Catholic Stewardship: Gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure

Gifts to God... a response of Faith ~ Opportunities for Service

Sacramental/Liturgical Ministries

The Lectors are scheduled to publicly read the scriptures at the Sunday and Holy Day Masses, as well as other liturgical and non-liturgical celebrations held in our Church. To serve as a lector, an individual must be a Baptized and Confirmed member of the Catholic Church; a registered and active parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish, living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church [i.e., if the person is married, they must be married according to the law of the Church].

The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are commissioned to assist the priests and deacons with the distribution of Holy Communion during the celebration of the Mass. Training will be provided, and ministers are expected to function according to the guidelines set forth by the Pastor. To serve as an extraordinary minister of Communion, an individual must be a Baptized and Confirmed member of the Catholic Church; a registered and active parishioner of Holy Trinity Parish, living a life in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church [i.e., if the person is married, they must be married according to the law of the Church].

Both male and female servers are used at Holy Trinity. Adult servers are welcome, encouraged, and needed. Servers assist the priest in the celebration of the Eucharist. The servers’ presence is necessary, and adds great dignity to the liturgical celebrations in our church. Young people wishing to be servers are ordinarily contacted and trained beginning in the 4th grade through our day school and religious education program. Adults are also welcome to become Altar Servers.

Liturgical Music Ministry

Our Liturgical Music Program offers a diversity of styles and repertoire from the Church’s treasury of sacred music. Under the leadership of our Music Director Mr. Larry LaLonde, the TWO Parish Choirs [at both the 9:30 and 11:30 am Masses], Children’s Choir, Cantor Program, Contemporary Choir, and various music ensembles provide parishioners a variety of opportunities to share their talents with the parish. If you are interested, Mr. LaLonde will help you to discern exactly where you would best fit into the Liturgical Music Ministry Program.

The altar linens regularly needed for mass need to be washed and pressed on a regular basis. Also, the robes our servers wear need laundering and occasional “repair” work. If you are able to help with this important task, please consider signing up.

A program designed to invite Catholics who have wandered from a devout practice of the Catholic Faith, back to the Church [click here] for “Catholics Come Home” invitation. People leave for a variety of reasons, this program will hopefully help to reconcile them back with the Church. Besides people joining the process, we also need parishioners to volunteer to help support the program in a variety of ways. Information will be provided by Deacon Bill Casey. Visit the Joliet Diocese website: www.dioceseofjoliet.org

The RCIA Program is established to help adults to become full members of the Catholic Church. The program is for those who are seeking Baptism, and/or Full Communion with the Catholic Church. We are in need of parishioners to act as “sponsors” - spiritual companions to those who seek admission into our Catholic Faith.

The marriage Preparation Program helps the priests to prepare our young couples for the reception of the Sacrament of Matrimony. We are also looking for individuals/couples to serve as wedding coordinators ~ helping couples plan and arrange their weddings, while representing the parish in the celebration of weddings in our church. The wedding coordinators also handle the wedding rehearsal the night before the wedding. A meeting with Father De Salvo is necessary before anyone enters into any aspect of the marriage preparation program.

The Parish Council is an advisory group to the Pastor of the Parish. Through the commissions, various aspects of parish life are represented. The commissions have the task of putting into action the work, mission and activity of the Catholic Church as it is lived at Holy Trinity Parish, according to the vision set forth by our Pastor, and always in accord with his wishes. The Commissions are as Follows:

Administration/Finance ~ Assists the Business Manager in making and managing the budgets and financial matters of the parish. The commission is also to be involved in raising revenue and assisting the pastor in whatever way he requests their help in the financial matters of the parish.

Education ~ Helps to coordinates the efforts of the day school, religious education program, adult educational efforts, and any other educational endeavors of the parish.

Spiritual Life ~ The work of the commission has to do with the Liturgical, Spiritual, and Sacramental life of the Parish. Anything that has to do with the liturgical ministers and “church” matters is part of this commission.

Service~ This commission deals with the outreach ministries and organizations within the parish that deal with service and social aspects of parish life.

Vocations~ This commission supports and encourages vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Respect Life Committee

The Respect Life Committee works to promote the Right to Life movement in the Parish. The Pro-Life Group meets on the LAST Saturday of each month, after the 8:15 a.m. Mass.

This group works with Woman’s Choice Services Pregnancy Centers, and seeks to assist women and their families with crisis pregnancies. Training will be provided — a loving, patient, and helpful heart is necessary.