St. Maria Goretti Parish

Responsible for making recommendations for the liturgical and spiritual life of the parish to the Pastor & Parish Council.

Liturgy Committee
Responsible for the daily, weekly and seasonal implementation of official guidelines for the celebration of liturgy, including the liturgical environment and music. The various ministries represented on this committee are the
musicians, commentators, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, servers, sacristans and the liturgical environment.

COMMENTATOR
Announces the opening reflection for the Mass, gives voice to the Prayer of the Faithful and delivers announcements.

MINISTER OF THE WORD/LECTOR
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. 

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Many Eucharistic ministers are needed to distribute the consecrated bread and wine during the Eucharistic celebration and also to take communion to those who are unable to participate in the Mass. 

MINISTRY OF SERVER
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. 

MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY
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. 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.

MINISTRY OF LITURGICAL ENVIRONMENT
Many persons and talents are needed to design and install the décor of the liturgical environment. There is the need for planning, creating, and setting up for the various liturgical seasons. Also, we need help with cleaning the church, cleaning, sewing and repairing altar cloths and other items. Whether you just 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.

MINISTRY OF SUNDAY SACRISTAN
This minister coordinates the activities in the sacristy before and after one of the weekend liturgies. The sacristan sees to the preparation of all liturgical items before the 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. 

MUSIC MINISTRY
St. Maria Goretti has three 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; and the Resurrection choir that sings for funerals.

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.

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.

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.

Cantor/Song leaders are leaders of music at the 5:15 p.m. Saturday Mass and other special occasions. They need to have a solo voice with clear diction and good voice modulation. The cantor who serves the assembly also proclaims the Word by singing the responsorial psalm; the cantor and lector are partners in the proclamation of the scriptures.

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.

BAPTISMS
Parent Preparation Classes - On the first Wednesday of each month, a baptismal preparation class is held to renew the parents' understanding of baptism and to prepare the parents for the actual celebration of the baptism of their child. Trained parishioners facilitate this class.

Day of the Baptism. On the actual day of the Baptism, a coordinator meets the family, helps them get settled for the celebration and helps with the details of the celebration.

WEDDINGS
Marriage Preparation Presenting Team
This is a married couple ministry. Couples should be married at least two years. The presenting couple will witness and share their married life experiences with couples intent on entering a sacramental marriage. The topics include communication, conflict/forgiveness, self-awareness, intimacy/sexuality and the couple's faith journey. There is a step-by-step written and oral instruction plan set to your pace. New volunteer couples will be instructed by veteran marriage preparation couples and religious from our parish.

The ministry is challenging, but intensely rewarding. You need not be a great speaker. If you love the gift of your Christian marriage, let it shine on the new families-to-be of our parish. Marriage preparation programs run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or may entail two evening sessions.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION DAY HOSPITALITY TEAM MEMBER
The Marriage Preparation Day is very special for the engaged couples. As guests, they are offered breakfast snacks, a lunch and light snacks/beverages in the afternoon. The food is paid for by the participants through the diocese. Singles, friends, married couples, with or without families, may be interested in this service to the parish. The hospitality team prepares the food and beverages, sets and clears the tables and attends to other facility-related needs of the engaged couples. It is a full day commitment.

FOCCUS
Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding & Study is a ministry between a volunteer married couple and an engaged couple soon to be married. It is a requirement for marriage at St. Maria Goretti Parish. Engaged couples meet twice with the FOCCUS facilitator couple and then with the pastor. Like the marriage preparation day ministry, this volunteer opportunity is for couples who wish to help the engaged to a successful lifetime commitment together. Unlike the marriage preparation day ministry, the FOCCUS facilitating couples work with one engaged couple at a time.

WEDDING COORDINATOR
The Wedding Coordinator assists the couple in preparing for the sacramental celebration of marriage. He/she guides the couple in planning the liturgical celebration, is available to the couple through all the stages of planning and preparing, and is present and of assistance during the wedding rehearsal and actual celebration of the sacrament of marriage.

Intercessory Prayer Group
Members of this ministry pray specifically for the needs of parish members. When the need of a parish member is known, word is spread through the prayer line (telephone) and each member prays for that need. The group also meets each month after the Saturday 8:15 a.m. Mass in the church to pray for the needs of the parish.