Ministries
Liturgical Ministries
Open to young parishioners, both boys and girls of the parish (grades 4-12). Altar servers have the privilege of assisting the priest in the sanctuary during the Mass and other liturgical functions.
Training: Contact Kelly Gallagher for Scheduling. at (440-967-8711 x-104) or pastoralassociate@stmaryvermilion.org
Lectors proclaim the Old Testament, New Testament readings and the Petitions at Mass. These ministers are commissioned by the pastor. Contact Kelly Gallagher for Scheduling. at (440-967-8711 x-104) or pastoralassociate@stmaryvermilion.org
Saint Mary’s Extraordinary Minister of Holy Eucharist
Mission:
Pope Paul VI, in 1973, authorized Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to share the Body and Blood of Christ with their fellow worshipers in the assembly and with those confined to their homes, so that no one would be deprived of this sacramental help and consolation.
Your ministry complements and extends the ministry of the clergy. Yet your ministry is not only that of “official assistant” to the clergy; it is a particular way of exercising your baptismal priesthood. You are among your fellow worshipers as one who serves; you cannot lose sight of your oneness with them, nor of your oneness with the priest celebrant as he serves the assembly in worship. You also have a ministry to your fellow liturgical ministers: you are to share with them the joy and strength your service brings to you and so build them up in love.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Body and Blood of our Lord to the assembly during Holy Communion. Those who take on the responsibility of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, are presumed to be of good faith, eager to serve their fellow Christians, and willing to engage in ongoing formation to improve the effectiveness of their service. These ministers are expected to dress in a modest and respectful manner. They must also possess a strong commitment to serving at their assigned mass. They are commissioned by the Bishop for a two-year period and renewal is given by attending a Day of Retreat at St. Mary.
Talent:
Adults and young adults (16 and above) who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation are invited to serve as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during Holy Mass. Guidelines for the ministry and practical training are provided. Because your role is so public, you are expected to participate in Mass very actively and to attend Mass as often as possible. You will need to become familiar with the basic outline of the Mass so that you may perform your tasks at the proper times. You should learn the use of the liturgical items you will be handling and their purpose in the liturgy. Please review the glossary at the end of this handbook for further reference.
Time:
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are scheduled based on their Mass preference and availability. Schedules are provided through the ministry coordinator. If a Eucharistic Minister is unable to attend the mass for which he/she is scheduled to distribute the Holy Eucharist, it is his/her responsibility to find a substitute.
Thank you for volunteering your time to serve in this capacity, as a liturgical minister. May this manual help you to learn the proper etiquette of your ministry and help to deepen your joy and love for the Eucharist!
Leader:
Fr. Paul Schreiner – Liturgical - (440-967-8711 x-101) pschreiner@stmaryvermilion.org
Kelly Gallagher– Homebound/Training - (440-967-8711 x-104) pastoralassociate@stmaryvermilion.org
Lynn Allegretto – Mass Scheduling - lynn356@gmail.com
Men and women (High School and older) who serve as ushers take up the collection, organize the Offertory Procession and assist parishioners to find a seat when necessary. Please contact the Parish Office for more information.
Please call the Parish Office to speak with Fr. Paul at 440-967-8711.
All Christians are responsible for consoling those who have lost a
loved one. An active parish bereavement ministry involves several
parishioners performing various forms of compassionate service.
Please contact Lynn Allegretto at lynn356@gmail.com for more information
WHO WE ARE
St. Paul Street Evangelization (SPSE) is a grassroots, non-profit organization, dedicated to responding to the mandate of Jesus to preach the Gospel to all nations by taking the Catholic Faith to the streets. Christ’s call to evangelize was made to every Catholic Christian. As an on-the-street Catholic evangelization organization, St. Paul Street Evangelization provides an avenue for people to share the Person of Jesus Christ and the truth and beauty of the Catholic Faith with a hungry culture.
Founded in May 2012, St. Paul Street Evangelization provides the tools and resources for Catholics to engage the culture in a simple, non-confrontational method of evangelization which involves making themselves available to the public to answer questions about the faith and to pray with those who request it. SPSE has had tremendous growth and now has teams throughout the United States and the world.
Our mission: To train, equip, and mobilize Catholics for the urgent work of evangelization. Especially for the proclamation of the gospel in the public square.
CONTACT: David Boardwine at daveboardwine@gmail.com or 440-320-2053
https://streetevangelization.com/team-page/?team-chapter=vermilion
Parish Ministries
The Pastoral Council is composed of dedicated men and women who provide our pastor with counsel to ensure the spiritual and pastoral vitality of our faith community. Members serve a three-year term. To become a member, contact the parish office (440-967-8711).
Mission:
To advise our pastoral leadership by being the voice of the parishioners and communicating parish needs. Also strengthen the spiritual and communal life of St. Mary’s and its ministries by helping to identify, promote, and attend activities
Talents:
Willingness to work with the pastor & deacon as part of a consultative body, with a dedication to the mission and spiritual welfare of the parish, a commitment to work in a group for consensus building and planning
Time:
Monthly meetings, normally on the second Wednesday of each month, lasting 1-1.5 hours. Potentially additional 1-2 hours per month attending and/or sometimes assisting with parish events.
President:
Ellen Francisco
CONTACT: pastoralcouncil@stmaryvermilion.org
Current Pastoral Council Members
Jeanne Coughlin
Mitch Dandurand
Bonnie Foster
Gary Howell
Donna Longville
Beth and Brian Nauert
Tracy Nelson
Cathleen Phillips
Ex-Officio Members
Fr. Paul Schreiner (Pastor)
The Altar-Rosary Society is a group of dedicated women of the parish who care for and raise funds for the maintenance of the church’s sanctuary. To get involved, contact the parish office (440-967-8711).
Since 1958, the Knights of Columbus have supported the many ministries of St. Mary Parish. Membership is open to Catholic men 18 and older. Meetings are held. Contact Alan Anderson, President at 440-541-6201 or by email at alanwanderson@aol.com to become a member and visit their website for more information.
The St. Francis Society is for parishioners 55 years and older to encounter each other and their faith in a social atmosphere. The Society meets on the First Friday of the month from September-May. Mass is held at 12:05 p.m. and is followed by a pizza lunch and a program (often including a speaker, film, and/or games). Contact Parish Office for more information.
Family Faith Formation
The goal of catechesis is to bring about a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. If you would like to assist with Family Faith Formation, contact Taylor Kaftan at tkaftan@stmaryvermilion.org or 440-967-8711 ext. 108
Hospitality Ministry
The Hospitality Ministry focuses on fellowship. We host Donut Sundays, Soup Nights, and we enjoy lending a helping hand at other parish events and gatherings throughout the year. We hope to inspire the spirit of Fun, Fellowship, Friendship, and Community within our St. Mary Parish family.
Contact Coordinator Janet Tansey at 440-522-3109 for more information including joining this ministry.
Thrift House
Together we are reaching the community to share St. Mary's mission and raise funds. Thank you to the many donors who have packed up and delivered your no longer needed treasures for the store to sell. Thank you to the many shoppers who have come in to find something for yourself, your family, or a friend. Often, just the thing you needed, or didn't know you needed, until you saw it in the store. A special thank you to the volunteers who have spent countless hours getting the building ready to be a store and then the ongoing fun of collecting, sorting, pricing, and displaying donations and working during open hours as cashiers, greeters, intake and more. A team that is always ready and willing to do whatever is needed.
We welcome new volunteers. Please contact Jennifer Vick by text or call at 440-396-9566 to volunteer.