CHRISTIAN SERVICE

Blood Drive
The community of Mary, Queen of Peace has the opportunity to give the gift of life three times a year through blood drives held in the parish facility. The dates for the drives are announced in the parish bulletin in advance and are held on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the school cafeteria. If you are interested in working on the Sunday of the drive, or helping with sign-ups or talks the week before the drive, please contact the ministry leader Roger Kocken at 893-1796, rkocken@bellsouth.net or email mqpblood@gmail.com.

Communion to the Homebound
The function of this ministry is to offer the Eucharist, on a weekly basis, to any parishioner who, for an extended period of time, is unable to regularly attend Mass. If you are an extraordinary minister of holy communion and would like to work in this ministry please contact Sr. Marina Aranzabal, STJ, at 626-6977. If you know someone in need of this ministry, please contact Brenda D’Antoni at 626-6977 or email mqphomebound@gmail.com.

Habitat for Humanity
The Mary, Queen of Peace Habitat for Humanity Ministry is dedicated to serving those in our community who need assistance in obtaining decent, affordable housing. Working with the Habitat for Humanity West St. Tammany Parish affiliate, the Habitat Ministry volunteers to help those in need become homeowners by building houses or performing other volunteer work supporting the building of houses. If you are interested in volunteering or would like additional information, please contact the ministry leader, Dave Pashkevich at pvichd@yahoo.com, 674-8519, or email mqphabitat@gmail.com.

Haiti Partnership
The Haiti Partnership Program’s goal is to establish a long-term relationship between Mary, Queen of Peace and a parish in Haiti, specifically St. Benoit in Miragoâne. The program emphasizes the relationship through ongoing mutual giving and receiving, while respecting the local church organization and planning.  If you are interested in helping us grow our relationship with St. Benoit in Haiti, please contact Muguet Bolotte at 705-1846 or mbolotte@gmail.com.

Heritage Manor
The objective is to pray with and encourage the lonely, sick and dying to embrace the cross and to assure them of God’s love and mercy and the joy we anticipate. This ministry distributes the Holy Eucharist on Sundays to approximately 70 extended members of Mary, Queen of Peace. On three Fridays each month a communion service is conducted and we visit the rooms of those who do not attend the service. Ministry members also assist the priest on one Friday per month with Mass at Heritage Manor. If you are interested in more information, contact the ministry leader, Elizabeth Bellipanni, at 792-5281.

Knights of Columbus
Mary, Queen of Peace Council #12072 was formed on October 21, 1997. Membership is open to practicing Catholic men in union with the Holy See, 18 years of age or older.

A Knights of Columbus Council can work wonders; in fact, with its many programs, it can help change the community, town, city or neighborhood. We are a “Catholic, family, fraternal, service organization.” This theme permeates the entire Service Program; all church, community, council, family, and youth activities. The Knights currently meet on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in joining or obtaining more information, please contact the ministry leader, Carl Guicard, ctguichard@gmail.com and Frank Courtenay for 4th degree, fcourtenay@dkslaw.com.

Meals and More
Meals and More is a service organization whose members prepare meals for individuals or families within our parish community who are in need of assistance because of illness or other hardship. The ministry is also currently expanding to include sitting and other non-professional services.
Anyone in need is encouraged to contact one of the coordinators of this
ministry, Sandy Dombrowski at 845-4219, sandy.dombrowski@gmail.com or Gwen Dykes at 674-4246, mgdykes@bellsouth.net or email mqpmealsandmore@gmail.com. Or call Brenda in the Church office at 626-6977. Anyone interested in volunteering to prepare meals should also contact Gwen or Sandy.

Missionary Outreach
Parishioners are invited to participate in missionary outreach outside of the United States. Those with medical skills can participate in “Christ the Healer,” a program of the Archdiocese of New Orleans providing free medical care to the people of Nicaragua. Those with construction skills can participate in “Christ the Builder,” a program of the Archdiocese building homes for the poor beyond our borders. Contact Sr. Marina at 626-6977 or sistermarinastj@hotmail.com.

Newcomers Ministry
The Newcomers Ministry is a vibrant group of parishioners dedicated to making new members of the parish feel right at home. Members greet parishioners and visitors to the parish before and after Masses. We are present to help in registering and informing new parishioners about our parish life. The ministry hosts a Newcomers Social twice a year. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed! For more information, email mqpnewcomers@gmail.com

Parish Health Ministry
Congregational Health is a dynamic ministry that focuses on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health of the entire faith community. Integrating the care of body, mind and spirit optimizes health and well-being so that individuals can experience greater fullness of life at all levels. A registered nurse trained in this specialty leads the ministry with the help of the pastor and a health committee. Prayer, health education, free one-on-one health counseling and advocacy, referrals, and support groups are some of the services offered in this ministry. Contact Valerie Englehardt, RN: 778-1935 Cell, or venglehardt@gmail.com.

Prison Ministry
The Prison Ministry is composed of men and women of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish who, along with volunteers from other surrounding Catholic Parishes and with many other Christian denominations, visit St. Tammany Jail and Rayburn Correctional Center on a regular basis. These volunteers bring God’s Word and the love of Jesus Christ through the distribution of Bibles and other materials, which are read and discussed during the visits. The Eucharist is made available on special occasions. For more information, please contact the ministry leader, Toni Henry at toni.henry@gmail.com, 845-1061, or email mqpprison@gmail.com.

 

SAM (Substance Addiction Ministry)
The Substance Addiction Ministry (SAM) is a team of parishioners dedicated to offering hope and healing to parishioners, family and friends touched by alcohol or drug abuse and/or addiction.  Addiction is a progressive, physical, emotional and spiritual illness that disconnects a person from self, loved ones, and God.  Family members and loved ones are affected and troubled as substance abuse escalates.  The goal of SAM is to provide confidential help through education, prevention, family support, treatment referrals, and spiritual guidance.  For information or assistance please contact us at mqpsam@gmail.com.

Samaritan Center
The Samaritan Center provides services to the poor in the Mandeville-Lacombe area and is sponsored by 19 local Christian Churches. On the first weekend of each month, parishioners of Mary, Queen of Peace have the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries for the Samaritan Center’s Food Pantry. These items may be brought to the Parish Center, where they are collected on Monday morning by parishioners who volunteer to bring the items to the Samaritan Center.
The Samaritan Center is always looking for volunteers in a number of areas. For more information, please contact the ministry leader, Tom Fitch at jtf1948@bellsouth.net, 626-7879, or email mqpsamaritan@gmail.com.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international Catholic organization of lay persons who provide assistance to persons in need. Placed under the patronage of St. Vincent de Paul, the Society derives its inspiration from his thinking and work and seeks in a spirit of justice and charity, by a person-to-person involvement of its volunteer members, to help those who are needy and suffering. This ministry encompasses every form of aid that alleviates suffering and serves everyone regardless of church affiliation. Conference members meet at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month to pray, meditate on a scripture reading, and discuss client cases. All client information is strictly confidential. It is said those who see in the poor the face of Jesus understand the Vincentian spirit. For more information on helping with this ministry, contact ministry leader Richard Ainsworth at mqpstvincentdepaul@gmail.com.