GET INVOLVED AT ST CATHERINE OF SIENA

St. Catherine of Siena encourages participation from all of its members to continue to be a vibrant, welcoming catholic community. There are many wonderful and challenging ways for you to help. Like many things in life, you get the most out of it when you actively participate. Please review this booklet and see how you can share your time and talent with others and become involved in your parish.

Helping serve our parish

Altar Servers: Children 10 or older serve at Masses and special liturgies throughout the year. Training is provided. Kathi Bonner 658-4737

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Distribute Holy Communion at Mass (usually about twice a month). Some also bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound each week. Training is provided. Kathi Bonner 658-4737

Lectors: Proclaim the Scriptures at Mass about once a month. Kathi Bonner 658-4737

Ushers: Serve as greeters before Mass, collectors, select gift bearers. Each Mass needs 3-5 ushers, so please help out. Chris Hug 651-0619

Music Ministry: Works with the music director to provide music for Masses and liturgical events. Opportunities include: Choir, Bell Choir, Cantor, Children’s Choir, Back-up Organist. Susan Zybert, 216-6519

Altar Society: A new group just being formed to take care of the Church altar, clean altar linens and manage the sacristy. Kathy Reilley, 658-9652

Parish Council: Meeting six times per year, Parish Council advises the pastor by discussing the issues facing the parish and makes recommendations that fulfill the needs of the Parish. Members serve a three-year term and open positions are filled in March. Ralph Chappano 404-7435

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Finance Council: Responsible for the church budget, collections tabulation, investments, financial controls and financial reporting. Members are appointed by the Pastor. Scott Muryasz 693-4164

Communications Committee: Helps keep parishioners informed about the events happening at St. Catherine’s. Works include updating the church website, weekly bul-letin, parish directory. Tony Pereira 658-1478

Building and Grounds: One of the most active and important groups in the parish, this group looks af-ter the physical church building and rectory. Often minor repairs and landscaping are done by volun-teers. If you are a tradesman, handy with repairs, or enjoy gardening and landscaping - your help is needed. Tony Drapelick 658-6197

Liturgy Committee: Works with the Pastor to develop the Liturgy to lead the parishioners to full, conscious and active participation at Mass. Plans special Liturgies and church decor throughout the year including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week and Easter celebrations. Kathi Bonner 658-4737

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Sharing our FaithReligious Education Teachers: Each year, more than 600 youngsters learn the Word of God and our Catholic faith from Catechists. Classes are Sundays during the school year from 9:30-10:30 am. Kathi Bonner 658-4737

Catechist Aides and Substitute Catechists: Religious Ed. classes also need individuals who can substitute for regular teachers or provide ad-ditional assistance in class rooms. Kathi Bonner 658-4737

RCIA Sponsors: When an individual wishes to become a Catholic, they enter the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program along with a member of the parish acting as sponsor. This is a rewarding role that benefits both participants. Fr. Michael Whyte, 658-1642

Youth Ministry: Open to students in grades 7-12, the youth of our parish are invited to participate in lively topical discussions and events. Youth group meetings are every other Sunday. Judy Pluta 408-9408

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Parish Nurse Program / Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion Visits: A new ministry to involve volunteer nurses to work with parishioners on educational health issues through meetings, seminars and visits. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion visit homebound and provide the Eucharist and fellowship. For information on the new Parish Nurse Program, contact Charlie Page (Social Justice Committee) at 659-4047, and for visits by Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Commu-nion. Pat Pabich 658-5332

Small Christian Communities: St. Catherine’s has many small faith sharing groups that meet regularly – some weekly, others monthly – to discuss the scriptures and current events to provide deeper insight into our faith. Tina Yablonski 651-9444

Retreat Weekend: Retreats are a time where we can sit back and reflect on the blessings and challenges of our lives. Each year, the men of the parish attend a weekend retreat at Holy Family Retreat House in Farmington. All men of the parish are welcome. Jim Peters 651-3143

40 Days of Life: A community-based campaign that draws attention to the evil of abortion through prayer and fasting, constant vigil and community outreach. Jim Vicevich 651-5050

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Helping Our CommunityComitas: An outreach program to help parish members who temporarily need assistance. It might be driving someone to a doctor’s office or delivering a meal to a family. The group is looking for people willing to volunteer their time as well as for those in need of temporary assistance. Joan Duffy 658-5525 or Rosanne O’Hara 651-7388

Feed the Hungry Youth Group: Once a month these individuals make lunch for the residents of St. Elizabeth House in Hartford. All teenagers are welcome to assist. Lisa Sheary 658-2899

St. Elizabeth House: Once a month, our parish provides a meal for this woman’s shelter in Hartford. A pan and recipe are provided. Pat & Bill Walsh 658-2606

Fall Leaf Raking: One Saturday in No-vember we gather as a Parish to help rake the yards of those in our community who need our help. Everyone, young and old, is encouraged to participate and bring your rakes and leaf blowers if you have them. Mike Reilley 658-9652

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Prayer Shawl Group: One of the newest min-istries at St. Catherine. This group knits or crochets blessed prayer shawls to give comfort to those who are sick, homebound or have lost loved one. If you can knit or are willing to buy yarn, please help out. Pat Fritschler 658-0552

Mercy Project: Follows the Works of Mercy during Lent to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless and comfort the imprisoned. Kim Blanchard 651-0053

Christmas Giving Tree and Adopt A Family: During Advent, Christmas wishes for underprivileged children are placed on a tree in the atrium and our parishioners look to fulfill these requests or adopt a family. Adopt A Family also provides funds to assist families in need in Hartford as well as providing services and assistance to our Simsbury Senior Citizens in need. Karen Carew 651-8960

Angel Food Ministries: Angel Food Ministries is a monthly food program that helps those in our community. You may order for your own family or you may donate funds for a food box that will be given to another family. Louise D’Agosto 658-0333

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Lazarus Committee: Offers light refreshments following funeral Masses. Members of the committee take turns, based on availability, setting up, hosting and cleaning-up. Home bakers are welcome and we can arrange for pick-up of baked goods if necessary. Mary Ellen Henry 408-9019, Sheila Nugent 651-5003

Women’s Club: Provides the woman of the parish the opportunity to share fellowship, social, and charitable opportunities with other women. Kim Blanchard 651-0053

Men’s Club: This informal group responds in a big way in time of need. This group organizes social events as well as performs service project for those in need. Anthony Napolitano 651-9749

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Social Events to EnjoySt. Catherine’s parish is not all about work – we have time to be social as well! The social events are typically organized by the Parish’s Men’s and Women’s Clubs. Every social event needs a chairperson and a commit-tee to help plan, staff and clean up after the event. All parishioners are asked to both attend events at the church and help out when you can.

Here are just some of the events you can help with each year. Women’s Club Events Breakfast with Santa Annual Potluck Dinner Alleluia Party Progressive Dinner Easter Egg Hunt Tag Sale Men’s Club Events Christmas Dinner Dance Lenten Fish Fry Golf Tournament Parish Picnic

Other Events Monthly Coffee & Donut socials New Parishioner receptions

St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church

PO Box 184 • 265 Stratton Brook Road • West Simsbury, CT 06092 860 658 1642