MINISTRIES OF FAITH FORMATION:

1. BAPTISMAL PREPARATION TEAM: Contact Robert and Emilie Capone 383-3550
Baptism is the “Gateway” Sacrament. It is the 1st Sacrament of Initiation and opens the door to the other six sacraments. Couples, who become involved in this ministry, work with the Baptismal Coordinator and Team Leaders as part of the Baptismal Preparation Team for new parents and assist the sacramental minister at the time of Baptism. Parents, willing to share their family’s faith stories, are encouraged to consider this ministry and live out their own Baptismal Call to Service.

2. MARRIAGE PREPARATION TEAM: Contact Deacon Mike and Mary Ellen Sheppeck 371-8080
Marriage Preparation Sponsors participate in a team ministry with the priest or deacon witnessing the marriage to provide the proximate preparation for marriage of engaged couples. The sponsors meet with an engaged couple three or four times over the course of a few months in the sponsor couple’s home. The sponsor couple teaches and shares examples from lived experiences in the subject areas of the following: expectations, communications, sex and sexuality, sacrament and spirituality. Sponsor couples are expected to participate in initial and ongoing formation. Married couples who wish to participate in this ministry may contact Deacon Mike Sheppeck for an interview.

3. FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST PREPARATION TEAMS:
Contact Susan Sweeney 877-8506 extension 375
Catechists form planning teams who will prepare our youth to experience the tremendous healing power of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. In addition, teams will prepare our youth to celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. Orientation, training and support will be provided.

4. GENERATIONS OF FAITH – a model of Faith Formation for all parishioners – Birth to 110!! Contact Sister Sue Wieczynski at 877-8506 extension 306

This model of whole community catechesis (intergenerational) speaks to the understanding of what our “pilgrim journey,” entails; a journey that begins with baptism and ends with our entry into eternal life.

Generations of Faith is an innovative approach to parish wide faith formation. It offers singles, couples, and families the opportunity to work on faith formation together. Generations of Faith is a life-long process, centered in the events of church life. The rich curriculum for faith formation is its event and liturgies.

Generations of Faith preparation sessions are offered throughout the year. The same format is offered six (6) times during each preparation session leading to “the event.” Households are asked to attend one preparation session for each topic. All parish households are encouraged to participate.

In what ministry can you serve your parish along its journey?

· Volunteer as a planner, family group leader, adult leader, catechist or an aide
· Assist with graphic design, bulk mailing
· Volunteer in offering hospitality including: registration, meal greeters, meal prep, meal servers, set up/clean up; or with chef/culinary duties for individual Generations of Faith preparation sessions.
· Orientation, training and support are provided.

5. YOUTH MINISTRY: Contact Brian Campbell 877-8506
This Ministry incorporates the recommendations found in the U.S. Bishop’s Conference’s pastoral letter on Youth Ministry entitled “Renewing the Vision – A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry”. This framework consists of 8 components: Prayer and Worship, Catechesis, Community Life, Justice and Service, Pastoral Care, Leadership, Evangelization, and Advocacy. We ask that you share your faith and talents by serving in any of the following areas: A) Youth Ministry Mentoring – adults sharing their faith and time with the youth of our parish , grades 7 through 12, on retreats and during other functions. B) Retreats – Peer Retreat Leaders – Youth that act as retreat leaders. C) Volunteers – Volunteers are always sought to assist at the multitude of events that are scheduled throughout the year. D) Youth Core Team – adults and youth who work together as a Visionary Committee E) Chaperons . Any and all ideas for youth activities are considered – Come share your enthusiasm with the Youth of our Parish. We ask that you prayerfully consider helping our Youth explore their faith. Our Youth Minister, Brian Campbell, will provide orientation and opportunities for training, as well as support.

6. LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN: Contact Sr. Sue Wieczynski, RSM at 877-8506 ext 306
Adults lead children ages 4 through grade 3, in a worship service during which the Sunday Scriptures are proclaimed and explained in a way suitable to children’s life, understanding and experience. The Liturgy of the Word with Children takes place as the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated at the 9:00am and 11:00 a.m. Sunday Masses.

7. RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS): Coordinator Karen Stockton 371-7359
This process welcomes all adults, non-baptized and those baptized in other Christian religions, who are curious or interested in learning more about our Roman Catholic Tradition. If you desire to journey with them as they grow on their path towards initiation and full communion with our church, please stop by our table and talk with us.

8. PARISH BIBLE STUDY: Contact Mike Sheppeck 371-8080
Corpus Christi offers a broad series of adult bible studies based in the ecumenical program known as Disciple Bible Study. The goal of the program is to develop strong Catholic Christian leaders through the regular in-depth study of Scripture. The bible study will enhance your experience of Sunday liturgy and your spiritual journey as well as call forth and nurture your gifts as a member of the Body of Christ. The parish bible study is aimed at personal transformation as well as learning information.

The course offerings each year are dependent upon and scheduled based upon both enrollments and the availability of group leaders for the program. The parish provides group leader training. Information night and sign-up are announced in the parish bulletin and take place in late August – early September.

Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study is an overview of both the Old Testament and New Testament following the great themes of salvation history. Participants will read about 70% of the bible in this course. Invitation To The Old Testament and Invitation To The New Testament are an abbreviated version of DBS running 7 – 90 minute sessions each. Completion of either Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study or the two Short-Term Bible Studies is a prerequisite for the remaining programs.
· Into the Word and Into the World provides an in depth study of the Five Books of Moses (Torah) and Luke-Acts.
· Remember Who You Are studies the Prophets (Neviim) and the Letters of St. Paul.
· Under the Tree of Life concentrates on the Writings (Ketuvim) and the Gospel and Letters of John, and James, Jude and Revelation.

MINISTRIES OF CARE AND SERVICE

9. BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY: Contact Joan Haviland 877-8629
A death in the parish effects us all – the immediate family and friends, as well as the entire Christian Community. Because we care, we want to respond in a positive manner to those experiencing the death of a loved one. Volunteers are offered training in skill and sensitivity to extend the Church beyond rite and ritual. No one person can meet the individual needs of all the grieving persons in any parish setting, but with a team effort, it is possible for the parish to offer support and assistance to those who are grieving on an on-going basis. The Bereavement Ministry assists with the funeral liturgy.

10. RESURRECTION CHOIR: Contact Paula Barrett 877-8506 x 301
This Music Ministry provides appropriate Music selections for Funerals. Vocalists are led in a collaborative effort to aid families, through music, to cope with their loss. Anyone wishing to become involved in this Ministry of Care should be aware that the usual time for the Celebration of Life, the Funeral Mass, generally occurs during the week at 9:00am.

11. OUTREACH COMMUNION SERVICE: Contact Barbara Spillane 885-1763
“Blest are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they shall have their fill.” Corpus Christi celebrates communion services at the Home of the Good Shepherd at High Pointe once a week for people who are unable to attend weekly mass. The services are held on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. Those who serve in this ministry work in teams of two. Training is provided.

12. HOMEBOUND MINISTRY: Contact Mike and Sue Getman 238-9362
Experience the joy of bringing the Body of Christ in the form of the Eucharist to those who are homebound due to illness or infirmity. Being invited into the person’s home to share this sacrament extends the community at liturgy to the homebound community. [Also refer to #31 – Prayer Line]

13. COLLEGE MINISTRY: Contact Kathy Carrier 899-4704
During the 2005-2006 academic year, the parish had a mailing list of 115 members who were attending colleges across the US and some abroad! (And we are sure there’s more). During the past year, we sent four letters to the collegians so that they might continue to have contact with/hear from their home parish. We are looking for persons who would oversee the tasks of this worthwhile ministry. Tasks include: 1. Keeping the list of students up to date (especially in September), 2. Preparing addressed envelopes for mailing four times a year [the parish would supply the letters], 3. At exam time [December and April], preparing “care packages” to be sent to each student as they approach their “finals.”

14. SOCIAL ACTION: Contact Pat Malloy 371-3968
This ministry helps provide an avenue where parishioners can put their faith into action. We are associated with “NETWORK”, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby organization. This organization keeps us informed on major issues affecting our lives and provides a means, via the internet, to express our opinions, write letters, make phone calls, and contact our elected representatives both locally and nationally. This allows us several fast, efficient ways to make a difference in our world.

15. WELCOME TABLE: Contact Jack Conway 373-5927 or Cathy Olsson 877-8074
On the 3rd Tuesday of each month, since 1986, this ministry has prepared and served 150-200 or more meals at St. John’s Center in South Albany. Each meal’s entree is cooked the day before in Corpus Christi’s kitchen, refrigerated overnight then taken to St. John’s Center in South Albany. It is combined there with vegetables, a dessert, and beverage to make a nourishing meal served at noontime to low-income families and others.

16. PANTRY: Contact Sandy Kemp 877-5196
This ministry collects foodstuffs, paper, cleaning and personal-care/grooming products donated by our parish community and then delivers them to the Jonesville food pantry, St. John’s Center in Albany and Bethany House of Hospitality in Troy.

17. PROVERBS 31 – MINISTRY: Contact Chris Reivik 383-3512
“She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands. She reaches out her hands to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” [Proverbs 31:13, 20] The Proverbs 31 Ministry makes handmade items, either knit, crochet or quilted, for the residents at the Home of the good Shepherd at High Pointe and for the residents of Schuyler Ridge in Clifton Park. We have also made baby items, hats, scarves, and afghans for Community Maternity Services in Albany. CMS is part of Catholic Charities and has outreach programs in 14 upstate counties. We have two projects each year. We will be making lap robes again as our fall project for donation to an area nuring home for the holidays. Next Spring, during Lent, we will be making baby items for Community Maternity Services. We welcome everyone in our community to participate in this ministry. If you are part of another group and would like to do a group afghan project or if you are a member of a youth group and would like to do a service project, please consider participating in this ministry.

MINISTRIES OF HOSPITALITY

18. USHERS: Contact Jim Marco 899-4874
Ushers serve as ministers of hospitality. This involves greeting worshippers before Mass, providing assistance in seating if required, and being responsive to requests for information or assistance. They should be alert to any emergencies, or other situations that may arise during services and respond as appropriate. Ushers are also responsible for direction communion flow, taking up collections, and passing out the bulletins at the end of Mass.

19. GREETERS: Contact Judy Mullins 664-6938
With a welcoming smile, greeters open the doors for parishioners as they arrive at church. It is an invitational and evangelizing ministry for all to share in the gifts of the faith community, liturgy and hospitality of Corpus Christi. Greeters are scheduled for all weekend masses, special holyday masses or celebration services, funerals, weddings and private baptisms. Greeters also make themselves available on a voluntary basis to welcome parishioners to Generations of Faith sessions. You will receive a schedule every few months and will be scheduled for the mass times that you wish.

20. HOSPITALITY MINISTRY: Contact Tim and Mary Ann Smith 877-8683
Corpus Christi’s hospitality mission is to create a welcoming environment that fosters the “building of community” within the parish. The members of the hospitality ministry plan, organize, prepare and serve refreshments to all parishioners and their guests once a month after each liturgy and for special events and celebrations at Corpus Christi, including First Communion, Confirmation, Holy Thursday Soup Supper, Easter Vigil and the Feast of Corpus Christi. This Ministry is actively involved in Generations of Faith and hosts Pot Luck Suppers.

MINISTRIES OF LITURGICAL PREPARATION

21. ALTAR BREAD BAKING: Contact Mary Fran Verostek 877-5762
Altar bread bakers bake about four times a year. A schedule is sent out with the recipe for the bread. No kneading is required. The bread is scored into individual pieces then baked flat on a large cookie sheet in just twelve minutes. It’s brought to the sacristy by 4:00 PM on Saturday. Bakers of all ages are needed. We welcome men, seniors - anyone who enjoys baking!

22. ALTAR LINENS: Contact Lee Gullo 899-2609
People in this ministry are responsible for the care and cleaning of altar linens (small purificator). Lee Gullo, who coordinates this ministry, puts together a schedule based on the number of volunteers. The schedule is mailed to all members of the group. Lee will meet with the new volunteers to discuss the procedures…cleaning, folding and placement. As a reminder, Lee contacts the scheduled volunteer assigned that week. When the linens begin to wear, Lee purchases the materials to make new linens.

23. BIBS FOR BAPTISM: Contact Susan Spadaro 899-2352
This group of women makes the “keepsake bibs” for baptisms. One person purchases the fabric and cuts the pattern (we use five yards of “weaver’s cloth” to make 52 bibs). The bibs then go to others who serge the edges and attach the lace around the neckline. For the final step, another group does the embroidery. This procedure is repeated two to three times a year.

24. CARE OF LARGE ALTAR CLOTHS AND PRIEST’S VESTMENTS: Barbara Spillane 885-1763
This ministry is made up of laundering the altar cloths and Priest’s Albs as needed. We rotate monthly through the list of available volunteers. Instructions will be given on “How to Care” for the altar clothes and Albs.

25. LITURGICAL ENVIRONMENT: Contact Diane Marco 899-4874
Liturgical Environment is a year round endeavor to enhance our worship areas to correspond with the Liturgical Calendar. We design and make banners, floral arrangements, and work on various fundraisers for Corpus Christi. Our busiest times are Easter and Christmas. Please join us with your diverse talents and ideas as we attempt to meet this challenge. There are no regular meetings, just “brain storming” sessions as we work on current projects.
[Also refer to #31 – Garden Ministry]

MINISTRIES OF PRAYER AND WORSHIP

26. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: Contact Joan Haviland 877-8629
This ministry helps distribute Eucharist at liturgy in an orderly and reverent fashion. It is a ministry of servant at a Eucharistic banquet. It is a ministry of seeing Christ in the eyes of each person you share Eucharist with. The requirements are simple…attend a workshop then be willing to share your time at liturgy on Sunday. [Also refer to #27 – Lector]

27. LECTOR: Contact Joan Haviland 877-8629
This ministry proclaims the words of scripture at liturgy. The preparation is very important, for it is more than just reading words. It means really being prepared, taking the time to study a reading, know the meaning of the words and believing the words. Only then can you proclaim the scripture as your own. The requirements are simple…attend a workshop and be willing to share your time and talent at liturgy on Sunday. [Also refer #26 – Eucharistic Ministers]

28. ALTAR SERVERS: Contact Pam Robson 877-6676
Corpus Christi offers the opportunity to assist as an altar server at the weekend masses and special liturgical functions to any boy or girl from the third grade on up. Training is provided and one’s commitment is scheduled for the mass times that the family attends liturgy. Adults are also welcomed.

29. MUSIC MINISTRY: Contact Luanne Hetz 899-9417
The Music Ministry Program at Corpus Christi consists of three components: Music coordinator (MC), music leaders (ML), and music volunteers (MV). Our mission is “To praise God and create unity among all people by joyfully ministering through music.” Music ministry is organized for the purpose of leading the assembly in song at parish liturgies and services. In order to provide a balanced music program, including a genre of quality music necessary for good liturgy, weekly rehearsals are required for all music ministers. MV who wish to attend the 11:00AM liturgies led by MC, Luanne Hetz, attend rehearsals on Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 9:00PM in the church; instrumentalists begin at 7:00 p.m. MV who wish to attend the 9:00AM liturgy led by ML, Shelley Dumoulin, attend rehearsals on Thursday nights beginning at 7:30PM in the church. New members, adults and youth, are most welcome at all liturgies!

29A. MUSIC LEADER (ML)
If you are proficient on organ, piano, guitar and/or are a cantor, and have performance and liturgical music experience, please consider becoming a ML. A monthly stipend is offered.

29B. MUSIC VOLUNTEER (MV)
If you enjoy music and leading the assembly in song, please consider becoming a music volunteer. You will have the option of attending and participating in the weekend liturgy of your choice. MV vocalists need not have prior experience or professional training. MV instrumentalists must be proficient on their instrument (at least 4 to 5 years of experience playing in a group) and be familiar with liturgical music.

29C. YOUTH CHOIR
This choir is led by Shelley Dumoulin and is for children ages 8 and up who can read words and sing familiar music and carols. The youth choir leads song on special occasions such as Christmas Eve and sometimes Easter morning. Several rehearsals before the mass are required and are held at a time convenient for the leader and choir members. Older children and teens who play an instrument are welcome, but need to audition.

30. MOTHER MARY’S ROSARY PRAYER GROUP: Contact Rita Luibrand 371-0239
Mother Mary’s Rosary Prayer Group meets each Monday evening at 6:00pm in the Church. Our intent and emphasis is devotion and consecration to the sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In practice, we do this through the recitation of the most Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet and Consecration prayers. All are invited and welcomed.

31. PRAYER LINE: Contact Sue Getman 238-9362
The Prayer Line Ministry is a powerful one. Parishioners call the prayer line to ask for prayers concerning specific intentions. After the prayer request is received, other parishioners, who make up the Prayer Line Ministry, are contacted by phone and asked to pray for the specific intentions requested. The details of the prayer requests, even names, are kept confidential if the prayer petitioner so desires. All concerns of God’s people are important to Him. Parishioners are encouraged to share their needs with this vital ministry, and to be comforted through community prayer on their behalf. [Also refer to #12 – Homebound Ministry]

MINISTRIES OF STEWARDSHIP

32. COLLECTION COUNTERS: Contact Gail Moore 877-4892
Parishioners in this ministry perform the important service of counting the Sunday collections. “Teams” of 3-4 people count the collections 10:00 on Sunday mornings. The process takes 30 to 40 minutes. Volunteers are asked to sign up for at least one “shift” every 4 to 6 weeks.

33. GARDEN MINISTRY: Contact Diane Marco 899-4874
The Garden Ministry is a seasonal one – late May – September – no regular meetings. We generally plant annuals, care for the perennials and do necessary weeding. Our maintenance employees take care of the lawn and shrubs. We set up a schedule for the summer for weeding so everyone in the ministry takes a turn. Come and help make Corpus Christi pleasing to the eye. [Also refer to #24 – Liturgical Environment]

34. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CORPUS CHRISTI COUNCIL 10869: Contact Mike Tidd 899-3174
Membership in the Knights of Columbus provides an opportunity for wholesome association with companions who are, first of all, practicing Catholic gentlemen. It offers the opportunity for fellowship with those who are of the same belief, who recognize the same Duty to God, to Family and to Neighbor and who stand side-by-side in defense of those beliefs.

To sign up for a Ministry, please send an email to pastoralcouncil@nycap.rr.com