Adult Choir
This ministry supports liturgical worship for the Church assembly through
appropriate hymns and responses. All adults with a love for singing
are welcome to join.
Adult Formation
A religious adult educational program that consists of different courses
and programs that are available in St. Lawrence Parish, neighboring
churches, and within the diocese. Ideas, suggestions and people willing
to teach or lead an adult teaching session are always welcome.
Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priest during the Eucharistic Celebration.
This is a special liturgical ministry open to boys and girls who are
in grades four through twelve. Altar servers typically are scheduled
to serve at least once every three weeks.
Baptism Preparation
The baptism preparation class is required of all parents and prospective
parents who are planning to have their child baptized. The session covers
the reason for baptism, its history and the signs of Baptism. It also
provides explanations of the rite and the requirements for being a Godparent.
Baptisms are typically scheduled on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Bible Study
Learn more about the foundations of the Christian faith and the history
of our salvation through bible study. This ministry involves a basic
study of the scriptures - the old and new testaments. Undated text and
workbook materials from the Little Rock Scripture Study Program are
used for daily personal study. Small group sharing on bible study meets
weekly.
Birthright
Birthright is an interdenominational pregnancy support service that
helps girls and women in troubled pregnancies. It is free and confidential.
Birthright recognizes that no woman ever wants to have an abortion,
but if she feels she is left with no choice, she may resort to it. To
make the choice for life, this ministry offers support during the pregnancy
and after the baby is born so both mother and baby can face the future
with dignity.
Cantors
Cantors lead the Church community in liturgical song at the Saturday,
Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation masses. This important ministry is
open to all parishioners who participate in the Adult Choir. Your love
and desire to share God's given talent of music with others is welcomed.
Christmas Fair Committee
Generally held the first Friday and Saturday of December, this parish
function not only helps to build the parish treasury, but also builds
parish community. Parishioners work throughout the year making items
for this event. All parishioners are invited and encouraged to help
in any way they can.
Communion to the Sick
This very special ministry is open only to commissioned Eucharistic
Ministers. Following the 8:30 a.m. Mass (which they attend), they are
sent forth by the Pastor to bring the Eucharist to those parish members
who are unable to attend Mass for reason of infirmity or age.
Drivers
These volunteers are willing to be called to provide a ride for the
elderly or others unable to drive for themselves. These rides can be
to the doctor, the store or to Church.
Eucharistic Adoration
Whenever the Blessed Sacrament is in exposition in the chapel, there
should always be someone in attendance. This is a time of prayer, meditation,
and adoration in the Eucharistic presence. For those who are able to
schedule at least a half-hour during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament,
this time affords them solitude and peace unlike any other place or
time in their lives.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned to distribute the Precious Body
and Blood of Christ to the faithful at Mass. They should be filled with
the reverence due the real Presence of Christ in our midst. They also
prepare the altar for Mass and purify the sacred vessels following the
Liturgy. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be 18 years of age.
Finance Council
The committee reviews and monitors the financial standings of the parish.
Responsibilities include dispersing funds as directed by the Pastor,
providing recommendations to the Pastor on spending approvals and developing
and monitoring the yearly Parish budget. Finance Council members are
also members of the Parish Council.
Grounds Crew
This ministry is dedicated to keeping the grounds of St. Lawrence clean,
manicured and inviting. Special effort and much time is spent maintaining
"Mary's Garden". Volunteers are welcome to initiate new projects
such as making a flowerbed to supply the altar with fresh flowers during
the growing season.
Hospitality
This ministry welcomes new parishioners through visitation, phone calls,
and coffee hour programs. This ministry will answer new parishioners
questions and introduce them to the parish community. Greeters also
play a key role in the hospitality ministry. Greeters carry the cross
to lead the procession which begins Mass, greet parishioners as they
enter the Church to attend Mass and pass out bulletins after Mass.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is an organization of men who are committed
to volunteer service, charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense
of the priesthood. The Knights of Columbus follow the divine teaching
of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the organization is loyal to the Pope,
the Vicar of Christ on Earth. It is committed to the protection of human
life from conception to natural death. Founded in 1892 by Father McGivney
in New Haven, Connecticut, the Knights of Columbus is the largest lay
organization in the Catholic Church. All men are encouraged to join.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at the Sunday and daily liturgies.
This important ministry is open to all parishioners from early teens
on. A desire to bring the Word of God to the faithful in a clear and
understandable manner is required.
Library
A growing resource of books and videos for all ages and topics, the
library is located within the Church.
Marriage Preparation
This program prepares couples for a lifetime of mutual love and fidelity.
Marriage preparation provides teaching, understanding and knowledge
of the Church's teaching on the Sacrament of Marriage. Preparation for
marriage begins at least one year in advance to allow time to prepare
the couple for a full and happy marriage filled with faith and love
for God, for family and for each other.
Parish Council
The Parish Council consists of members of the Parish Community along
with those who share in the pastoral care of the Parish. The Council
is presided over by the Pastor. The Council assists the Pastor in his
care of the Parish, fostering recommendations and assisting to set direction
for the Parish. The Council has a consultative vote only and is governed
by the norms determined by the diocesan bishop.
Parish Decorators
Parish Decorators prepare the ambo, altar, assembly place, tabernacle,
chapel, and baptistery for each liturgical season. According to the
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy the Church has yet to
adopt a particular style of art as her own. As decorators, this ministry
tries to keep the Christian traditions and style within the principles
of the Liturgy.
Parish Handbook
This ministry assembles information on parish ministries, organizations
and parish resources for publication. Additionally, information on Mass
schedules, parish personnel, religious education and other critical
components of our parish community is captured. The handbook services
as both reference and resource document for all parishioners. Ideas
and comments are always welcome.
Parish Office Volunteers
This ministry supports the Parish Office with administrative services
at the request of the Pastor or Parish personnel. If you have a few
morning or afternoon hours available, please consider volunteering some
time to help out in the office or as needed by the Pastor.
Photography
This ministry chronicles the activities of the church through pictures.
With one-week advance notice, all efforts can be made to prepare equipment
and reserve the time needed to attend the church event and take pictures.
Prayer Group
Deepen your relationship with God through prayer and reflection. Taking
the time to put yourself in the presence of God to give Him praise and
worship. In family community, this prayer group offers peace, comfort,
and opportunity to meet and pray with other parish members.
Prayer Line
The prayer line is a team of people who respond with prayers to emergency
situations. Anyone is eligible to participate in the Prayer Line ministry
if they are willing to commit themselves to pray and to pass on the
request quickly, so the line is not broken, and so that prayers can
be offered promptly.
Pro-life Committee
The Pro-Life Committee is a voice of support for life, from the moment
of conception through natural death. Servicing as a resource for information
made available through the Diocese of Norwich and the Pro-Life Office,
this committee keeps the parish informed of local and national issues
concerning life.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
For adults and children wishing to enter into the Catholic Faith. This
process is done over an extended period with participants joining the
community of St. Lawrence on their faith journey. This journey is marked
by liturgical celebrations along the way as they become more acquainted
with Jesus Christ and learn what the Catholic Church teaches and celebrates.
This program helps the process of conversion of God's people, and brings
people more fully into the Catholic Church and to the Christian faith.
This journey culminates but does not end at the Easter Vigil Celebration
of the Eucharist.
Re-Membering Church
This program is for adults who have not celebrated with the Roman Catholic
Church for an extended period of time and who wish to return to the
Catholic faith after a long absence. Individuals desire to be in full
communion again with the Roman Catholic Church. It is a process of reentry
into the journey of the Catholic Church and is marked by Ritual Liturgical
Celebrations.
Religious Education
Religious Education provides for an organized, structured environment
in which the teaching and tradition of our Catholic faith is passed
on to our youth of the parish. From kindergarten through high school
with the Sacrament of Confirmation, this program offers an opportunity
for our youth to grow in their knowledge, understanding, and practice
of our Christian faith. If you love children and feel committed to teaching
and sharing our Catholic teachings and tradition, please consider being
part of the program as a teacher, teacher assistant and/or administrative
volunteer.
Rosary Group - Monday
Every Monday evening, the Knights of Columbus pray to the Blessed Mother
to intercede for anyone that needs help. All are welcome to join them
in pray. The Rosary has been said faithfully every Monday since 1991
when the St. Lawrence chapter of the Knights of Columbus was chartered.
Rosary Group - Wednesday
This ministry prays the Rosary weekly, and the mysteries are prayed
based upon the liturgical time of the year. The needs of the parish
community are offered up to God.
Rummage Sale Committee
The Rummage Sale is a fundraising event. Held in April and October,
this event sells clothing and household goods. The committee sorts and
prices all donations, which are then neatly displayed and categorized
by size and age group. All unsold items are donated to charities and
all profits are used for the parish hall. The committee is always looking
for members to help assemble and organize the donations. The committee
typically meets one week prior to the scheduled sale. Participating
on this committee or donating items helps to build parish community.
Small Christian Communities
Meeting are reflection environments focusing on basic human experiences
expressed within the week's scripture. Using the format of the Quest
booklet, and in conjunction with the bible, there is faith sharing through
questions and discussion to bring about a closer and more personal relationship
with Jesus Christ.
Soup Kitchen
This ministry weekly delivers donated groceries to soup kitchens. Groceries
are picked up each Sunday after 10:30 A.M. Mass. This ministry is shared
by several families in the parish who take turns distributing groceries
and canned goods to area soup kitchens. Food donations are always welcome
and can be placed in the church foyer.
Spiritual Life Group
The Spiritual Life committee works with the Pastor to develop and implement
programs that stimulate and sustain the work of the Holy Spirit in the
lives of all parishioners. This committee works with invited guests
for evenings of reflections, parish mission, healing masses, and educational
studies (bible studies), as well as facilitates the publicity, hospitality
and general parish coordination for such activities and events.
Strawberry Festival Committee
The Strawberry Festival is the largest fundraising event for St. Lawrence
Parish. Held on the third Saturday in June, this festival is an all
day fair which includes a giant auction, craft fair, raffles, book and
toy sale, quilt raffle, children's games, plant sale, baked goods and
food booths. The committee is always looking for members to help organize
and coordinate this annual event. The committee typically begins meeting
in February for the current year's festival. Participating on this committee
or just volunteering for the day is a great way to build parish community,
to contribute time and talent in thanksgiving to God, and to help raise
money for the parish.
Stewardship Council
The Stewardship Council was established by Father O'Hara in 1991 as
a way of fostering sacrificial giving in the parish. The goal of the
Council is to educate and encourage the parish to participate in sacrificial
giving as a way of life. The Council distributes the tithe of the parish
to local, state, national and international charities, as well as to
personal and family requests. This distribution is done on a quarterly
basis except for personal needs, which are handled by the pastor in
a confidential way. The Council informs the parish of its distribution
through the bulletin. All members of the parish are encouraged to submit
names of anyone needing temporary financial assistance. Forms are available
in the lobby of the church.
Sunday Sandwich Servers
On weekends, this ministry prepares and distributes sandwiches to needy
people who do not receive food. Sandwiches, packages of cookies and
fruit are gathered every Sunday morning at St. Lawrence and delivered
to St. Vincent DePaul in Middletown.
Teens in Action - TIA
TIA is a safe zone for our parish youth. It is a gathering place where
all teens are respected and treated kindly. Youth ministry helps teens
to strengthen their faith in a fun way, enables them to share their
faith connection with other teens, and challenges them to discover their
inner strengths. TIA enhances religious education with a very strong
emphasis on family values. Teen issues, reaffirming moral values, community
service and creative prayer are some of the components of the teen ministry.
Many fun, learning activities are scheduled throughout the year including
ski trips, white water rafting, retreats, block dances, scavenger hunts,
leadership workshops, Adopt-a Family projects and, much more. Interested
teens and adults with teen flair are encouraged to join youth ministry.
Vocation Committee
This ministry provides prayer for vocations through prayer cards, Eucharistic
Adoration, general intercessions, and Masses.
Website
A St. Lawrence website will help to increase awareness of parish activities
and ministries. It provides information for new parishioners, prospective
parishioners, and updates members on church events, Mass schedules, and
liturgical calendars. Ideas and support are welcome.
Women's Prayer Group
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited after morning Mass on Thursdays.
This group joins together in music, prayer and praise.