Special Ministries

Annulment Assistance

A trained professional volunteer is available to serve those who need an annulment. Assistance is held in strict confidence. Answers to questions and concerns with help in filling out the forms and filing them with the proper Diocesan office, contact the pastor, a deacon or our Annulment Assistance volunteer

Contact: Parish Office at 618-466-2921, ext. 2

Bereavement Ministry

The Bereavement Committee extends Christian friendship, moral support and encouragement to those who have experienced loss in their lives. Most often, this ministry is exercised in behalf of those who have a loss resulting from the death of a loved one. Funeral luncheons are offered to those families who are so bereaved. 

Contact: Debbie Ellebracht at the Parish Office

Grief Support Group

A Grief Support Group meets to aid anyone as they struggle with the loss of a loved one. The group is led by Tom Schmidt, LPC, Counselor and a certified Trauma Specialist. Please contact Tom at tseda14@yahoo.com, (618) 219-0612 or the Parish Office before attending a group session.

• Grief Share, support for the loss of a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, pet, etc. meets every Monday at St. Ambrose from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
• The Compassionate Friends, support for the loss of a child, grandchild, or sibling meets the last Friday of the month at St. Ambrose from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Eucharistic Ministers to the Homebound and Hospitalized 

The extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist to the homebound and to those confined to Nursing Homes assist in the distribution of Eucharist to those unable to attend Mass. The Eucharistic ministers to the hospitalized bring Eucharist to people at Alton Memorial and other local assisted living facilities. Training is provided for those parishioners interested in this ministry of care. The pastor or deacon makes arrangements with these Eucharistic Ministers as the need arises.

Money Counters

Money Counting is a very special ministry for ordinary people to do extraordinary work. It is a willingness to give about five Monday mornings a year to the task of separating and counting the Sunday Collection. This ministry begins at 9:00 AM on Mondays in the Parish Pastoral Center.

Contact the Parish Office 618-466-2921, ext. 2

Parish Welcome Group

The intent of this group is to act as ambassadors of St. Ambrose Parish by extending an early, friendly expression of welcome to new members of the parish, and to provide an in-depth explanation of the parish information in the welcome packet. In addition, if the new member is also new to the area, the Welcome Group member helps orient the new parishioner(s) to the Alton - Godfrey area.

To volunteer to serve as a home visitor, contact Parish Office 618-466-2921, ext. 2.

St. Ambrose Life Committee

St. Ambrose Life Committee is a small yet active group of parishioners who meet on a bi-monthly basis at the parish center to discuss current events in our community and diocese related to pro-life issues. We address topics forwarded to us by the Springfield diocese, such as legislation updates, church-based meetings, conventions, etc; as well as gain involvement in local issues and events such as East, Respect Life Mass & Rosary Walk, ThriVe Metro Baby Bottle Campaign as well as the city-wide Life Chain (held in downtown Alton). Our efforts also include working with area school children to help them understand that life is a gift from God, and we want to help them develop their respect for life as they grow.

This past year we also sponsored a service at St. Ambrose Church, in conjunction with Arms of Love/Thrive, to promote healing, peace and salvation for those affected by past decisions of abortion. We welcome any parishioner, of any age, to come to a meeting and learn more about our group. Meetings are published in the church bulletin, or for more information please contact Kris Kline krisandjohnkline@yahoo.com or call the parish office at 618-466-2921, ext. 2.