St. Mary's offers many services to our parishioners, as well as opportunities to become involved. Whether you are new to the parish or are a "regular," there are many ways for you to serve your parish and meet others at St. Mary's. Check each category, then please contact any of the following if you want to volunteer, or are in need of a service.
ADOPT-A-FLOWERBED
Adopt-A-Flowerbed group is men and women who volunteer to provide for
and maintain the flowerbeds on the parish and school grounds during the
growing season. Contact person is Mary Kestel at 732-2051.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
ADOPT-A-FLOWERBED MEMBERS
ADOPT-A-LAWN
This is a new ministry the parish would like to begin in an effort
to save on labor costs for lawn mowing. We are looking for individuals
willing to mow sections of the parish and church grounds during the mowing
season. Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
MOWERS
ADULT CHOIR
This group of volunteer singers provide music for weekend masses from
September through May. Annual highlights include providing music at the Midnight
Christmas Liturgy and the Easter Vigil Liturgy. Rehearsals are generally
Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Contact person is Fr. Bruce
at 732-3110 Ext. 16 or balawler1@aol.com.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
ADULT CHOIR MEMBER
BAND INSTRUMENT
STRING INSTRUMENT
PERCUSSION-Timpani/Bells
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The St. Mary’s Alumni Association works with staff to help promote
St. Mary’s Schools and provide services and events for graduates of St.
Mary’s High School. The board sponsors the St. Mary’s Annual Appeal, homecoming
events, the All-School Reunion and other activities. This board meets on
Monday evenings approximately every other month. Contact person is Dawn
Prosser at 732-3110 Ext. 15 or smalumni@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
BOARD MEMBERS
ENVELOPE STUFFING – help to stuff envelopes for a morning in
the fall for the appeal, or in the spring for a second appeal mailing.
PHONE-A-THON VOLUNTEERS – Assist in contacting alumni in the
spring for the appeal
ALL-SCHOOL REUNION VOLUNTEERS – Assist in set up and clean up
for the summer reunion event.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
This committee was established by Fr. Paul Arts to be an advisory group
to the St. Mary’s Finance Council in regards to the maintenance, upkeep
and miscellaneous small projects of the church property. Buildings and
Grounds takes charge of those projects which can be done by volunteers.
An example would be the sidewalk replacement over the past several years.
Currently the committee is working with Fr. Bruce to solicit
and examine bids for a new church roof and heating and cooling system.
Both past and current members of this committee are very dedicated
to St. Mary’s Parish and have contributed much time and talent. We welcome
new members who would like to be part of this group. Contact person is
Tim Smith at work 732-1619 or at home 732-2561 or the Parish Offices at
732-3110.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS – assist in advising the pastor and
completing volunteer maintenance projects around the church and school.
CARITAS CHOIR
This group of singers provides music for parish funerals as needed
throughout the year. They also perform on some special occasions. Rehearsal
times are the first and third Monday mornings of each month at 10 a.m. Contact
person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 16 or
balawler1@aol.com
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
CARITAS CHOIR MEMBER
CEMETERY BOARD
The main responsibility of the 10-member cemetery board is the maintenance
and upkeep of St. Mary’s Cemetery. The board keeps the grass mowed, trees
trimmed and keeping old and faded grave decorations picked up. The board
is also responsible for the sale of burial sites and record keeping of
ownership and opening and closing of graves for funerals.
A recent improvement of recordkeeping has been the addition of
a new Gateway computer to our office in the lower level of the convent.
Our current board members are: John O’Leary, Bill Lange, Fred Jansen, Leo
Strait, Ray Brady, Don Linnan, Paul Merten, Pat Lenhart, Mike Lenhart and
Fr. Bruce Lawler. Contact person is Leo Strait at 732-6039.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
BOARD MEMBERS
VOLUNTEERS
CONFIRMATION
In our parish, this is a 2-year program for the sophomores and juniors
of our parish with Confirmation itself in the spring of the Junior year.
Year I (sophomores) includes classes in scripture through St. Mary’s School
or the Religious Ed Program. Year II (juniors) consists of monthly
discussions (usually the first Sunday night of the month) concerning different
elements of the Sacrament of Confirmation, a Retreat, meetings with their
sponsor, and an interview with Fr. Bruce to determine readiness to receive
the sacrament. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
CONFIRMATION TEAM – Adults who help lead discussions during
Year II and also help with
the practical things during the retreat.
TREAT COORDINATOR – is responsible for calling parents of Year
II candidates to bring
snacks for the Sunday night meetings.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
This group prepares the church environment to enhance the different
liturgical seasons. The volunteers assist the committee director in hanging
banners, decorating the altar and areas of the church as the liturgical
seasons change. Contact person is Kathy Pomrenke at 732-3754.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Parish Eucharistic Ministers help to distribute the body and
blood of Christ at weekend and weekday masses. Eucharistic Ministers are
commissioned for this ministry and are required to attend a training prior
to serving. Contact Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
WEEKDAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
WEEKEND EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
FAITH DISCUSSION GROUP
Meets Wednesday mornings 9-10 a.m. to discuss various faith topics
– often using videos from the Diocese. Last year we watched excellent
videos on how some of the books of the Bible came to be written.
Saints was another topic we investigated – especially: Romero, Dorothy
Day, Mother Theresa of Calcutta as well as some of the mystics and martyrs.
From 10-11 a.m., the group reads and discusses paragraphs from the
new Catechism of the Catholic Church. Last year we covered the paragraphs
on Prayer. The coming year we will be studying the paragraphs on
the creed, talking in detail about the beliefs of the Catholic Church.
Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net.
FAITH FORMATION BOARD
Advisory group for programs of faith formation including: Welcome Your
Child, His Little Ones,
Religious Ed classes, Confirmation, Faith Discussion Group, RCIA, etc.
Meets monthly with the Pastoral Minister to help plan events and provide
suggestions for improving the programs. Contact person is Cary Brown at
732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
BOARD MEMBERS – a representative of each group involved to be
active in advising staff.
GIFT BEARERS
Individuals and families present the bread and wine to the presider
during weekend liturgies. Contact the Parish Offices at 732-3110.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
GIFT BEARERS
GOOD SAMARITANS
Good Samaritans is a ministry of Holy Communion to the sick and confined.
This ministry has ancient roots dating back to the second century. The
purpose was to show those who couldn’t be present at the Sunday mass that
they were embraced and included in the worship of the assembly. It was
not meant to replace visits of the priest, but to increase the number of
visits by the community to its sick and confined members.
The most appropriate way for this ministry to be exercised is
after the worship of the assembly on Sunday. This enables them to share
in the assembly’s Eucharistic meal. The bonds you form can be a real source
of contact with the worshiping church. Vicki Baxter is the contact person/coordinator
of the Good Samaritans – 732-3570.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
GOOD SAMARITANS – providing communion for the sick and homebound.
GUILD
Women of the parish including graduating seniors are already precious
members of the Guild. Your ideas are welcomed and very much appreciated for the
betterment of not only the church but for each other. The Guild works to
maintain parish property, provides funeral dinners, parish receptions and hosts
St. Mary’s Bazaar in the fall. Contact person is Cheryl Lange at 273-5443.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
BOARD MEMBERS – attend quarterly meetings of the Guild at the
Knights of Columbus Hall.
QUILITING CIRCLE
CIRCLE CHAIRS
.
HOSPITALITY MINISTERS
Ministers of hospitality are St. Mary’s parishioners who extend hospitality
to the parish family as they enter the church for worship. They assist worship
by distributing collection baskets for parishioners to extend their treasures at
parish celebrations. Ministers are asked to display warmth and generosity and
offer a gracious welcome to every parishioner entering or exiting the church for
the weekend masses. Contact Anne Smith at 732-3110 Ext. 10
parishstm@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
HOSPITALITY MINISTERS
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus is a service organization of Catholic men.
The KCs is an active group completing many projects throughout the parish
this year. In summer 2002, the Knights replaced tile and leveled the floor
in the school kitchen with some financial assistance from the Guild. August
2002, the Knights sponsored a trip to Boji Bay for altar servers from Storm
Lake, Schaller and Early in appreciation of the time and talent from these
young people.
December 2002 – the group sponsored two families in the “Adopt-A-Family”
program. January 2003, the KCs held a Marian Hour prayer service after
the noon Spanish mass to aide in integrating our two cultures. The group
also held their free throw contest in January. This winter, the group hosted
area priests at a Deanery meeting in conjunction with the Guild.
Spring events included a KC spelling bee contest – Justin Cullen went
on to win at the KC State Competition. Two $250 scholarships were awarded
to children and grandchildren of members. The Knights hosted a cookout
for St. Mary’s school children.
The nights also raised thousands for the school with the bingo program,
sponsored a DARE breakfast and held a fund drive for the mentally challenged.
Contact person is Brad Gibbins at 295-7022..
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
COUNCIL MEMBERS
LECTORS
These individuals prepare to read the assigned scripture of the
day aloud at weekend, weekday and funeral masses. Lectors are asked to
study the readings before mass. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160
or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
SATURDAY NIGHT LECTOR
SUNDAY 8 A.M. LECTOR
SUNDAY 10 A.M. LECTOR
WEEKDAY MORNING LECTOR
WEEKDAY FUNERAL LECTOR
WEEKEND FUNERAL LECTOR
LEGION OF MARY
The Legion of Mary Presidium was organized in 1964 with about a dozen
charter members – one is still current. The Legion of Mary today has five
members – four of which hold an office. After attending meetings for three
months, members take a Legion Promise addressed to the Holy Spirit. After
this, full membership is granted.
This group meets weekly and spend at least two hours of evangelization
work each week, visiting the hospital, nursing homes, fallen-away Catholics,
the ill, sympathy calls, new babies, new RCIA members and new parish members.
Legion of Mary also has about 100 praying members who are visited at least
once a year. All Legion of Mary work is kept confidential.
Legion of Mary members pray the rosary for all parish members at the
funeral home the day before the funeral if the family desires, and also
the morning before the funeral. Members also fold the pall after all funerals.
Members maintain the little shrine at the front entrance of the church
filled with rosaries for anyone who needs them. They also call for volunteers
to say the rosary before all of the Sunday masses.
Recent, one party that the Legion of Mary visited came back into the
church after a 20-year absence, with his wife joining the church later.
Members are also working on other cases.
A group of Legion of Mary Presidium from our area staffed the Legion
of Mary booth at the Clay County Fair for many years until health issues
made it impossible. At that time, over one thousand rosaries and pamphlets
were distributed. Contact person is Julia Adams at 732-3545.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
LEGION OF MARY MEMBERS
PRAYER MEMBERS
LITURGY COMMITTEE
This group helps plan liturgies and writes the Call to Worship, Penitential
Rite, and General Intercessions. Members assist the pastor in preparing
for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter celebrations. This group also
assists in collating worship aides and making phone calls. Meetings are
held on Tuesday evenings throughout the year. Cary Brown at 732-5160
or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
WRITERS
PHONE CALLERS—Contact people to help with the liturgies.
WORSHIP AIDE—Collate and staple the worship aides that will
be used at masses.
MARRIAGE SPONSOR COUPLE
Sponsor couples meet with engaged couples preparing for marriage. A
prepared format is used as a guide for the volunteer couples. Contact person
is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
SPONSOR COUPLES
MONEY COUNTERS
The money counters are assigned one month out of the year to county money
after the 10 a.m. Sunday mass. There are currently three people scheduled for
each month. Duties would include sorting envelopes in numerical order, recording
currency and completing deposit slips. This procedure only takes about 1 ½ hours
to complete. Contact person is Sr. Josita at 732-3110 Ext. 12 or
smbulletin@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
MONEY COUNTERS – processing the weekend collections.
ORGANIST/PIANIST
These musicians provide keyboard accompaniment at weekend liturgies on a
rotating basis. Instruction is provided. Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13 or
balawler1@aol.com.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
ORGANIST/PIANIST
PRAYER LINE
The Prayer Line is a telephone tree and an e-mail system for
particular prayer requests. Parish members can contact the prayer line
members with their requests. We have 12 phone lines and an e-mail prayer
line. Membership requires that you pass on the prayer request to one other
person (given to you by the leaders) and remember the intention in prayer.
Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
PHONE PRAYER LINE
EMAIL PRAYER LINE
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
RCIA is a faith journey for those wanting to learn more about the Catholic
Religion – or to “brush up” on their Catholic faith. Candidates,
sponsors, spouses, and any parishioners who are interested are invited
to attend. Classes begin in September – Thursday evenings from 7-8:30
p.m. – until Easter. Topics such as the Bible, Church History, Sacraments,
Liturgical Year, and Prayer are discussed. Contact person is Cary Brown
at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
RCIA TEAM – leads discussion about various topics
SPONSOR – Someone who journeys with a candidate, attends classes with
them, introduces them
to people in parish, bring them to parish events, etc.
TREATS – Volunteers who provide treats for classes – how often
depends on how many people
volunteer.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Classes about the Catholic faith for children of the parish, Kindergarten
through tenth grade, held on Wednesday evenings from 7-8 p.m. September
through April. Opportunities for celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
mass, and service are included. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160
or cary@iw.net.
Kindergarten – God loves me
1st Grade – God’s creation
2nd Grade – 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion
3rd Grade – the Church
4th Grade – the Sacraments
5th Grade – the Creed
6th Grade – the Bible
7th Grade – the Catholic Faith
8th Grade – Living the Catholic Faith
9th Grade – Sacraments
10th Grade – Year 1 of Confirmation preparation – focuses on the Bible
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
TEACHERS – Lead classes using manuals/textbooks provided
AIDES – help with discipline and activities in classroom
OFFICE HELPERS – Comes at 6 p.m. helps to make copies as needed,
unlock classroom doors,
take attendance, other activities as needed.
WORKING COMMITTEE – helps with various needs of the RE program:
First Reconciliation or
First Communion receptions, fund-raising if needed, teacher appreciation
party, recruiting teachers/aides, etc.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
These classes are for older children, who for one reason or another,
have been baptized but have not made their First Reconciliation and/or
First Communion. The small group meets once a week for about 6 weeks
before their First Reconciliation and once a week for about 8 weeks before
their First Communion.
Materials that are appropriate for the age of the participants are
provided. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
TEACHERS – lead small classes of 3-4 students. (Time to be determined
by teacher and students).
ST. MARY’S BALL AND CHARITY AUCTION
Volunteers help in many areas to plan and organize the March
charity auction for the community. This fund-raiser benefits St. Mary’s
preK-12 school. The ball includes live and silent auctions, a raffle, dinner,
dance and other different features from year-to-year. Contact person is
Dawn Prosser at 732-3110 Ext. 15 or smalumni@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
AUCTION ITEM ACQUSITION – help to solicit individuals and businesses
for item contributions for the auction.
DECORATIONS – help to plan and set up decorations for the event and
clean up afterwards.
ENVELOPE STUFFING – spend a morning stuffing envelopes for the fall
college t-shirt mailing, the fall raffle mailing or winter ticket sales
mailing.
RAFFLE TICKET SALES – help to sell $100 raffle tickets in the fall.
TICKET SALES FOLLOW UP – help to call parishioners and community members
to encourage ticket sales to the event and ensure all received their invitations.
VOLUNTEERS AT THE BALL – bid-spotting, presenting items, set-up, clerking,
welcoming guests, etc.
SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
Volunteers help at St. Mary’s Schools when convenient for all.
Workers can help with special events and parties for students, help with
clerical projects or other areas. Contact the school administrative offices
at 732-1856 or 732-4166.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
VOLUNTEER
SURSUM CORDA
Sursum Corda is a prayer group that meets Monday afternoons in the
convent. Contact person is Lorraine Peterson at 732-3560.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
SURSUM CORDA MEMBER
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is an exciting week of helping the kids to learn
Bible stories through various experiences: crafts, games, snacks, music,
and classes. VBS is usually held in June. We’ve been using
the materials from Group Inc., which are very well organized and very “user-friendly”!
Each day all of the activities from the crafts to the music to the
games to the bible adventure to the video class all focused on the same
point. Each time the point for the day was said, the kids responded
with a loud OK!!!!! Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
CO-DIRECTOR – works with staff in organizing the VBS experience,
recruits leaders and aides
PRESCHOOL LEADER – works with staff in organizing the VBS experience,
recruits aides
CRAFTS LEADER – determines crafts to be created, what we need
donated, leads craft sessions
BIBLE ADVENTURES LEADER – teaches class on bible story for the
day, usually role-playing
SNACKS LEADER – determines snacks for each day, what we need
donated, makes phone calls
for donations, leads snack sessions
GAMES LEADER – determines games for the day and leads sessions
MUSIC LEADER – leads singing in church at beginning and end of
day and leads music sessions
VIDEO DISCUSSION LEADER – leads discussions based on short video
provided by company
PUBLICITY – does promotion for bible school
DECORATIONS – takes care of decorating classrooms, parish center,
and entry way according to
the theme for VBS that summer
WELCOME YOUR CHILD
Baptism is not just a one-time event. It is a constant blessing
and source of grace for those who receive the sacrament for the entirety
of their lives. Our Baptismal call to become like Christ deepens
as we grow. This experience helps parents to understand what it means
to ask for their child’s Baptism.
The day also includes discussion on family spirituality, marriage enrichment,
and child development.
Classes are held quarterly (July, October, January, and April) on Saturday
from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or
cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
TEAM MEMBERS – to help lead the discussions. Training and
manual is provided.