DIRECTORY OF SERVICES
ALTAR SERVERS: Girls and boys assist at the various Liturgies, serving every few weeks. They also serve weddings and some funerals. Girls and boys are welcome to become an altar server at the end of 3rd grade. Contact person:
ALTAR & ROSARY SOCIETY: Meets usually on the 3rd Thursday of the month beginning with the rosary. Consists of ladies of the parish whose responsibilities include the buying and caring of the church linens and vestments. They care for the sanctuary and altar including flowers. Membership is open to all women of the parish. Contact person: Debbie Damon 655-7558.
ANNULMENTS: Those who wish to have a previous marriage examined by the church should contact (a member of the Marriage Tribunal). More information can be obtained from the Tribunal: 847-8769 (fax: 847-8772)
BAPTISMS: Usually at noon on any Sunday, or at one of the weekend Masses (see Sacramental Guidelines Section). For Adult Baptism, see R.C.I.A.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY: Provides breakfast or brunch put on by the parishioners after a funeral, if desired by the bereaved family. Contact person:
BIBLE STUDY: offered periodically at the parish. Intensive bible study is offered through the Catholic Biblical School (674-6772).
BISHOP'S COMMITTEE DISCUSSION GROUP: Small group meeting for women a few hours a month talking about diocesan-provided topics. Casual & relaxed atmosphere in each other's homes, sharing ones daily life & faith.
BOOKKEEPER: Handles the income, collections, accounts and the cemeteries of the parish. Lois Weber (716) 537-9434
BUILDINGS & MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE: Oversees the minor and major improvements or repairs of the church buildings and grounds. Also, acts on improvements suggested by parishioners.
BULLETIN: The deadline for bulletin material is every Monday morning. Sponsorship is available for $20 per year.
CALENDAR: The deadline for events listed in the monthly calendar is the 10th of every month. The calendar is inserted into the bulletin every month.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Helps people with a variety of physical, financial, and mental needs. Downtown office: 856-4494; Springville office 592-3420.
C.C.D. See Religious Education
CEMETERY COMMITTEE: Oversees the maintenance and policies of our cemeteries (located on Rt. 16, north of Holland). Cemetery Supervisor:
CHILDREN'S LITURGY MINISTRY: Adults and teens who oversee and plan the monthly Children's Liturgy, usually at the 10:30 Mass on the last Sunday of the month. Contact person:
CHRISTIAN SERVICE MINISTRY: see OUTREACH COMMITTEE
CONFESSION: see RECONCILIATION
CONFIRMATION: Celebrated by our students in Grade 11 after a minimum of 2 years of preparation. See Sacramental Guidelines
CONVERTS: see R.C.I.A.
ENGAGED ENCOUNTER: Weekend retreat for couples engaged to be married. Held at St. Columban Retreat House, Derby NY. For more information call the Diocesan Family Life Dept. 847-2210.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Assist in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass and also to the sick at home. A training session for new Eucharistic Ministers is held by the Diocese once a month. Contact person: Fr. Benjamin 537-9434
FIRST COMMUNION: Held every May for students in Grade 3 after a minimum of 2 years of preparation. See Sacramental Guidelines.
FIRST FRIDAY VISIT: The pastor brings communion to the homebound once a month in addition to weekly visits by Eucharistic Ministers.
FOLK GROUP: Group of musicians and singers that provide music for our 10:30 Sunday Mass and special occasions. Contact person: Marianne Barnas 537-2329
HANDICAP: Our church is handicap accessible through the front doors of the church. You can park in the north driveway. The downstairs hall is handicap accessible through the back doors off the parking lot.
HOSPITAL VISITS: The pastor visits the hospitals when called. People from the parish also visit if possible. Also, their names, when requested, are added to the prayer chain and the Intentions of the Mass. Please call the rectory to inform us of someone who is hospitalized. Every hospital in the Diocese has a Pastoral Care Staff.
CUSTODIAN: Andrew Dembik--537-9434
LECTORS: see READERS
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: In order to receive a letter of recommendation to be a sponsor for Baptism or Confirmation, one must be registered in a Catholic parish, have received the Sacrament of Confirmation, attend Mass regularly, and live according to the laws of the Catholic Church.
LIBRARY: We have a up-to-date library & pamphlet rack located at the north entrance of the church hall.
LITURGY COMMITTEE: A ministry of the parish and the Parish Council, the Liturgy Committee oversees the weekly and seasonal Masses, including preparation and decorating the church
MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR: see CUSTODIAN
MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: weekend retreat for married couples. Call the Family Life Department 847-2210
MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROGRAM: Married couples in our parish meet with an engaged couple for a short series of meetings in their home . Each session lasts about 2 hours long and involves some reflection on and some sharing on different aspects of married life. This takes place after the initial interview with the pastor. Reservations must be made well in advance. Call the rectory for more details.
Our sponsor couple is Dan & Debbie Damon 655-7558
MASS CARDS: Available at the rectory office. Arrangements for scheduled Masses should be made in advance. Mass offering is $15
MINISTERS OF THE SICK: Designated Eucharistic Ministers will take communion to anyone who is unable to attend Mass for a month or longer. Call the rectory.
MUSIC MINISTRY: Marianne Barnas-- (Saturday 5 PM Mass) ;
Marianne Barnas ---(Sunday 8 AM Mass) & (Sunday 10:30 AM Mass).
OFFICE: Monday thru Friday 9:00am until 12:00 Noon
OUTREACH MINISTRY: A Parish Council Committee, its members do what is necessary for the poor and the needy of the area.
PARISH COUNCIL: See listing of members and committees
PENANCE SERVICES: Held every Advent and Lent
PRAYER CIRCLE: A part of our faith community devoted to praying for requested intentions. Please contact the Rectory Office at 537-9434.
PRE-CANA: See Marriage Preparation Program
READERS: Parishioners read the Scriptures at the weekend Mass. Readers are scheduled about once a month. Contact the Rectory Office 537-9434
R.C.I.A. The Rite of Christian Initiation is a process that initiates adults into the Catholic Church. This may involve adults who are not baptized in any faith, adults who are baptized but not Catholic, Catholics who wish to be confirmed, and Catholics who wish to update their faith education. The process begins in the fall and culminates with the reception of sacraments at the Easter Vigil, with a short follow-up after Easter. Contact person: Becky Russell 537-2646.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Roberta Herr, Director (716) 537-9434. 2 Sundays per month 9am-10:15am. Check church calendar for dates
RECONCILIATION:
RESPECT LIFE MINISTRY: Supports the gift of life from conception to death with different activities throughout the year. These activities include the cemetery of innocence, the tree of life and the recitation of the rosary on the 1st Sunday of the month after the 8 AM Mass. Meets twice a year. Contact person:
RETREAT: A parish retreat is held once a year. Guest speakers give the presentations. Contact the Rectory Office at 537-9434.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE: Organizes & supports social activities for parishioners & guests at coffee hours, breakfasts, picnics, etc.
TRUSTEES: Pat Penfold & Susan Vanderbush
USHERS: Ushers are the first to welcome and greet the community as it gathers in the Lord's house for liturgy. Ushers assist in the seating of the congregation, take up the collection, hand out the bulletin and other communications at the end of the mass, and provide help to the congregation when needed. Contact person: Dan Damon 655-7558
WEDDINGS: Friday evenings or Saturday no later than 3PM. See Sacramental Guidelines
WELCOMING MINISTRY: Soon after registration, a representative from the parish in the area where you live will contact you & keep in touch to see how the parish can meet your spiritual needs.