In Matthew’s Gospel, Chapter 25, we read, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?’  And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers or sisters of mine you did it for me.”

Ministers of Care
The Ministers of Care bring Communion to those who cannot worship at Holy Ghost Church on Sundays due to illness or advanced age.  In addition, ministers visit and pray with hospitalized patients and resident of several local nursing homes, offering them time and kind words.  They bring the love of the parish community to those not able to come to Mass.

If you know of someone who is hospitalized or who would like to receive the Eucharist as an extension of the Sunday Eucharistic celebration at Holy Ghost, or if you feel that the Holy Spirit may be calling you to serve in this ministry, contact the Parish Office at 630-860-2975.

Peace and Social Justice/ C.O.R.E.
The purpose of the ministry is to stimulate the Parish’s awareness of human social needs and to develop effective responses to these needs.  Members of the Peace and Justice Ministry meet on the first Thursday of the month. They strive to heighten their awareness of social issues in the world and in the local community.

C.O.R.E. - Christian Outreach Effort
CORE is Holy Ghosts charitable action organization.  Its primary function is to give immediate, unconditional assistance to people in need.  CORE’s services start with our church community and then extend out to and the local community in   general.  The assistance rendered by CORE can be far reaching but is grounded in satisfying the three basic human needs for food, shelter and clothing.

Some of the ongoing programs conducted by CORE are:

•  Holiday Meal Support-Provides assistance to families for Thanksgiving,/Christmas and Easter meals.
•  Advent Giving Tree- Fulfills the special wishes of the less fortunate for Christmas.
•  Rent and Utility Assistance– Issues emergency one time financial assistance in urgent situations.
•  Food Pantry– Supports local year round food distribution centers in Wood Dale and Bensenville.

These services, as well as others, are accomplished through the generous contributions of time and treasure of our parishioners. Our parish collection for CORE is usually taken on the 3rd Sunday of each month.

Anyone interested in helping with this Christian outreach ministry should call the Parish Office at 630-860-2975.

Faith, Hope, Love and Transitional Housing
Strengthened by their faith, the members of this ministry strive to bring the love of Christ to those in the community who find themselves in desperate situations, giving them hope for a better future.  Through this ministry, the parish funds an apartment in order to house a needy family.

This is a two year program and process in which mentors, trained by Bridge Communities, assist single parents to become self-sufficient by helping participants learn more about how to find jobs, keep personal finances, and acquire housing in the future. The Transitional Housing team meets the first Wed. of each month at 7:30 p.m.  Anyone interested in helping with this Christian outreach ministry should call the Parish Office at 630-860-2975.

Prayer Blanket Ministry
This ministry is composed of several volunteers, who purchase material, then cut, and sew prayer blankets for distribution to anyone who is in need of our prayers for healing as they go through a difficult time or illness.

The blankets are sewn, then blessed, and adorned with a laminated healing prayer and get well greeting from the people of Holy Ghost Parish.

Anyone interested in cutting or sewing blankets, or in donating cotton material for making the blankets is welcome to join.  We are also in need of volunteers to deliver the blankets to those who are shut-ins or in nursing homes or hospitals.  If you can help, by donating your sewing skills, time, or materials, please call the Parish Office at 630-860-2975.