"Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God."

Leo Buscaglia

Our ministries are always looking for volunteers to serve our parishes. Welcomers, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, proclaimers of the Word, decorators, altar servers are just some of the many opportunities for you to explore. Please complete the Ministries form and return it in the collection basket at your parish or scan it to return by email to Annie Ferrera: [email protected]

Our grateful thanks to you for your former sharing of time and giftedness which you gave generously to your parish family. 

May God continue to bless you and your family. 

Click HERE to access ministry form.

For information or to volunteer for any of these ministries, please call the parish office at 519 336-2653.

MUSIC MINISTRY
Music serves to excite, create, challenge, and unite us in prayer. Far beyond the spoken word, music helps to put a voice to our faith and enables us to be touched by the very mysteries of God as we unite together in prayer. Ministers of Music lead and encourage the assembly in song and support the liturgical action through music. The ministry of music enlists both choir members and instrumentalists to support the sung prayer of the community. Several choirs serve our worshipping faith community.

FUNERAL CHOIR
The funeral choir provides a very important ministry as they lead the assembly in song (most often hymns selected by the family) as they celebrate the Mass of Resurrection and new life for their loved ones. New members are always welcome and are contacted by phone or email when a funeral comes up. Choir practice is held the morning of the funeral.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

HOSPITALITY & GREETERS
The Ministers of Hospitality represent the welcoming face of our community. They are graced with the opportunity to extend Christ’s love in this way to both friend and stranger. Ministers of Hospitality welcome those who gather for the celebration, assist people to their seats, pass out hymnals when necessary, care for any needs (e.g. emergencies), take up the collection, and distribute bulletins at the end of Mass.

RCIA
Our entire parish community is called by God to respond to those inquiring about initiation into the Catholic faith with hospitality, prayer, and witness. Each of us is gifted in different ways to be instruments of God’s love as we welcome and walk with those coming to know Jesus more intimately during their discernment of initiation into the Church. Please take to prayer how you might be called by God to participate.  Could you contribute with your gifts of hospitality or intercessory prayer?  Might you serve as a sponsor or as a catechist at our weekly gatherings?  Are you called to invite participation and inclusion into ministries in which you already participate?  In whatever ways you feel called to participate, your contribution matters.

ALTAR SERVERS
Altar Servers assist the priest in all aspects of the liturgical celebration. The actions of these individuals highlight the ceremony and ritual that are so much a part of the liturgy that we celebrate. Servers lead the procession of the liturgy by carrying the cross and candles, hold the prayer book for the priest, and help to prepare the altar for communion. The servers help to ensure that the liturgy unfolds with grace and dignity.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY
This faith-centred program for children is offered at some Sunday Masses, for children in JK to grade 2. The children learn about the liturgy of the day, pray, sing and make a simple craft related to the Gospel reading. Adult and high school leaders are needed and are scheduled regularly. Materials and training are provided for volunteers.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS of HOLY COMMUNION
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest by distributing the Holy Eucharist to the congregation. Ministers are scheduled based on their individual preferences in terms of Mass times and their availability during holiday periods. Training will be provided to anyone who joins this rewarding ministry. It is a wonderful opportunity to participate in the liturgical celebration, serve the parish, and join a team of committed parishioners. The requirements for this ministry are: a practicing Catholic and regular church attendance.

At Mass
In every celebration of the Eucharist, there should be a sufficient number of ministers of Holy Communion so that it may be distributed in a reverent and orderly manner. Bishops, priests and deacons distribute Holy Communion in virtue of their office as ordinary ministers of the Body and Blood of the Lord.  When the size of the congregation or the incapacity of the bishop, priest, or deacon requires it, the celebrant may be assisted by other bishops, priests, or deacons. If such ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are not present, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal #162 says, "the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose. In case of necessity, the priest may also depute suitable faithful for this single occasion."
We are truly grateful to the men and women of our parishes who take this awesome responsibility and ministry upon themselves to serve us.

MINISTRY to the HOMEBOUND
Holy Communion is brought regularly to parishioners that are homebound, in nursing homes and hospitals. Once trained, volunteers shadow homebound teams until they are comfortable visiting the homebound.

If you know any individuals of the parish who are not able to join us for Sunday liturgy because of infirmity or age and would like to receive Holy Communion, kindly contact the Family of Parishes office.

BEREAVEMENT TEAM
Walking with each other in times of bereavement is one of the most important things we are called to do. The members of the bereavement team assist families with the liturgical planning (music, readings, etc.) of funeral masses and prayer services. Please consider joining this very important and rewarding ministry.


CARING & SHARING
This ministry offers spiritual comfort and support to parishioners who are aged, sick, and/or bereaved in our parish community, at home and in hospital. We bring communion to the parishioners unable to attend Mass. Outreach includes visits, cards and flowers, nursing home masses, social activities and such. There are annual annointing masses in the spring and fall. We welcome new members in whatever capacity they wish to serve.


PASTORAL VISIT
Please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office if you or someone you know wishes to receive a pastoral visit.