Celebration of the Eucharist

Saturday: 5:00 P.M.
Sunday: 8:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M., 12:00 Noon.
Weekdays:
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday: 8:00 A.M.
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9:00 A.M.

Confessions:
Saturdays: 4:00 - 4:45 P.M., or by appointment

Liturgical Ministries

Altar Servers

Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist is the living, breathing heart of our faith in his promise to be with us. Altar servers, therefore, serve in a special ministry to God and God’s people by serving at the Eucharistic table and/or at various liturgical celebrations with the priest/deacon at the altar where Jesus reveals himself to our community. Becoming part of the ministry of altar server requires the commitment not only of the young boy or girl, but also of the parents. Altar servers, along with the parents, gather regularly during the year for prayer and faith sharing. Any boy or girl ten years of age or older who has made his/her First Communion and is interested in serving at the Lord’s Table should contact Deacon Phil Paolicelli at 732-3131

Baptism Ministry

Baptism is the sacrament of faith by which we are initiated into the Church and become members of the Body of Jesus Christ. By the nature of our common baptism we are brothers and sisters, members of God’s family, called to share our faith and belief. The baptism ministry is about welcoming and evangelization. Our goal is to share the gift of faith and provide the parents with a positive experience of the Church as they reflect on their own faith journey and the effect it will have within their family. To accomplish this, the baptism program has three stages.

Baptism Intake: The Baptism Ministry Team greets, listens, talks to and prays with new or expectant parents in an atmosphere of understanding and love. Questions and concerns are raised, and parental responsibilities are re-enforced.

Baptism Gathering: The expectant or new parents gather at 12:00Noon Mass on either the first or second Sunday of each month for a parish blessing. This is followed by refreshments and an opportunity to meet other parents. During the gathering, participants reflect on the implications of their own baptism, their call to discipleship, and the importance of their role in passing the faith on to their children. The Baptism Ministry Team shares from life experiences, joys and sorrows of living and raising their children in the Christian faith.

Baptism Celebration: The Baptism Ministry Team welcomes the families, friends, and members of the community to this very special day in the life of the child. The team assists the celebrant by proclaiming God’s word, leading the prayers of the faithful, and helping the families participate in the baptism ceremony. Baptism Team Members gather at various times for prayer and sharing. You may choose to be involved in one or more areas described above. Time commitment varies depending on which area you choose.

For further information and assistance in discerning if the Lord may be calling you to this ministry, please contact at 732-3131.

EMs - Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist

Special Ministers of the Eucharist are members of the community who have been called to serve as instruments of Christ’s presence to the parish community. Their hands offer Christ in the Eucharist at daily and Sunday masses, at special celebrations, and to members of our community who are elderly, sick, or homebound. Their voices and faces also offer Christ’s presence as they interact with the community in administering the Eucharist. Gatherings of ministers are held every three months for prayer, reflection, and faith sharing. For further information contact Fr. Jim at 732-3131 ext. 111.

Lectors

Lectors play a privileged and responsible role in St. Margaret’s parish family. Chosen to read the Scriptures during the liturgy or worship service, the lector’s proclamation of God’s Word is an act of faith in Christ who is the Word of God made flesh. Through the lector’s clear proclamation of the Word, the entire parish encounters the living Word of God.

Since reading in public is a challenge, the lector prepares and studies the word to be read so that by his/her attentiveness to the scriptural meaning, the community might be served. To assist each lector in this task, the parish provides a special workbook as a resource for understanding each reading, as well as for help with pronunciation. In addition, for lectors new to the ministry, coaching sessions and a formal workshop are available to assist the lector in building his/her proclamation skills.

Assignments are arranged in a manner which allows the lector to serve on a regular schedule. Lectors gather regularly with other ministries for prayer and fellowship, helping them commit to a process of continuous growth and improvement in the ministry. Anyone interested in participating in this ministry should contact the rectory at 732-3131 ext. 10.

Music Ministry

Ushers

Parish ushers serve our parish community in a variety of ways. First, by arriving twenty minutes before their assigned mass, they check the Church to make sure it is clean before starting to direct people to their seats. They assist in the collection of the weekly tithe, direct the presentation of the gifts, and help the congregation experience an orderly and prayerful distribution of the Eucharist. They are available for questions, directions, as well as giving out bulletins at the conclusion of mass. Finally, they patrol the Church for any items which may be left behind. As you can see, ushers are called to be willing servants of the Eucharistic assembly. If you are willing to serve, contact Tony Spina at 736-0764