Explore Precious Blood
Contact Us
Monday through Friday
9:00am – 3:00pm
4961 Salem Ave.
Dayton, OH 45416
937-276-5954
Precious Blood
Ministries
Councils and Committees
Combined Parish Pastoral Council for Parish of Families
As part of the Beacons of Light initiative, the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes has established a combined Pastoral Council and a combined Finance Council, with each of the six parishes contributing two representatives to each council.
A key element of Beacons of Light is the creation of unified councils for each Family of Parishes. These councils offer guidance to pastors and parish staff, shaping ministry goals and evaluating progress based on the spiritual, social, and practical needs of the community. While pastoral councils typically include 6 to 14 members, the St. Gaspar Family’s model ensures equal representation from each parish, promoting collaboration and unity across the entire Family.
Members are generally selected through nominations and a period of prayerful discernment, serving staggered three-year terms to maintain continuity. The purpose of these combined councils is to foster shared leadership and build a stronger, mission-driven parish community that is well-equipped to serve and evangelize effectively.
Unified Parish Council Members
- PRECIOUS BLOOD: Becky Chestnut, Jenn Smith
- ST. RITA: Mike Boyd, Joyce Bachmann
- ST. PAUL: Kathy Wirrig, Mark Casdorph
- EMMANUEL: Mike Stoner, Tom Scarpelli
- HOLY TRINITY: Brad Thobe, Katrekia Gambrell (TT)
- ST. JOSEPH: Jeri Mechenbier, Gary Roeckner
Unified Finance Council Members
- PRECIOUS BLOOD: Marty Blasko, John Kettler
- ST. RITA: Sherry Boyd, Bob Wagner
- ST. PAUL: Bob Chodkowski, Missy Grant
- EMMANUEL: Mike Lee, Kevin Brown
- HOLY TRINITY: Amy Wiedeman, Tim Becker
- ST. JOSEPH: Ralph McEldowney, Rita Zimmerman
Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical Ministry
Liturgical ministry is an excellent opportunity to fulfill your baptismal call of service to others. Our liturgies should utilize the talents and gifts God has given this community to the fullest extent. Whether participation is behind-the-scenes planning or a public role of service within the Mass, parishioner contributions make our liturgies truly life-giving celebrations! Please contact Marianne Pitts at 937-276-5954.
Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priest during the liturgies. Their roles include carrying the processional cross and sometimes incense and candles. They hold the proper liturgical book for the presider and perform other functions that enable the celebration to flow in a reverent manner. This ministry is open to all adults and youth ages fifth grade and older. Training is required and provided. If you are interested, please contact the parish office at 937-276-5954.
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to fellow Catholics at Mass. They assist with setup of Communion vessels prior to Mass, assist the celebrant with the distribution of Holy Communion, and properly clean and store the vessels after Mass. This ministry is open to those who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Training will be provided. If you are interested, please contact the parish office at 937-276-5954.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the scripture at all Masses, Sundays and weekdays, and special liturgies, such as Vespers. The ministry of the lector is of utmost importance to the life of the Church, for the lector proclaims God’s Living Word. If you are interested, please contact the parish office at 937-276-5954.
Ministers of Hospitality
The ministers of hospitality ushers and greeters greet current members and assist or direct visitors. They are also available to help members of the congregation who require special assistance. At the end of Sunday Mass they distribute bulletins. If you are interested, please contact Fred Schoenhofer.
Music Ministry
There are many ways parishioners of all ages can become involved in music ministry, primarily through the singing assembly. Below is a description of how one can participate. If interested, please contact Marianne Pitts at 937-276-5954.
- ADULT CHOIR: This choir regularly leads the community’s sung prayer for Sunday Mass and major Holy Days throughout the year.
- INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MINISTRY: Parishioners who play musical instruments are invited to share their talent with the community. Instrumentalists are always welcome, especially during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
- HANDBELL MINISTRY: Handbell ringers contribute to our worship by periodically playing during Mass.
- CANTORING: The role of the cantor is to support and lead the singing assembly and to proclaim psalms. To this end, cantors must be competent not only as singers but as leaders of prayer. Persons interested in becoming a parish cantor need not be members of any choir. Cantors provide leadership in singing Sunday and Holy Day Masses and parish celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Parish Ministries
Bereavement
The bereavement ministry serves families who have lost a loved one. The ministry members are trained to provide comfort and support to grieving families by giving them time, hearing their thoughts, and sharing their tears.
The funeral committee sees that all is in order and ready for a funeral Mass/service. They prepare the altar and church for a funeral Mass, work as altar servers, and toll the bells. Other duties include preparing the pall for the casket, handing out the liturgy aids, being Eucharistic minister, and ushering. Contact Debbie DeBrosse at 937-276-5954, if you are interested in this very important ministry.
Home Visitors
Volunteers bring Holy Communion to homebound parishioners and area nursing home patients on a weekly basis and on a schedule that works for all. Service to the homebound at their residence is usually performed due to chronic medical or other circumstances that keep them from coming to church. The ministry’s mission is to provide union with Christ, spiritual comfort, and ongoing contact with the parish. If you are interested, please contact Matt Ruttle.
Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry that takes place in our parishes. Stephen Ministry lay caregivers are trained parishioners who are equipped to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are struggling from divorce, job loss, grief, illness, or another life crisis. Stephen Ministry Leaders assign a caregiver who can best serve the parishioner who is in need. Contact Curtis Kneblic at 937-276-5954 for St. Rita and Precious Blood, and Barb Franz at 937-836-4175 for St. Paul.
Community Outreach Ministries
Brunner Literacy Center
This is a shared ministry with the Sisters of the Precious Blood. The ministry was established to increase literacy for individuals wanting to improve their lives in the surrounding area. The Center offers free, one-on-one tutoring to adults who desire to earn a GED, improve basic reading and/or math skills, or learn basic computer skills. Call the Brunner Literacy Center at 937-567-9600.
God's Garden
God’s Garden is a volunteer-run garden that provides needy families with fresh locally-grown produce that they otherwise may not be able to obtain. The garden is a product of the efforts of parishioners from St. Paul, St. Rita, and Precious Blood, and is located on the St. Paul Parish grounds. If you are interested, please contact Valerie Hagemeyer.
St. Bonaventure Indian Mission and School
Precious Blood Parish sends clothes, shoes, coats, household items, blankets, toys, and children’s books to St. Bonaventure Indian Mission in New Mexico several times throughout the year. The tribe lives in one of the poorest counties in the country, and they are most appreciative of our efforts. Donations can be left in the usher’s room throughout the year. If interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Ruth and Don Simon at 937-770-1395.
St. Vincent de Paul
The parishes of St. Paul, St. Rita, and Precious Blood have a conference dedicated to serving the impoverished within our geographical parish boundaries. Together, these Vincentians manage and run a food pantry, collect food and gift cards for Christmas gift baskets, conduct drives to collect items for Fill the House, and offer financial assistance to those needing help with home or utility expenses. Parishioners support this outreach ministry through contributions by use of designated Sunday collection envelopes and by supporting specific fundraisers throughout the year.
If you need assistance, call 937-771-6773. If you are interested in joining, contact Bonnie Vitangeli at 937-219-0271.