 |
Ministries
Getting InvolvedFor more information on any ministry, please call the office at 532-3228. Stewardship Parish Finance Council - This committee is appointed by the Pastor and oversees the fiscal and physical assets of the parish. Parish Pastoral Council - This committee assists the Pastor in the overall guidance of the life of the parish. Sunday Communion at Home - Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist bring Communion to the homebound each week. Lectors - After appropriate instruction, one would be available to read from the scriptures at Mass perhaps once a month. Bereavement - This committee attends the funerals of parishioners who have died, sends condolence cards, and plans the annual All Souls Mass for all who have died during the past 12 months. Eucharistic Ministers - One would be available to help in the distribution of the eucharistic bread and wine after appropriate instruction. Altar Servers - Any youngster in the 4th grade or above would serve at Mass on weekends. Ushers - The responsibilities of this ministry are to help with taking up the collection, choosing gift bearers. Men, women, and teenagers are welcome to assist at the Mass they attend. Greeters - The responsibility of this ministry is to greet and seat parishioners and visitors as they enter the church for Mass. Men, women, and teenagers are welcome to assist at the Mass they attend. Choir - This dynamic group of 15-20 members serve the liturgy at the 9:00 Mass on Sundays from September through June. Under the direction of Mark Gionfriddo, the choir sings in a wide range of styles: from spirituals and gospel, through Haugen and Haas, traditional hymnody and living composers, and including classical works from the likes of Mozart and Beethoven. Rehearsals are once a week from 6:15-7:15 P.M., in the church. We welcome anyone who is over 13 and enjoys singing. The ability to read music is not necessary but a good ear and willingness to learn and cooperate are. No auditions necessary; we welcome you to come to rehearsals to see if it's a fit! We are quite flexible and it is okay to join for one special mass (i.e. Christmas or Easter), for a season, or for part of the year as your schedule allows. Special rehearsal considerations are given to students who are in junior or senior high. Cantors - The role of cantor is to share in proclaiming the Word of God, particularly as psalmist; to teach the assembly its songs, refrains and acclamations; to facilitate and encourage the sung worship of the assembly; and to lead moments of worship with solo song. Funeral Servers - Any lady or gentleman desiring to serve at funeral Masses representing our parish at these times of bereavement. Children's Liturgy - This committee organizes and ministers for the 9 A.M.. Children's Liturgy of the Word celebration during the school year. Prayer Group - A prayer meeting is a weekly gathering of Christians to give praise, thanks, honor and love to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We meet each Thursday in the Mary Chapel for rosary at 7 p.m., followed with a prayer meeting. All are welcome to join us. Spiritual Life plans liturgical and para-liturgical events. Adoration - The mission of the ministry of Adoration at St. Theresa's Parish is to ensure the continuance of the veneration of the faithful in the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. The Catholic Church offers the consecrated Host for reverent devotion to deepen our faith and increase our personal relationship by being in His presence. Adoration occurs each Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Linen Washing - This group is for anyone in the parish willing to help in the laundering of Mass linens on a 6-8 week rotating basis.
Nursing Homes - Minister at Wingate Nursing Home by preparing the Eucharistic Table for liturgy of the Mass on the second Wednesday of each month at 11:15 a.m. Communion is brought each week as well. Food for the Needy - This group runs our large food pantry and serves all of those in need who live in South Hadley. People Feeding People - This group prepares weekend meals once a month on the second Sunday to supplement the local Meals on Wheels program. Kate's Kitchen - This group prepares meals on the third Saturday to bring to the soup kitchen in Holyoke run by Providence Ministries for the Needy. Loaves and Fishes - This group serves on the first Sunday of the month at the soup kitchen in Springfield. Women's Group - A sisterhood of community and love to share the joy of serving others and at the same time enjoy the friendship of their sisters in Christ. Men's Group - A community of men of the parish who serve others and at the same time enjoy the friendship of their brothers in Christ. Social Justice - Those interested in learning about the Church's teaching on ethics, justice, and peace and to help put this into practice are invited to joint this group. Bulletin Folders - This ministry is responsible for folding the weekly church bulletin. Bulletin folding occurs every Friday, 12 noon, at the rectory and takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours to complete. A rotating schedule is used, therefore people who volunteer their time every 3 - 6 weeks. Pro-Life Committee - This committee keeps the parish informed of life issues concerning the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. Mount Holyoke College - This ministry is responsible for creating and maintaining a connection between the parishioners here at St. Theresa's and our sisters in faith attending Mt. Holyoke College. Currently there are no regular meetings that one needs to attend. Planning and organizing of different one-day events will take place via telephone or e- mail. If time commitment is an issue for you or your family, please consider volunteering for this ministry since most of the service will occur in a one-time /one day period. Hospitality Committee - The Hospitality Committee hosts a "Coffee Hour" after all Masses on the fourth weekend of the month starting in September. Two to four volunteers are needed for set up and hosting each mass. S.T.E.P. (St. Theresa's Events and Programs) plans a wide variety of social events for the parish. Transportation - This ministry is responsible for helping parishioners to and from church and appointments. L.I.F.E. (Living in Faith Experiences) - This is our Intergenerational faith formation program, presenting lifelong faith learning that is open to all. Go to L.I.F.E. page Teachers, Coordinators, Aides - The goal of Religious Education is to share the Word of God with each child enrolled in the Religious Education program, to clearly enkindle the love of God in the hearts of the children, to enhance the spiritual growth of the teachers, to foster a unity in the family by sharing the religious services and programs connected with Religious Education program, and to present opportunities to the parish community for increasing their understanding of the Faith. R.C.I.A. - This parish program is designed to bring into the church anyone wishing Baptism or, those previously baptized who are seeking membership in the Roman Catholic Church. After a process of education and sharing, the person will culminate their love in the celebration of the sacraments of initiation, i.e. Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. Program. Small groups are being formed all the time and meet in parishioner's homes or at the Parish. © 2010 • Comments regarding this site may be directed to the Webmaster. |