Blood Draw
Saint Gabriel took the lead many years ago by joining the CIRBC (Central Indiana Regional Blood Center) and hosting the first large scale blood drive in April 1974. That lead to the Fayette County plan to host 6 drives each year to collect 1,300 units of blood annually.
Original members of the blood drive committee included Ann Bernzott, Jerry Busche, Mary Beth Chergosky, Ladonna Kipp, Connie Metz and Rosalie Powers. Past members who have continued the tradition are Midge Brown, Mary Ann Welsh-Snyder, Annette Riedman, and Mary Telker. Many parishioners still give because of the dedication of those members who showed us the way.
Since that time, the need for blood and blood products has increased tremendously. Today, Saint Gabriel still participates with the Indiana Blood Center and hosts one of the major county drives each year.
It takes many hands to conduct a blood drive today. First there are the many donors and the calling committee to insure that donors are spaced evenly throughout the day. Then there are the cookie bakers and the crews that cook and feed the blood drive workers. Did you know that we do this so that they can eat in shifts to keep the donor line moving smoothly? There are the greeters and those who donate the juice and cups and hand out the cookies. There are those who help set-up and put back after the drive. Behind the scenes are those who coordinate, promote and advertise the blood drives.
Contact: Mary Telker – 827-4053 | Shirley Wise – 825-3266
Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is the parish’s way of sharing with those less fortunate at Christmas time. After Thanksgiving, gift tags are put on a tree in Church indicating individual family needs, for example “Boy, 12, size 14 jeans.” Parishioners select a tag and purchase and wrap the item(s) requested. Committee members help identify needy individuals and coordinate this outreach. There is only one meeting in October to make a timeline for the give away.
Contact: Melissa Ratliff
Christmas in July
Tags are prepared and hung on the tree in July. During July, parishioners are asked to purchase a new toy and wrap and tag the toy. The toys are received and taken to storage until December. In December, the new toys are matched up with children whose names are on the Giving Tree. This way the children will receive new toys along with their new clothes.
Time required: Just a few hours in July and a few hours in December
Contact: Linda Henderson 825-7641, 309-1510
Pro-Life
The Pro-Life Committee’s general purpose is to make parishioners more aware of pro-life issues and needs, including euthanasia, abortion, AIDS, cloning, the elderly and handicapped, etc. Our goal is to educate the parish about these issues and to emphasize our Christian responsibility to protect God’s gift of life. The Pro-Life Committee receives its information from several sources including the Archdiocesan Pro-Life Office, radio, television, Internet, newspapers, etc. The committee is involved in planning Masses for Respect Life Sunday, for the January 22nd anniversary of Roe vs. Wade decision to legalize abortion and other appropriate occasions during the year. This committee meets the third Wednesday of every month.
Time required: varies
Contact: Joyce Nobbe – 825-9455
St. Vincent de Paul
We help the needy by paying for prescriptions, gas vouchers and overnight lodging for transients. We also furnish food vouchers and collect food at Christmas time. There are many deserving needy people in our community. We serve God by helping those less fortunate than ourselves.
Time required: varies.
Contact: Shirley Risch – 825-2897
Thanksgiving Dinner for Senior Citizens
This is an annual event on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Many volunteers are needed to prepare and serve this dinner, which is held at the K of C Hall from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Approximately 400 dinners are delivered to individual homes as well.
Time required: varies No meetings, just volunteer work; preparing, serving and delivering meals.
Contact: Linda Henderson – 825-7641, 309-1510
Community Meal
Since 2014, five local churches have been seeking to offer a Sunday night meal to those people in town who might not otherwise get a meal. First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Central Christian, Orange United Methodist and St. Gabriel Church have all partnered in order to work toward fulfilling this mission. The meal is always hosted at First Presbyterian Church, and our parish provides and serves the meal every fourth Sunday of the month. Anyone is welcome to attend and eat.
Contact: Barb Terkoski – 827-5644
Communion to the Homebound, Nursing Home and Hospital
These Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Eucharist take Communion to persons in the local hospital and nursing homes and to those who are homebound. Training is provided.
Time Required: Varies according to need
Contact: the parish office – 825-8578
Church Cleaning
Volunteers clean the church on a rotating basis. We currently have six committees in charge of cleaning the church.
Time required: Approximately two hours every five weeks
Contact:
Judy Showalter – 827-5496
Janet Risselman 825-0852
Connie Rigling – 827-0279
Karen Abner – 825-6728
Jennifer Davidson – 265-9873
Abbe Pflum – 309-5241
Church Decorating
We prepare the church altar, ambo and the entire church with appropriate decorations; flowers, plants etc. for the Church seasons. We adorn the altar in a beautiful array of what Jesus’ presence means to our church community.
Time Required: Depends on season & personal interest
Contact: Erika Pflum – 825-5891 | Maureen Holm – 338-9318
Saint Anne Altar and Rosary Society
Saint Anne Altar and Rosary Society is a group of women who sponsors care for the altar area and sacristy. Funds are raised to pay for altar bread and wine. Two annual meetings include the feast of Saint Anne in July and a December Christmas gathering. Donations are collected during Advent and Lent for holiday flowers.
Yearly dues are $5.00.
Time required: As needed
Contact: Karen Lippincott – 825-4583