Prayer to St. Martin O God, who sees that we cannot subsist by any strength of our own, mercifully grant that by the intercession of Blessed Martin, your confessor and Bishop, we may be protected against all adversity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 20 ST. MARTIN OF TOURS PARISH 46 CATHCART ST. LONDON ON N6C 3L7 Phone: (519) 433-8175 Fax: (519) 433-8176
St. Martin of Tours Parish Mission ST. MARTIN OF TOURS PARISH MINISTRY CHAIR CONTACTS Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me. Matthew 25 Altar Servers - George Hatch. 519-645-7070 Altar Society Betty Mitchell 519-433-2727 Anointing Mass Luncheons - Alice Helwig... 519-432-5616 Building & Maintenance - Jim Sheffield... 519-668-6112 Catholic Women s League - Angela Carter... 519-434-0365 Children s Education - Carol Dash 519-433-8175 Coffee Sunday - Teresa Anglin..519-663-9046 Commentators - Judy Harrigan.. 519-432-8919 Community Breakfast - Phil Dupuis.. 519-933-2319 Community Dinner - Fran Mahadeo.. 519-434-0254 Eucharistic Ministry - Pat Delmore 519-471-7139 Eucharistic Ministry to Shut-Ins & Nursing Homes - Martin Jimenez.. 519-433-8175 Finance Committee - John Jevnikar... 519-439-4922 Folk Choir - Vince Mancari... 519-453-7056 Funeral Choir - Louise Munroe. 519-451-5181 Funeral Altar Guild - Bob Adams. 519-439-1518 Funeral Luncheons - Alice Helwig 519-432-5616 Knights of Columbus - Mike De Kleyn. 519-649-2920 Liturgy Committee - Josephine Herriott.... 519-434-6038 R.C.I.A. - Martin Jimenez.. 519-433-8175 R.C.I.C. - Maria Martinez-Harild.. 519-701-1582 Readers - Blanduzia Beloui 519-690-0648 Sacramental Coordinator - Martin Jimenez... 519-433-8175 Social Committee - Mike De Kleyn...519-649-2920 Children s Liturgy - Maria Martinez-Harild.. 519-701-1582 Stewardship - Jim Asher 519-649-7712 St. Vincent de Paul - John Lang.519-438-6654 Traditional Choir - Louise Munroe 519-451-5181 Youth Ministry... Vacant 2 19
Social Committee The Social Committee organizes social events within the parish, such as Sacramental Receptions, Coffee Sundays, Christmas Family Events, Dances, Parish Picnics, and many others to unite our community together as one. Ushers welcome parishioners to Mass, assisting parishioners at Mass with the elevator, seating, taking up the offertory collection, organizing the offertory procession, distributing the bulletin and pertinent information. Experienced construction, building and maintenance specialist who can investigate and provide contractor s names when dealing with major projects within the parish and who will provide the time to help such projects. Appointed by the Pastor/Parish Administrator serving to advice and make recommendations on the financial property, human resources, prepare annual operating budgets, 5-year capital plan and monitor the financial performance of the parish. 18 Ushers Building & Maintenance Finance Committee The Risen Christ is with us this day, And He continues to need Each one of you. Jesus needs your eyes To continue to see. He needs your strength To continue to work. He needs your voice To continue to preach. He needs your hands To continue to bless. He needs your heart To continue to love. And Jesus needs your whole being To continue to build up His body As we believe, so let us live!! Joseph Cardinal Bernardin 3
Knights of Columbus You received without payment; Give without payment. (Mt 10:8) My dear parishioners, I wish to express to you all, my joy at being a part of St. Martin of Tours Parish community, as we journey in our ministry together. I encourage you to go diligently through this Ministry Booklet. It presents the varied and many aspects of services through which we can serve the community and God. While sending his apostles on their mission Jesus told them, As you go, proclaim the good news, The kingdom of heaven has come near, Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Jesus was making them participate in his own mission and giving them training to continue it. By the virtue of our baptism we have become the followers and disciples of Jesus and are commissioned to continue his mission. Through the different ministries in our parish we are fulfilling that mission entrusted to us. Knights are Catholic men, 18 years of age and older, who are committed to making their community a better place, while supporting their Church. Being a Knight is more than camaraderie; it is being involved with your community; it is supporting your local Catholic Church, while enhancing your own faith; it is about protecting and enhancing your family life. We meet every 3rd Monday of each month. Come and see just what we are all about and take the first step to enhance your personal life by viewing the segment, Why Join? St. Vincent de Paul Society Interested in reaching out to the less fortunate? Then this is a group from our parish who meet once a month to help the less fortunate in our parish boundaries. We rely on the generosity of funds donated from the parishioners that are then delivered during home visits. 4 17
Catholic Women s League The Catholic Women s League of Canada is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God. We meet every 2nd Monday of each month. The objectives are to unite Catholic women of Canada to: ACHIEVE individual & collective Spiritual Development PROMOTE the teachings of the Catholic Church EXEMPLIFY the Christian ideal in home and family life. PROMOTE the sanctity of human life. ENHANCE the role of women in the church and society. RECOGNIZE the human dignity of all people. UPHOLD & defend Christian values in the modern world. CONTRIBUTE to the understanding and growth of religious freedom, social justice and peace and harmony. In the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians he says, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but he same Lord; and there are varieties of activates, but the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good... All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. (1Cor12:4-7, 11) As we prepare to celebrate our 100th year as a community and a family of God, please take a prayerful moment, go through this booklet and ask God in which realms and aspects He would like us to serve Him and make Him present by serving His people by the gifts and talents He has given us freely. God bless you always especially in your ministries. Yours in Christ Fr. Francis Thekkumkattil CST 16 5
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION R.C.I.A. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults through which one journeys through a preparation beginning in the fall and running each week until the Easter Vigil when the candidates are received into the Church during the Easter Vigil. This program is also open to those wishing to refresh their knowledge of the faith or to be a sponsor to those journeying through the program. Baptismal Preparation Baptisms are usually celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Call the office to register for preparation which is a program that assists the parents in understanding what it is that they are undertaking by having their child baptized. First Penance The sacrament of reconciliation or Confession. This sacrament is usually celebrated in grade 2 and is celebrated at a Communal celebration in the parish the week prior to First Communion. First Communion The sacrament of receiving the consecrated body of Christ and is usually celebrated in grade 2 at Easter time. Social Justice Is helping people that can t help themselves! Kids going to school hungry. Pensioners that have to get jobs to be able to pay for essentials. Clean water; should it be a right or a commodity? Street kids, homeless and the working poor. Health care: should foreign doctors be driving cabs? Should child labour support our clothing choices? Should world health organizations provide drugs banned in Canada to third world countries? Sponsoring refugees. If any of these issues spark your interest, you should join us. Community Breakfast Every 3rd Saturday of each month, our parish puts on a breakfast for the less fortunate of our community from 8:00am - 11:00am. Members of the parish help shop for, prepare and serve this breakfast. Community Dinner Every 4th Sunday of each month, our parish puts on a dinner in the hall to the less fortunate of our community from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Members of the parish help shop for, prepare, and serve this dinner. 6 15
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES Jesus asks us to reach out and help people. For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me. Matt.25:35-36 Stewardship Christian Stewardship is a way of life based on the awareness that everything we have and everything we are comes from God. Stewardship requires us to recognize our dependence on God and one another in a culture that praises self-sufficiency. Stewardship cultivates an attitude of abundance in a society focused on need. Parish stewardship is the difference between programs and people, the difference between planning and prayer. It is the difference between fossilization and evangelization. It is the difference between a place you visit and a place you belong. To increase the stewardship spirituality in your parish requires a conscious commitment to the process that rests upon a spiritual foundation, formation in prayer, the development of identity, and a building up of community through trust and accountability. Confirmation Is the sacrament of receiving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Usually celebrated in grade 8 in the month of May by the Bishop. Preparation includes a commitment to a number of weekly sessions. Matrimony The sacrament of holy matrimony. Couples whose intent is to marry in the parish must be registered parishioners and make a pre-nuptial appointment six months in advance. A marriage preparation course is also mandatory. Parish Ministry If you have a warm handclasp, use it. If you have a gift of speech, speak. If you have energy, spend it for good. If you have money, give it. If you have time, share it. If you love children or youth, lead them. If you can sing, glorify God with your voice. If you are fond of the beautiful & the artistic, decorate God s altar. If you have a heart of love, visit the sick, Greet the stranger, sympathize with the sorrowing. If you have business ability, The church & the pastor need you. If you have faith, pray without ceasing. If your church means life to you and yours, Then attend worship regularly and give thanks. Tell others about it. 14 7
LITURGICAL MINISTRY The liturgy is at the heart of our Catholic faith. When we gather together at the Eucharist each Sunday we become the visible sign of Christ s presence in the world. Each one of us has been called and gifted by God to be that presence. The following ministries give you the opportunity to use your gifts to build up the Body of Christ. Altar Servers Altar servers assist the priest in the sanctuary during the celebration of Mass. Open to all children who have received their First Communion, who would like to serve our Lord and the community, and learn about the Eucharist in a reverent and prayerful way. Training is provided. Eucharistic Ministry to Shut-Ins & Nursing Homes This ministry provides communion to the shut-ins & nursing homes once a week. Extra-ordinary ministers are scheduled once a month. As well these ministers visit and assist at 2 nursing homes once a month during a Mass. Altar Society The Altar Society usually meet on Thursdays or at your convenience to 1) Wash all chalices used at the Masses 2) Wash and iron linens used on the Altar 3) Dust window sills, pews, altars 4) Arrange flowers (if needed) 5) Clean around the holy water fonts Mass of Anointing T h is Ma s s i s o f f e re d approximately twice a year and members of our parish with a vehicle are needed to accompany fellow parishioners to and from Mass; prepare and serve the luncheon; and are present during the Mass and luncheon as a companion. 8 13
PARISH SERVICE The parish offers many opportunities to use your gifts in service to others. Is God inviting you to serve in one of the following groups or activities? Funeral Altar Guild This ministry provides service to the Lord and families of loved ones who are being buried at our parish. They serve at the altar during a funeral Mass which includes set- up prior to the service. Commentators 1) Welcomes everyone to the Eucharistic celebration. 2) Introduces the other people who are taking part in the celebration. 3) Introduces the hymns. 4) Reads the Prayers of the Faithful. 5) Ensures that the collection is presented to the Lord during Mass. 6) Scheduled usually every fourth week at a Mass of your choice. Readers Readers faithfully and reverently proclaim with belief and reverence the Word of God at the Sunday Eucharist. Scheduled once every month and a half. The weekday Masses also provide an opportunity to be scheduled as a reader. Training is provided. Funeral Luncheons C.W.L. members of the parish in this ministry serve the family and friends in a social following the funeral service. The hall and a light luncheon are prepared, served and cleaned up. Baked goods are prepared in advance. Eucharistic Ministers Jesus asks us to feed the hungry, to give to our brothers and sisters, the very Body of Christ. How much more it is to feed spiritual hunger with Jesus Himself! You will first be commissioned with the Bishop s blessings: then undertake the responsibility of assisting the pastor at distributing Communion at Masses for a period of 6 years. And it is renewable. 12 9
MUSIC MINISTRY Sunday School Sunday School teachers should have the love for teaching the gospel readings to children, ages three to eight at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. The ability to simply lead singing, some experience with simple craft activities is advantageous. A program and training are provided. Children s Education Our Ministry is responsible for instilling the Catholic Faith in the children of our parish and the surrounding community. We provide programs such as Sunday School, Catholic Vacation Bible School and the Before & After School Program. This Ministries are responsible for all of the paperwork (registration forms, permission slips, lesson plans, and scheduling), advertising all programs and recruiting volunteers. Volunteers typically meet 1-2 times per year, at which time, we provide orientation, training and Public Health education for our members. Volunteers for all programs would most welcome. If you are gifted with the love of music and wish to inspire the congregation by praising God in song, and you are willing to commit to rehearsals and singing at Sunday Eucharist, then consider joining one of our choirs. Folk Choir Contemporary music drawn from the Holy is The Lord and Glory & Praise Hymnals. This joyful and reflective music is for the young and young at heart. As part of this music ministry, a commitment of 5 hours a week is required. Previous music training and/or experience is highly recommended. Traditional Choir Traditional style music song at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Mass and practices on Sunday at 9:00 am before Mass. Various part harmony singers & musicians are welcome Funeral Guild The Funeral Choir is available for parish funerals and practices prior to the funeral. Various harmony singers are welcome. 10 11