Ministries and Organizations
Ministries & Organizations If interested in one of these ministries and a contact name is not listed, contact parish office  
 List of Services
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 Musicians, Choir & CantorsList Item 1Join together in song. Sing at 4:00 pm Saturday Vigil or 9:30am Sunday Mass, as your schedule allows. Rehearsals are before Mass or as agreed upon by musicians and choir. Cantors lead the assembly in song, especially the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation. Cantors and Musicians rehearse before Mass. 
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 Altar ServerBoys and girls from grade 4 and above who assist the priest at the liturgy. Deacon John Mote is the coordinator. Sign up at Relgious Education Classes or by calling the parish office. 
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 Senior Altar ServerAdult men and women who assist at Sunday Mass once a month and Funeral Masses to facilitate the action of the liturgy and assist the priest and deacon.. 
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 Eucharistic AdorationFirst Friday of the month from 8:30AM to 5:00PM. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed and adored by volunteers who sign up for one hour or more to pray before the Lord Jesus present in the Blessed Sacrament. Sign up list is in the vestibule of the Church. Benediction is held at 5:00 pm to conclude the period of adoration. Contact David Lonctot (618)789-1260 for more information. 
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 Eucharistic MinisterExtraordinary Ministers of Communion who serve the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass and to the sick and homebound. Age 16 or older. 
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 Parish Pastoral CouncilThe Parish Pastoral Council is responsible for setting forth the mission of the parish. The council is responsible for strategic planning. Additionally, it is responsible to descern, with the pastor and pastoral staff, the pastoral and spiritual needs of the parishioners. The council sets in place the structures needed to fullfill the parish's mission and meet the pastoral needs of its members. The Pastoral Council meets on the third Wednesday evening of each month (excluding December and July). Membership is determined by nominations by parishioners and filled by the drawing of lots. Members serve a term of 3 years, renewable for four years. 
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 Finance CouncilAdvises the Pastor on financial matters and temporal property of the parish. Responsible for monitoring all income and expenses, and approving the annual budgets. Members include the parish lay trustees and members appointed by the Pastor. 
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 Capital Campaign CommitteeThis committe is currently active. It is responsible for organizing and carrying out a campaign to raise funds for "capital" improvement that address repair and restoration of our parish buildings. 
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 Building and GroundsThe Building and Grounds committee oversees the maintanace and repair of parish buildings, grounds, and our parish cemetary. Volunteers are invited to care for and beautify the parish campus grounds. 
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 Fellowship CommitteeVolunteers who coordinate social activities and gatherings of parishioners during the year. 
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 Offertory CountersA group that counts the funds collected at Mass each week. Collection counting is on Tuesday morning at the parish office. 
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 Ministers of HospitalityParish volunteers who warmly welcome parishioners as they enter the Church for Mass. 
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 LectorReader who proclaim the Scriptures at Mass and other services. High School age or older 
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 Liturgical Environment CommitteeVolunteers who decorate and maintaine our worship space according to the liturgical season. 
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 Liturgical Linen VolunteersResponsible for the preparation and care of the altar linens. This includes the washing and ironing of purificators, corporals, and altar linens. 
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 Stations of the CrossHeld Wednesday evenings at 6:30PM during Lent. The Stations are lead by lay members of various parish organizations, committees, and ministries. 
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 OCIAOrder of Christian Initiation – preparation of adult candidates for initiation into the Catholic Church.. 
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 UsherVolunteers who assist people to their seat if necessary. They also take up the collection. Usually assist with greeting members of the congregation as they arrive for liturgies. 
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 SacristanDuties include preparing items needed for Mass and maintaining the sacred vessels and items used for liturgies. 
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 Catholic MenAll men are welcome! Meetings are held every other Saturday morning from 7:00am - 8:00am. Join us for coffee, a light breakfast, socialization, and engaging (no pressure) conversation about our faith in a relaxed environment. Questions? Please email the coordinator for future dates 
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 Picnic CommitteeMembers are responsible for the organization of the annual fund raising Parish Picnic, The picnic is held on the last Saturday of July. 
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 Ladies Altar SodalityThe St. Mary Ladies Sodality assists the Parish by responding to various needs through its services and financial support. Some of the Sodality's services include hosting funeral luncheons, helping with parish dinners, supporting youth ministry and altar servers, and providing candles, bread, wine, and hymn books for church liturgies. Some projects and activities extend beyond the parish as well. Fund raisers include spring and fall rummage sales and quilt-of-the-month raffle. Meetings are held monthly on the 4th Tuesday evening of each month in the parish center. Meetings are not held during the summer months. 
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 Knights of ColumbusList Item 2The mission of this Knights of Columbus (instituted June 10, 1945) is to render financial and physical aid to its members and their families; to render mutual aid and assistance to its sick, disabled, and needy members and their families; to promote social and intellectual communication among its members and their families; to promote and conduct educational, charitable, religious, and social activities among its members and their families. Fundraisers include the following: Euchre Tournaments scheduled the third Sunday of each month, the Intellectual Disabilities (ID) Drive (otherwise known as the Tootsie Roll Drive) held the third weekend of September, and the Turkey Raffle held in November. Meetings are held monthly, normally on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the Knights of Columbus room in the St. Mary’s School basement. 
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 Holy Name Society Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer. 
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 Catholic Fraternal LifeCatholic Fraternal Life provides life insurance, financial services, and volunteer programs for its members and their communities. CFL is a fraternal organization based in Belleville, Illinois, and has served members for more than 118 years. Through the years, CFL has provided occasional financial support to various programs or needs in St. Mary Parish and beyond. To learn more about the organization, contact the home office at 1-800-240-2554. Meetings are held Monthly. 
