Parish Ministries
Parish Outreach Ministries
The Parish Outreach Ministries discern the needs of persons in the parish and wider community, especially the poor, and identifies resources to meet these needs, enlisting the active cooperation of parishioners. These ministries fulfill the justice dimension of Scripture and our church tradition acknowledging every Christian is called to service and to work for justice. The ministries' scope of responsibility is two-fold: to meet immediate needs and to work for changes in structures of society, which are oppressive.
Bereavement Ministry
The purpose of the Bereavement Committee is to provide support and comfort on behalf of the parish to family members when they have lost a loved one.
Adult Servers
There are two ways in which servers are needed at a funeral. One person is the Crossbearer and takes care of the incense, and the other person is the Altar Server as at a funeral mass.
Bethany Hospitality Committee
The purpose of the committee is to prepare and serve a luncheon after a funeral in a relaxed and warm atmosphere. Members extend any assistance and comfort to the family and friends of the deceased that they can, and hopefully ease their pain from a very sad day in their lives. The committee meets at every funeral we serve, and an annual general meeting.
Caregiver's Support Group
The Caregiver's Support Group is a parish based support group for those who are involved in the care of others (e.g. an elderly parent, ill spouse, chronically ill child, someone with a developmental disability, someone with Alzheimer's disease, long distance care etc.). Its purpose is to allow caregivers to share their stories, concerns, and needs and receive support in a warm, caring, nonjudgmental, confidential atmosphere. Meetings are from 7:00-9:00 PM once a month.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
They attend the funeral. We are always in need of two ministers for the cups, and more stations are added to enhance the accessibility for those present, to receive Eucharist under both species. The number of Eucharistic Ministers needed for the mass depends on how many people attend the litrugy.
Funeral Programs
Funeral programs are a helpful way for those attending the funeral to be aware of the music, readings and other elements of the funeral mass that will take place. To prepare funeral programs you must have a computer at home and be computer literate. You must also have the time to come to the Pastoral Office, on short notice, to make copies of the number of programs requested.
Greeters
The Greeters are the first people those attending the funeral mass meet when entering our church. A friendly smile, warm hello, and handing of the funeral programs to those who gather for the mass, help to create a sense of peace and a place of welcome.
Lazarus Ministry
As the friends of Lazarus gathered at the time of his death, parishioners who attend the funeral mass at our parish do the same for those who have died, thus are called the Lazarus Assembly. There are no meetings, parishioners attend as members of the assembly when they are available and represent the parish family of St. Augustine's.
Funeral Liturgies
Parishioners who help with our funeral liturgies give a presence of comfort to families in time of sorrow. The various ministries listed below help to provide a final farewell to deceased members of our parish community. Individual training for all the ministries is provided as needed.
Lectors
At our funeral masses, we encourage family members, or friends of the family, to read the selected Scripture and Prayers of the Faithful. When this is not possible, the parish provides lectors for the mass.
Recording Ministry Each funeral is recorded and given to the family as a memory. One person is needed to set up, begin the recording and stop the recording. The recording is presented to a member of the family.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry collects non-perishable food donated weekly by parishioners. Once a month or as needed, a volunteer delivers the food to the Methodist Church which is the main food pantry for the Baldwinsville community. There are 12 groups of volunteers, one for each month of the year.
Hospitality Reception Team
This team provides a welcoming atmosphere of friendship and fellowship for celebrations and occasions that occur within the church community. Volunteers in this group can help by providing baked goods, setting up, serving and/ or greeting at the event(s). Volunteers will be contacted to see what they would like to provide.
Just Faith
Just Faith is an extended justice education process that employs books, videos, lecture, discussion, etc. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasizes and enlivens the justice tradition of the Church. These programs are designed to empower and transform participants so they can become voices and agents of God's news to the poor. This group needs at least 6 members in order to be effective. For more information, please contact Jean Gentilcor at 638-0544.
Parish Newsletter Team
This team publishes news concerning parish ministries and events in "St. Augustine's News" which is distributed twice yearly. The team gathers information and photos for articles, and edits, formats, proofreads, and distributes the newsletter via bulk mail and online. Meetings are as necessary, most are accomplished via email.
Pastoral Visitors
Pastoral Visitors are people of prayer called to share in Christ's healing mission by visiting the sick, elderly or shut-ins of the parish weekly or biweekly. By listening to, talking with, praying with, and bringing Communion to our sick and shut-ins, Pastoral Visitors remind them of the parish's concern and become a visible sign of God's presence in their lives. Additional opportunities include assisting with sending bulletins and/or cards to our sick and shut-ins, audio taping funeral liturgies for the family of the deceased or weekend liturgies for our shut-ins, and helping pick up, prepare and deliver Easter and Christmas plants from the parish to our sick and homebound. After an initial training session, Pastoral Visitors meet once or twice a year for prayer, additional training in pastoral skills, experience sharing, and spiritual development.
Prayer Line Ministry
A Prayer Line was established at St. Augustine's in 2004. It offers a chance for people to share their need for prayers either for themselves or others, in a quick response way. Permission is needed from the person who is being prayed for so they are aware that their name is out in the community for prayers. For confidentiality, first names can be used if desired. After signing a covenant you will receive a list of participants. Requests for prayers are made by e-mail or telephone.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
St. Augustine's Prayer Shawl Ministry was started in 2004 by a parishioner who had been ill and had received a prayer shawl. He thought it was a wonderful idea for St. Augustine's and we have enjoyed great success ever since.
We are a fun group of ladies who knit, crochet and quilt afghans, blankets, and lap robes for anyone requesting one, either for themselves or someone in need. These are gifts freely given by the wonderful members of our prayer shawl group. To date, we have given away over 415 shawls. Some of our shawls have gone to University Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital, Traci's Hope and Chadwick Residence, just to name a few. We also give a baby blanket to every baby that is baptized at St. Augustine's. Our shawls give comfort and warmth to those with illness, bereavement or to those who just need help in getting over a rough time in their lives.
We generally meet the 1st Monday of the month in the Gathering Room after the 10 a.m. Mass from September to December and again in April and May. Please consider joining our group if you like to knit, crochet, quilt or sew as we welcome everyone. You do not need to be a St. Augustine's parishioner to join. There is no time commitment to create a shawl. You work at your leisure and when you are done, all shawls are blessed by Fr. Tom Servatius and a gift tag is attached.
Prayer Shawl Ministry coordinators are Rose Hurd (638-0694) and Carol Turner (638-0897). You can call us anytime for help with your project, yarn supply or patterns, and also to request a shawl.
Come and join us and see what we are all about. We are an informal group of ladies who enjoy socializing while working on our projects.
St. Joseph's Day Dinner Committee
The St. Joseph's Day dinner is a social event for the whole family that takes place near St. Joseph's Day in March. It replicates an Italian custom of a meatless meal in honor of this feast day. Homemade Italian breads, dishes and desserts are prepared by parishioners. Italian music accompanies the dinner.
Senior Lunceion Committee
The purpose of this committee is to provide a get together of seniors or anyone else who wishes to come. Everyone brings a dish, which is set up in buffet style. Occasionally there is a presentation of mutual interest. Typically 35 or so attend. Come and share a meal and good fellowship. The luncheon meets all year round on the first Wednesday of the month following an 11:30 a.m. Mass. You do not have to be a member of this parish to attend and feel free to bring a friend.
Social Action Ministry
The Social Action Ministry provides opportunities for local and global action and empowers parishioners to embrace the values of peace, justice and love as preached by Jesus Christ. This ministry meets the last Tuesday of the month and has various sub committees as needed. There are many ways for you to be involved. Some of the projects we are involved with are: Migrant Workers, Soldier's Angels, Refugee Settlement, Respect Life, ACTS, Food Baskets and L'Arche. In addition, we coordinate collections, donations, bake sales, etc. to support others such as school supply collection and white ribbon campaign and other various groups. We welcome new ideas for how we can reach out to those who are in need.
Summer Picnic Committee
The summer picnic is a social function that the whole family can enjoy. It follows the annual Mass on the Grass with a picnic lunch provided by the parish. It continues with an afternoon full of games and prizes for both children and adults. Meetings are as needed.
Welcoming Committee
This committee reaches out to welcome new parishioners to our parish community. Currently the activity of this group is to send a welcome card to anyone who registers in the parish. The future goal of this committee is to establish ways that the team can help new parishioners get more connected to the parish. Meetings are as needed.