Currently, we are finishing Jeff Cavin's Great Adventure Bible Study.
We meet from 9-11:00am in the School Library. Babysitters are available and children may be dropped off in the Good Shepherd Room.

We also offer occasional shorter bible studies in the evenings. Watch the bulletin for information or call with ideas!

And you are also welcome to participate in the Monday evening study that also meets twice a month. This group will also be beginning the study of Matthew - April 3rd. They are currently finishing the Great Adventure bible study. You are welcome to join at any time!

St. Mary’s now has a vase of roses to serve as a means for you to request our prayers and as a visual reminder of our parish community’s support—support both with prayer and practical resources for the women and families of our parish during the joys and sorrows of the childbearing years. The roses also show our deep respect for the dignity, worth, and precious blessing of all life. Through this program, our parish will pray for those waiting for a child to be born, those celebrating birth or adoption, wanting to become pregnant or adopt, grieving miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, infertility, infant or child death.

Pink Rosebud
Honoring Pregnancy and
Unborn Babies

Red Rosebud
Celebrating Births and Adoptions

White Rosebud
Grieving Families suffering a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, Abortion, Infant or Child Death

Yellow Rosebud
Remembering Those Wanting
to Conceive, Adopt, or Experiencing Infertility

Here is how it works…

During this introductory time, the Rosebud Basket and Vase are located in the Narthex by the front entrance doors of the church. (They will be relocated during special church liturgical seasons.)

You are invited to fill out a prayer request card for your situation and place it in the box provided. Then take a rose of the appropriate color and place it in the vase.

Please be sure to take a prayer card and remember that we are praying for you!

If you indicate that you would like to be contacted by Elizabeth Ministry, a volunteer will call you. The volunteer chosen to call you will have experience in a similar situation. She will set up a time to deliver a gift bag with prayers and other resources pertaining to your situation. We are here for you...

A memorial stone will be the centerpiece of this area. Families will be invited to have their child's name engraved on the memorial stone.

There will also be an area set aside for the burial of children lost through miscarriage, infant or child death.

We also welcome to this area those in search of healing after the regretful decision of abortion.

Help Needed!
All those interested in helping to plan, create and maintain the Miscarriage, Infant and Child Loss Memorial area of our cemetery are invited to contact Chris Wert at 757-6555 ext 210.

Need a babysitter?
If you are in need of a babysitter in order to participate in Elizabeth Ministry or our Women's Bible Study, please let me know!

These situations include moms on bed-rest, families with a baby in intensive care, etc.

Oh give me patience
when tiny hands tug at
me with small demands.

And give me gentle and smiling eyes
and keep my lips from sharp replies.

And let not fatigue, confusion or
noise keep me from sharing
my child’s newfound joys.

And most of all, help me to look above
when at times I think I have no love.

For You have promised
to bear my load as these
precious lives unfold.

I have learned much as I have listened to the stories of many women throughout the last ten years of ministry. Hospitals today do a much better job at helping parents create memories of the babies they have lost and therefore some of those hurts are now avoided. However, not all are equally equipped. We are here to help with all the little details that can seem overwhelming at such a difficult time.

I was surprised to learn that many doctors send women home to experience their miscarriage in their own home. Elizabeth Ministries has resources available to help ensure that your unborn baby receives as much dignity as possible in the process. "Miscarriage Delivery Aids" as well as Burial Vessels of all sizes are available.

The Miscarriage Delivery Aids are sized to fit in your purse in the event that you experience your miscarriage while you are somewhere away from your home.

The Burial Vessels are exactly that. They are vessels in which your unborn child can be buried. St. Mary's has set aside a beautiful area of the cemetary to bury our unborn babies. Our first baby buried there is John Paul who was 4 weeks old (in the womb).

I have also learned the need to be prepared at the hospital to claim your baby's body. Our Catholic hospitals seem to be aware of the need to treat our unborn babies with proper respect and burial. However, not all secular hospitals see the unborn baby as a person but rather as medical waste to simply dispose of. Please know that it is perfectly acceptable to request your baby's body - in fact you may need to be persistant and firm in your request.

We are here to help you plan a funeral and assist in the burial of your precious little one.

Holding a funeral and burial for a miscarriage has not been common in the past. For those moms and dads who do not have a grave site to visit in remembrance of their babies, please know that in our new cemetary area, we are planning to develop a garden area with a memorial stone for you to visit in remembrance of your baby. You will be able to come, and to pray and remember...

Please do not hesitate to call me at home or on my cell phone if you should experience a miscarriage or if you have experienced a previous miscarriage. 734-2117. c840-7098.

How does this unique ministry work?
Parish Women volunteer to become “visit” ministers in the areas they have experienced. For example, a woman who has twins would visit someone expecting twins. Support is offered in the form of visits, phone calls, and cards. A special “Gift and Resource Kit” is presented to the women being visited on behalf of St. Mary’s to show the support and care of our faith community during this time. These kits include special items depending on the situation.

Is extensive training needed to become an Elizabeth Minister?
No. The majority of the training needed to become an Elizabeth Minister is personal experience. Elizabeth Ministers are not counselors or experts. They are simply women willing to share their time and experiences. An initial training session is all that is required. A Visit Manual is available as well.

Does Elizabeth Ministry require a lot of time?
Again, no. An Elizabeth Minister is able to adjust time requirements to fit her schedule and to fit the needs of those to whom she is ministering. Brief visits, phone calls and card provide a tremendous amount of support with a minimal amount of time.

What are the Elizabeth Ministry areas of involvement?
Elizabeth Ministry reaches out in times of celebration and in times of sorrow. The following are the areas of involvement: - Pregnancy - Birth - Miscarriage
- Infertility - Adoption - Infant/Child Loss or Crisis

Are there ways to help that do not involve visits?
You bet! Many behind-the-scenes volunteers are needed to help! Volunteers are needed to sew baby blankets, knit or crochet baby booties, prepare gift and resource kits, pray for families facing crisis situations, make and deliver occasional meals, and to create various hand-made cards.

They recently relocated to 120 W. 8th Street in Kaukauna(formerly St. Mary's Convent).

Store Hours:
Monday & Wednesday 12:00-8:00
Tuesday & Thursday 9:00-4:00
Friday 9:00-12:00 CST

Their giftshop is filled with beautiful gifts for women! Of course, a great number of birth and loss items are available. You will also find prayer resources as well as gifts for children, teens and grandparents.

Elizabeth Ministry International
120 W. 8th Street
Kaukauna, WI 54130
Phone: (920) 766-9380
Fax: (920) 766-1221
info@elizabethministry.com
Website: