St Catherine of Siena

We strive to be a faith filled community living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Roman Catholic tradition. We are committed to loving God through participation in the sacramental life of the Church. We pray and grow together supporting and caring for all.
We are located in West Simsbury, Connecticut

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Recent Posts

  • Reflections
  • WELCOME TO ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
  • NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE
  • Weekly Mass Intentions
  • Advent Week Four
  • ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA LITTLEST CHRISTMAS PARTY
  • CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE
  • CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIAL DONATIONS
  • CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE
  • High School Youth Group News

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Ministries and Clubs

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. (Kathi Bonner, Cheryl Cresnecki, 658-4737)

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. (Kathi Bonner 658-4737)

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,  Bell Choir, Cantor,  Children’s Choir, Back-up Organist (Susan Zybert, 216-6519)

Altar Society: A new group just being formed to take care of the Church altar, clean altar linens and manage the sacristy. (Kathy Reilley, 658-9652)

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. (Ralph Chappano 404-7435)

Finance Council: Responsible for the church budget, collections tabulation and financial reporting. (Gene Trovato, 651-9090)

Communications Committee:  Helps keep parishioners informed about the events happening at St. Catherine’s. Works include updating the church website, weekly bulletin, parish directory. (Bill Rice 651-4946)

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. ((Tony Drapelick )

Liturgy Committee: Works with the Pastor to develop the Liturgy to lead the parishioners to full, conscious and active participation at Mass. Plans special Liturgies and church decor throughout the year including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter celebrations. (Kathi Bonner 658-4737)

 

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 10:45-11:45 am. (Kathi Bonner 658-4737)

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. ((Fr. Michael Whyte, 658-16427)

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. (Kathi Bonner, 658-4737)

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)

 Small Christian Communities: St. Catherine’s has many small faith sharing groups that meet regularly – some weekly, others monthly – to discuss the scriptures and current events to provide deeper insight into our faith. (Al D’Agosto 658-0333)

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 Farmington. All men of the parish are welcome. The 2010 retreat will be held February 26-28. (Steve Cerchia 658-6862)

 

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 Hartford. All teenagers are welcome to assist. (Lisa Sheary 658-2899)

St Elizabeth House: Once a month, our parish provides a meal for this woman’s shelter in Hartford. A pan and recipe are provided. (Bill Walsh 658-2606)

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. (Sheila Rae Vendetti 658-5304)

Christmas Giving Tree: During Advent, Christmas wishes for underprivileged children are placed on a tree and our parishioners look to fulfill these requests. (Karen Carew 651-8960)

Women’s Club: Provides the woman of the parish the opportunity to share fellowship, social, and charitable opportunities with other women. (Kim Blanchard 651-0053)

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. ((Anthony Napolitano 651-9749)

 

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