Ministries

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS
Pastoral Council: Carol Walkup, Chair
Finance Council: Robert Bayle, Chair
Rosary Altar Society: Sharon Karwoski, President
Ushers Association: David Rothermel, President

ADDITIONAL MINISTRIES
Music Ministry
Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers
Altar Service
Bereavement Ministry
Homebound Ministry

Pastoral Council:
The Pastoral Council is a body of parishioners who serve as a visionary and advisory team to the Pastor – offering suggestions, sharing collective wisdom, and responding to ideas that the Pastor will implement to both serve the needs of the parish and to help it grow as a faith family. The council consists of EX-OFICIO members (such as the Pastor, Faith Formation Director, and Trustees) and AT-LARGE members elected from the parish body for a term of three years. Meetings are held monthly, both in-person and digitally.

Finance Council:
The Finance Council is a consultative body which aids the parish priest in the administration of the goods of the parish and provides advice concerning the stewardship of parish fiscal resources. It serves the goals and priorities set by the Pastoral Council though long-range financial planning, developing and overseeing a parish budget, and providing financial analysis of current fiscal status reports.

Rosary Altar Society:
The Rosary Altar Society promotes the spiritual and liturgical life of its members and of the parish through devotions to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. Its members are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the altar, linens, vestments, and vessels used during worship at our church. The society also provides flowers and volunteer support for First Eucharist, Confirmation, Baccalaureate masses, and other liturgical celebrations.

Ushers Association:
Ushers are entrusted with promoting a sense of welcome and belonging to all the faithful assembled for worship and to maintain order during services. Duties include greeting and seating worshippers, helping to make visitors comfortable, assisting with the offertory, circulating collection receptacles, preparing bulletins and other seasonal items for distribution, and tidying the worship space after church services.

Music Ministry:
The Music Ministry spreads the Word of God through musical experiences. Our goal is to enrich, inspire, motivate, and engage the community, through hymns and sacred songs, in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations, and to provide an avenue through which individuals may share their gifts and be an integral part of the worship service.

Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers:
Lectors provide dedicated and well-prepared readings of the Word for every Mass offered in our parish. They need to be effective communicators as well as able to absorb and express the spirit of the Liturgy. Eucharistic Ministers assist the Celebrant in distributing the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ to the congregation at the celebrations of the Eucharist. They fulfill their role with a knowledgeable, reverent, and orderly manner. Training for both roles is provided on an individual basis and scheduling is done quarterly through the rectory office.

Altar Service:
Altar Servers assist the Celebrant and the worshiping community in the Liturgy of the Mass and other observances. They aid the Sacristan in preparing the altar and lighting the candles, participate in opening and closing processions, and support the Celebrant by holding sacred texts and objects, introducing and removing liturgical vessels, and fulfilling other duties as needed. This ministry is open to all people who have been Baptized and have made their First Holy Communion. Adult altar servers assist at weekday masses and funerals. Youth altar servers assist at weekend masses, weddings, and other special liturgies. Training is conducted several times each year through our Faith Formation program and scheduling is completed quarterly.

Bereavement Ministry:
The Bereavement Ministry offers condolences and support to those families who have lost a loved one through death. As needed, they fulfill liturgical roles during the funeral including Usher, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, family escort, and comfort support. In addition, The Marthas, a sub-ministry, offers hospitality assistance for the post-funeral gathering when it is held on the parish campus.

Homebound Ministry:
The Homebound Ministry provides a social connection to individuals who would benefit from a visit from a fellow parishioner. This ministry, through volunteer effort, visits residences, nursing facilities and other home situations of parish members. Phone calls and mailings may also be included. Volunteers who are Eucharistic Ministers can deliver the Holy Eucharist to those who ask, and training is offered on an individual basis.

Parish History Ministry:
The Parish History Team preserves the tangible artifacts and intangible memories of our church and its role in the community. They detail the life of the parish- both average and exceptional- by collecting the reminiscences of our parishioners through interviews, photographs, and memorabilia. The goal of the team is to create educational documents and records to maintain our parish’s historical continuity.