The heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community with an exciting parish life. Our parish offers a variety of ways to be part of that communal family in addition to the celebration of the sacraments.
Faith formation is a vital element of the Catholic life as we grow in knowledge and understanding of our faith in Jesus Christ and the Church he gave us. A deeper understanding can lead to a more intimate relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and through the Trinity to the Church and our family, friends, neighbors, parish, and community. Such faith formation is not just for children, but for all of us as we grow as Catholics.
Another way to participate in our parish life are the various parish ministries, including liturgical ministries, such as music ministry, lector, altar server, and Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist; social justice ministries, such as visiting the homebound, serving the poor, volunteering at food pantries and the St. Vincent de Paul Society; and others, such as youth ministry and teaching in our religious education programs, to name just a few. God calls us to use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and make life better for other people. Please prayerfully consider these opportunities for getting involved in ministry. And if you have an idea for a new parish ministry, please contact us.
With so many ways to be part of parish life, you'll want to stay informed by regularly reading the weekly bulletin, just in case you've misplaced the one you received at Mass. You’ll also want to check the parish calendar for a list of events and mass schedules.
For several decades and in growing numbers, lay men and women have been undertaking a wide variety of roles in Church ministries. Many of these roles presume a significant degree of preparation, formation, and professional competence. They require the authorization of the hierarchy in order for the person to serve publicly in the local church. They entrust to laity responsibilities for leadership in particular areas of ministry and thereby draw certain lay persons into a close mutual collaboration with the pastoral ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons.
Our parish is a community and needs all its members to keep "the vineyard" strong and healthy. Please look through the list of ministries at St. John Neumann parish and thoughtfully consider donating your time and talent to one of these important areas of service:
Members of our Altar Guild meet as needed. This ministry cares for the linens, vestments, and altar. Members are also responsible for coordinating the altar cloth with the liturgical calendar (in consultation with the pastor) for decorating the church for Christmas, Easter and special occasions. Members check on supplies of candles, altar wine, altar breads, and general supplies. Members wash and iron linens used, check to see if vestments need cleaning, and weekly clean the sanctuary. Members of the Altar Guild may also serve as Sacristans.
Sacristans have three (3) main roles: Security; Mass Set-Up & Clean-Up and Mass Coordination. Sacristans will serve all three (3) roles each time they are scheduled as a Sacristan, although some of the roles may play a bigger part than others, depending on the Mass as scheduled:
Security: Sacristans are responsible for assuring proper treatment of the Holy Species, namely that of the Sacred Blood and Blessed Sacrament during and after the celebration. Sacristans are also responsible for keeping the Holy Tabernacle secure.
Mass Set-Up and Clean-Up: Sacristan duties vary slightly depending on the individual Mass scheduled and the presider scheduled. At every Mass, a Sacristan is responsible for setting up both the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which means preparing all the books, vessels, offertory and incense when appropriate (and in the absence of the permanent deacon),
Altar servers have a place of prominence and distinction in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. They assist the priest as he leads God's people in the great act of worship of God, our Father. Altar servers should strive to grasp the inner meaning of the Eucharist and the ceremonies which the Catholic Church devised to enhance the sacred meal.
The role of the altar server is to bring the assembly to a fuller understanding of the liturgy and so to a greater love for God. They do this through the actions they perform and by the way in which they perform their tasks. Their behavior can be a sign of their faith and their love for God and for God’s people.
Altar servers carry the processional cross, the processional candles, hold the sacred texts for the celebrant when he is not at the altar, carry the incense and censer, present the bread, win and water to the priest during the preparation of the gifts or assist him when he receives the gifts from the people, wash the hands of the priest, and assist the priest/celebrant and deacon, as necessary.
On August 12, 2012, Pope John Paul II addressed a gathering of young altar servers in Rome and in part, said,”…the altar server occupies a privileged place in the liturgical celebration. The altar server presents himself to a community and experiences firsthand that Jesus Christ is present and active in every liturgical act. Jesus is present when the community comes together to pray and render praise to God. Jesus is present in the Word of sacred Scripture. Jesus is present above all in the Eucharist under the signs and bread and wine. He acts through the priest who, in the person of Christ, celebrates the Holy Mass and administers the sacraments. Therefore, in the liturgy, you are much more than simple ‘helpers of the parish priest.” Above all, you are servers of Jesus Christ, of the eternal High Priest. Thus, you, altar servers, are called in particular to be young friends of Jesus. Be determined to go deeper and to cultivate this friendship with Him. You will discover that in Jesus you have found a true friend for life.”
Extraordinary Ministers for the distribution of the Eucharist are properly formed, instructed and commissioned laypersons. They could be male or female and should reflect the cultural diversity of their parish community. These ministers are appointed for a given parish community to aid in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. EMEs are to exercise their ministry only in their own parish or institution. EMEs should not perform any other liturgical ministry at the Mass at which they serve as an EME. When the situation requires, the presider of the Mass may call upon them to perform other duties such as lectors and acolytes.
In order for a person to be appointed as an Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, the following conditions must be met:
Be a fully initiated Catholic living in harmony with the teachings of the Church and be In the state of grace
Be of sufficient age and maturity to perform the duties of an EME at Mass
What is a Lector?
This ministry may also be called reader or proclaimer of the word. A lector is a person who proclaims the first or second reading at Mass. This person also may lead the Prayers to the Faithful at
Mass.
A lector must have the qualification listed below and have a desire to minister to this capacity at the eucharistic liturgy. This ministry in the Church requires a person who is of excellent character, and serious about the practice of their faith. The lector must believe that Sacred Scripture is the Word of God and have deep respect for God’s presence in that Word.
Who can be a Lector?
A man, a woman, or a young adult.
A person in full communion with the Catholic Church.
A person serious about the practice of their faith.
A person who is willing to complete a parish formation process.
The Sacred Scriptures, above all in their liturgical proclamation, are the source of life and strength. As the Apostle Paul attests. If you are interested in becoming a lector, please email us at [email protected]
Social Committee: LeeAnn Day (chairman) 716-457-4103
Parish Council: Jen Lingenfelter (President) 716-863-1731
Finance Council: Ed Hacket (chairman)
Maintenance (Buildings & Grounds): Duane Reisdorf 585-457-9362
Cursillo: Ed & Ruth Hacket 585-457-9853 or Michele Schubert 585-457-9699
Pastoral Outreach: Deacon John Zielinski 585-492-0820 (H) or 716-801-0001 (C)
Youth Ministry: Theresa Zielinski 585-492-0820
Faith Formation: Melissa Weisenburg (Director) 716-432-7160; Michele Schubert (Asst. Director) 585-457-6966
Prayer Chain: Michele Schubert 585-457-6966; Anne George 716-457-4103; or [email protected]