Eucharistic Minister

Mission: To assist in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist on Sundays, Holy Days and/or daily Mass.

Time: Weekly commitment (if possible). Schedule is flexible and finding a substitute is required. Formation and training sessions

Special Skills: Love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist; ease in public settings, Catholic in good standing who has received the

Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). Must be invited to serve and mandated by Bishop Loverde.

Coordinators: James Crockett, james.a.crockett@uscg.mil or

 Fr. Don Rooney, frrooney@stmaryfred.org

Eucharistic Minister to the Homebound/Hospital Ministry

Mission: To bring the Holy Eucharist, pray and visit with those who are homebound or hospitalized.

Time: Weekly commitment (if possible). 1-2 hours weekly. Annual Training.

Special Skills: Love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist; friendly and compassionate with the ability to comfort.  Catholic in good standing who has received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation). Must be invited to serve and mandated by Bishop Loverde.

Coordinator: Fr. Ed Bresnahan, frbresnahan@stmaryfred.org

Greeters

Mission: Welcome all parishioners and visitors to Mass with a warm smile and friendly greeting.  Distribute liturgy sheets and assist ushers as needed.

Time: Weekly commitment desired, not required (arrive 15 minutes prior to Mass). Schedule is flexible and finding a substitute is required.  Initial training and annual formation session.

Special Skills: Adults and teens welcome. An outgoing and warm personality; a deep sense of Christ in all people.

Coordinator: Katherine Pereira, katyp111@hotmail.com

Lectors

Mission: To proclaim the Scripture readings at Mass with reverence and understanding.

Time: One Mass every 2 weeks, with one annual formation session.  Schedule is flexible and finding a substitute is required.

Special Skills: Adults and teens.  A love for God’s word and a desire to study it more deeply.  A clear speaking voice and ease speaking in front of people.  Appropriate dress is required.

Coordinators: Albert Martinez, justrun@verizon.net and

Fr. Lundberg, frlundberg@stmaryfred.org

Music Ministry

The Music Ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists who want to share their gifts to help foster the sung prayer of our parish.  We have five choirs that sing at Sunday (or Saturday evening) Mass and for special occasions. Below are the rehearsal and Mass times for each choir. If you enjoy singing or play an appropriate instrument and would like to contribute your talents to the parish liturgies in this special way, please contact us – we would love to have you join us!

Adult Choir

Sings for the Sunday 10:30am Mass from September to June, as well as Christmas Midnight Mass, and the main liturgies of the Easter Triduum. Repertoire includes the broad range of excellent Catholic liturgical music including chant, polyphony, classical and contemporary styles. Time: Sunday, 9:45am warm-up, Mass at

10:30am. Rehearsal Thursdays 7:30pm-9:15pm.

Director: David Mathers, Director of Sacred Music, dmathers@stmaryfred.org or

(540) 373-6491 x 217.

Folk Choir

Sings for the Saturday 5:00pm Mass throughout the year and for Christmas, Easter and other special feast days. Players of appropriate instruments are also encouraged to join.  Saturdays, 4:00pm warm-up, Mass at 5:00pm. Rehearsals (September to June), Wednesdays 7:45pm-9:00pm.

Director: Donna Green, donnagreen90@yahoo.com .

Spanish Choir

Sings/plays for the Sunday 2:00pm Mass throughout the year and for Christmas and Easter and other parish celebrations. Singers who enjoy singing in Spanish and players of appropriate instruments are most welcome to join. Time: Sunday, 12:30pm warm-up, Mass at 2:00pm. Rehearsals are Fridays at 7:30pm.

Director: Tilia Flores-Rivera 540-786-7626 or lucimar22@yahoo.com

Children's Choir (Grades 2-7)

Sings for Sundays 8:30am Mass about every other Sunday from September to June, as well as for Christmas Vigil, and Easter Sunday, and Confirmation. Sundays, 7:45am warm-up, Mass at 8:30am. Rehearsal, every Thursday 6:00pm-7:00pm.

Director: David Mathers; Dmathers@stmaryfred.org  (540) 373-6491

Youth Choir (Grades 8-12)

Sing or play appropriate instruments for Sunday 5:00pm Mass from September to June and for Christmas Midnight Mass, Good Friday Tre ore and the Easter Vigil. Sunday, 4:00pm warm-up, Mass at 5:00pm. Rehearsals Tuesdays 7:00pm-8:30pm.

Director: David Mathers, dmathers@stmaryfred.org or (540) 373-6491 x 217

Seasonal Decorators

Mission: To prepare the church for primary liturgical seasons, creating designs that lead those attending Mass to enter more deeply into the Mysteries we celebrate.

Time: Usually the Saturday before a major feast day. Other dates as needed throughout the year.

Special Skills: An eye for design.

Coordinators: Sr. Susan Louise, hcaprincipal@verizon.net and

Fr. Rooney, frrooney@stmaryfred.org

Ushers

Mission: To provide assistance to our fellow parishioners during regular masses and also during special liturgical events. This assistance includes a variety of tasks such as extending greeting to all those that enter, seating people, assisting at communion time, taking up the collection and distributing the church bulletin at the conclusion Mass.

Time: Weekly commitment (arrive 15 minutes prior to Mass). Initial training.  Schedule is flexible and finding a substitute is required.

Special Skills: A love and reverence for Mass. A friendly and kind disposition.

Coordinators: Joe Cralle jacralle@gmail.com or 540-371-1017 or Fr. Bjorn Lundberg, frlundberg@stmaryfred.org