Parish Ministries

"See that you fulfil the ministry which you have received in the Lord" (Col 4:17).

Listed here are the various ways in which we serve the members of this parish. For more information about any of these ministries, call Russ Hayden in the Parish Office (683-8444, ext. 21), unless otherwise indicated.

Altar Servers

Girls and boys (from 4th grade up) are invited to serve on the altar of God. Training sessions are held a couple of times a year or by appointment with Brett Ballard.

Arise: Together in Christ

Arise is a three-year, parish-centered process of spiritual renewal and evangelization that enables people to deepen their faith, develop a closer relationship with Christ, grow in community, and reach out in service to others. Small groups meet once a week for six weeks at a time, ususally in someone's home, to discuss a brief Scripture passage and share their own faith experiences. If you would like to join one of these groups, please call the Parish Office.

Bereavement Dinners

These dinners are held for family and friends after the Funeral. You are invited to serve on a team that organizes and serves the dinners. We also need people who are willing to prepare a dish.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

This program is for children in grades K-3. At the 10 AM Mass, the children are called forward, blessed by the priest, and then sent out with an instructor to listen and discuss the Sunday readings in a language that they can understand. They return to the sanctuary after the Prayers of the Faithful. For more information, contact Barbara Cecil (685-5004).

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

Assist in the distribution of Holy Communion whenever there are not enough Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (bishops, priests, and deacons) present and there is a very large number of communicants. This task requires a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are usually needed at all the Sunday Masses.

Gift Bearers

Families called forth from the community to present the gifts of bread and wine at the weekend liturgies.

Hillcrest Ministry

Teams of two people visit Hillcrest Nursing Home on Sunday to distribute Holy Communion and visit with the patients. The schedule calls for a commitment of every 3 months.

Lectors

Read from the Lectionary during the Liturgy of the Word in Mass. Lectors should have sharp, clear voices. Contact Doug Dunn (926-3796) for training.

Ministers of Hospitality

Greet the people of God as they assemble for prayer, help them find seats if needed, and assist in taking up the gifts at the Offertory of the Mass. This ministry is open to men, women and teenagers.

Ministers to the Homebound

Share the Lord's spirit with the sick. On a weekly basis, ministers take the Eucharist and the love and concern of our parish to those who are sick and/or homebound.

Music Ministries

With the exception of cantors, prior musical experience is helpful, but not required. For more information about any of the music ministries, contact Brett Ballard (683-8444, ext. 27). The following music ministries are available:

• Cantors lead sung prayer at liturgies with no choir. This ministry is open to high school students and older. Meeting with the director is required.
• Chancel Choir rehearses Sunday morning at 9:00 AM (extra rehearsals are held as needed) and sings for the 10:00 AM Sunday Mass and other Holy Days. This group is open to all parishioners of Middle School age and up. Families are welcome.
• Resurrection Choir sings at Funeral Masses throughout the year. Members need to be available during the week with little notice.
• The Choristers is the Children's choir, open to all children of the parish in grades 3-6; the Cherub Choir is for children in grades K-2. They rehearse after school on appointed times, and sing for several liturgies throughout the year.
• Youth Group sings contemporary Christian music on Sunday night at the 5:30 PM Mass. All ages are welcome; Middle and High School students are especially encouraged. They rehearse on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 pm.
• Instrumentalists and accompanists: Any member who plays a band or orchestra instrument is welcome to play for special liturgies throughout the year. Accompanists on organ, piano or guitar are also welcome to all groups.

Safe Environment Training

Safe Environment Training is now available online at www.shieldthevulnerable.org. The church office has an instruction sheet on how to complete the program and a computer that you may use if you do not have access to the internet. For Safe Environment training, policy, and reporting forms, see the "Forms and Handbooks" page.

Scripture Studies

For more information about the Scripture studies we offer here at Blessed Mother, see the Scripture Studies page, under "Religious Ed."

Visitation of the Sick

In order to meet the spiritual needs of our sick we ask that you please keep us informed of those who are ill at home, in the hospital, or in a nursing facility. Fr. John visits the hospital on a weekly basis, and brings Communion to our homebound parishioners on every First Friday of the month. Weekly Communion calls made by lay ministers can also be arranged. For more information, contact Fr. John (683-8444, ext. 22) or Russ Hayden in the Parish Office.

Vocation Cross

A Vocation to the priesthood and religious life is a gift from God. Each of us can do our part to foster these vocations. Families are invited to take home a crucifix and pray together for vocations. After the week is up, they return the cross to church for the next family. Three crosses are available each week and three families are listed in the bulletin the previous week.

Welcoming Committee

This group calls on our new families and welcomes them into our parish. They also serve a brunch twice a year. Contact Phyllis Bastin (685-1018) for more information.

Youth Group Cooks

This group of adults prepares food and refreshments for our Youth Group. If you would like to help, call Christina Best (683-8444, ext. 28).