Link to: Ministry and Social Action

COMMITTEES AND GROUPS  

Baby-sitting
Some parishioners find it difficult to attend parish events because they need baby-sitters. Can you help out occasionally by caring for children in the parish nursery? The parish secretary maintains a list of people who can be called on when baby-sitting is needed. Parish office, 367- 2665

Base Communities
Small fellowship groups called base communities meet for friendship, mutual support, faith sharing, learning, prayer, and outreach. Members decide where and how frequently they will meet and the topics they wish to discuss. People interested in forming a base community can get help from the parish staff. Mary Long, 367-2665

Bible Study Groups
St. Patrick’s Bible study is a parish-wide network of small groups studying Scripture. The format, which includes fellowship, prayer, and mission, provides a climate in which people can grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the application of Scripture to their lives and can gain insight through sharing insights in the group. Bible study groups are offered on many days and at many times; some meet in homes, some at St. Patrick’s. Mary Long, 367- 2665

Catholic Young Adults
Through study, faith sharing, and fellowship, this group brings young adults together as they figure out what it is to be grown-up and Catholic. They meet weekly for organized Bible study or discussions and get together socially when they can. Cindy Shaw, 384-2299

Coffee Shop
After 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, the main hall of the parish center provides the setting for a socializing event known as the parish Coffee Shop. Men’s and women’s teams serve coffee (25 cents), orange juice (25 cents), and doughnuts (50 cents) until the supplies run out or until 10:30, whichever comes first. Come along to meet with friends or to make new ones. Jerry McArthur, 643-7775; Steve Beckett, 328-0353

Communications Committee
If you have journalistic interests or artistic skills, enjoy gathering or disseminating information, can use PageMaker or other paging software, or simply have ideas for In Focus, the Communications Committee would be pleased to hear from you. This committee seeks to deepen understanding and appreciation among parish groups and individuals through publicizing parish activities in the parish newsletter, In Focus. Peggy Whelan, 367-3668; Frances Drone- Silvers, 398-1458

Knights of Columbus
The Urbana Council 5752 of the Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization of men that supports St. Patrick’s Parish and many local community projects. The local Council sponsors a variety of popular parish activities that include the Lenten fish fries, pancake breakfasts, golf outings, Ladies’ Knight Out, and the fall Tootsie Roll drive for the mentally and developmentally disabled. David Mendoza, 377-8986

Men's Book Club
Facilitated by Fr. Gene Kane, the Men's Book Club meets on first Wednesdays from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. for a discussion of books on a variety of subjects related to the Church or aspects of the Catholic faith. Parish office, 367-2665

Moms Group
The Moms Group offers a variety of activities and gettogethers for stay-at-home parents—dads as well as moms— who find the group a great way to connect with others, to swap stories about “life with children,” and to share solutions to situations that only a parent can really appreciate. The makeup of the group is very fluid, depending as it does on the day-to-day circumstances of the mom or dad and their youngsters. Those who can, gather on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., in the parish center nursery for a change of scene, for different toys and other play companions for their children, for conversations with other stay-at-home parents. Suzanne D’Andria, 344-0398; Carolyn McElrath, 278-2126

St. Patrick's Guild
All registered parishioners, both men and women, are eligible and encouraged to join St. Patrick’s Guild, which is affiliated with the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Their many ministries include: • Caring for the church and altar. Mary Ann Luedtke, 328-1143 • Providing meals after funeral liturgies for family and friends of the deceased. Irma Wait, 367-6547 • Providing pastoral care to Catholic residents of local nursing homes. Sr. Charlene Cesario, 367-2665 • Holding an annual fund-raising event during the holiday season. Leslie Risatti, 367-2665 • Organizing and working the parish’s most successful annual fundraiser, the Cellar-to-Garret Sale, in August or September. Carla Simmering, 328-4841; Susan Hublein, 384-8356 • Coordinating the parish’s participation in Meals-on- Wheels. Marcia Reed, 359-6112

Seniors Group
Parishioners at least 60 or 55 or 50 years of age (they can’t seem to settle on the minimum age when one may claim to be “senior”) meets four times a year for fun and good cheer. Each time they meet, they select a new committee to plan the next get-together. Shirley Splittstoesser, 367-3330

Social Committee
Many of the special parish events that we remember with a smile are organized by the Social Committee. The group sponsors such family social events as ice cream socials, allparish dances, parish picnics, and other ways of gathering us to recoup our energies and restore our spirits. Are you an organizer? A planner? A cookie baker? Do you have ideas for bringing people together to become better acquainted, to enjoy one another’s unique personalities and gifts? Cathy Howey, 684-2372; Joseph Youakim, 355-0793

Education and Family Life

Children's Religious Education
Education Commission, High School of St. Thomas More H o l y C r o s s P a r e n t s S u p p o r t G r o u p Classes for pre-school through 6th grade are offered at a variety of times to accommodate the nearly 300 children who register each year. Classes in St. Patrick’s parish center are held at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. on Sundays and at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Classes are also offered for parish families in St. Joseph at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. First Reconciliation preparation consists of classes offered on Tuesday evenings in November. For First Communion preparation, classes are offered on Tuesday evenings in March and April. Baptism preparation for children aged 3- 12 is offered in the fall and again in the spring. Suzanne D’Andria, 278-2126 or 344-0398

Education Committee
Members of this committee discern religious education needs in our parish community, establish objectives for meeting these needs, recommend resources for carrying out program objectives, and collaborate with staff in evaluating the effectiveness of parish religious education programs. Michael Krassa, 355-6484; Kathy Sarnecki, 469-7639
The Education Commission is an advisory committee to the Pastors’ Board for The High School of St. Thomas More. One of the commission’s purposes is to participate in developing policy on education matters at the high school. Teresa Krassa, 355-6484; Dorothy Maduzia, 367-2819
For parish families whose children are enrolled in Holy Cross School, this group provides a forum for parents’ questions and concerns. The group, made up of about 50 St. Patrick’s families, with 72 children enrolled in the school, meets in the spring and fall with the school’s principal and St. Patrick’s representative on the Holy Cross Commission on Youth Education. Tracey Wszalek, 337-7961

Marriage Preparation
Married couples assist engaged couples to prepare for marriage by administering a pre-marriage “inventory” called FOCCUS. After the married couple scores it, they discuss it in the privacy of their home with the engaged couple. Linda and Tim Bowers, 586-1862; Carolyn McElrath, 278-2126

Parish Library
The parish library includes books, tapes, and magazines for adults, teens, and children on a wide variety of subjects. During Advent and Lent, books and other materials are offered for sale to parishioners. The library is located in the classroom wing of the parish center in room 6; materials especially appropriate for the younger set have been gathered in the Children’s Library, in room 4. Frances Drone-Silvers, 398-1458

Pre-Baptism Classes
A baptism preparation class is offered ten times a year on second Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the parish center. The class is a one-time, small-group, multimedia preparation for parents on the sacrament of Baptism. Parents are strongly urged to attend a class before the birth of their baby. Carolyn McElrath, 278-2126

RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the process by which adult men and women respond to God’s call to faith through Roman Catholicism. Through catechetical presentations and reflective discussion of scripture, inquirers study the Church and discern God’s call to faith. Starting in October, formal catechetical sessions are offered on Wednesday evenings, 7-9 p.m. Beginning in Advent participants also attend Sunday Mass together; after the homily they withdraw to share their reflections on the Mass readings with one another and with parish sponsors. This process of inquiry and discernment culminates in entry into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The program is intended to be flexible to meet the needs of persons who may have conflicts with scheduled meeting times. Carolyn McElrath, 278- 2126; Sr. Charlene Cesario, 367-2665

Youth Ministry
St. Patrick’s offers a youth program under the overall supervision of Carolyn McElrath, Director of Religious Education. The program focuses on catechesis, prayer, service, and community building.
• Senior-high students meet on Sundays, 6:30-8 p.m., for religious-education classes. Peggy Loftus, 356- 8843
• Members of CREW (Christ Renews Everyone’s World), the name the high-schoolers have chosen for their youth group, are actively engaged in teen liturgies, teen choir, service projects, and summer Mission trips to other areas of the country, where they participate in projects designed to help the poor and marginalized of our society. Peggy Loftus, 356-8843
• Junior-high students (7th- and 8th-graders) meet on Sundays, 6:30-8 p.m., for religious-education classes. Carolyn McElrath, 278-2126.
• Confirmation for high-school juniors and seniors and for adults is celebrated every other year at St. Patrick’s, next in the spring of 2007. Baptism preparation for teens can be arranged on request. Carolyn McElrath, 278-2126

Disciples in Mission
The goal of this three-year renewal program, initiated in 2005, is “to bring about in all Catholics such an enthusiasm for their faith that, in living their faith in Jesus, they freely share it with others.” The lectionary-based program runs during the weeks of Lent, when the parish focuses together on themes from the Sunday Scripture readings in homilies and bulletin inserts, facilitated small-group discussions, and family activity booklets for use in homes. Other program opportunities are planned for the fall and winter. Mary Long or Sr. Charlene Cesario, 367-2665

WATCH
The parish renewal program called WATCH (We Are The Church) offers a fall renewal weekend, with activities focused on the sacraments, spiritual growth, and one’s relationship with God and with the Christian family. The fall 2006 WATCH weekend will take place at St. Patrick’s Oct. 21-23. Mini-retreats, called “Fan the Flames,” provide ongoing opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship and are open to everyone. During Lent, WATCH also offers a “ Faith and Films” series. WATCH spiritual director Cliff Maduzia, 367-2819; Mary Long, 367-2665

Welcome Team
To make the introduction to our parish community personal and inviting, the Welcome Team contacts new parishioners to offer a home visit and information to help acquaint them with parish life at St. Patrick’s. Invitations to Coffee Shop and to parish social events or groups provide opportunities for newcomers to meet other parishioners, helping them to feel more at home in our faith community. Mary Long, 367-2665.

Evangelization

Witness
In the lives of parishioners there are many stories of how one’s relationship with God has affected or changed lives. Parishioners volunteer to share their stories with others through the “Evangelization Minute,” delivered at the end of Mass on the fourth weekend of most months. These brief witnesses help to show many different ways that God’s love for each person is manifested. Mary Long, 367-2665

Liturgy and Music

Adult Servers for Funerals
Adult servers prepare the church for the celebration of the funeral Mass and assist the presider during the Mass, carrying articles to be used, offering incense, and preparing the altar for the Eucharistic sacrifice. Written procedures are provided for reference, augmented by on-the-job training. Leslie Risatti, 367-2665

Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the presider in a variety of ways during the Mass, carrying articles to be used, assisting with the book of prayers (Sacramentary), offering incense, and preparing the altar for the Eucharistic sacrifice. Training takes place in the church and includes a review of procedures during Mass and practice in handling the Sacramentary, processional cross and candles, and incense and censer. Janet Althauser, 367-5397

Children's Liturgy
Mass designed for families with young children is celebrated on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. in the church. Offered usually on the first two Sundays of the month during the school year beginning in October, this celebration helps young children to recognize God’s love for them and to make a joyful response in prayer and song. Suzanne D’Andria, 344-0398 or 278-2126

Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Communion) serve the meal at our Eucharistic banquet, sharing the Body and Blood of the Lord with all who come. Training for this ministry takes place in the church and includes a presentation on the meaning of Eucharist and the role of the Eucharistic minister. It also includes a review of procedures for communion ministry at Mass, practice in handling the communion cup, and advice on situations that may arise during communion. Lyle Fettig, 356-8136

Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God at parish liturgies and prayer services. Training takes place in the church and includes practice with a reading from Sunday Mass, using the microphone, and procedures for the processions at the beginning and end of Mass. Nancy Olson, 359-6424

Liturgical Arts Team
Liturgical artists seek to fashion an environment that helps people pray together. They collaborate in the preparation and arrangement of materials designed to serve the community’s prayer, carrying out the themes of our worship services through the use of lighting, arrangements of objects, and banners. Assistance in designing, sewing, crafting, arranging is needed most especially for the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. Janet Althauser, 367- 5397

Liturgy Committee
In all its work the Liturgy Committee seeks to plan for and foster parish liturgies that are inspiring, beautiful, and consistent with our faith tradition. The committee recruits, trains, and schedules volunteers who serve the parish as lectors, sacristans, artists, eucharistic ministers, servers, ushers, musicians, and those who prepare what is needed for each Mass. The committee also provides opportunities for them to continue to develop their skills and grow in a spirit of service. Mary Lou Menches, 344-1125; Sam Reese, 344-3414

Mass Setup
Mass setup ministry enables the priest to prepare for the community’s worship service, secure in the knowledge that the bread and wine, chalice, communion cups, and any other special vessels or materials required are in place and ready for use. The setup needs for each Mass are listed for reference, with training provided by the Mass setup coordinator. The volunteer sets up for the same Mass each weekend. Mary Lou Menches, 344-1125

Music Ministry
All parishioners share in the parish’s music ministry through their full and active participation in parish liturgies. The parish music program welcomes all who desire to guide and support the sung prayer and praise of the assembly. Music Director Chris Angel, 367-2665 or cangel@stpaturbana.org
• The 9:00 choir specializes in contemporary styles of music, accompanied by piano, guitar, and other instruments. Rehearsal on Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• The 10:30 choir’s repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant to traditional choral classics to contemporary choral music. Some music-reading experience is desirable. Rehearsal on Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
• The funeral schola provides music at parish funeral liturgies, usually on weekday mornings. Rehearsal on second and fourth Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.
• The children’s choir is a chance for young people to learn more about Church, a little about music and singing, and to have fun while doing it. The choir is open to thirdthrough seventh-graders. The group sings at one Mass per month and on special occasions. Rehearsal on most Wednesdays, 5:15-6:00 p.m.
• The teen choir focuses on contemporary styles of music, accompanied by piano, guitar, and other instruments. The choir provides music for teen liturgies and other special events. Rehearsal: as announced.
• Cantors lead the assembly in song at weekend parish liturgies. This includes singing the psalm, leading responses, and announcing the music.
• Skilled instrumentalists of all ages are welcome at any Mass.
• Bell ringers are welcome. Currently volunteers are contacted for special occasions. The parish owns a fine set of handbells; if there is sufficient interest, a bell choir can be formed.

Sacristan Assistants
Sacristan assistants prepare the gathering space and materials used in our parish liturgies. Care for the condition of the worship space where liturgy is celebrated, as well as for the vestments, vessels, candles, bread and wine, is essential to establishing an environment that is hospitable, welcoming, clean—one that fosters prayer. It is the work of caring people. Mary Ann Luedtke, 328-1143

Teen Liturgy
Teens help to organize and plan liturgies that are designed especially for young men and women in their teen years. Teen-aged musicians, lectors, ushers, greeters, servers, and planners assist in this worship experience. Five or six teen liturgies are celebrated during the school year. Music Director Chris Angel, 367-2665; Peggy Loftus, 356-8843

Operations

Ushers
Ushers, our ministers of hospitality, greet us on our arrival and may help us find adequate seating before the service begins. They distribute materials needed by the assembly for Mass, take up a collection of our offerings for the maintenance of our house of worship and the continuance of our mission as a parish, help to maintain good order during communion, and distribute parish bulletins as we leave the church. On-the-job training is facilitated by guidance from one’s peers. Chris Billing, 403-1348

Archives Committee
The Archives Committee collects and preserves information of historic and current interest about St. Patrick’s parish community. This includes photographs, newspaper clippings, minutes of committee and Council meetings, and other official records. Members make this information available to the people of the parish, genealogists, and researchers. Nancy Steerman, 328-1217

Building and Grounds Committee
This committee is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and operation of all parish property and equipment. Electricians, masons, plumbers, carpenters, organizers, record keepers, and others with special skills provide organization and leadership for a variety of parish projects. Amateur doit- yourself-ers are also in great demand. Gary Wszalek, 337-7961; Randy Pankau, 365-9176

Collection Counters
On Mondays, from 8 to 10 a.m., a team of parishioners gathers to count the collections taken up at weekend Masses. What might otherwise be a time-consuming and tedious job is made easy and pleasant by teamwork and friendship. Parish office, 367-2665

Financial Affairs Committee
This committee assists in preparing the annual parish operating budget, analyzes expenditures in light of budgeted goals, and prepares financial reports for the pastor and the Parish Council. The committee also oversees the tuition program for parishioners who attend Holy Cross School andThe High School of St. Thomas More. One of the committee’s primary functions is to increase parishioners’ awareness of the need and opportunities for their support of St. Patrick’s through regular financial contributions. Terry Moreau, 384-1852; Cheryl Mitchell, 355-4566

Parish Council
The Parish Council is a group that advises the pastor and parish trustees in conducting the spiritual and secular affairs of the parish. Voting membership of the Council is made up of ten parishioners elected to a 3-year term, the two parish trustees, and the pastor. Parishioners elect 3 or 4 new Council members each year in April. Visitors are welcome atCouncil meetings, held on third Thursdays at 7 p.m. Agenda items may be suggested by calling the Council president two weeks in advance. Tracey Johnson, 356-1807

Parish Receptionists
The parish center is a busy place during office hours, with people arriving for meetings and appointments, coming in with questions, or bringing their special needs. The volunteer receptionists help by answering the telephone and welcoming people, sometimes assisting with light office work, 2-3 hours a week. Leslie Risatti, 367-2665

Personnel Committee
Personnel Committee members formulate, update, and monitor application of comprehensive personnel guidelines for all salaried employees of the parish. The committee also periodically carries out comparative studies of duties, salary structure, and benefits to assure employees of competitive and fair compensation levels. Diane Ruedi, 398-5199; Jerry Pijanowski, 367-5737

WebSite Committee
The Web Site Committee was formed to oversee, promote, and improve St. Patrick’s Web site to make it a useful tool for all parishioners and to provide information about the many faith-based opportunities the parish offers. Members also maintain and upgrade parish computers and software. Webmaster Bob Andersen, 359-6080 or randerse@uillinois.edu; Patty Andersen, 359-6080 or pmandrsn@uiuc.edu

Link to: Ministry and Social Action