Ministries
Individuals providing ministry to a parish can take on different roles; however, it can be simply defined as a loving service.
Whether providing for the parish during the liturgy as an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, or praising God by leading the assembly in song as a cantor or choir member, you can provide a loving service to our community. Individuals can also offer their time and talents by providing outreach for the needs of those parishioners in community who are suffering, by assisting with the parish’s prayer chain, or taking Holy Communion to the elderly or infirmed as a homebound Communion minister.
To learn more about any of our various ministries, please contact the parish office.
Liturgical Ministries
Our liturgical ministers play a very important role in our parish, and are an essential part of the liturgy. All liturgical ministers are required to be registered members of the parish.
| Altar Servers | Boys and girls are eligible for service at the altar upon entering fourth grade. Servers will assist the priest during the celebration of Mass. |
| Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion | Adult individuals of the parish assist the pastor in the distribution of the body and blood of Christ. |
| Greeters | Families or individuals will welcome parishioners and guests to our church, as well as arrange for individuals to participate in the offertory procession. |
| Lectors | In addition to delivering the Word of God, lectors will take part in the entrance procession, carrying the Book of the Gospels to the altar. |
| Ushers | The offertory collection is the main duty of an usher. They also assist those individuals who will participate in the offertory procession. When needed, ushers aid in seating. |
Music Ministries
St. Mary, Mother of God Music Ministry is under the direction of Robert and Peggy Skamai. Together, Bob and Peggy coordinate the preparation of the music to be sung at the various liturgical celebrations, and promote the ministries of choir, cantor and instrumentalist.
Bob serves as the director of our choir, while Peggy serves as our organist/pianist.
Adult Choir
We have an adult choir of volunteer singers who enhance our liturgies during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. We rehearse on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
We always welcome new members to our choir. Members must be able to commit to a rehearsal once a week during the seasons of Advent and Lent, and must be able to sing at the 11:00 a.m., Sunday liturgies for the Feast of Christ the King, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost.
Although the ability to read music is helpful, it is not a requirement to being a choir member. Likewise, no audition is required.
Cantors
Our cantor program consists of selected members of our choir. They are responsible for preparing to proclaim the psalm, the Gospel acclamation and verse, and lead the assembly in song.
Several liturgies throughout the year include the addition of extra instrumentalists. Our Christmas and Easter celebrations, usually, include the addition of a brass quartet and percussionist.
Our goal is to express our love of God and neighbor through music. We strive to serve our church community be enriching the liturgies with music and promoting “full, conscious and active” participation of the assembly in song.
Ministry to the Sick and Homebound
Communion ministers visit the homebound members of our parish family, as well as the local nursing home residents, to distribute the body of Christ. Visits are made the first Wednesday of each month. However, members of this ministry can also accommodate your needs if Wednesdays are not suitable.
If you or a family member would like to be included in these visits, please contact the parish office.
Prayer Chain
The prayer chain ministry is made up of individuals who provide prayer support for those most in need.
If you wish to have your name, or a family member’s name added to the prayer chain, or would like to become part of the prayer chain, or assist a member, please contact the parish office.
Good Samaritan Ministry
The Good Samaritan Ministry seeks to broaden the outreach of our parish by meeting some of the health or social needs of the older or infirm members of our community. Our goal is to brighten the lives and ease the burdens of those in our community with age-related and health-related issues by serving them as ambassadors of our catholic faith.
We also reach our to members of our parish family in time of loss and illness, as well as remembering those members of our parish on their birthdays, beginning with their 80th birthday.
If you have further questions, concerns, or know of anyone who may benefit from the works of the Good Samaritan Ministry, please contact Mary Palilla, parish coordinator, at 724-783-7936, or at [email protected]