Parish Organizations and Opportunities

A parish is made up of many individuals working together to build up the Body of Christ. The scope of opportunities to help includes everything from greeting to grounds keeping, from lectoring to locating alumni; from Baptismal team to bingo. If every member helped with one small task the workload would be lessened for all. Please read over the following list and consider how you can become involved. Each opportunity includes a name and phone number. If you are unsuccessful in reaching the name listed you may call:

Ann Anderson, Parish Secretary (614) 445-9668 ann@stmarygv.com

Deacon Mickey Hawkins, Business Manager (614) 445-9668 mhawkins@colsdioc.org

Luna Alsharaiha, School Principal (614) 444-8994 lalshara@cdeducation.org

Amy Stewart, Preschool Director (614) 443-5307 amstewar@stmarygv.com

ALTAR SERVERS - Altar servers assist at the altar during Mass and other sacramental celebrations such as weddings and funerals. This is a ministry open to youth fifth grade and older. Training is required prior to being scheduled for this ministry. Anyone interested may contact the parish office.

ALUMNI PRESERVATION- The Alumni Preservation Committee grew with the need to keep in touch with the former alumni. We have created an exhibit that includes many historical artifacts gathered and saved over the years related to the history of both the church and school. We are in need of volunteers with internet experience to search for missing alumni, and keep our census updated, to help contact Bill Lenkey.

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE - The athletic committee works to provide uniforms and equipment for athletes in numerous sporting events, recruit and name coaches for all teams, and support St. Mary parish/school athletics. This committee sponsors the St. Mary Invitational Basketball Tournament held each year in March. The Athletic committee also staffs volleyball and basketball games held in St. Mary gym. Call David Oddi for more information or to volunteer.

BINGO - Bingo is held weekly on Sunday nights in the school gym. Due to increasing parish expenses, the bingo profits have become even more important to both the church and school. Volunteers are necessary to make this fundraiser a success and are always needed. Just show up at 5:30 p.m. or call Dick Hilsheimer.

CHOIR (9:00 a.m.) - As a group we strive to provide leadership that will encourage full participation of the assembly in sung worship.  Rehearsals are held September thru May from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. and warm up is at 8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. We are  hoping to expand our group by recruiting new members.  It is not necessary to read music to join the choir.  Seasonal participants for Christmas and Easter are always welcome.  Contact Amanda Walker.

CHOIR (11:30 a.m.) - This group is made up of teens and adults that offer a contemporary praise and worship service by using singers, and instrumentalists i.e. guitars, flute,  cello, and piano.  Practice is from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Monday evening.  New members are always welcome.  It is not necessary to read music to join the choir.  Seasonal participants for Christmas services are  welcome.  Contact Amanda Walker.

CHOIR (FUNERAL) - Parishioners provide music for parish funerals. Funerals are usually at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Choir members are contacted as soon as the funeral is scheduled to help call the parish office.

CHOIR (HANDBELL) - Bell-ringers participate at special liturgies during the year. Bell-ringers are not required to read music. Participants must be in the 3rd grade or older. Practices are scheduled in advance of each liturgy. Contact Amanda Walker.

COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS - The Sunday morning coffee and doughnuts, 10:00-11:00 a.m. is hosted by parishioners in the school gym every Sunday. Responsibilities include: doughnut pick up, coffee preparation, serve, and clean-up. Currently teams are on a rotating schedule. Call Marge Smigelski to help.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – The mission of the Development Committee is to lead the effort to bring financial resources to Saint Mary Parish and School in support of the Parish and School mission. It is a permanent committee that will develop a comprehensive development program for the parish and school. This committee will coordinate all fund raising efforts, eliminate fundraisers where the costs are not commensurate with the benefits, and develop new fundraising efforts.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST - Men and women involved in this ministry assist the presider in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ. New Extraordinary ministers need to be trained and prepared for this ministry. This ministry is open to men and women eighth grade and older. Ministers are scheduled on a rotating basis; the schedule is distributed and is also available on the parish website, www.stmarygv.com. To be involved in this ministry call Roger Minner.

GREETERS - Along with ushers, they are the first smiling faces worshipers see upon entering the church. They set a welcoming tone for the arriving Catholic family. Greeters are expected to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of mass. They welcome parishioners and visitors with a smile and are available to answer questions and provide seating. Greeters are scheduled once a month, to help contact the parish office.

HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION - The purpose of this organization is to be a support to the parish and school in its mission to education our young people. Through our fundraising activities such as the Halloween Fun Party, Santa Caroling, Mardi Gras Party, and future endeavors we are able to provide financial assistance. Contact Alyssa Hardenbergh to volunteer.

HOMECOMING FESTIVAL - This is the largest single event conducted by the parish to support the community and generate funds. This two-day celebration requires many hands to set up and tear-down, as well as to staff the many games, food tents and other activities. Contact John LaMotte to volunteer.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, Council 5429 - The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service organization which involves itself in church, community, council, family and youth activities. The Knights of Columbus were founded in 1882 on the principle of unity, charity, and fraternalism. It is the largest Catholic men’s organization in the world with over 1.5 million members in 13 countries. Involvement in the Knights of Columbus requires participation in at least one meeting per month, service to a committee and/or holding a leadership position in the organization. Call Rich Finn, Grand Knight for more information.

LECTORS - These ministers enhance the celebration of the Liturgy by proclamation of the word of God. This ministry is open to men and women fifth grade and older who are comfortable proclaiming God’s Word to an assembly and have a clear speaking voice. To be involved in this ministry call Roger Minner.

MARRIAGE TEAM - Members of this team assist engaged couples who are planning for marriage in identifying and highlighting issues in their relationship as well as preparing for their wedding liturgy. Team member responsibilities include participating in Pre-Cana retreats held at the church three times each year, and administering and analyzing the results of the FOCCUS instrument with individual couples. Anyone interested in becoming a part of this ministry may contact Mary Kelly.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL - The purpose of this council is to provide a regular line of communication between the Pastor and the people of the parish and the parish organizations. The council consists of representatives of the major organizations of the parish. This council meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information contact the parish office.

PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION – St. Mary parish in conjunction with Corpus Christi/St. Ladislas offers The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to children pre-school through grade 8. This Catechetical program is based on the principals of Maria Montessori, it does not rely on textbooks or workbooks. Instead, the classroom, known as the atrium, is filled with wooden manipulatives that children use to re-enact parables or narratives from the Bible. For more information or to register a student call the parish office.

PRESCHOOL – Offers a Catholic based education with a DAP (Developmentally Appropriate Practices) curriculum. We pride ourselves with offering varying experiences with your child, including the collaboration with St. Mary elementary school and their resources. We offer full-time and part-time classes for children ages 3-5. Beginning in the summer of 2006 for those interested, we will offer a summer program for year round education and childcare. Call Amy Stewart.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS - This is the process by which non-Catholic adults who are interested in becoming Catholic can begin or continue their faith journey and become familiar with the Catholic faith. This is also an opportunity for Catholics to learn more about their faith. Those desiring to become Catholic are responsible to get their own sponsor (16 year of age, active Catholic). Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday from August-Easter, with a few sessions following. There is no obligation to become Catholic and all are encouraged to learn more of what Catholics believe. To participate in the RCIA process in any way, contact Mike Keebaugh.

SACRISTAN - Sacristans maintain the worship space and prepare the sacred vessels, vestments, and other necessary items for each weekend liturgy.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY - This lay oriented organization assists the poor and needy of our area through a variety of services. Funds for this ministry are accepted through special collections. The primary focus is immediate need in emergency situations. To help contact Frank Wickham.

SCHOOL - St. Mary School, and aftercare programs are dedicated to providing a well-rounded, Catholic education. It is in this environment, dedicated to the Blessed Mother, of which facilitates our children’s development as students and as productive members of the community. Volunteers are needed for tutoring, fundraising, assisting in the school office and media center, and many other programs during the school year. Contact the school principal, Luna Alsharaiha.

SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE - St. Mary’s Social Concerns Committee promotes the integration of service and community outreach into the life of the parish and school. The committee meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. on the second floor of the Burkley Center. For more information call the parish office.

USHERS – Ushers provide assistance with greeting, seating, collections, and bulletin distribution. Contact Leo Thurn with questions.

VOCATIONS - This committee keeps a well-stocked Vocations Board in back of St. Mary’s filled with brochures from many orders for both women and men.  Many contacts are made with religious communities to visit the school to encourage vocations among the students.  Classes are encouraged to adopt a seminarian or sister from the Diocese of Columbus and to communicate with them via letters and visits.  Parishioners are asked to pray for vocations through articles in the Sentinel and bulletin stuffers and many prayer cards can be found on the Vocations Board for the taking.  Homebound parishioners receive a packet asking for their assistance in praying for vocations. Contact Lori Mitchell.

YOUNG AT HEART - The purpose of this organization is to meet the needs of older adults for friendship through social contact with their peers and to help them remain self sufficient and active members of the community. The group works to be well informed on matters of personal and community welfare. The group was started at St. Leo parish in 1974 for adults 50 and over. Besides monthly meetings, some with speakers and entertainment, at least two times a year we deliver clothing and household items to St. Francis Mission in Mac Arthur Ohio.

WEBSITE - The web page is a constantly changing and updating source of information about all of the parish activities and events. Parishioners are invited to visit the website often at www.stmarygv.com. For ideas, suggestions, comments and submissions, contact John Rees, webmaster, via email at: jerees@att.net.

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