We are all one in Christ.

The Catholic Faith Community of

St. Mary & St. Frances Cabrini

Ministries, Committees, Organizations, etc. 2008

Pastoral Planning Council ** Finance Council ** Cemetery Board

  LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

Altar Servers Throughout the centuries, the presider of the liturgical assembly has been assisted by minor ministers.  These ministers carry out duties that both help the presider and enhance the ceremonial nature of the Church’s liturgy.  The ministry can be open to any person, male or female, of good character who has received First Eucharist and is a Catholic mature enough to carry out the duties with grace and with a sense of the importance of what is to be done.

Cantors & Musicians  A psalmist, a cantor, an organist, other instrumentalists, a choir, and/or a director of music assist the assembly’s full participation in singing the songs, responses, and acclamations.  These music ministers exercise a liturgical function within the assembly and by their role help to add beauty and solemnity to the celebration.  Music ministers should have a thorough understanding of liturgical theology and tradition, and an appreciation of the role and function of music and liturgy.

Eucharistic Ministry to the Homebound Eucharistic ministers or family members are commissioned by the Bishop and trained to give communion to the homebound on a regular basis.  Weekly Bulletins are mailed to the homebound.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist It was in 1971 that extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist were first permitted in the United States.  They assist the presider and serve the Body and Blood of Christ to those who wish to receive at Mass.  Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are to be fully initiated Catholics, at least 16 years of age, who lead a life in harmony with the undertaking of this ministry including participating in the sacramental life of the Church.  Qualified persons must receive an endorsement from the bishop.

Hospitality-Ushers/Greeters Greeters and ushers help create a welcoming and comfortable environment as the community comes together to celebrate the Eucharist.  They welcome guests as they arrive for Mass or special services, escort them to pews, collect the offertory and oversee special requests that ensure a respectful assembly. By doing so, they acknowledge each other as individuals and as members of the worshipping community.  Any member of the worshiping community may serve as a greeter/usher.  The challenge of providing hospitality falls directly on each member of the assembly.  Through the hospitality ministry, the parish community accomplishes the task of creating an environment of hospitality for worship.

Leaders of Prayer The liturgical prayer of the Church requires various ministries.  Among these is the presider who has most often been ordained.  In recent years, the laity has been called forth more frequently to lead their communities in prayer.  Leaders of prayer are lay persons commissioned to lead the faithful in morning and evening prayer, liturgy of the Word, Wake services, the Rite of Committal, public devotions such as novenas and Stations of the Cross, Sunday celebrations and Holy Days of Obligation when in an emergency a priest cannot be present, and minor rites within the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  Leaders are selected by the Parish staff and the Spiritual Life and Worship Committee of the Parish Council.

Lectors The lector has a dual role:  to proclaim the Word of God and to listen to that Word.  Lectors prepare thoroughly at home the week before they are scheduled to read.  They pray with the Scriptures, hoping in faith that God will come to them through the printed words and that they will be able to convey God’s presence to the Assembly.  They are people of the Word.  The role of lector may be performed by any qualified person of mature faith.

PARISH COMMITTEES

Buildings & Grounds Inspects the facilities and grounds of the parishes on a regular basis and prioritizes and implements maintenance and upkeep. 

Cemetery Committee Maintains, beautifies and makes improvements to the cemetery grounds.  The committee helps to insure that the departed are treated respectfully.

Finance Committee Assists the pastor in establishing the annual budget and controlling expenses.  They strive to meet the parish needs, minimizing debt and receiving the gifts and treasures of the parishioners seeing that they are used in an accountable manner.

Pastoral Planning Council The Council discerns the mission of the parish and envisions the ways in which the parish membership is being called by God to carry out that mission.

Scholarship Committee The committee consists of the Pastor, a member of the Finance Council for St. Mary/St. Frances Cabrini parishes, and a representative from St. Mary/St.. Frances Cabrini parishes.  The scholarships provide for a Catholic education for children of the parishes.

Worship Committee Assists implementing Diocesan Liturgical Policy and directing liturgical concerns of the parish.  They strive to create an atmosphere which the worshipping assembly can experience God through the Scripture and the Eucharist.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

Catholic Daughters of the Americas The largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas whose purpose is to participate in the religious, charitable and educational Apostolates of the Church.  They engage in spiritual and creative programs, which provide the members with the opportunity to develop their special God-given talents in a meaningful way to positively influence the welfare of the Church and all peoples throughout the world.  This parish group meets monthly.

Hearts of Hope/Mercy Meals Parish bereavement ministry that assists and supports parishioners who have lost a loved one.  They visit the family and the funeral home, send sympathy cards and notes of encouragement throughout the year.  They sponsor a picnic and a fall activity.  Mercy Meals is an extension of the Hearts of Hope with other parishioners who provide the funeral luncheon.

Knights of Columbus A Catholic family fraternal service club devoted to faith, charity, family and fraternity who are deeply involved in local and county communities.  They sponsor one city and two area basketball contests, contribute to the Special Olympics and a local group home, donate two tons of potatoes to the local food pantry at Christmas, and give the MVP volleyball award annually.  They donate both money and time to many other causes in the Church and community.

Ladies Guild Membership welcomes all female members of the parishes.  Their purpose is to provide for the needs of the worship space, parish house and support the needs of its members through shared ideas, prayer and sociability.  They host parish activities such as monthly card parties, Children’s Christmas party, rummage sales, Confirmation reception and purchase gifts for the First Communion children.

Parish Life A group consisting of the Pastor and parish community whose purpose is to plan activities within the parishes to promote a spiritual sense of belonging by sponsoring various parish events and activities.  

Youth Group This ministry fosters the total personal and spiritual growth of the parish youth consisting of the Young Disciples grades 5-7 and the Youth Group grades 8-12.  Youth have the opportunity to participate in the ministries of the parish including the development and planning of the parish youth ministry, and in inter-parish, deanery, diocesan and national activities.

EDUCATION

Catechists Practicing Catholics, who live in the spirit of Jesus, participate in the sacramental life of the Church and know and witness to the teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.  They are certified or working toward certification according to the guidelines of the Office of Religious Education, Diocese of Youngstown.

Liturgy of the Word with Children Celebration of the Word of God in a way that is meaningful to children and respectful of their spirituality.  The children celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, including a homily, in a separate area from the main assembly.  The children return to the main assembly before the Eucharistic liturgy begins.

Parent Advisory Group Volunteer parents who offer assistance to the Director of Religious Education for catechetical programming for children and youth at the parish level.

RCIA Teams (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Teams include the pre-catechumenate, catechists, hospitality and sponsors.  Catechists assist people considering joining the Catholic Church, the pre-catechumenate.  The hospitality teams host meetings and provide refreshments.  Sponsors accompany the catechumens and candidates during the RCIA process. 

Rite of Dismissal Following the homily, the catechumens are dismissed with a leader to a separate area where time is spent reflecting more deeply upon the Word of God which they have just heard.

Religious Education Classes Volunteers and professionals in the catechetical mission of the Church provide spiritual formation to the children of the parish.  These classes form faithful Catholics who pass on the faith to the next generation.  Classes meet on Sundays throughout the school year for students in grades 1 through 8.

Sacramental Program Candidates for Confirmation will have had to be in a catechetical learning environment prior to and including the eighth grade and ninth grade.  Candidates for First Eucharist/Penance will have had to be in a catechetical learning environment prior to and including the second grade.

Parents of Candidates for Confirmation, First Eucharist /Penance attend 4 parent meetings to prepare for the sacraments.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

Serve as a means of promoting fellowship and gathering within the Church and community.  These events provide a means for raising funds for various Parish projects.  Activities include:

Festival  Held annually in the summer to commemorate the birthday of Mary.

Lenten Fish Dinners  Held every Friday night at St. Frances School Hall.

Monthly Dinners  Held the first Monday of the month.

Youth Group Breakfasts  Held the first Sunday of each month.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

As Christians we give back to Christ  as He has given to us.  We are to be the outreach of Christ.  Programs include:

Back to School Drive Held each September

Bereavement Ministry

Blanket Drive Held each November

Christmas in July  Held each July

Giving Tree Held each year during the Advent season

Memorial Mass

Shower of Love

Thanksgiving Food Drive

MISCELLANEOUS

Bulletin Folders                                                               Rainbow Religious 

Communal Reconciliation                                              Rummage Sales

Community Lenten Services                                          Stewardship

Community Thanksgiving Service                      

Financial Clerks                                                                        

Lutheran/Catholic Dialogue

Monthly Holy Hour

Office Volunteers