LITURGICAL MINISTRIES:

Music | Lectors | Altar Servers & Crossbearers | Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion | Ushers

Music

MUSIC MINISTRY has the goal of enhancing our Liturgical celebrations with prayerful song and music and -- yes, at times -- Liturgical dance. The Music Ministry is comprised of volunteer men, women and children who share their time and talent with our parish family. It is not a pre-requisite that members must be able to read music, many participants cannot. Parishioners are invited and encouraged to serve the parish as instrumentalists, cantors, and Adult, Youth or Handbell Choir members. The rehearsal schedule for the various musical groups is as follows:

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Lectors

LECTORS proclaim Scriptural Readings at Mass and other prayer services. This is an important ministry in the Liturgy. Training will be provided for those who are interested in serving as Lectors periodically during the year. See schedule below

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Altar Servers and Crossbearers

ALTAR SERVERS AND CROSSBEARERS are committed to serving with dignity and confidence at all liturgies and prayer services. This ministry is open to boys and girls in grades three through twelve. New altar servers and crossbearers are trained once per year, in the fall. See schedule below.

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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMC). 

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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMCs) serve the parish by distributing the Eucharist at Mass and as Homebound Ministers to the sick or elderly who are unable to come to church. Individuals may choose to serve as Extraordinary Minister Holy Communion in either or both capacities. Homebound Ministers are commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serving the needs of the sick and homebound of the parish. The nourishment of Christ in the Eucharist is brought by these Ministers every Sunday.

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Ushers

USHERS are responsible for greeting people as they come into church, helping them find seats, arranging for presentation of offertory gifts, providing assistance in emergency situations, and taking up collections.

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ADDITIONAL PARISH MINISTRIES AND COMMITTEES:

Environment and Arts | Funeral Luncheons | Ladies Guild | Mothers Circle

Pastoral Council | Quilting Connection | Social |Young at Heart | Haiti Twinning Mission

Environment and Arts:

The ENVIRONMENT AND ARTS COMMITTEE was established, not only to enhance not only the bearty of the church, but to help us celebrate each season of liturgies. With each season of the church calendar, the committee meets to envision the liturgies ahead. Ideas are hashed out and each individual uses his or her artistic instincts t visually represent the liturgical season. If you are interested in joining the team, contact the parish office.

Funeral Luncheons:

Funeral luncheons can be prepared by several ladies of our parish for those families who wish to have a gathering in the Social Hall following a funeral.

Ladies Guild:

THE LADIES GUILD assists the pastor in spiritual and material undertakings for the welfare of the parish for both social and service functions. The Guild is open to all women of the parish and meets on a monthly basis from August through May. the meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Among activities sponsored by the Guild are the Spring and Fall Salad bar/Bingos and the annual craft show which is held each November.

Mothers Circle:

ST. BARBARA'S MOTHERS CIRCLE meets weekly in the social hall from September through May. Two separate groups, meeting on Wednesday or Thursday morning, provide a place where Moms can meet and socialize, and tots cal play and make friends. during the weekly gatherings, this group enjoys free play, snacktime and craft projects. Moms stay with and are responsible for their own children. Participants also enjoy special "Mom's Night Out" events, a family picnic in June, and monthly summer outings. The Mothers Circle is a cooperative group; all members provide snack twice per year, participate in one activity (toy washing or craft preparation), and help on one committee. Moms, Dad, grandparents or caregivers can enroll children from birth through Kindergarten. Mothers Circle fees ($15 Registration fee and $15 January dues) are used for Mothers Circle supplies and activities.

Pastoral Council:

Saint Barbara Pastoral Council

PARISH COUNCIL HISTORY

The Second Vatican Council called for the creation of Parish Pastoral Councils. These councils were to serve in an advisory capacity to the pastor, and were to utilize the many and varied gifts of the laity in service to the Church.

Over time, Parish Councils continued to function in this advisory role. The evolving model came to include various committees on which these elected members served. The councils became very task-oriented groups, investing a great deal of time and energy in creating and financing programs and making them happen.

Members of the councils were often elected because they were the doers in the parish. Their presence on the council assured the pastor that things would get done, in keeping with the task-oriented nature of these councils. As a result, parishes have had many and varied programs, successful festivals and other fund-raisers, well-maintained facilities and a variety of social events. The Parish council was often the vehicle through which these programs received the pastor's approval, the necessary funding and the human resources to accomplish it all.

RECENT CHANGES IN COUNCIL ROLE

In recent years, this pattern has shifted toward the creation of Parish Pastoral Councils. More than a mere change of a word, this shift has created an entirely new role for these councils. Rather than focusing on specific program planning and implementation, the new model calls for bodies which lead the parish community in the discernment and expression of its mission. This new role presents a challenge to parishes to redefine the nature of their leadership and to call forth those who are best gifted to serve in that capacity.

The role of the Parish Pastoral Council is, through ongoing pastoral planning, to maintain the integrity of the parish mission and the goals and objectives related to it. Within this new model, programs and events continue to take place in the parish through the efforts of many dedicated parishioners, always in the context of the parish mission and its pastoral plan. A chart comparing the old Parish Council to the newer Parish Pastoral Council will help to clarify the changes:

To that end, on November 1, 1996, the Bishop officially implemented New Wine, New Wineskins: Revisioning the Parish through the Ministry of the Parish Pastoral Council for use in parishes throughout the Diocese of Greensburg. Replacing the traditional model of the parish council, New Wine, New Wineskins is rooted in the teachings of Vatican II and reflects a more comprehensive understanding of what constitutes a true Catholic parish. According to Bishop Bosco, the new text also outlines procedures that guide pastoral councils in providing leadership and a pastoral plan of action for the parish that reflects and advances the diocesan commitment to faith as the "Journey of a Lifetime."

New Wine, New Wineskins identifies and explores seven essential elements that form the foundation of the pastoral mission of each parish: Evangelization, Worship, Word, Community, Service, Stewardship and Leadership. With the celebration of the Eucharist at the center, these elements constantly inter-relate in parish life, each nurturing and supporting the others.

The St. Barbara Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives were developed using the New Wine, New Wineskins guidelines. Clearly this initiative calls ALL parishioners to become involved in the parish development through contributions of time and talent.

ST. BARBARA PASTORAL COUNCIL 2008

ST. BARBARA CHURCH
111

 RAYMALEY RD. HARRISON CITY PA 15636   
PARISH OFFICE: 724-744-7474                     PARISH RECTORY: 724-744-7645
Website: www.stbarbara.org

Each year in the late November - early December new members are selected by drawing at a Wednesday evening prayer service. Any parishioner who wants to serve on the Pastoral Council should make their name known to a Pastoral Council member for inclusion in the drawing. This important contribution of time and talent to the parish is required if the parish is to continue to grow and develop to the level we all desire.

Any questions pertaining to the Pastoral Council can be directed to Msgr. Paul ( pastor@stbarbara.org ) or by calling the parish office at (724) 744-7474.

Quilting connection:

THE QUILTING CONNECTION is a group of women from St. Barbara Parish, as well as from other churches in the area. They assemble weekly to work on a group quilt and to enjoy each other in fellowship. Each year a quilt is to raffled as a fund raiser for the Ministers of Care Commission. This group has also crocheted lap robes and donated them to local nursing homes as a service project. New members are encouraged to join; no experience is necessary. Watch the bulletin for times and place.

Social:

SOCIAL COMMITTEE is called upon to hostess social events to promote fellowship among parishioners. The highlight of the year is the Epiphany Party, which celebrates the Christmas season.

Young at Heart:

YOUNG AT HEART Senior Citizens group meets the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 Noon. Intended to be primarily a social organization, monthly meetings include a special program and a meal supplied by the Office of the Aging. To qualify for membership, an individual or one person in a married couple, must have reached the age of 60. Membership is not limited to Saint Barbara parishioners.