Last Sunday, Tim Fogarty, one of the members of the Parish Leadership Team, shared information regarding the different ministries that we have in our parish. He gave examples how these ministries are interconnected in fulfilling our parish mission as a caring and welcoming family committed to building and strengthening a community of God, reaching out as disciples of Jesus Christ to Freeport and beyond.
Now what are the different ministries that we currently have in our parish where we can get involved and participate? Here is the partial list:
Extra Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – help distribute communion at masses, including funerals, and willing to take communion to our shut-ins.
Ministry of Lectors – assist in liturgical celebrations by proclaiming the Word of God.
Ministry of Altar Servers – serve at masses, weddings, funerals and special events.
Music Ministry – participate in our choir, cantor at mass and other liturgical celebrations, assisted by the organists.
Teen Ministry – coordinate our teens, 9th through 12th grade, with their spiritual and social activities, bible study and participate in diocesan and national youth conventions and retreats.
Children’s Breaking Open the Word – assist at the 8:30 A.M. Sunday mass with children, ages three through first grade, for the children’s liturgy of the word.
Greeters – families or individual parishioners, on a rotating basis, stand at each entrance of the church and welcome all who come to worship at our weekend masses.
Ushers – during weekend masses and holy days of obligation, assist in the seating of parishioners and the offertory collection during the service.
Evangelization Ministry – coordinate activities and social gatherings to welcome new parishioners and bring the parish family together.
RCIA Team (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) – provides support for adults seeking the Sacrament of Initiation into the Catholic Church.
Religious Education – provide religious education on Sunday mornings for Pre-K through 8th Grade, from September through May.
Altar Cleaning – help to clean the sanctuary, sacristy and church areas, usually by a team of two people on Fridays or Saturdays.
Altar Decorating – planning, decorating and the upkeep for seasonal and special events.
Sacristans – care for the altar linens, cloths, vestments and liturgical vessels used in the church and to keep the sacristy in order.
Homebound Ministry – volunteers visit and take Holy Communion to our home bound and parishioners in nursing homes.
Christian Mothers – promote and support spiritual growth for women and their children and provide a means to grow in service.
Hospitality – help with the preparation and serving of meals during parish festivities.
Mercy Meals – help prepare and serve food at the funeral luncheons.
Meals on Wheels – help coordinate delivery routes, prepare meals or make morning deliveries to shut-ins in our local community.
Society of Saint Vincent de Paul – members meet weekly to plan, collect and distribute clothing, furniture and related items to the less fortunate. Also, assist in operating the St. Vincent de Paul store in Apollo.
Prayer Chain – to pray in private for the needs of those who request prayers for any reason.
Moving forward, we want to introduce three new ministries in our parish and they are:
Helping Hands Ministry
Theology on Tap
Holy Name Society
More details regarding these ministries will be shared in the coming weeks.
Those who are interested in joining any of these ministries listed can approach either Bill Girardi or myself. You can also call the Administrative Office at 724-295-2281 or email: thechurch@stmaryfreeport.com. We will be more than willing to help you and be glad to have you share with us your talents, time and treasure.
May God bless you!