The Family of St. Germaine Parish is one of only two Catholic churches in North America named for the Catholic saint of special needs.

As a Catholic community, the parish endeavors to celebrate God's presence by providing opportunities for spiritual growth and social awareness through worship, education, service and friendship. The parish seeks to relate the Gospel to everyday life by providing programs that minister to the unemployed, remembering those serving in the military, liturgical ministries, a teen club, a St. Vincent de Paul chapter and other activities for parish life.

In addition to its pre-kindergarten through eighth grade parish elementary school, St. Germaine's provides religious education for children of the Catholic faith who attend public school (also for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students).

Like its patron saint, St. Germaine's is also the only Catholic parish in Oak Lawn that has a special education religious education program for developmentally challenged and visually and hearing-impaired youth called "God's Special People."