Worship Ministries
Worship ministries are focused on planning and implementing the various liturgies,
sacraments and prayer opportunities in the Parish.
| Altar Servers | Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane Sheri Cognetti Altar service is one of the oldest ministries in the Church. Its focus is to help prepare for worship services by setting the altar table and lighting the candles. In late spring, the Parish recruits and trains new altar servers (generally boys and girls in Grade 5). |
| Art and Environment Committee | Betty Cagnassola A subgroup of the Liturgy Committee, these dedicated people enhance the community's liturgical celebrations throughout the seasons of the Church and the seasons of the year by providing an inspiring and appropriate environment for worship. The Chairperson of the Committee participates in all meetings of the larger Liturgical Committee to ensure that the art and environment of the Church is consistent with themes chosen for liturgical celebrations. |
| Baptismal Robe Committee | Ann Marzano With their sewing talents, this ministry prepares the Baptismal Robes presented to our youngest baptized Christians. |
| Children's Liturgies | Kathy Dulan Diane Walsh The Children's Liturgy Committee coordinates the participation of all Religious Education classes, grades K-6, in the designated Family Liturgies at 9:15 AM. throughout the year. Under the direction of the Director of Religious Education, the committee plans seasonal themes and activities for our liturgies from October through June. Meetings are posted in the Parish Bulletin and in on the St. Helen's website. |
| Eucharistic Ministers | Marilyn Ryan - Scheduling Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane- Training Parishioners who are mandated to distribute the Eucharist and the cup during the communion rite at liturgies. Some ministers also bring communion to the homebound and the Nursing Home. |
| Lectors | Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane Dan Flynn - Training Parishioners who are commissioned to proclaim the Word of the Lord at Liturgies. |
| Liturgy Committee | Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane This ministry provides quality liturgical celebrations for the parish and strives to educate and train its members to enhance their functions within the parish. The ministry includes over 350 parishioners (lectors, Eucharistic ministers, ushers, altar servers and choir members). An "Evening of Prayer and Reflection" is held each year. |
| Music Groups | Mary Ellen Mueller - Coordinator of Music The Adult Choir encourages parishioners interested in joining to speak with the musical director. Children are encouraged to join the Children's Choir as well. Colleen Kraft leads the Children’s Choir and the
Youth Orchestra. |
| Greeters, Ushers and Ministers of Hospitality |
Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane A ministry that helps to enhance the warm, friendly environment that exists here at St. Helen's. Greeters welcome the parish family at the doors of the Church prior to the weekend Masses. Ushers also assist parishioners when needed and are at the exits at the end of the liturgies. High School and College-aged parishioners are encouraged to become ushers. |
| Marriage Ceremony Preparation | Tim and Pat Doyle Volunteer couples conduct wedding rehearsals, which are usually held early Friday evening. |
| Spiritual Life Committee | Paulette Cicero This committee plans And coordinates Parish Missions/Retreats,Evening of Reflections,and everything else that involves the spiritual life of our parish. |
| Church Housekeeping | Marilyn Ryan This committee has two divisions. The first segment of the ministry is involved in the weekly cleaning of the sanctuary, sacristy, and furnishings of the Church as well as washing and refilling the Holy Water fonts. The second segment is involved in washing and ironing the linens used at the daily and weekend Liturgies. Volunteers are asked to make a commitment of a few days per year. |
| Sacristans | Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane A group of men and women who work behind the scenes in preparing the weekend Liturgies. They set up the Sacred vessels for Mass, prepare incense if needed, and are on hand to help during special liturgies that may occur. |
| Funeral Mass Support | Fr. Gerald J. Buonopane A group of parishioners who help with the Funeral mass by being a welcoming presence to the family and friends of the deceased, by helping the people proclaiming the readings, bringing up theoffertory gifts and by letting the family know that they are being supported by the parish during this difficult time. |