Parish Ministries 2006
Below You Will Find The Various Organizations That Exist In Our Parish And Information About Them.
HOME SCHOOL GUILD ASSOCIATION
“Merging the Families of Our Students with the Family of the Parish”
Coordinator: Jennifer Chan
Meeting Frequency: Twice per month Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The HSG mission is to incorporate fun and interesting activities for the children of the school. The events planned also include parents and other siblings. The Home School Guild is a liaison between the parents and their school principal.
Regular meeting dates: The HSG Board meets the first Monday of the month with the principal and pastor. Events are scheduled at least monthly.
Required skills and talents: Be able to work with all ages of children with patience and kindness.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
“Providing Reverent, Faith-Filled Commitment”
Coordinator: Sr. Margaret Maloney
Meeting Frequency: According to schedule
Needs: Eucharistic Ministers needed
Description: The Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest at Mass by distributing the Holy Eucharist or offering the Precious Blood to congregants.
Regular meeting dates: Annual meetings are held. Schedule of masses are distributed every six weeks.
Required skills and talents: Prior to induction, Eucharistic Ministers are required to attend an all-day workshop offered by the Diocese. They must have received the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.
ALTAR SOCIETY
Coordinator: Dolores Cardone
Meeting Frequency: Periodically
Needs: volunteers needed
Description: An informed group of Parishioners who care for the altar linens and holy water fonts.
MUSIC MINISTRY
“The Praise of God in Joyful Song”
Coordinator: Dr. Frank Retzel
Meeting Frequency: Twice per week.
Needs: Volunteer choir members are needed.
Description: The ministry of music is one of the most integral to the function of the liturgy. There are many components to this ministry, the choir being one of the oldest. Mary’s Nativity has two choirs:
1) The Adult Choir – High school age (age 16) upwards; and
2) The Youth Choir – grade school (4th grade) – age 16.
Youth Choir coordinator: Maria E. Jimenez Barrecca
Regular meeting dates (Adult Choir): Tuesday evening rehearsal at 7:30 PM. Sunday Mass at 11:30 AM Special masses and events (i.e., Confirmation) Holidays: Christmas, Holy Week, Easter
Regular meeting date (Youth Choir): Sunday 10 AM Mass - October through May Fridays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM during the school year
Required skills and talents: Mostly a choir member needs a willingness to work together with the coordinator and the rest of the group. There is no additional previous experience required. Children ages 9-16 are welcome to join the Youth Choir. Parent volunteers who can escort the children to venues are needed.
CUB SCOUTS PACK 155
“Building Character, Physical Fitness, Practical Skills, and Service”
Coordinator: Buddy Ingrassia
Meeting Frequency: Weekly
Needs: Volunteer leaders and parent helpers needed
Description: Cub Scout Pack 155 is a family program designed for boys who are in the first grade through fifth grade (or 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age). Parents and leaders work together to achieve the purposes of Cub Scouting.
Regular meeting dates: Every Friday from 7:45 PM to 9:30 PM during the school year. Required skills and talents: Adult Leaders attend a course to attain certification. Leadership qualities and a willingness to help children are the requirements.
Additional information: http://www.scouting.org/
GIRL SCOUT TROOP #6915
“Where Girls Grow Strong”
Coordinator: Jennifer Chan
Meeting Frequency: Weekly Needs: Volunteer Girl Scout Leaders are needed
Description: The troop provides an outlet for young girls in the parish, ages 6-11, to learn about girl scouting, and to have fun socializing with other girls. The troop is divided into two groups: Brownie (ages 6-8) and Junior (ages 8-11) Girl Scouts, with plans to include girls up to age 17. We provide an accepting and nurturing environment where girls can build character and skills. The Girl Scout Leaders plan meetings, arrange activities, field trips and coordinate arts and crafts projects.
Regular meeting dates: Friday afternoons, 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, during the school year Required skills and talents: Ability to work with young girls. Past experience as a girl scout, talent in arts and crafts, organization and management skills are very helpful.
Additional information: The Girl Scout Leaders, all volunteers, attend leadership training classes and follow the leader guidebooks prepared by the Girl Scout Council. Additionally, leader meetings, newsletters and the Girl Scout website provide direction for following the Girl Scout Promise and Law. http://www.girlscouts.org/
USHERS
“Supporting Church Finances and Operations through Steadfast Volunteerism”
Coordinator: Martin Brett
Meeting Frequency: Weekly (Sunday Mass)
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The Ushers support church finances and operations by assisting with the weekly envelope collection and directing Parishioners at various events.
Regular meeting dates: Sunday Masses
Required skills and talents: Members must present themselves as representatives of our parish, i.e., properly attired
Additional information: We desperately need more volunteers. At present, we have too few ushers to operate successfully.
LECTORS
“Proclaiming the Word of God”
Coordinator: Mary Hogan
Meeting Frequency: According to schedule, typically bi-weekly
Needs: Lectors needed
Description: The Lectors recite the scripture to the congregation using tone, pause, and emphasis to proclaim God’s word.
Regular meeting dates: Annual meetings are held during the Lenten season. A schedule of masses is distributed periodically.
Required skills and talents: Willingness to read in public in a clear, audible voice.
SACRED HEART LEAGUE
Coordinator: Nancy Jackson
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The Sacred Heart League meets the first Friday of the month, attending the 9:00 AM Mass, followed by a breakfast in the school cafeteria.
CONSOLATION MINISTRY
Coordinator: Mary T. McLaughlin
Meeting Frequency: No scheduled meetings, attend all Parish Funerals.
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: A volunteer group, which is a congregational choir and gives responses at funeral masses.
Required skills and talents: Willingness and ability to attend Parish funerals which number about 85 per year. It helps to be able to carry a tune.
ORDER OF THE SONS OF ITALY OF AMERICA
MARCUS AURELIUS LODGE
“L'Ordine Figli d’Italia: preserving Italian American traditions, culture, history and heritage; and promoting closer cultural relations between the United States and Italy”
Coordinator: Rosemarie Stathes
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Needs: New members welcome
Description: The Order of the Sons of Italy in America is the oldest and largest organization of Italian-American men and women in North America. OSIA supports many charitable endeavors, provides numerous grants as well as graduate and undergraduate scholarships. We work to build a positive image of Italians and Italian-Americans. Additionally, OSIA works to preserve the Italian culture and traditions.
Regular meeting dates: Fourth Monday of every month at 8:00 PM
Required skills and talents: The Lodge is open to those of Italian heritage, whether by birth or by marriage, as well as social members with an appreciation of Italian culture. Annual dues required. Additional information: http://www.osia.org/
GOLDEN AGE SOCIETY
“Aging with Dignity and Purpose”
Coordinator: Bill Balla
Meeting Frequency: Semi-monthly
Needs: New members welcome
Description: The Golden Age Society is a group of community members, ages 50 and above, who gather regularly to socialize, travel, work together for charitable causes and participate in educational sessions for issues pertaining to seniors.
Regular meeting dates: First and Third Wednesday of each month, 1:00 PM Required skills and talents: Adults age 50 and up.
ALTAR SERVERS
“Active Participation of our Young People in the Church Liturgy”
Coordinator: Susan Go
Meeting Frequency: According to schedule
Needs: Altar servers
Description: Altar servers assist the priest during Mass. The particular duties of altar servers include leading processions, holding the sacramentary for the opening and closing of prayers, assisting the priest in the preparation of the bread and wine, and helping with incense. Regular meeting dates: Altar servers are provided a schedule of weekend masses no more than 1 hour per week.
Required skills and talents: Children from the 4th through 8th grade are encouraged to become altar servers.
LITURGY COMMITTEE
“Improving the Prayer Life of the Parish through Enhanced Liturgy”
Coordinator: Mary Hogan
Meeting Frequency: Twice A Month Or As Needed
Needs: Members needed
Description: The Liturgy Committee plans ceremonies that will enhance the liturgy and make the season more meaningful to our Parishioners. The Committee reviews the various options for celebration and makes recommendations to the pastor. We further help implement these new initiatives.
Regular meeting dates: Bi-weekly meetings planned.
Required skills and talents: New members are always welcome. We seek laypeople who believe that their work will help keep our liturgical traditions alive and powerful.
Additional information: http://liturgycommittee.com/
KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS COUNCIL 394
“The Right Hand of the Holy Father”
Coordinator: Ed Chewens
Meeting Frequency: Semi-monthly
Needs: 10-14 new members needed
Description: The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization that provides friendship, fraternal assistance and charitable support on a community, county, state, national and international level. Often the knights are called the “right hand of the Holy Father” and assist with charity drives for both the bishops and the Holy See. One of our most important tenets is to protect the life of the unborn.
Regular meeting dates: The second and fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings begin with a social gathering at 7:30 PM and are called to order at 8:00 PM.
Required skills and talents: The Knights of Columbus are always seeking new members, particularly those who can volunteer their writing, accounting and public speaking skills. Additional information: Annual dues required. Voluntary participation in an annual fundraising drive is requested. The Knights of Columbus also provide low-cost insurance and annuities to its members. Members get involved in Council 394 activities, such as blood drives, coat drive, barbeque, essay contest for local schools, etc. http://www.kofc.org
ROSARY SOCIETY
“Celebrating Our Traditions while Looking to Our Future”
Coordinator: Sheila Rynne
Meeting Frequency: Semi-Monthly
Needs: Membership encouraged
Description: The primary purpose and goal of the society is to praise and honor the Blessed Mother, to secure her patronage by recitation of the Rosary and for the mutual spiritual benefit of all members throughout the world. The Rosary Society is both spiritual and social and acts as a fundraiser, assisting at parish events.
Regular meeting dates: The Society meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 PM. The Rosary Mass is the first Sunday of the month at 11:30 AM, preceded by the recitation of the rosary in the Blessed Sacrament chapel at 11:00 AM.
HOLY NAME SOCIETY
“Working Together in the Name of Jesus Christ to Enrich Our Community”
Coordinator: Ed Chewens
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The Holy Name Society is a group of Catholic men who meet and work together to develop programs on a local and diocesan level that will spiritually enrich both ourselves and our communities as we work together. Lifelong bonds of friendship are forged between the members in part due to the similar beliefs of God’s role in their lives. Regular meeting dates: The second Monday evening of each month at 8 PM, September through June.
Required skills and talents: Only a passion for Catholic attitudes in today’s society is necessary. Many of our members have a wide variety of skills, which we make use of on a regular basis. Our advocacy and public policy specialists require individuals who keep current on public policy, government (local level) and diocesan affairs.
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAS
“Unity and Charity”
Coordinator: Sheila Rynne
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Needs: Members needed
Description: From its inception in 1903, Catholic Daughters of the Americas has grown and developed into the largest organization of Catholic women in the Americas. Under the patronage of the Blessed Mother, its members are united by their faith in Jesus Christ, in their devotion to the church and the Holy See. The Catholic Daughters’ Court at Mary’s Nativity parish has a mission of embracing the principle of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, quality, and the advancement of human rights and human dignity for all. We are active in charitable works, such as our annual scholarship program, as well as fundraising for disaster relief efforts.
Regular meeting dates: Second Saturday of each month, September through June
Required skills and talents: New members are always welcome.
Additional information: http://www.catholicdaughters.org/
PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY
“Eucharistic-Centered, Compassionate and Practical Aid to the Sick, Elderly and Poor”
Coordinator: Sr. Margaret Maloney, Pastoral Care Office
Meeting Frequency: As needed, typically weekly or semi-monthly
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The Pastoral Care Ministry brings spiritual consolation through the Holy Eucharist to the sick and elderly of the Parish and provides them with practical assistance, when possible. Most of those we visit were active members of our Parish and have a deep appreciation of the Eucharist. Visiting also helps us to reach out to the newcomers unable to come to Church. The mission of Pastoral Care is to be a Eucharistic-centered, compassionate and practical aid to the sick, elderly and poor.
Regular meeting dates: Monthly meetings are planned. Additionally volunteers typically visit the elderly on a weekly or semi-monthly basis.
Required skills and talents: Volunteers must be compassionate, patient and willing to spend time listening to those they assist. A social services background is very helpful, but not a requirement.
RIGHT-TO-LIFE COMMITTEE
“Preserving and Protecting the Life of Every Human Being”
Coordinator: Angelita Chung
Meeting Frequency: Quarterly
Needs: New members welcome
Description: The Right-to-Life Committee is new to Mary’s Nativity parish. Our mission is to witness that life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception. It is our duty to uphold life principles for the common good of self, neighbor and our communities. Our initiatives include calling and writing our Congressional and State representatives to express our concerns in addition to voting for those who are faithful to our spiritual beliefs. Our community members show that they respect life by providing a powerful example in their own lives. Caring for mentally or physically challenged children, or sick relatives are several ways this is accomplished.
Regular meeting dates: Quarterly meetings planned. Participation in the Annual March for Life is also recommended.
Required skills and talents: Being knowledgeable and active in standing up for our moral and spiritual values is necessary.
Additional information: http://www.marchforlife.org/
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
“Embrace the World in a Network of Charity”
Coordinator: Jack Hogan
Meeting Frequency: Monthly
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization that is inspired by the example of St. Vincent de Paul, our patron, and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, our founder. The Society offers tangible assistance to those in need on a person-to-person basis. In our parish, this assistance ranges from clothing and food to rent and financial support. Last year alone, our 70,000 national members assisted over 13 million people throughout the United States. Our Twinning and Disaster Programs brought help to many more all over the globe. Most of that assistance was through the direct, personal encounters of our members, seeking in friendship, to bring whatever assistance could be provided. In 2003, that help amounted to nearly $255 million.
Regular meeting dates: The first Monday of every month with the exception of the summer months when there is one meeting for the summer.
Additional information: http://www.svdpusa.org/
ADULT FORMATION MINISTRY
“Furthering the Religious Knowledge of Roman Catholic Adults”
Coordinator: Mary T. McLaughlin
Meeting Frequency: Periodically, approximately 4 hours per month
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: The Adult Formation Ministry strives to strengthen the knowledge and beliefs of Roman Catholic adults, so that they will be prepared to educate future generations. It is also hoped that non-practicing and alienated Catholics will return to the Church through the ministry’s dedicated team and strong pastoral support. The Ministry plans and implements all Formation programs and members are available for all follow-up requirements.
Regular meeting dates: Meetings are held periodically.
Required skills and talents: A firm foundation in one’s own faith is required. Teaching experience, computer skills, as well as a hospitable nature would all be assets to the team.
CONFRATERNITY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (C.C.D.)
“Communicating Catholic Beliefs, Values and Practices”
Coordinator: Sr. Erlinda
Meeting Frequency: Weekly during the school year
Needs: CCD catechists needed
Description: The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) Program continues to be our most popular religious education offering. We enroll students from our various local school districts. In addition to our standard curriculum, our year is highlighted by access to Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, along with holiday service projects and sacramental preparation. Presently ten sections of CCD are offered: Pre-school through Grade 7, and Special Sacraments.
Regular meeting dates: Catechists monthly meeting is held every 2nd Sunday of the month. Religious instruction has three sessions: 1. Sundays from 11:00 AM to 12:10 PM* 2. Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9:15 PM (RCIA) 3. Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 PM (RCIC) *The Catechists participate in the 10:00 AM liturgy with the students. Required skills and talents: A catechist should be a practicing Catholic. A desire to evangelize and lead others to Jesus is required. Flexibility and love for the students is also needed.
Theology requirements: Catechist certification, attend courses of Scripture, Spirituality, Methodology, and Communication.
CYO SPORTS PROGRAM
“Sportsmanship Based Upon Christian Principles”
Coordinator: Weston Curry
Meeting Frequency: Tuesdays through Saturdays
Needs: Volunteers needed
Description: Coordinate teams, tournaments and instruction of basic basketball skills for boys and girls from the 3rd to 9th grade. The objective of CYO athletics is to provide opportunities for young people to be involved in competition to develop physical fitness, self-discipline, mental alertness and attitudes of sportsmanship, based upon Christian principles of fair play and cooperation, under well-organized and properly supervised forms of athletics.
Regular meeting dates: Practice occurs Tuesdays through Saturdays, 4-6:30 PM. September through March program schedule.
Required skills and talents: Need coaches, assistant coaches, drivers & volunteers to assist entire program. http://www.cyosports.org/
YOUTH MINISTRY
“Mary’s Nativity Teens For Christ ”
Coordinator: Sonia Romero
Meeting Frequency: Every other Friday Night
Needs: Teenagers (13-19 years old)
Description: Youth Ministry involves several componeants: Community life; evangelization; prayer and worship; leadership development; catechesis; justice and service. Through the leadership of a very talented core team, which includes a two youths, we continue to provide a space for the enhancement of the spirituality of young people.
Required skills and talents: Teens must be at least 13 years of age, and willing to be open to development of their spirituality for the greater glory of God for their own growth, and the growth of their community.
Dear Parishioners,
To really help our faith grow, we need to be involved in the work of the Church. Most of our programs are coordinated by volunteers who share both their time and talent to make this a great parish community. We are always looking for new talents and new faces to help our community grow. It is the work of our volunteers that gives vitality to our parish. Mary’s Nativity is home to a variety of ministries, organizations and committees that provide a great service to both our parish and community. The current list is provided here.
There are many ways to participate; the key is simply to do so. I encourage you to review this pamphlet and decide how you are called to become more involved in our parish life.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.”I Corinthians 12:4-6
For additional information on exact meeting times and dates and locations, or on how you can become involved in our many ministries and organizations, please call the rectory office at (718) 359-5996
Mary’s Nativity Church 2006
