One Cathedral Square
Altoona, PA 16601
(814) 944 4603

Liturgical Ministries

Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist: A fully initiated Catholics, male or female (18 years of age and older), who with the approval of the Bishop, assist the Presider in the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ.  The Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist serve at Mass and may take the Eucharist to the homebound.
Reader: A fully initiated Catholic, male or female, qualified and prepared to proclaim the readings to the faithful.
Commentator: In the absence of a deacon, the commentator leads the assembly in the Prayer of the Faithful.
Altar Server: Assist the Presider during the celebration of Liturgy.  This ministry is open to both youth and adults, both male and female.
Gift Bearer: Families and individuals present the bread and wine to the Presider on behalf of the assembly.
Greeters: Welcome people as they enter the Church for Liturgy.
Ushers: Provide hospitality to the members of the assembly.  Responsible for seating people and collecting the monetary contribution of the assembly.  Also serve any emergency needs of the assembly.

Music Ministries

Cantor: Leads the assembly in sung prayer.
Psalmist: A fully initiated Catholic, who leads the assembly in the responsorial psalm.
Choir: Assist the assembly in prayer through song.  An Adult Choir (Adults and high school students) and a Youth Choir (students in grades 3 to 8) are available.
Instrumentalists: Share their gift of a particular musical instrument during Liturgy.

Education Ministries

Catechist: Adults and fully initiated teens who assist the Director of Religious Education (D.R.E.)  in passing on the Catholic faith and traditions.  Catechists often work with another adult to "team teach" or function as a small group facilitator, or guide intergenerational groups of parents and students in our high school program.
Office Aide: Parents assist the D.R.E. with practical help such as answering the phone, recording weekly attendance, making photocopies, distributing family handouts and helping with mail.
Substitute Teacher: In the absence of the fulltime catechist, a substitute would teach the class with the help of directions given in advance by the catechist or D.R.E.
Teacher Aide: Adults and teens assist the fulltime catechist and students on Sunday mornings with arts and crafts projects, reading, learning prayers and discussion of the Sunday Gospel.
Vacation Bible School: Annual three day activity during the third week of June.  Can involve working in small groups, assisting with basic Bible lessons, art and crafts, prayer, music, snacks and games.  Adults are also needed to help with planning sessions.
Youth Activities: Often assisted by the parish staff (clergy and lay), adults and fully initiated youth will plan and coordinate spiritual, recreational, and musical activities for students in grades six through twelve.

 

Sacramental Preparation

Baptismal Preparation Team: Members assist the pastor and deacon with family catechesis on the sacrament itself, prayerful instruction on the Rite of Baptism, and liturgical assistance throughout the celebration of the Rite of Baptism, normally celebrated at Mass.
First Penance and Eucharist Team: Members assist the pastor and director of religious education (D.R.E.) with the candidate and family formation retreat model.  The team assists with immediate preparation prior to the celebration of the sacrament. Candidates are usually in the second grade.
Confirmation/Youth Ministry Team: Members assist the pastor and director of religious education (D.R.E.) with the candidate and family formation retreat model.  The team assists with immediate preparation prior to the celebration of the sacrament. Candidates are normally in grades nine, ten, and eleven, and receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the Easter season of their eleventh grade.
Christian Initiation Team: Members assist the pastor and director of religious education in various roles to implement the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Marriage Preparation Team: Team members (usually married couples) assist the clergy in presenting three sessions of Marriage Preparation to engaged couples.
Sponsor Couples: Approved and trained married couples meet individually with engaged couples approaching the Sacrament of Marriage.

Service Ministries

Bereavement Ministry:   
Luncheon Servers/Food Providers: Assist in providing a meal for families following the Funeral Mass.  The hospitality of a meal and prayerful presence aids in the Parish's desire to be a part of the grief and healing process for families of the deceased. 
Bereavement Support: Those struggling with the loss of a loved one are invited to gather for this peer to peer ministry of caring and support.
Confraternity of Christian Mothers: An educational, prayer and social group, the confraternity hosts a monthly luncheon meeting, participates in an annual Thanksgiving fund drive for the needy, collects money for the missions, sends greeting cards to the sick and sponsors the annual parish May Crowning.
Collection of Food for the Needy: Non-perishable food items, paper products, and cleaning products are collected in bins at all the church doors and distributed to those in need.
Help for the Needy: Several collections and  activities directly support those who are in need locally and at our sister parish St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town, Jamaica.  Activities include the sponsoring of families at Christmas, the Ash Wednesday Fish Fry and the Soup & Noodle Sale.
Twinning Project: Work to help develop our relationship with our sister parish of St. Margaret Mary in Lionel Town, Jamaica.  Includes fundraising, collecting needed supplies, prayer and visiting the parish.
Outreach to the Homebound and Senior Citizens: Parish members develop, coordinate and implement programs to take love, support and the talents of our parish to those separated because of age or illness.  Spiritual and social assistance is also provided.

Social Ministries

Welcoming New Parishioners: We welcome new parishioners through a home visit and provide information on the many opportunities available to become involved in parish life.
Assisting with Parish Socials: Help to host the parties, dinners, and other special activities of the parish throughout the year.
Sacrament Celebrations: Help in the celebration of the sacramental life of the parish with appropriate receptions and dinners.
Public Relations: Taking photographs or writing up a particular Parish event or activity for submission to the Catholic Register or Parish Website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

Outreach to Inactive Catholics:    This initiative involves reaching out to alienated and "fallen away" Catholics.  Parish and diocesan gatherings, educational efforts, and prayer focus on healing, reconciliation and welcoming our brothers and sisters to the Church.
Ecumenism Committee:    This initiative involves reaching out and inviting our fellow Christian brothers and sisters in the local community to share a common vision of the church.