Ministry Opportunities
FAITH FORMATION
Religious Education Teacher
Classes meet weekly from fall until June. Virtus Course is required, as well as clearances from the Diocese of Scranton and the state of Pennsylvania. One to two hours prep time for each class plus one hour class time per week. Training is provided.
Confirmation Teacher
Classes meet weekly from fall until June. Virtus Course is required, as well as clearances from the Diocese of Scranton. One to two hours prep time for each class plus one hour class time per week. Training is provided.
RCIA Teacher
Sessions meet weekly from September until after Pentecost. Teaching is on a rotation basis. When scheduled to teach, time commitment is approximately two hours preparing the session and one and a half hours each session. Materials and training are provided.
Youth Ministry
Activities include assisting in the planning, preparing and participating in youth oriented events. Time commitment varies. Virtus Course and clearances required.
Vacation Bible School
Help plan for, prepare and assist at Vacation Bible School each summer. If you’re interested in serving in our religious education programs, please call Rich Bedard or our DRE.
LITURGICAL MINSITERS
Lector
Proclaims the Word of God at mass on a rotational basis approximately six times per year. Scheduled Lectors should practice the readings a few times during the week as needed before mass.
Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
Dispenses the Body and Blood of Christ at mass on a rotational basis. Eucharistic Ministry course required. (Three classes sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton.)
Greeter/Hand out Bulletins
Greet parishioners and guest as they come in to church before mass and hand out bulletins after mass. Greeters are the “face” of the parish as these ministers are the first smiling and welcoming face people see when they enter the church. First impressions are important.
Ushers
Take up the collections at mass. Service is on a rotational basis.
Altar Server
Serve at the altar and assist the Priest and the Deacon; these carry the cross, the candles, the thurible, the bread, the wine, and the water, prepare the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist and varioius other duties as needed to assist the priest and deacon . Children must have received First Holy Communion prior to serving as Altar Servers.
If you are interested in serving as a Liturgical Minister, please contact Marilyn Burton (St. Joachim) or Rich Bedard (St. Mary of the Assumption). Schedules will be posted and distributed in the church, and emailed to all volunteers.
Ministry of Mercy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church
This ministry is for Parish Outreach
Social Concerns at St. Joachim’s Church
Community Outreach Ecumenical Thanksgiving Prayer Service and Vacation Bible School offered through partnership with other local churches. Altar Rosary Society Meets several times per year for fellowship as well as planning charitable activities in the parish. The members also provide funeral luncheons for family members of deceased members of St. Joachim Church on an as needed basis. Ladies also prepare various parish dinners. Food Pantry Parishioners are encouraged to donate non-perishable food to our food pantry, which is distributed as needed.
Pro-Life Committee
Members meet several times per year to plan Respect Life activities of the parish. Members also participate in local national Respect Life events. Pastoral Care Members of this ministry assist the pastor with visits to the homebound and to nursing home and hospital residents. Service is coordinated by the pastor on an as needed basis. Social Justice Committee This committee will meet several times per year to discuss social issues for education, awareness, solidarity, and action on behalf of those who have no voice, who count for nothing, the disadvantaged. Social Events and Fundraising Members meet at various times to plan and sponsor the various fundraising and social events and efforts of the parish.
Landscaping and Grounds Keeping
Ministry opportunities exist to help maintain lawns in Meshoppen , and flower beds and shrubbery around both locations. Additional opportunities are always available to help clear sidewalks and steps clear of ice and snow around buildings at the Meshoppen campus.
Choir Members
New choir members are always welcome at both churches, esecially young adults.
Church Decorators
Those interested in helping to decorate the churches during the different liturgical seasons are always welcome, especially at Easter and Christmas.
