St. Maria Goretti Stewardship/Time & Talent
Serving the Lord in His Church
A life of stewardship is the best way to show our love and appreciation to God and to give back time, talent and treasure to God.
Visit the Events and Volunteer pages for more opportunities!
Parish Commissions oversee many opportunities to volunteer your time! Following is a list of active ministries at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Parish.
Liturgical Ministries
Music Ministries
Musicians include instrumentalists and cantors, as well as four organized choirs: the Adult Choir that sings at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and for other special occasions; the Contemporary Choir that sings at the 11:00 a.m. Mass; the Resurrection choir that sings for funerals; SpiritSong Choir usually sings two Saturdays a month at 5:15 p.m. Mass.
Please call the parish office at 608-271-7421 or email parish@stmariagoretti.org for more information.
Religious Education volunteer opportunities are available to teach, co-teach or assist in preschool classrooms during Sunday liturgy, K-5 classrooms on Mondays, Youth Ministry Middle School on Wednesdays, or teach, assist or chaperone in Youth Ministry High School activities
Chaperone special events, help with retreats or assist with various organizational tasks.
Provide childcare for children of parents teaching religious education and small children of parents attending adult religious education classes or small Christian Communities.
This volunteer opportunity is especially good for teenagers and others of all ages who love kids. Call the parish office for more information.
Several volunteer opportunities exist for Parish events.
Help organize or volunteer your time to work at a variety of events. Go to the Events Page to learn more.
Commentators
The commentator announces the opening welcome for the Mass, gives voice to the Prayer of the Faithful and delivers announcements.
Contact: Dick Sorensen, 442-7263
The Minister of the Word/Lector proclaims the Scripture readings to the assembly with the intent of bringing the Word of God to life. Certain innate abilities are necessary: an adequate vocal instrument, poise, self-confidence, maturity and sensitivity to the diversity in the gathered assembly.
Contact: Dick Sorensen, 442-7263
Many ministers are needed on weekends and holy days to help distribute Holy Communion at Mass. Special training is needed.
Click here for the EMHC Schedules and signups. Contact: Mary Martin, 274-7455
Also ministers take Holy Communion to those who are unable to participate in the Mass. If you are interested in being a Home Eucharistic Minister, contact Sr. Marge Kalina at 268-2976.
Greeters and Ushers are considered ministers of hospitality; they are usually the first persons the parishioners and visitors meet as they gather for the Eucharistic celebration.
Greeters welcome us and help with any reserved seating for special parish celebrations.
Contact: Judy Hoffman, 845-6707
Ushers greet, assist with seating people and making sure that the nave of the church is ready. They find presenters for the gifts of bread and wine, take up the collection, direct the communion procession, distribute the bulletins after Mass, straighten up the pews and check that the church is in order for the next Mass. Ushers also assist with any emergencies that may occur.
Contact: Bill Bremer, 273-1731
Many persons and talents are needed to design and install the décor of the liturgical environment for each of the liturgical seasons. At Christmas time, many hands are needed to string the lights on the Christmas trees. Whether you wish to help setup or take down decorations or if you have a talent for flower arranging, sewing, designing, or construction, we can use your help.
Contact:
Sr. Denise Herrmann, 268-2960
Also, volunteers help with dusting the sanctuary, cleaning the holy water fonts, washing and ironing the altar linens used at each Mass.
Contact Sue Luedtke, 274-6133
The sacristan sees to the preparation and set-up of all liturgical items needed for Mass and to their proper care after the Mass. The sacristan also sees to it that the servers and all other ministers have arrived and are ready for the celebration of the Mass.
Contact:
Sr. Denise Herrmann, 268-2960
The server assists the priest during the Eucharistic celebration. Servers, both boys and girls, are accepted for training at grade five; however, older students also may ask to be trained to serve. Servers are encouraged to serve through grade twelve. Adults are also encouraged to volunteer to serve, especially for funerals and special occasions.
Contact: Scheduling - Jenny and Noli Ybanez, 848-2859; Training - Dave Ross, 268-2954, and Fred Zingsheim, 274-0854
Adult Choir rehearsals are held 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday evenings. No audition is required, just the desire to praise God in song and to enjoy working hard to develop the best choral music in the eucharistic setting.
Contact: Dennis McKinley, 497-0143
Contemporary Choir meets at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. As denoted by the name, this choir is targeted for the younger members of the congregation and sings more upbeat, but still sacred, music. No audition is required, and there is no age limit. The young-at-heart as well as the youth are encouraged to join.
Contact: Amy Carran, 288-9255
The Resurrection Choir provides music to enhance the funeral liturgies and to provide comfort to the mourners. This choir welcomes all who are available on a short notice. This includes those who are retired, those not working during the day, and those who are able to take time from their work schedule to minister to the grieving. You would not have to be available for all the funerals.
Contact: Mary Clemons, 277-9724; Lisa Kjentvet, 824-0693
Cantors/Song leaders are leaders of music at the liturgies when the choirs are not singing. Cantors need to have a solo voice with clear diction and good voice modulation. The cantor who serves the assembly also proclaims the Word of God by singing the responsorial psalm; the cantor and lector are partners in the proclamation of the Scriptures.
Contact Mary Clemons, 277-9724
Instrumentalists play an important part in the liturgy. There is always a need for organists and others who are proficient on the keyboard. Training for playing at a liturgical service would be available. At times we enhance our musical repertoire with the use of other instruments, such as strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. All instrumentalists are encouraged to volunteer their services so that we know who is available when the need arises.
Contact: Mary Clemons, 277-9724.
SpiritSong Choir usually sings two Saturdays a month at 5:15 p.m. Mass.
Contact: Tessa Sawchuck, 274-7740; Jane Henneberry, 833-1066