Family Life Committee
Committee Chair: Mary McKenna - 715-720-9635
The Family Life Committee is committed to enhancing the lives of individual Catholic families and the community.
This committee reaches out to those in need, such as with the Elizabeth Ministry for families with new babies or those who are experiencing miscarriage. We actively
encourage the community aspect of our parish with fellowship activities such as
Friendship Sunday, and support the members of our Diocese who are studying in the Seminary.
Our GIFT group encourages self-advancement in the Catholic Faith, and friendship and fellowship with others who are also trying to strengthen their faith. We are committed to the youth of our parish by organizing youth readers. In the future
we hope to hold mother/daughter and father/son breakfasts. We are an energetic and forward-thinking group.
We meet about once a month for an hour and divide responsibilities. We are "family" so we are willing to step in to help other committee members with their projects. We don't want any one member to be overwhelmed. We are always looking for others
to continue giving vision and enthusiasm to the committee.
Support our Seminarians 
Contact: Mary McKenna - 715-720-9635
About two times a year, an announcement is placed in the bulletin for people to donate small items that can be sent to our seminarians who are studying all over the country and even in Rome. In helping with this project, you would be helping to collect items to send to the seminarians. Before Christmas, we distribute stamped and addressed envelopes for parishoners to write to our diocesan seminarians.
After collecting items, they are put in an envelope/box and then mailed to show our seminarians how much we appreciate their work and vocation. Estimated time is approximately two hours twice a year.
Elizabeth Ministry
Miscarriage Contact: Karla Roach - 715-726-2210
New Babies Contact: Kristi Beaudette - 715-720-9857
Elizabeth Ministry is an international organization created to reach out to women in times of need during childbearing years. Although the ministry involves every aspect of childbearing including adoption, infertility, and post-abortion problems, the ministry at St. Charles is focusing on caring of families of newborns and newly adopted children as well as those suffering from miscarriage.
We need volunteers to help make meals and take them, along with an appropriate prayer, to the families with new babies.
Women who have experienced a miscarriage are able to support women who are miscarrying in a very special way. Contacting a woman through a phone call, visit, or providing a meal is extremely helpful.
These two aspects of the Elizabeth Ministry require only one meeting a year.
Friendship Sunday
Contact: Dawn Zenner - 715-723-3348
Every second Sunday of the month, we provide treats (donuts, cookies, breads) and juice and coffee. Responsibilities would include purchasing the above items with donations raised (no personal money is required). We also need people to help set up, serve for both the Sunday Masses, and clean-up after the 11 o'clock Mass.
Total time commitment for this function is about 30 minutes to purchase the items and drop off at church and 30 minutes to serve and take down the tables.
Growing In Faith Together (GIFT)
Contact: Wendy Buchmann - 715-726-2252
The GIFT group comprises women who enjoy coming together in a relaxed setting to learn more about their faith. They meet once a week. Children of any age are welcome to come and play together and toys and videos are available.
The group decides what books or faith-growing exercises to work on each year so the material changes. There is no attendance fee other than purchasing the materials used.
Examples of topics covered:
Ministry of Mothers sharing workbook
"A Simple Path" - Mother Teresa
Scripture Reflection (examining each Sunday's Gospel)
"The Faith" - discussing book about the Catholic Faith
"50 Ways to Tap the Power of the Sacraments"
"The Great Bible Adventure" - videotape series