Homebound Eucharistic Ministry
St. Mary parishioners serve area people confined to their homes and those who are ill by visiting and bringing them the Holy Eucharist. Visitors typically are linked with one or two shut-ins, and generally visit them one day per week. Though guidebooks are given to the visitors, visitation is a self-guided process directed by the needs of the visitee, and includes distribution of the Eucharist, prayer, and simple conversation. In addition to the guidebook, visitors are given a pyx (a small container used in transporting the Holy Eucharist). We are currently looking for more people needing visitation, as well as volunteers to visit them. If you are interested in helping with this ministry, or if you know of someone in need of visitation, please contact David Hittle at 974-1163 or david_hittle@hotmail.com.Art & Environment
The Art & Environment committee’s mission is to enhance the celebration of the liturgical season. The committee assists the priest by preparing the church for the various liturgical celebrations and seasons including Easter and Advent by helping with decorations, flowers and linens. It needs 4-5 volunteers. Contact Barb McLin at 822-9244 if you are interested in the Art and Environment ministry.Liturgical Music
The mission of the Liturgical Music ministry is to lead the congregation in worship through song, and to illuminate the Liturgy of the Word and liturgical music in Mass. The Liturgical Music ministry needs three types of participants: 1) Cantors, who will be available 1-2 times a month to lead the singing at Mass. 2) Instrumentalists, including pianists, organists and string instrument players who can accompany in a larger choir 3) Choir members (or those who cannot commit to being cantors) are needed who would be available at Easter, Christmas and on other occasions to sing Liturgy of the Eucharist through music. If interested, contact Robert Cassidy at rlcassidy88@aol.com.Liturgical Ministers
The liturgical ministers help with the sharing of the mass. Various members of this ministry act as: Eucharistic Ministers who share in the distribution of communion, Lectors who read the first and second readings and lead the congregation in the prayers of the faithful, Sacristy Preparers who help prepare the sacristy for mass, clean the sacristy, church, change holy water, etc, Servers who assist the priest with the mass by preparing the altar for communion. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact Kevin Watkins 464-1649 or Gretchen Fucio 882-4963.Wedding Coordination
Wedding coordinators help couples prepare the wedding ceremony.Retreats
The mission of the Retreats ministry is to help the St. Mary’s community have deeper, richer spiritual experiences by offering retreats and supporting parishioners who want to go on retreat. We do this in two ways: with the Hispanic community, we offer retreats here at St. Mary’s. With the English-speaking community, we promote the retreats available at the four Archdiocesan retreat centers and educate parishioners about the types of retreats that are available. In the Hispanic community, we need more participants in the retreats we currently offer. In the English-speaking community, we need a leader who will develop knowledge of the many offerings available through the Archdiocese and will recruit and support parishioners to participate in these retreats. To find out more, call Sr. Therese Wente at theresewente@yahoo.com.