Get Involved at
St. Catherine
St Catherine of Siena encourages participation from all of its members to continue to be a vibrant,
welcoming church community. There are many wonderful and challenging ways for
you to help. Like many things in life,
you get the most out of it when you actively participate. Please review the
list below and see how you can share your time and talent with others and
become involved in your parish.
The contact person is listed where available.
Helping Serve Our Parish
Altar Servers:
Children 10 or older serve at Masses and special services throughout the year.
Training is provided. (Father Whyte 658-1642)
Extraordinary
Ministers of Holy Communion: Distribute Holy Communion at Mass (usually
about twice a month). Some also bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound
each week. Training is provided. (Kathi Bonner
658-4737)
Lectors: Proclaim
the Scriptures at Mass about once a month. (Rosemarie Mahan
658-0153)
Ushers: Serve as
greeters before Mass, collectors, select gift bearers. Each Mass needs 3-5
ushers, so please help out. (Chris Hug 651-0619)
Music Ministry:
Works with the music director to provide music for Masses and liturgical events.
Opportunities include: Choir,
Altar Society: A
new group just being formed to take care of the Church altar, clean altar
linens and manage the sacristy. (Father Whyte 658-1642)
Parish Council:
Meeting six times per year, Parish Council advises the pastor by discussing the
issues facing the parish and makes recommendations that fulfill the needs of
the Parish. Members serve a six year term and open positions are filled in
March. (Bill Rice 651-4946)
Finance Council: Responsible
for the church budget, collections tabulation and financial reporting.
Communications
Committee: Helps keep parishioners
informed about the events happening at St. Catherine’s. Works include updating
the church website, weekly bulletin, parish directory. (Tony Pereria
658-1478)
Building and Grounds:
One of the most active and important groups in the parish, this group looks
after the physical church building and rectory. Often minor repairs and
landscaping are done by volunteers. If
you are a tradesman, handy with repairs, or enjoy gardening and landscaping - your
help is needed. (Father Whyte 658-1642
Church)
Liturgy Committee:
Works with the Pastor to develop the Liturgy to lead
the parishioners to full, conscious and active participation at
Sharing our Faith
Religious Education Teachers:
Each year, more than 600 youngsters learn the word of God and our Catholic
faith from Catechists. Classes are Sundays during the school year from
Catechist Aides and
Substitute Catechists: Religious Ed classes also need individuals who can
substitute for regular teachers or provide additional assistance in class
rooms. (Kathi Bonner
658-4737)
RCIA Sponsors:
When an individual wishes to become a Catholic, they enter the Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program along with a member of the parish acting
as sponsor. This is a rewarding role that benefits both participants. (Deacon Tom Delehanty
658-0747)
Youth Ministry:
Open to students in grades 7-12, the youth of our parish are invited to
participate in lively topical discussions and events. Youth group meetings are
every other Sunday. (Judy Pluta 408-9408)
Vacation Bible Camp:
A week-long summer program for young children, this program was not held last
year for lack of a coordinator. We would like to hold the program again if
someone steps forward to run it. (Judy Pluta 408-9408)
Parish Nurse/Extraordinary
Minister Visit Program: Another new program that provides a registered nurse along with an Extraordinary Minster to
visit the sick and provide prayers and medical assistance. (Pat Pabich 658-5332)
Retreat Weekend: Retreats
are a time where we can sit back and reflect on the blessings and challenges of
our lives. Each year, the men of the parish attend a weekend retreat at Holy
Family Retreat House in
Helping Our Community
Comitas: An
outreach program to help parish members who temporarily need assistance. It
might be driving someone to a doctor’s office or delivering a meal to a family.
The group is looking for people willing to volunteer their time as well as for those in need of temporary assistance. (Joan Duffy 658-5525
or Rosanne O’Hara 651-7388)
Feed the Hungry Youth
Group: Once a month these individuals make lunch for the residents of St
Elizabeth House in
St Elizabeth House:
Once a month, our parish provides a meal for this woman’s shelter in
Prayer Shawl Group:
One of the newest ministries at St Catherine, This group knits or crochets blessed
prayer shawls to give comfort to those who are sick, homebound or have lost
loved one. If you can knit or are
willing to buy yarn, please help out. (Pat Fritschler
658-0552)
Fall Leaf Raking:
One Saturday in November we gather as a Parish to help rake the yards of those
in our community who need our help. Everyone, young and old is encouraged to participate
and bring your rakes and leaf blowers if you have them. (Mike Reilley 658-9652
)
Mercy Project: Follows
the Works of Mercy during Lent to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty,
clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and comfort the imprisoned.
Christmas Giving
Tree: During Advent, Christmas wishes for underprivileged children are
placed on a tree and our parishioners look to fulfill these requests. (Sheila Rae Vendetti
658-5304)
Women’s Club:
Provides the woman of the parish the opportunity to share fellowship, social,
and charitable opportunities with other women. (Susan Napolitano
651-9749)
Men’s Club: This
informal group responds in a big way in time of need. This group organizes
social events as well as performs service project for those in need. (Tom Lonergan 226-4026)
Social Events to Enjoy
St Catherine’s parish is not all about work – we have time to be social as well! The social events are typically organized by the Parish’s Men’s and Woman’s Club. Every social event needs a chairperson and a committee to help plan, staff and clean up after the event. All parishioners are asked to both attend events at the church and help out when you can.
Here are just some of the events you can help with each year.
Woman’s Club Events
Breakfast with Santa
Annual Potluck Dinner
Soup and Bread
Easter Egg Hunt
Men’s Club Events
Christmas Dinner Dance
Lenten Fish Fry
Progressive Dinner
Golf Tournament
Parish Picnic
Other Events
Monthly Coffee & Donut socials
New Parishioner receptions
