Lectors proclaim the reading during liturgies. This ministry requires a commitment to a schedule, preparation time before the weekend, and being comfortable speaking in front of large crowds.
If you like to read and are comfortable in front of people, please consider signing up to be a Lector at St. Mary's. Training and support will be provided for you. We are always looking for youth readers as well. Courage is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit!
Gift Bearers
This is an amazing ministry for families! Training and support will be provided for you. What better way to engage your children and teens in participating at Mass and volunteering to help the entire parish? If you are by yourself, invite a friend to partner with you so you are not alone and have engaged someone new in ministry at the parish!
Greeters
Greeters are the first faces people see when they come to Mass. If you like to smile, shake a hand, and say hello to anyone entering our worship space, then this is the ministry for you! Training and support will be provided for you. You might need to come a few minutes earlier than usual, but the people you will meet and help (showing them where the extra envelopes are, finding a washroom, parish registrations, pointing out the parish team, etc.) make it worthwhile!
Ushers
Ushers help to seat people when needed and are responsible for taking up the collection during Masses. If you like to sit at the back of the Church, this is your ministry! Training and support will be provided for you. Often ushers are friendly faces that new parishioners can find available, especially when Mass is just beginning. We welcome men, women, and young people to be a part of this valuable ministry!
Sacristans
Sacristans prepare the liturgical books, vessels, and sanctuary for all liturgies. This ministry requires attention to detail, knowledge of liturgical norms and practices, and a willingness to adapt to change.
Sunday School is a program for children who are age 3 (or toilet trained) until they enter grade 2 to help them learn the rituals of mass and hear the Gospel story in child friendly language, through craft and song. Children are called forward at the beginning of Mass and they process to the Parish Centre with their leader and return to you during the offertory song. All volunteers are screened through the Called, Gifted, and Sent Diocesan program. All materials, training, and support are provided by the parish. Please consider being an adult leader or youth helper to spread Jesus' love to our little friends!
If you are interested in volunteering as an adult leader or as a youth helper this upcoming season, please contact the office.
This ministry is extremely vital to all our liturgies! At weekend Masses we invite youth in grade three and up to assist the priest at the altar. Youth attend training sessions, retreats, and fun activities outside of the commitment to weekend Masses. Our altar servers become a faith filled group who support one another. Adult altar servers are needed for daily Masses and funeral Masses. Why be an altar server? Best seat in the house!
Music is essential to all our celebrations. You can participate in this ministry by playing a musical instrument or singing in a choir or group. Our Folk Group is accompanied by guitar and piano and they provide praise and worship music. Our Sunday Choir accompanied by our pipe organ provides traditional hymns. The Resurrection Choir, also accompanied by our pipe organ, provides comforting music at our funeral liturgies. Our energetic Kids Choir gathers once a month to lead our parishioners in song with their angelic voices!
We are blessed in our Family of Parishes to have a wonderful group of volunteers who are trained by the pastoral team and commissioned by the Bishop to go out and take Holy Communion to the sick and the shut-ins in our parish boundaries. All volunteers are screened through the Called, Gifted & Sent Diocesan program. It is a wonderful way to take Christ to those in our communities.
Parishioners who wish to assist with counting the collection need to be screened through the Called Gifted & Sent Volunteer Program. Money Counters need good math skills, easily follow instructions, and must commit to a schedule.
Your role would encompass selecting a movie, making popcorn, getting supplies, and helping families to get settled for our Family Movie Nights beginning in October! All training is provided and all "Movieteers" will need to be screened through the Called, Gifted, and Sent program.
For more information about any of these ministries or how to be a part of them please contact the office at 519-842-3224 (St. Mary's), or 519-875-4438 (Sacred Heart and St. Michael's); send us an email to [email protected] or visit our office Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday in Tillsonburg or Thursday in Langton from 9 am to 12 pm and then from 1 pm to 4 pm.