Is the Spirit whispering in your ear? Looking to deepen your faith? Getting involved beyond participating at Mass may be the answer.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.. For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.                    ~ James 2:14-17, 26

Discerning how to be more involved: As an aid to your prayerful consideration, specific ways you can take the next step as an active member of the Saint Catherine’s faith community are presented below. It’s quite a list yet it doesn’t cover everything that comes up. If you want additional help discerning the best fit for you and your family, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Roach, at the parish office number below.

Volunteer Opportunities

In and Around Church/Spiritual & Liturgical

• Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist – Distributes communion, both host and wine at Mass. Assignments are on a rotating basis and Mass time preference.
• Lectors – Does the first and second readings and the petitions. Assignments are on a rotating basis and Mass time preference.
• Altar Servers – Assists the Priest at Mass.
• Greeters/Ushers – Greets people as they arrive for Mass and assists anyone needing a helping hand from the parking lot to the church. Takes up the collection at Mass and distributes the bulletins after Mass.
• Music/Choir – Sings/plays at Masses and funerals. Also performs on special occasions such as Christmas Caroling at Little Sisters of the Poor. If you have vocal or instrumental talents come
  and join this amazing ministry.
• Arts/Environment – Helps maintain the interior of the church such as making sure the proper color banners are in place, the live  plants are watered, votive candles are replaced as needed and maintain the information on the kiosks such as removing outdated flyers, etc.
• Host/Hostess – Sets up for Mass by seeing that the lights are turned on, sets up the tray holding the sacred vessels and other items used, makes sure the key is in the Tabernacle and that the
  Lectionary and Gospel books are on the correct readings. Also puts out the hosts and wine at the back of church and finds the persons who will carry up the offertory. After Mass cleans the sacred vessels. The person doing this at the 8:30 Mass will set up for the 11:00 Mass. After the 11:00 Mass this person would make sure all the lights are turned off and things are put away such as the Tabernacle key. These duties before and after Mass can be split between volunteers so one person is not doing both. This may seem like a lot to do but it only takes a short time to do it.

Hospitality/Parish Services & Support

• Funeral Dinners – This ministry consist of of two teams that alternate providing a lunch for the family and friends of the deceased. The team sets up, serves, and cleans up afterward. Someone will call parishioners and ask for helpers or a covered dish to supplement the meat provided by the parish. Since most funerals are during the week, if you are not able to help, a food dish is always appreciated. This is a very rewarding ministry as the families are so appreciative of the meal.
• Receptions – This consist of helping set up and serving refreshments on those occasions when a reception is held for a parish event such as after the Easter Vigil or a special occasion.
• Money Counters – This consist of two teams alternating one month at a time that meet on Monday morning (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) and count the collection from the weekend Masses. It usually takes about an hour more or less.
• Office Angels – Sits at the office and answers the phone on those occasions when the parish secretary needs to be away from the office for awhile.
• Garage Sale Team – This group sorts and organizes items collected throughout the year for the biannual garage sale which is held in the spring and fall. They meet on Wednesday mornings for several weeks prior to and after each sale. Donations can be made by contacting Mary Roach or Judy Lynch. The proceeds from the sales go to the parish.

Campus Support

• Dream team – This group of volunteers helps with minor repairs such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, painting, etc. on an as need basis and at their convenience.
• Groundskeeper – Mows the grass and does weed eating around the campus. When needed trims the scrubs and cleans up lawn debris.
• Garden Angels – Adopt a space in The Holy Family flower garden and fill it with plantings and decorations of your choice. The current overseer of the garden will be retiring from this position after the garden is put to sleep for the winter. If you have a passion for gardening and would like to oversee the garden come next spring please let us know, The overseer duties consist of making sure the areas not adopted are cared for in a minimal way and waters when necessary and maintains the area in front of the statue.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.     ~1 Corinthians 12:4-7