St. Francis de Sales Church Home

Ministries

PARISH ADMINISTRATION

PASTORAL COUNCIL (Elected.) - The council advises the pastor in the carrying out of the Church’s mission. This includes the establishment of short and long term goals and the assessment of how the pastoral work of the church is being accomplished. Members are elected to three year terms.

FINANCE COUNCIL (Appointed by Pastor. Contact Person: Edward Smilak)- This council is mandated by canon law to approve the parish budget and to advise the pastor in regards to the temporal goods of the parish.

BUILDING COMMITTEE/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT - (Contact Person: Tom Schultz) Oversees the building and facilities maintenance. Provides long-range planning for facilities maintenance and upgrade.

FAITH FORMATION MINISTRIES
Organization	Contact Person	Description
RCIA	Susan Horst	The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which non-Catholics inquire about the faith of the Church . Parish members gather with inquirees to share faith experiences, reflect on Sacred Scripture and pray together.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION	Marijo McGregor	Catechists and classroom helpers are needed on a continual basis to assist in the important ministry of educating our children in the faith. This includes sacramental preparation for First Penance, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Formation and training will be provided.
YOUTH MINISTRIES	Marijo McGregor	Faith sharing, social and service activities for all our youth.
SMALL FAITH COMMUNITIES	O pen	Small faith-sharing groups that meet in homes to share God's Word, and to support one another in living the faith.
LITURGY OF THE WORD FOR CHILDREN	Joan Hresko	Takes place during the Liturgy of the Word at the 10:30 AM Mass. Adults share the Scripture readings with our children grades 1-4. This enables the children to experience God’s Word on their own level.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL	Bill Price	Presently held each summer at Hains Church in Wernersville. An adult is needed to help coordinate the program. Adults and youth are needed to help during the week of vacation bible school.

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
Organization	Contact Person	Description
LITURGY PLANNING	Sister Mary	Assists in planning liturgical services for the various seasons of the church year.
ALTAR SERVERS	Jim Bross	Assist the priest at the altar. This long standing ministry is open to all parishioners ages 10 and above.
EUCHARISTIC	Scott Giacobbe	Special ministers who assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS TO THE SICK	Jim Byrne	Special ministers who bring Holy Communion to those unable to attend Mass.
LECTORS	Gerri Seaman	Special ministers of God’s word. They call the congregation to worship, proclaim the scripture readings, and the General Intercessions.
MUSIC	Carol Anderson	Musicians, choir members and leaders of song. This essential liturgical ministry enhances the community’s worship. More musicians and leaders of song are always needed.
GIRLS CHOIR	Jack Wise
GIFT BEARERS	Sister Mary	Families and individuals who bring the community’s gifts to the altar during Mass.
USHERS	Chuck Lentz	Ushers welcome those assembling for worship. They distribute and collect hymnals and assist in seating. Ushers take up the collection, organize the gift bearers and distribute parish bulletins at the conclusion of Mass.
GREETERS	JoAnne Gance	Families and individuals are needed to welcome those coming for worship. This ministry is especially helpful to weekend visitors and newcomers to our area.
BELL RINGERS	Jim McCann	Our youth are invited to perform this ministry of starting the tapes that allows music to ring from our bell tower at the conclusion of Mass.
LITURGICAL ENVIRONMENT	Sister Mary	Volunteers who assume the responsibility of decorating the church for major liturgical celebrations.
ALTAR SOCIETY	Sister Mary	Volunteers are needed to wash and iron altar linens each week. This ministry is especially important in our parish since we receive communion from the cup at every Mass.
SACRISTANS	Fr. Dave	Assist in readying the chapel and church for weekend Masses.

Service & Outreach Ministries

Organization

Contact Person

Description

Parish Nurse/Health Ministry

Carolyn Schultz

Health care professionals dedicated to provide holistic care that addresses the needs of mind, body, and spirit of our parish community.

Volunteer Home Care

Bonnie Chasse

Provides a variety of non-medical services to the sick and to the homebound in the community on an as-needed basis. Individuals visit the sick/homebound, run errands (such as grocery shopping), provide transportation for appointments, etc. Training available.

Ecumenical Activities

Betty Schmoyer

Coordinates programs such as World Day of Prayer for Christian Unity, lector exchange, and the various yearly ecumenical services among the churches in the Conrad Weiser Ministerium.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Betty Schmoyer

Found in most parishes, this society carries out works of charity to those in need in the local community. Members also prepare and serve monthly meals at two shelters in Reading.

Reading Shelter Meal Servers

Rickie Miller

Prepare and serve a monthly evening meal for approximately 40 adults and 15 children. Six volunteers are needed and a total time requirement is usually no more than 2 hours. Organized through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Kennedy House Meal Servers

Rickie Miller

Prepare and serve a luncheon meal for approximately 120 people on two weekends per year. We need a staff of six for each of the four days that we provide meals. A total time requirement is 3 hours per meal.

Bereavement Committee

Sr. Mary

A new ministry being formed to assist families in times of loss. This includes a series of grief education /support meetings twice yearly.

Respect Life Committee

Jane Steuer

Provides for activities that carry out the gospel mission to promote the sacredness and dignity of human life.

Hospitality

Jim & Gerry Byrne

The ministry of hospitality is an important part of building a faith community. This committee is being formed to welcome new parishioners and assist them in becoming acquainted with our parish family.

Special Activities
Organization	Contact Person	Description
Fun & Social Committee	Laura Schnee	Plans and runs fundraisers and social events for the parish. Members are needed to plan the events, provide new ideas and help.
Baking & Cooking	Mary Hopko	Prepare meals for special parish functions. May provide a meal for the parish priests during busy times such as Holy Week.
Garden Committee	Open	Do God's work by maintaining the outside flower beds and interior plants.

Service & Outreach Ministries
Organization	Contact Person	Description
Parish Nurse/Health Ministry	Carolyn Schultz	Health care professionals dedicated to provide holistic care that addresses the needs of mind, body, and spirit of our parish community.
Volunteer Home Care	Bonnie Chasse	Provides a variety of non-medical services to the sick and to the homebound in the community on an as-needed basis. Individuals visit the sick/homebound, run errands (such as grocery shopping), provide transportation for appointments, etc. Training available.
Ecumenical Activities	Betty Schmoyer	Coordinates programs such as World Day of Prayer for Christian Unity, lector exchange, and the various yearly ecumenical services among the churches in the Conrad Weiser Ministerium.
St. Vincent de Paul Society	Betty Schmoyer	Found in most parishes, this society carries out works of charity to those in need in the local community. Members also prepare and serve monthly meals at two shelters in Reading.
Reading Shelter Meal Servers	Rickie Miller	Prepare and serve a monthly evening meal for approximately 40 adults and 15 children. Six volunteers are needed and a total time requirement is usually no more than 2 hours. Organized through the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Kennedy House Meal Servers	Rickie Miller	Prepare and serve a luncheon meal for approximately 120 people on two weekends per year. We need a staff of six for each of the four days that we provide meals. A total time requirement is 3 hours per meal.
Bereavement Committee	Sr. Mary	A new ministry being formed to assist families in times of loss. This includes a series of grief education /support meetings twice yearly.
Respect Life Committee	Jane Steuer	Provides for activities that carry out the gospel mission to promote the sacredness and dignity of human life.
Hospitality	Jim & Gerry Byrne	The ministry of hospitality is an important part of building a faith community. This committee is being formed to welcome new parishioners and assist them in becoming acquainted with our parish family.