Human Concerns

Individuals, families and friends who are active in the Human Concerns ministries, events, and activities enjoy serving as God's ears, hands, and helpers.  Feeding and clothing the less fortunate, visiting with the infirm or incarcerated, praying and nurturing others during difficult times - these ministries enable a response to Matthew 25:44:

 "Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’

The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

A joy of this ministry are flexible options of a one-time commitment to serving and responding on a regular schedule - with so many activities, it is easy to find several ministries that interest you. 

If you are interested in learning more about these ministries, click on the highlighted text and/or contact the individual listed for more information. At Saint John Vianney, our ministries always have "room for one more" and you are welcome to come and see...

All Saints Meal Program and All Saints Commons
Debbie and Chuck Potter, 262-786-3651, cdjjs@earthlink.net
Serve the poor and homeless. Parishioners purchase food, prepare, deliver and serve at All Saints Parish in Milwaukee, first and third Thursdays of month. Donations of clothing, furniture, etc. to give a fresh start at All Saints Commons, a transitional to independent living home for homeless women and their children.

Angel Tree
Michelle and Michael Paris, 262-385-6326, mparis@wi.rr.com
A ministry of Prison Fellowship whereby parishioners buy and deliver Christmas gifts for prisoners’ children on behalf of the absent parent in Jesus’ name. To match presents to appropriate aged children and deliver the gifts.

Best of Friends
Susan Yee (Catholic Charities), 262-782-0740, syee@ccmke.org
Socialization for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia, providing respite for their care-giving relatives. Tuesdays and/or Fridays at SJV; volunteers join staff in providing socialization activities.

Caregivers Support
Arlyne Jacoby, 262-792-1225, ajlynn7@wi.rr.com
To support each other through illness of a spouse, sponsored by Catholic Charities. Monthly morning meeting for coffee to share fellowship and support each other through common experiences.

Christ Child Shower
Debbie & Chuck Potter, 262-786-3651, cdjjs@earthlink.net
Help provide needed items for new unwed mothers. For two weeks in the spring, items are collected in the narthex to be made into layettes for new mothers.

Divorce Ministry
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Offer support during and after a divorce. A 6-week Divorce Recovery Series is offered periodically by the quad parishes. The Single Again support group meets on alternate Thursday evenings at SJV from 7:00 to 8:30. People are needed to lead these groups. Leader education is handled by the Archdiocese.

Elizabeth Ministry
Amy Wucherer, 262-789-0902, awucherer@wi.rr.com
Ministry of women to women around all issues related to childbirth, pregnancy, infertility and loss of a child. Volunteers offer help to others based upon their own experience and ability.

Environmental Committee
Sr. Nelda Hernandez, 262-796-3944, neldah@stjohnv.org
To learn, to educate and to promote environmental responsibility. Read, study and create ways to help parish/parishioners become more responsible.

Grief Ministry
Mariann Van Winkle, 262-796-3944, msvanwinkle24@aol.com  
Give support to parishioners who have lost a loved one. Contact the grieving family and provide the offer for prayer and support. A special 4-week series is offered twice a year to those who are grieving, and there are periodic events in the quad parishes.

Habitat Auxiliary – Cook For the Crew
Jean Buelow, 262-782-6524, jcbuelow@gmail.com
To provide lunch for the Habitat For Humanity crew. Provide lunch and snacks for the Habitat crew of approximately 12 to 14 workers. Drop off your contribution in the narthex in the morning and pick up your dishes after Sunday Mass.

Habitat For Humanity
Paul Schmidt, 262-786-1247  pssch35@gmail.com  
Workers donate time and services on a regular basis to renovate existing homes and construct new affordable housing in inner city areas of Milwaukee. Special skills are not required and the activities are flexible.

Habitat For Humanity – Prince of Peace
Martha Andrade, 414-645-8786, andradem@archmil.org
Workers donate time and services on a regular basis to renovate the parish and neighboring homes. Special skills are not required and the activities are flexible.

Human Concerns Committee
Jim Jackson   jjac4330364@aol.com  262-717-0209
Promote service and social action in the parish and beyond. Study current issues in light of Catholic social teaching. Those interested are always welcome.

Interfaith Caregiving Network
Doug Rohrs, 262-786-4589, or Geri Schaefer, 262-797-0878
Faith-centered non-profit organization serving Waukesha County residents in need due to age or disability. Help people stay in their homes through telephone reassurance, home visits, transportation, shopping and chores, help with forms and non-medical respite care. Representative meets with the agency to facilitate SJV connection. Training provided.

Jail Ministry
Jim Jackson, 262-717-0209, jjac430364@aol.com
Christ included prisoners among those He wanted us to treat as we would treat Him. Direct participation is the goal of the St. Dismas Jail Ministry. Wide variety of opportunities for involvement on a level you’re comfortable with at the Waukesha County Jail, as well as post-prison outreach to ex-convicts.

Justice Market
Kathleen Rave, 262-938-3233, trave@wi.rr.com
Help Third World artisans sell their wares, while offering parishioners a chance to purchase quality items. In October or November, conduct the market, with multiple vendors, in the Church Hall after Masses that weekend.

Medical Mission Group
Mary Jean Hubert, 262-781-7225, mjh.hubert@gmail.com
Provide medical and dental care to the underserved. One week trip during winter to Guatemala or other country for a group of 8-12 people with medical/dental expertise and/or Spanish language.

M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing)
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Allow stay-at-home moms to connect with each other and themselves spiritually. A 6-week series and discussion. Babysitting is included. Offered periodically.

New Beginnings
Margie Lang, 262-782-5879, margaret.lang@sbcglobal.net
A social ministry group offering support to widowed individuals. Leadership is needed to help plan programs and activities.

Newly-Married Ministry
Ryan & Melissa Forbes, ryfo18@gmail.com
Membership is open to any newly married couple within the last five or so years as a way to meet "like" parishioners.

Outreach Committee
Jean Beaudoin, 262-784-1285, jbeaudoin2@wi.rr.com
Researches organizations and awards grants that meet the needs of direct service, justice education, empowerment and advocacy. Meets quarterly.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Shelagh Roell, 262-784-3554, Shelagh.roell@yahoo.com
To offer prayer and support to those who are suffering by means of a shawl made in prayer and supported by prayer. This includes those who are sick, grieving or otherwise suffering hardship. Members knit or crochet shawls while praying for recipients. Shawls are then blessed and given out as needed or requested.

Repairers of the Breach
Barb Zacharias, 262-784-2304, bazacharias@hotmail.com
SJV parishioners bring bag lunches to this day shelter on Milwaukee’s north side and share scripture and faith with the men and women there. Participants share in a Bible study and talk with people. An emphasis is placed on what we can learn from the poor and powerless themselves. Parish volunteers prepare bag lunches.

Respect Life Committee
Maria Schloemer, 262-717-9626, mschloemer@sbcglobal.net
Regular meetings for planning and formation on the full spectrum of life issues, opportunities for prayer, education and action. Monitor legislative and community developments that affect the dignity of human life.

Ronald McDonald House Brunch
Debbie and Chuck Potter, 262-786-3651, cdjjs@earthlink.net
Offer support and nourishment to families staying at Ronald McDonald House while they accompany a sick child at Children’s Hospital. Provide food and serve brunch once per month at the house on Watertown Plank Rd.

St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program
Dick Fedler, 262-814-0288, rfedler@aol.com
Jesus said to feed the poor. In answering the call, parish members purchase, make and serve food at a meal program.  Help is needed preparing, delivering and/or serving food.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
Len Cors, 262-789-1242, lcors@wi.rr.com
A Catholic lay organization whose members grow spiritually through person-to-person service to the needy and suffering. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity. Our conference makes home visits to those in material or other need, providing food, resources and financial help when needs arise. The conference also visits and brings Mass cards to families who have lost loved ones, delivers holiday food baskets, oversees the parish food pantry and “reverse collections”, and coordinates parish involvement in the meal program.

Service a la Carte
Susan Kapke, 262-894-5841, smkapke@gmail.com
To offer individuals and families various opportunities to participate in hands-on ministry in a wide variety of ministries in the greater Milwaukee community. Volunteers may organize, lead or participate in a variety of offerings, sprinkled throughout the year.

Single Again
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, ext. 120, maryk@stjohnv.org
Single Again is a quad-parish support group for those in the process of divorce and beyond. It is open to men and women from any parish or none, does not require registration, and is free.

Soup Suppers
Sr. Nelda Hernandez, 262-796-3944, neldah@stjohhnv.org
Provide opportunities to gather, learn and pray. 2-4 sessions with meal, speaker and prayer.

Summer Service Series
Cheryl Redding, 262-789-7770, caredding@wi.rr.com
Offer individuals and families various opportunities to participate in hands-on service ministry with a wide variety of organizations in the greater Milwaukee community. Volunteers may organize, lead or participate in a variety of offerings.

Twinning - Prince of Peace
Mary Janowak, 262-796-3944, maryk@stjohnv.org
Build sister relationship with our twinning parish, Prince of Peace. Many activities are possible: multicultural faith-sharing groups, school/Christian Formation collaboration, joint prayer/worship opportunities, service projects, exploring immigration issues, person-to-person or family-to-family connections, etc.

Veterans’ Group
Edward & Elizabeth Tyre, 262-797-7953, ednliz2@sbcglobal.net, neldah@stjohhnv.org
To give veterans and their families and friends a chance to talk with each other about their experiences in the military and to support one another. Meet monthly at the Parish Social to socialize, share information and swap stories.