Become Actively Involved
Join A Worship & Liturgical Ministry
Ministry means “Living your Strengths/Talents” for the glory of God and the good of others. Ministry is the heart and soul of any parish. Ministry provides God's vitality, compassion, relationship and healing to be experienced within God's people. The continuation of Jesus’ ministry depends on our active discipleship. Sts. Mary and Matthew invites you to become active ministers of God’s Love, Mercy, Healing and Reconciliation.
Altar Servers
Altar servers from grade four through adults are welcomed as altar servers in our faith community. Children must possess the necessary gifts to serve. Families can serve together if requested.
Interested?
St. Mary’s
Sharon Brown,
Liturgy Coordinator
(585) 229-5007
Communion Ministers
Communion Ministers
We have two different Communion ministries to choose from:
-
Distribute the Eucharist at weekend Mass.
-
Bring the Eucharist to Catholic residents at local nursing homes on Saturday/Sunday.
-
Bring the Eucharist to individual's homes who are not able to attend Mass.
Training and on-going support are provided for these ministries.
Interested?
Lector (“Ministers of the Word”)
A lector proclaims the first and second readings at Mass and at other liturgical services. A lector must be able to speak clearly, confidently and with passion. A lector also reads the General intercessions at Mass when a deacon is not present.
Training and on-going support are provided for this ministry.
Minister of the Word
Interested?
St. Mary’s
Sharon Brown,
Liturgy Coordinator
(585) 229-5007
Sacristan
The sacristan sets up the church for Mass. This includes setting up the credence table and preparing the altar for Mass.
Training and on-going support are provided for this ministry.
Interested?
St. Mary’s
Sharon Brown,
Liturgy Coordinator
(585) 229-5007
Ushers & Greeters
St. Matthew Church
Ushers are responsible to ensure that all people are seated in a hospitable and timely manner. Ushers also take up the collection and place it in the security bags and safe after Mass. During the distribution of the Eucharist ushers help to direct people to the altar and back to their seats. Training and on-going support are provided for this ministry.
Greeters extend the initial welcome to all parishioners and visitors to our Faith Community. They help to foster the sense of welcome and belonging as people enter our church. Training and on-going support are provided for this ministry. Nametags are also provided.
St. Mary’s Church
Greeters/Ushers extend the initial welcome to all parishioners and visitors to our faith community. They help to foster the sense of welcome and belonging as people enter the church. They also take up the collection and place it in the security bags after Mass. Training and on-going support are provided for this ministry. Nametags are also provided.
Interested?
Music Ministry
Our music ministries are responsible for leading the assembly during Mass. This includes:
*St. Mary’s Choir sings at Sunday 8:30 AM Mass at St. Mary’s, year around. Rehearses September thru June. Thursday, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
New members can join at any time.
*St. Matthew Choir sings at Sunday 10:30 Mass. Rehearses Sunday from 10:00 to 10:30 AM. (Special weekday rehearsals are scheduled before Christmas and Easter.)
New Members can join at any time.
*During Holy Week these two choirs combine to lead the music at all of the Triduum celebrations: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil.
Interested?
For more information on all our music ministries, contact:
Steve Donohue, Music Director
sdonohue1632@gmail.com (585) 346-3815
Specialty Choirs and Cantors
St. Matthew Folk Group is a Praise and Worship group with guitar, drums, violin, and more. Lead Music first Sunday and third Saturday of each month. Rehearsals are at 7:00 PM on the Wednesday evening proceeding those days. For more information about joining the folk group contact Paul Maginn at pmaginn131@ gmail.com.
Resurrection Choir provides music for all the Funeral Services/Masses at St. Matthew Church. It is comprised of members from all of our choirs and other parishioners who wish to participate.
Cantor Ministry at Sts. Mary and Matthew Faith Community is comprised of women and men including high school and college students. The cantors lead sung prayer at all Masses. Training is available through the parish, and at Diocesan sponsored workshops.
Liturgical Environment
During the liturgical year the Church unfolds the whole mystery of Christ. Preparing a suitable Liturgical Environment becomes the joint work of the Holy Spirit and the local community.
The mission of the Liturgical Environment volunteers is the designing and implementing of liturgical themes for the church building for the liturgical "seasons" of the year: Advent, Ordinary Time, Christmas, Lent, the Triduum, Easter and Pentecost.
People are also called to minister to the needs of parishioners by caring for the physical needs of the church environment. Cleaners provide a clean and pleasing environment in which to worship and pray.
Preparing the Liturgical Environment seeks to help enhance the faith experience, as well as liturgical celebration and worship. Use your time and talent in bringing the seasons to life with simple but beautiful decorating and caring for each church.
Opportunities at St. Mary’s & St. Matthew
Liturgical Decorating (Either St. Mary's or St. Matthew)
Volunteers plan and implement decorating the worship space throughout the year to place the colors that represent and signify the meaning of the liturgical "seasons". Efforts include changing the altar cloths, banners, flowers and other liturgical decor.
Altar Linen Laundering (Either St. Mary's or St. Matthew)
Parishioners assist in laundering the altar linens for the Eucharistic celebrations.
Dustbusters (St. Mary’s Church only) Dustbusters clean St. Mary’s Church every other week. There are about four teams of volunteers who work on a rotating schedule.
Interested?
For more information for St. Mary’s contact:
Joan Madigan or Judy Donsky
hstmaryo@dor.org (585) 229-5007
For more information for St. Matthew contact:
Melissa Szczesniak
(585) 346-3815