Ministries

 

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

Altar Servers

Altar servers assist at the weekend Masses, funerals and special liturgies.  Training sessions are held as needed.  Please view the Guidelines for Altar Servers for additional information.  If you are interested in learning more about altar serving please contact Father John Rice at 304-422-6786.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest in distributing Communion during Mass, or bringing the sacred Body and Blood of Christ to those who are confined to their homes or nursing homes and some do both.  Please view the Guidelines for Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for additional information.  If you are interested in learning more about becoming an Extraordinary Minister please contact Father John Rice at 304-422-6786.

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick/Homebound

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound are regularly appointed Eucharistic Ministers at St. Francis parish.  These ministers have volunteered to bring the Body of Christ to those unable to receive in any other manner.  There are several levels of visiting the sick.  You can visit, you can visit and take Communion or you can visit by phone simply making a telephone call

To proclaim God's word in the midst of the assembly and to minister the Eucharist to one's brothers and sisters are honored services in the believing community.  Those who carry Holy Communion to the sick and persons otherwise confined, therefore, continue the community's act of worship.  They extend the community's embrace to include those unable to be physically present.  This is truly a spiritually rewarding experience for all involved.  If you are interested in learning more about becoming an Eucharistic Minster to the Sick/Homebound, please contact Sally McDonie at 304-428-2651.

Lectors

The lectors proclaim the Word of God.  The first and second readings of the Mass are usually by lectors.  Training is offered periodically for those interested, and lectors are then scheduled for weekend masses.  Please view the Guidelines for Lectors for additional information. If you are interested in becoming a lector, please feel free to talk with any volunteer at any daily mass.

 

MUSIC MINISTRY

Cantors/Leaders of Song

Cantors/Leaders of Song lead the songs during the liturgy while encouraging the congregation to participate.  If you have a good voice, can read music, and are comfortable singing and speaking before an audience, please consider helping to lead the music at our liturgies.  If you are interested in learning more about becoming Cantors/Leaders of Song, please feel free to contact Penny Petigrew at 304-610-5811.

Choir

The Choir welcomes all members of the parish.  The Choir is always looking for new members who not only sing but who also enjoy the camaraderie and fun that is a large part of this ministry.  The Choir sings every Sunday for the 10:30 a.m. mass.  The Choir also sings at the Midnight mass on Christmas Eve and for other selected liturgical events during the year. New members are always welcome. Practice is held every Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. in the church.  If you are interested in participating in the Choir, please feel free to contact Penny Petigrew at 304-610-5811.

Funeral Choir

Music at a funeral can bring tremendous comfort to the family and church members.  Members are drawn from several parishes and sign at Catholic funerals in area churches, normally on weekday mornings.  If you are interested in participating in the Funeral Choir, please feel free to contact Vernola Augenstein at 740-423-8344.

 

HOSPITALITY AND SOCIAL MINISTRIES

Ushers

The ushers welcome people to our church home.  The ushers help people find seats, select gift bearers, and take up collections.  They also distribute bulletins after mass.  If you are interested in more information, please feel free to contact Father John Rice at 304-422-6786.

Welcome and Hospitality Ministry

The Welcome team meets new members of our parish and welcomes them to our parish family.  Team members arrange to visit those who've newly registered in the parish, and explore areas of the parish that may be of interest to the new members.  They explain the ministries of the church and help connect the new members to a ministry they may be interested in.  The Welcoming team also visits and encourages those struggling in the parish by letting them know that the parish family cares about them.  This team meets once a month to exchange good news and to get new names.

The Hospitality team is called upon to arrange social gatherings and celebratory receptions, such as Easter Vigil and first communion.  This ministry does not have regular meetings and are called upon when needed.  They are always looking for new members as many hands make for light work.

If you are interested in participating in either the Welcoming or Hospitality Ministry, please feel free to contact Shirley Smith at 740-516-9411 or by email at shirleys9411@aol.com

Rosary Altar Society

The Rosary Altar members are engaged in social, spiritual and service activities.  The Rosary Altar Society helps fund the altar flowers and varied needs in the parish.  Some members volunteer for very light cleaning in the church and maintaining the altar linens.  From September to June members meet once a month.  The Rosary making workshop and prayer shawl ministry are monthly activities.  The religious item gift shop is operated by the members after the Saturday evening and Sunday morning masses.  Members also lead the rosary before every weekend mass.  All women in the parish are invited to join the Rosary Altar Society.  If you are interested in learning more about eh Rosary Altar Society, please feel free to contact Anita Petrella at 304-481-3222. 

Catholics For Life

Catholics for Life is a pro-life group whose mission is to promote a culture of life by working for the protection and reverence of human life from conception to natural death.  They provide education and awareness of the variety of issues including abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, and disabilities according to Church teaching.  Catholics for Life meets monthly at St. Francis Xavier parish hall.  If you are interested in learning more about this ministry, please call Sunny Murray at 304-482-6193 or Katie Walters at 304-861-5354. 

Prayer Ministery

This ministry is composed of those who pray daily for the needs in the parish.  If you have an urgent need of prayer please call Wanda Christopher at 304-485-5834 or Sara Daniels at 304-485-5344.

SERVICE MINISTRIES

Food Pantry

The whole parish is invited to be part of this ministry.  Contribute non-perishable items and bring them to the parish hall.  Needed items can be found in the weekly bulletin.  If you have any questions, please contact the parish office at 304-422-6786.

Stone Soup Kitchen

Every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center, volunteers prepare meals for all who wish to come.  Hungry people are treated to a meal served with friendliness and compassion.  This ministry represents a collaboration among Catholic Charities WV, St. Francis Xavier, St. Margaret Mary, St. Michael, and St. Monica's.  These parishes provide donations and volunteers to assist.  If you would like to help, please call Val Kula at 304-424-9339 or John Towner at 304-422-0662.  Once you compete the Virtus Training (see Growing in Faith for additional info on Virtus Training), you will be scheduled to help on certain Wednesdays.

Bereavement Committee

This group prepares a meal at the discretion of the family after a funeral.  Volunteers prepare the dishes and bring them to the parish hall.  Some work in the hall preparing the food, setting the tables, serving and then cleaning up may be needed.  If you would like to find out more about this, please contact Terry Lyons at 304-295-6994.

Social Concerns Committee

The Social Concerns Committee provides financial assistance for utilities and emergency prescriptions to people needing assistance in the Wood County area.  This outreach is located at St. Francis Xavier Parish Center.  They are available Monday and Wednesday 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Volunteers interview those who come for assistance, evaluate the need and coordinate assistance with funding sources.  Because of the highly confidential nature of this ministry, all volunteers must be approved by the pastor.  If you would like more information, please contact the parish office at 304-422-6786.

FaithLink

Wood County residents over 60 who are restricted to their homes by advance age, chronic illness, or disability receive simple and essential assistance from FaithLink.  It is an ecumenical ministry sponsored by St. Francis Xavier parish and many other churches in the Mid-Ohio Valley.  The agency and its parish representative recruit, train, manage and support volunteers.  As well as match them with those in need of help.  Services provided by volunteers include transportation, light home maintenance, and shopping.  As a FaithLink volunteer, you can choose which services you wish to perform and how much time you want to spend.  If you would like more information on FaithLink, please call 304-485-5525 Ext. 31.

The Gabriel Project

The Gabriel Project benefits families without adequate financial resources to meet the tangible needs of a new baby.  We provide necessary baby items, such as new cribs, new car seats, diapers, formula, clothing, and hygiene products at no or low cost to our clients.  The project is open to volunteers at any time and would welcome assistance.  If you would like more information on the Gabriel Project, please contact Cathy Leatherman at 304-485-7037.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Community Services is the social service agency of our diocese.  A non-profit agency, its Mission is as follows:  "To be of service where there is a need, wherever there are people in pain; to work collaboratively with others toward a just order; to convene people to discern ways to accomplish charity and justice."  This agency provides assistance through other community service agencies which provide direct service to the needy in our community.  CCS may provide emergency assistance for utilities and prescriptions, and may meet various other needs.  For more information, please contact Deborah Shaffer at 304-424-3457 Ext. 130.

LEADERSHIP/ADVISORY MINISTRIES

Pastoral Council

Canon Law provides for the formation of Parish Pastoral Councils in Canon 536 #1.

"In every parish of the diocese, a Pastoral Council shall be established, if the diocesan Bishop, after consulting with the Council of Presbyters, so decides.  The pastor presides over the Pastoral Council.  The Pastoral Council is composed of members of the congregation together with those of the parish staff who have pastoral care by reason of their office.  The Pastoral Council assists in promoting pastoral action in the parish."

What constitutes parish staff will vary from parish to parish.  Pastoral Team members are those who are involved in the day-to-day ministry of the parish.  They may be full time, part time, or volunteers.  The Pastoral Team generally has its own unique relationship with the pastor as it endeavors to carry out its responsibilities and ministry within the parish.

Pastoral Team members may be invited to attend some pastoral council meetings when their expertise or training may be of assistance to the council.  It is recommended that where applicable an assistant pastor, by virtue of office, be a member of the council.  Other ex officio members may be included at the discretion of the pastor.  However, their presence should not dominate council meetings or stifle the voice of the general membership.

The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body, pastoral in nature, because it strives to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit among God's people in the parish.  A Parish Pastoral Council gives its help to the pastor in fostering pastoral activity; it investigates, under the authority of the pastor, all those things which pertain to pastoral works to ponder them, and to propose practical conclusions about them.  It is essential that Council meetings occur in the context of prayer and openness to the Holy Spirit, so that at all times the common good will prevail.

Specifically, the Parish Pastoral Council's purpose is to enhance the process of:

  • pastoral planning
  • developing pastoral programs
  • improving pastoral services
  • evaluating the pastoral effectiveness of various programs and services

Although the Council is not a body which makes binding decisions, the recommendations of the Pastoral Council are to be taken seriously when grounded in prayer, discernment and communal wisdom.

The pastor presides over the Parish Pastoral Council.  The pastor is responsible for the final approval of Council recommendations concerning pastoral planning, programs, and services for the parish, as well as for their implementation.  While the pastor is not obliged to follow the recommendations of the Parish Pastoral Council, it is understood that he ought to do so unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise.  If there is such a reason, the pastor should share this with the Council.

For more information on this ministry, please contact Barb Santer at 304-422-8418 or by email at barbsanter@suddenlink.net

Finance Council

Parish Finance Council assists the pastor in the administration of parish temporal matters. An active, well-formed Parish Finance Council is a key element for promoting the financial health of a parish, assuring accountability and assisting the pastor with his temporal responsibilities.

In the administration of temporal goods of the parish, Canon 532 defines the role of the pastor as the authoritative representative of the parish.

The pastor represents the parish in all juridic affairs in accord with the norm of law; he is to see to it that the goods of the parish are administered in accord with the norms of canons 1281-1288.”

Canon 537 introduces the Parish Finance Council as a mandated body having an advisory and consultative role with the pastor.

Each parish is to have a finance council which is regulated by universal law as well as by norms issued by the diocesan bishop; in this council the Christian faithful, selected according to the same norms, aid the pastor in the administration of parish goods with due regard for the prescription of canon 532.”

Every parish therefore is required to have a Parish Finance Council, both by adherence to the Code of Canon Law and by local norms issued by the diocesan bishop.  To be effective the Parish Finance Council should meet regularly with specific agendas and should have access to all the relevant financial information and policies of the parish.

For more information on this ministry, please contact Michael Mastrorocco at 304-489-1305.