuals and families in our area. 

Some of their recent causes include:

1)  Purchasing 4 tires, an oil change, and gas cards for a mother of 5, allowing her to safely transport her children.

2)  Paying one month’s rent for a local, single mom who was ill with COVID and unable to work at her part-time job.

3)  Coordinating, and contributing to, the purchase of a wheelchair van for a local family, enabling them to transport their quadriplegic son.

Join the Men of Mercy Ministry! New members are always welcome. Have questions or need more information? Please contact Gary Minjock!

Email: menofmercy@att.net

Phone: (216) 408-3242

Good Samaritan

The Good Samaritan Ministry is a parish-based outreach ministry dedicated to serving those in need in our local community and in the inner-city. 

The Good Samaritans help local families and individuals by providing assistance to those facing crisis or emergency situations. 

The Good Samaritan Food Pantry at St. Columbkille offers bags of staple foods, soaps, paper products and personal items to those struggling to provide for their family’s basic needs. Assistance with financial emergencies is provided by the Good Samaritans to help those in the local community who are unable to make payments such as rent, medical bills, utility shut-off notices, and car repairs. Great care is taken to protect the personal dignity of those served, and all assistance is kept strictly confidential. 

The Good Samaritan Ministry relies solely on the time, talents, and financial donations of the parishioners of St. Columbkille Parish. There are special envelopes included in the parish offertory envelope packets to be used specifically for monetary donations to the Good Samaritan Ministry. Donations may be made through Faith Direct, as well. 100% of all funds received are used to assist those in need. 

Pope John Paul II Ozanam Center

 Besides all of the assistance they provide in the local area, members of the Good Samaritan Ministry coordinate a team of St. Columbkille volunteers who serve the poor at the John Paul II Ozanam Center in Slavic Village.

 On the third Saturday of every month (Service Saturday), the Good Samaritans lead a team of St. Columbkille volunteers who pack bags of fresh and staple foods at the Ozanam Center and distribute them to the 120-150 families who come to the Center in need of food that day. 

Four times per year, the Good Samaritan Ministry provides and serves a free Thursday Evening Hot Meal at the Ozanam Center. The volunteers prepare and serve the nutritious meal to the poor in the Slavic Village community.

Legion of Mary

The Legion of Mary is a service-based ministry which promotes a deeper love of God through devotion to the Blessed Mother and by performing apostolic works. Currently, there are 8 members and 25 auxiliary members in the Legion of Mary at St. Columbkille. Members perform at least two hours of service each week and meet weekly for prayer and discussion. Auxiliary members support the work of the ministry through their commitment to 20 -30 minutes of daily prayer.

The Legion serves the parish and community by distributing Holy Communion, praying the rosary, and visiting the homebound, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living, and memory care facilities. They also support young families by attending the Baptisms of the newest members of our parish and gifting the family (or the newly baptized) with a “young Catholic” gift bag!

Join Us!

Attend a Legion of Mary meeting as a guest and join an active member in their weekly service to learn more about the ministry and experience the volunteer work they do first hand! Legion of Mary meetings are held weekly on Wednesday evening at 6:15 PM in the rectory basement meeting room. For more information, please contact Lori Modic!

Phone: 440-781-9674

Email: lorimodic51@gmail.com

Golden Grace

St. Columbkille Golden Grace is a senior outreach ministry which was created to offer guidance, assistance, and camaraderie to our seniors. Focusing on social, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and financial needs, Golden Grace seeks to provide programming and activities that address the lifestyles and preferences of our seniors. 

Some of the current Golden Grace activities include: Monthly Movie Matinees with Free Lunch, Potluck Luncheons, and Bonfires / Cookouts including a Fireside Chat with Fr. Suso!

Presentations on: Forgiveness, The Saints, Eucharist, Medicare, Physical Therapy, Holiday Celebrations, Girl Talk, and Concerts.

As the ministry grows and the number of volunteers increase, more services and activities for the seniors will be added. 

If you have a heart for helping seniors, Golden Grace needs you! Volunteers are needed to help the ministry grow and provide more services and activities for the seniors. All ages are welcome to share their interests and talents with our seniors!

If you are a senior, please consider joining fellow senior parishioners at the next Golden Grace event. Whether a movie matinee or a guest speaker, Golden Grace gatherings are sure to be useful, informative, and fun for all!

Upcoming Golden Grace Events:

Homebound and Nursing Home Ministry

The Homebound and Nursing Home Ministry faithfully carries out their mission to bring the Eucharist to the homebound and local nursing home residents.

Nursing Home Ministry

Volunteer teams visit nursing homes weekly to distribute communion, pray the rosary, and provide companionship to the residents. 

Other prayer opportunities arranged by the ministry include:

   -  Holy Mass with the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for the residents

   -  Sacrament of Reconciliation

   -  a yearly Memorial Mass remembering residents who have died

   -  Pet blessings

   -  Residents also appreciate the religious articles and other special requests provided by the ministry throughout the year.

The Homebound Ministry

Volunteers visit our homebound parishioners! By bringing the Holy Eucharist to the homebound, volunteers share our faith community with our parishioners who are unable to leave their homes to join us at Mass. 

Visitation times and frequency are arranged individually to meet the needs of both the volunteer and the homebound parishioner.

Become a Nursing Home or Homebound Minister!

Various visitation times to fit your schedule. Weekly, Monthly, or Substitute Commitments available. Contact the Rectory Office for more information.

Pro-Life

The mission of this group is to proclaim the sanctity, value, and dignity of human life as a gift from God.

Al-Anon

"Al-Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help." - al-anon.org

Alcoholics Anonymous

"Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. A.A.’s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety."  - aa.org