PASTORAL COUNCIL
The
pastoral council is the only ecclesial body that exists solely to do
pastoral planning. The purpose of the council is to plan in a
consultative way by using the interrelated process of investigating
and considering pastoral needs and proposing recommendations to the
pastor.
Each year, elections are held to fill three-year terms on the Pastoral
Council. Any parishioner in good standing can be nominated to run for
council.
FINANCE COUNCIL
This consultative body
advises the pastor regarding the administration of the temporal goods
of the parish. Its members review the yearly budget as well as the
annual financial report and share their expertise with the pastor as
he strives to be a good steward of the parish’s material blessings.
Members serve at the pastor’s invitation. If you think your
experience would be a benefit to the council, please contact the
parish office.
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
The Hospitality
Committee comes together to plan and prepare various “fun” raisers and
fundraisers throughout the year, including our famous Fellowship
Sundays. New members are always welcome. Watch the Sunday Bulletin
for meetings and events.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The K of C is the
oldest fraternal benefit society in the United States. Its founding
principles of charity, unity, and fraternity have provided, through
its membership, economic security, and stability to families. In
addition, its members have time and energy to service in local parish
communities. New membership is always welcomed.
SAINT VINCENT de PAUL CONFERENCE
The members of the St.
Vincent de Paul Conference at Sacred Heart Parish work to reach out to
those experiencing difficulties dealing with their life situation. We
provide information about resources available to our clients to
support and counsel them. Sometimes, we provide food, financial and
material to those in need. Our funds come from the poor box in the
back of the church and private donations. All of the money donated
goes to helping those in our community.
The uniqueness of our
ministry is that we serve as teams of two people who visit the homes
of those in need. Meetings are held once a month to discuss each
client’s situation and how best to help them.
CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION
CYO is a program which
seeks to develop our young people on many levels through a
well-rounded program including the fostering of the Catholic identity
through service to others, socialization, and sports activities. The
program exists on both the grade and high school levels.
PROJECT OUTREACH
This is our
parish-based community service program that is responsible for the
gifts to St. Martin de Porres Church in Philadelphia, and the Giving
Tree at Christmas. This program also runs food drives at various
times of the year. The generosity of our parishioners helps many of
their brothers and sisters to get through difficult times. Volunteers
are always needed.
RESPECT LIFE
At various times of
the year the Church asks us to be especially aware of the threat which
the “culture of death” brings, and to reaffirm our commitment to
respect life from conception to natural death. Respect Life Sunday in
October and on Mother’s Day is a particular time of emphasis, but we
try to keep the respect-life message prominent all through the year.
PARISH LIBRARY
The purpose of the
Parish Library is to make available to our parishioners some of the
very best religious literature. Books on the saints and the sacred
Scripture can help one to know and love God better. Apologetics and
Catholic classics provide support for our beliefs. The major part of
our collection is devoted to spirituality, which is of continuing
interest to parishioners.
HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
The HAS serves as a
communication link between the parents and the school administration
as well as a source of financial support for the parish school.
Interested parents are always needed to help in the various activities
of the HAS and to run for office within the organization.
BOY/CUB SCOUTS
This group consists of
boys in the 6th through 12th grades who are
interested in outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking,
and white-water rafting. The group meets weekly on Thursday nights at
7:30p.m., in the Parish Hall.
MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE – EXTERNAL
STRUCTURE
This
volunteer group assists the pastor in developing capital improvement
projects, developing schedules, and making professional
recommendations for their implementation. In addition, they provide
much of the required skilled labor to bring the projects to
completion. This committee meets on a regular basis and seeks
interested parishioners who have expertise in electricity, plumbing
and heating, carpentry, painting and masonry.
ADULT VOLLEYBALL
This is a group that
meets every Sunday night in the parish gym for an impromptu game of
volleyball. All individuals ages 16 and older are invited to play.
Please check the Sunday Bulletin for times.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
This group follows
Adult Volleyball on Sunday nights in the parish gym. All men ages 16
and older are invited to play. Please check the Sunday Bulletin for
times.
PARISH FAIR
This annual event has
become a popular and well-liked tradition in our parish and community,
and it is a substantial fundraiser. The Parish Fair occurs every year
in early July. It has proven to be the highlight of the summer with
wonderful homemade food, games, and rides. Hundreds of volunteers are
needed throughout the year to make the Fair a reality. Watch the
Sunday Bulletin for announcements regarding meetings and volunteer
sign-ups.
SUNDAY BABY-SITTING
The parish provides
free babysitting in the parish school, from September through May,
during the 9:30 Mass, for children ages 2 and younger. Adult
volunteers are always needed for this service.
ECUMENICAL MINISTRY
The purpose of this
group is to promote inter-faith awareness in our community. It also
encourages shared programs of prayer, service, and outreach among the
churches in the area. Those interested in this ministry, please
contact the Parish Ministry Office.
PARISH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Sacred Heart School is
dedicated to providing a spiritual learning environment that
integrates Catholic values and church teachings into academic
learning. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade are helped
to discover in themselves their unique gifts and are invited to use
their talents in service to God, neighbor, and country.
PREP PROGRAM
Students from
kindergarten through 6th grade who attend public school are
invited to the parish religious education program. At these sessions
the students learn the essentials of the Catholic faith and are
exposed to our tradition and prayer life. Attendance in these
sessions is mandatory for the preparation of the sacraments of First
Eucharist and Confirmation. Children, ages 3 and 4, are invited to
attend our pre-school program during the 9:30 A.M. Sunday Liturgy.
Catechists (teachers) and aides are always needed for all sessions.
Training and support will be provided. Please contact the Parish
Office of Religious Education for further information.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Our parish is very
proud to offer religious education, rooted in the Word of God, for
students with special needs. The sessions meet on Thursday evenings.
Please contact the Parish Office of Religious Education for more
information on this program.
PRE-CANA PROGRAM
Pre-Cana is an
interactive experience of marriage preparation offered once a year by
our Pre-Cana team as required for engaged couples. The team consists
of married couples who share their own experiences of living the
sacrament of marriage. New couples are always welcome to join the
team. The times and dates for Pre-Cana sessions are determined by the
needs of the parish.
BAPTISMAL PREP
PROGRAM
The
whole parish community, rooted in their own Baptism, is called to take
responsibility for preparing adults and children for the sacraments of
initiation. By actively participating in the formation and initiation
of new members, the faithful, themselves, are gradually renewed in
their baptismal vocation. The Baptismal Prep Ministry assists parents
to be aware of these truths as they prepare themselves for the Baptism
of their children. There is a need for faith-filled individuals or
couples to assist in this ministry as facilitators and welcoming
parishioners. Training and support will be provided. Those
interested may contact the Parish Ministry Office.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Youth Ministry is a
process by which the parish works to develop religious, spiritual, and
social growth among young people. Youth Ministry includes, but is not
limited to, the interaction and activities of the Youth Minister and
the Youth Ministry Program, as well as all activities and interactions
by the members, ministries, and representatives of the parish. We
strive to provide a program that is diverse, so that there are events,
activities, and programs that meet the needs of each young person.
The Youth Ministry
Program is divided into 3 parts:
The Junior High Youth
Ministry (JHYM)
Program provides spiritual, social, service, and educational
opportunities for young people who are in grades 6 through 8. This
program is open to all young people who attend Catholic, private,
public, or home schools.
Sacred Heart’s
Adolescent Religious Education (SHARE)
Program provides religious education, prayer, and service
opportunities for young people who are in grades 7 and 8 and who
attend private, public, or home schools.
The Christians
Responding to the Eternal Word (CREW)
Program provides spiritual, social, service, and educational
opportunities for young people who are in grades 9 through 12. This
program is open to all young people who attend Catholic, private,
public, or home schools.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Every member of the
parish is called to share their time, talent and treasure. This
committee facilitates opportunities for parishioners to help with
special projects, needs, and events throughout the parish. It also
promotes and prepares for special programs. The members of the
committee are the people who the pastor can call when a job needs to
be accomplished. Anyone interested in serving on this committee,
please contact the Parish Office.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION
Several opportunities
throughout the year will be available for those seeking to update and
improve their knowledge of our Catholic Christian Faith. These
opportunities will include Scripture study sessions, sessions on the
adult catechism, speakers, and other sessions with specific topics.
Please watch the Sunday Bulletin for dates, times and location of
meetings.
EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE
To
evangelize means to share or proclaim the good news of the Gospel.
This good news is proclaimed at every Mass when we pray, “Christ has
died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again”. Evangelization is a
process of opening our hearts to God’s Word, putting that message into
practice in our daily lives, sharing our story of how God has touched
us, and welcoming others to experience the good news. Each of us is
called to share our faith. Parishioners interested in small faith
communities, parish outreach programs, and
interreligious events may contact the Parish Ministry Office.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR
ADULTS)
The Rite
of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is the normative process for
those adults who seek Christ in Baptism and initiation into the
Catholic Church. Sacred Heart Parish provides a complete and
thorough formation and information process for catechumens (unbaptised
adults) and for those baptized into another Christian community who
wish to become members of the Catholic Church.
Welcoming parishioners are needed to share their lived Christian
experience with those who are searching and/or discerning to become
members of our Catholic Christian way of life. Those interested in
the RCIA please contact the Parish Ministry Office.
EXTRAORDINARY
MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
The
diversity of ministers is essential to the fruitful celebration of the
Sacred Liturgy. All the faithful are summoned to a “full, conscious,
and active participation” in the Sacred Liturgy that burns with faith,
hope, and love by reason of their Baptism. The Church depends on
extra-ordinary ministers of Holy
Communion to assist in this purpose by administering
Holy Communion at Mass and by bringing Holy Communion to parishioners
who are not able to be at Mass. Training and support will be
provided. Interested parishioners may contact the Parish Ministry
Office.
LECTOR
God’s
Word calls us into discipleship. We hear God’s Word proclaimed
in many ways but most importantly, we hear the Word of God proclaimed
at the Sacred Liturgy, when we gather with other believers as the
people of God. In the presence of the community of believers, when
the Scriptures are proclaimed, the lector becomes the mouthpiece of
God. The lector does not just pronounce words. The lector
communicates a divine message. These are all reasons why the one who
proclaims the word of God must maintain a relationship with God and
must provide ample time for preparation in order to do one’s best.
The only exposure to the Word that many people have is at the Sunday
Liturgy. The lector needs to be aware that his or her proclamation
assists the homilist in giving meaning to the Word. Training and
support will be provided for all adults and students who are
interested. Contact the Parish Ministry Office.
ALTAR SERVERS
Our young people are
taught to assist the priest and deacon at the altar, where they
perform a valuable service in assisting with the smooth flow of the
Sacred Liturgy. This ministry is open to students from the 6th
to 8th grades. Please contact the Parish Office if you are
interested.
USHERS, GREETERS, and GIFT BEARERS
Ushers and greeters
provide hospitality to those coming to Mass. In addition, they
respond to emergencies and perform other valuable functions in
maintaining liturgical order. Gift bearers take up the offering
during the Mass. We are always in need of people to fill these
important roles. All interested in these ministries may contact the
Parish Ministry Office.
ADULT CHOIR
Sacred Heart Choir
holds weekly practice sessions on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 to
8:30 p.m., in the choir loft or in the parish hall. The choir leads
the singing for Confirmation, Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, First
Communion, special feast days and some Sundays during the year.
Parishioners in high school and older are invited to join the choir as
they worship and praise God through song.
FUNERAL CHOIR
In connection with the
Bereavement Ministry, a small group of people sing for funerals. This
gives great comfort to parishioners and their families during their
time of sorrow. Funerals are usually on weekday mornings and average
approximately two per month. The group practices for a short time
before and/or after funerals. When there is a funeral, the
individuals are contacted and those who are available attend. This is
a good fit for (but not limited to) those who are retired,
stay-at-home parents with school aged children, part-time workers and
people who have flexibility in their work schedules.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
The Bereavement
Ministry is made up of individuals who have learned about the process
of death and the emotions the family is experiencing. The ministers
assist in planning the Mass of Christian Burial and provide support to
the family. Bereavement ministry is open to all who are interested.
Please contact the Parish Ministry Office.
CANTORS
Cantors lead the
singing at Mass. Qualifications include having a pleasant singing
voice, the ability to sing on pitch and rhythmic awareness. It is not
necessary to be able to read music to be a cantor. Cantors are
scheduled according to their availability.
YOUTH CHOIR
Students in grades 4
through 8 are invited to join the Youth Choir, which sings on special
occasions such as Christmas and Easter. Watch the Sunday Bulletin
around these holidays for practice schedules.
MUSICIANS
Please contact the
music director if you have any musical talents which would enhance our
liturgies.
ALTAR SOCIETY
The Altar Society is
responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the altar linens.
CHURCH CLEANERS
This group gathers
periodically throughout the year to clean the church. Those
interested in helping with this ministry, please contact the Parish
Ministry Office.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Environment and art
enhance the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Those who have
creative expertise and knowledge of the Liturgy are invited to
participate in this ministry. Please contact the Parish Ministry
Office.
