St. Mary's

Parish Ministries

Altar and Rosary Society
Altar Servers
Catholic Charities
Christian Formation
Christian Services
Evangelization Committee
Extraordinary Ministers
Finance and Administration
Friends of St. Luke
Greeters
Ladies of Charity
Ministers of Hospitality
Ministers of the Word
Ministry of Comfort
Music Ministry
Parish Pastoral Council
Sacristan
Split Club
Worship Committee

Altar and Rosary Society [ Top of Page ]

This ministry consists of dedicated women who assist with altar maintenance on a regular basis and minister to each other and to our parish through prayer in church and at parish funerals. Monthly meetings are held in the Parish Center.

Coordinator: Fran Staszak - 434-1461

Altar Servers [Top of Page]

Any boy or girl who has received First Communion may be an altar server. Altar servers assist the priest during Mass and are sometimes asked to serve at weddings. Training sessions usually take place in October.

Coordinator: Paula Provost - 438-0943

Catholic Charities [Top of Page ]

Catholic Charities was founded in 1924 as a multi-faceted social service agency to provide services to many needy Western New Yorkers of all ages. St. Mary's parishioners are proud to report that they have traditionally and consistently surpassed the Diocesan per capita Appeal goals. Even the method of collecting contributions has been streamlined, and just four volunteers now complete the previous efforts of 25 people who still remain available as needed during the campaign.

Coordinators: Brenda and Michael Ulrich - 433-6467
Eleanor and Fred Wascovich - 434-3451

Christian Formation [ Top of Page ]

The Christian Formation Committee coordinates Baptism preparation, Liturgy of the Word for children, pre-Cana, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), Confirmation, Vacation Bible School, religious education, and the sacramental and religious educational development of our parish.

Coordinator: Sharon Roussie - 439-0228

Baptism

Anyone seeking baptism for their child is required to attend baptismal preparation class. Please contact the parish office (716-434-6316) at least four months prior to the child's birth. The sacrament is administered after the Sunday liturgy.

Coordinator: Carol Costello - 433-0340

Pre-Cana

All couples planning to be married are required to complete preparation through the Pre-Cana program, "Perspectives in Marriage." Those seeking instruction should call the rectory (716-434-6316). Instruction is provided by a sponsor couple who will share their perspectives on various topics and issues of our culture that impact on Christian marriage and families in our society today.

Coordinator: Carol Costello - 433-0340

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Adults who are seeking to be baptized into the Catholic Christian community, or previously baptized but uncatechized adults seeking First Eucharist or Confirmat on, are provided preparation and instruction through RCIA.

Coordinator: Marcia Seibel - 688-0772

Religious Education

Classes are held on Saturday morning for grades 1-5 ; 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.and Monday evening from 7:00 - 8:00 p. m. for grades 6-9. All classes meet in the Parish Center. (Calendar / Registration Form)

Sacramental Preparation

Children are prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliationin second grade and for the Sacrament of First Eucharist in the third grade. Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of the student's junior year of high school.

Coordinator: Carol Costello - 433-0340

Christian Services [ Top of Page ]

This committee shares St. Mary's dedication to Christ's teaching to "Love your neighbor" with the wider community of Lockport and the world. The committee meets on the second Monday of every month, except July and August, at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Center. The Giving Tree is an annual Advent/Christmas tradition that invites parishioners to provide gifts for several Lockport organizations. CROPWalk is an annual fundraiser that provides food for those in need.

Coordinator: Chris Halvorson - 625-9420

Evangelization Committee [ Top of Page ]

The life-giving gospel message of love and hope is proclaimed through ministering to members of the parish and the community. Community-building events such as sacred concerts and stage presentations complement the Evangelization Committee's efforts to provide transportation to liturgies and parish activities through its Mass Transit program and providing nursery care during weekend Masses in the "Noah's Ark" room in the Parish Center. St. Mary's Website is the responsibility of this committee and endeavors to feature the many ministries and activities within the parish, providing parishioners and visitors the opportunity to learn more about St. Mary's reputation of warm hospitality and genuine caring.

Coordinator: Bernie Winter - 433-4071

Extraordinary Ministers [ Top of Page ]

Ministers assist the presiding priest at Mass with the distribution of the consecrated Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. New ministers are required to attend an instructional meeting and practice in the church. They are then scheduled to serve on a regular basis at one of the Masses and/or take the Eucharist to the sick and shut-ins.

Coordinator: Chris and Kathy Prucha - 439-0722

Finance and Administration [ Top of Page ]

The primary function of this committee is to provide oversight for the annual budget, to advise on administrative matters, and to maintain the parish facilities. The committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Parish Center.

Coordinator: Jim Smigelski - 433-0849

Friends of St. Luke's [ Top of Page ]

Members of St. Mary's Church work with St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, located on the east side of Buffalo, to provide monetary and spiritual support to the poverty-riddled neighborhoods surrounding the Mission. Money is raised to fund the various needs of the Mission; food, clothing, and furniture is made available to the deprived; religious education is taught to the children; volunteers assist is running the Mission's summer camp; and prayer and spiritual conferences are used to build up the lives of all participants.

Greeters [ Top of Page ]

This ministry provides a welcoming environment for parishioners and visitors. Greeters assemble in the church vestibule prior to liturgical services to welcome those who enter St. Mary's Church.

Coordinator: Mary Alice Stroehlein - 433-6106

Ladies of Charity [ Top of Page ]

Some of the charitable works undertaken by the members include donating clothing to the needy, layettes for infants, crocheting of bibs for laryngectomy patients throughout Niagara and Erie counties, donation of needed household articles, and gifts for children and homebound elderly at Christmas.

Coordinator: Peg Smith - 434-3706

Ministers of Hospitality [ Top of Page ]

The Ministers of Hospitality attend to the congregation by assisting in seating and taking up the collection. They also assist in preparations prior to Mass: lighting, collection baskets, bulletins, and gift table. They are also alert to any emergency needs that may occur.

Coordinators: 4:30 p.m. Mass - Ed Forness - 433-8242
10 a.m. Mass - Gerry Dembrowicz - 692-8394

Ministers of the Word [ Top of Page ]

The Ministers of the Word strive to make the Word of God present and alive in the liturgy. Workshops are held periodically to improve the ministers' ability to proclaim the Word of the Lord. The coordinator arranges to schedule two readers for each weekend Mass and for special services.

Coordinator: Vickie Richardson - 778-5668

Ministry of Comfort [ Top of Page ]

Teams of volunteers provide consolation, comfort, and practical assistance to parish families experiencing the death of a loved one. Assistance can include selecting music and Scripture readings for the funeral Mass or memorial service and coordinating a brunch in the Parish Centerfor family and friends.

Coordinator: Donna Santarsiero - 433-3002

Music Ministry [ Top of Page ]

4:30 p.m. (Saturday)

The Saturday Folk Ensemble rehearses Thursday evenings at 7 p.m., except for July and August.

10 a.m. (Sunday)

Choir rehearsals are held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday, except for July and August. The choir performs a variety of music in four-part harmony, both classical and contemporary. Members have presented Lessons and Carols and Christmas performances in the community. Reading music is not necessary as the choir consists of strong leaders in each section to assist those who may not be certain of their parts.

Director: Melissa Coleman - 778-9461

Parish Pastoral Council [ Top of Page ]

The Parish Pastoral Council consists of twelve parishioners plus ex officio members. It functions as an advisory body to the pastor and shares in the leadership of the parish community. The spiritual renewal and growth of the community is an important focus of the council. By assessing the needs of the parish, and developing plans to meet those needs, the council strives to strengthen the parish community's experience of faith. Members are selected for a three-year term through the process of prayerful selection. Regular council meetings are held bi-monthly on the second Tuesday of the odd months at 7 p.m. in the ParishCenter.

Sacristan [Top of Page ]

Assisted by other volunteers, the church sacristan oversees the physical components that are essential in the celebration of the Eucharist and other services: candles, linens, flowers; and coordinates the regular cleaning of the interior of the church.

Sacristan: Doris Stump - 731-5230

Split Club [Top of Page]

For over 40 years, the Split Club has provided an additional source of parish revenue through the sale of $20 tickets. Two campaigns are run each year and include weekly drawings and a grand prize of at the end of each campaign.

Coordinator: Joe Santarsiero - 433-3002

Worship Committee [Top of Page ]

Sitting on the committee are the coordinators of the various ministries that contribute to litu gical celebrations, including Altar Servers, Extraordinary Ministers, Ministers of the Word, Music Ministers, and Sacristan. A subcommittee of the Worship Committee is the Liturgy Planning Committee that plans the worship environment for each liturgical season and for other celebrations.

Coordinator: Marcia Seibel - 688-0772