Adult Organizations and Programs

Prayer Chain

The Prayer Chain offers prayers on behalf of members of the congregation, friends, groups in the congregation, and whatever requests for prayers are given to them. There is a morning and evening group. the chain is passed on by telephone. If you would like to be on the Prayer Chain or have a prayer request, please call Belva Brandl at 715-435-3550.

Adult Choir

The adult choir members sing at most weekend Masses on either Saturday or sundays and for funerals when requested. Practices are held before Christmas and Easter. New members are always welcome. Please call Linda Hobbs at 715-435-3267 for more information.

Mass Assistance

We rely on our parish community to assist us in celebrating the Mass. Listed here are all of the roles in which you can participate.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers must be a registered member of the parish and actively living their faith. New Eucharistic Ministers will be trained. Contact Carol Kowieski at 715-435-3481.

Ushers

This group serves in welcoming parishioners and visitors as they enter church for service. Ushers take the offertory collection during Mass. Any interested high school or adult person may serve. Contact Mary Ann Nash at 715-435-3560.

Ministers of the Word (Lectors)

Any person of high school age and older may serve as a lector. If you have a good speaking voice and are interested, call Carrie Mancl at 435-3516.

Greeters

Two people greet all parishioners attending Saturday evening or Sunday morning Mass. They arrive about twenty minutes before Mass to welcome people. If interested, call Kathy Hamus at 715-435-3797.

Servers

After receiving First Holy Communion, boys and girls may become a Mass server. This rewarding experience is something your child will always remember, wherever life may take them. They serve for weekend Masses and weekday Masses during the summer. An older server helps train new servers. For more information, please contact Sue Nigon at 715-435-3609.

Rosary

The Marian year in 1987 sparked new interest in the rosary. Through the rosary, we are all exposed to the wonderful devotion Catholics have for their spiritual Mother Mary. We have men and women from the parish who donate their time to lead the rosary before all Masses. Anyone interested in helping can call Joan Elmhorst at 715-435-3543.

Friends of St. Philip Youth

Friends of St. Philip Youth are dedicated to promoting our Catholic faith with the children of St. Philip the Apostle Parish. We will foster unity among the youth and families by community service, activities and events. We meet monthly, usually the first Monday of the month. Check the church bulletin for dates and times. Please consider joining us - new members are always welcome at our meetings. We'd love to hear what you have to say! Contact Sara Smits at 715-435-3576 for more information.

Parish Pastoral Council

The Parish Pastoral Council is under the supervision of our pastor with representatives from the Finance Council, Buildings and Grounds, School Liturgy and Picnic Committees, Grotto, Women Foresters, Church Deanery, Church Secretary, and Church Financial Secretary. They are collectively responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating parish efforts in the fields of Liturgy, Education, Family Life and Social Justice. They serve two-year terms (renewable) and meet at least four times a year. Please contact the pastor for more information

Parish Finance Council

The Parish Finance Council is a group of parishioners appointed by the Pastor to advise him in all parish financial matters. If you would like to be a part of this council, please contact the pastor.

Parish Council of Catholic Women (PCCW)

This organization consists of all women of St. Philip's Parish. Membership is automatic upon registration in the parish. We are affiliated with the Wisconsin Rapids Deanery through the LaCrosse Diocesan Council of Catholic Women, along with the National Council of Catholic Women. Women are encouraged to attend the Wisconsin Rapids Deanery meetings twice a year.

St. Philip's women are assigned to one of 5 groups: St. Ann, St. Monica, St. Francis or St. Rose. Each group has a chairman and a co-chairman and is responsible for earning at least $350 a year. This is done in various ways. One of the most available ways to earn money is to cook for groups that come to visit our Grotto.

As a community, we really count on everyone's help, either by working, donating food, or giving a cash donation. Your group chairman will call when she needs your help. The money made by the groups is used for altar supplies, donations to charities of PCCW choice, the purchase of religious medals earned by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and Assumption High School scholarships.

The groups also prepare food for funerals of parish members at no charge to the family, although the family does furnish the food. During the summer months, the ladies of the PCCW also help staff the Grotto Gift Shop and Cave.

PCCW meets about 2 -3 times per year. All women are encouraged to attend these meetings to become more informed as to parish needs, to reslove issues, to share ideas and for fellowship to get to know each other better. The PCCW is the launching pad for many of the community ministries.

Catholic Order of Foresters and National Catholic Society of Foresters

Two fraternal insurance companies, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the National Catholic Society of Foresters, have courts at St. Philip's Parish. Established many years ago, these groups continue to flourish. The National Catholic Society of Foresters holds an annual pancake breakfast in the spring.

The National Catholic Society of Foresters has a very active Junior Court. Activities throughout the year include a St. Nicholas Social, picnics, roller skating, leaf raking, Easter party and movies. Junior members also have opportunities to apply for grade school, high school and college scholarships.

For more information about the Catholic Order of Foresters, contact Tony Sazama at 715-435-3654.

Inquiries regarding the National Catholic Society of Foresters can be made by calling Irene Smits at 715-435-3226 or Sylvia Weiler at 715-435-3434.