Ministries
Adult Choir
The Choir serves as an integral part of the liturgical life of the church. Its primary role is to act as song-leader for the congregation and to contribute to the beauty and sacredness of the Mass.
The choir is made up of volunteers and is open to all members of the parish who enjoy singing.
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If you are interested in joining the choir, please email Nancy Herr at nherr5@gmail.com.
Eucharistic Ministry
At each Eucharistic celebration where there are more communicants than can be served without prolonging the Communion rite, special ministers of communion assist the priest and deacon. These persons are commissioned by the Bishop through his delegate, the pastor of the parish.
This privilege is renewed every two years. Special ministers of the Eucharist may also take communion to the sick and if the case warrants, give viaticum to the dying. As the rite says, they "must strive to be an example of Christian living in faith and conduct."
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For the Assisting with the Liturgy Calendar, follow the link below.
Religious Education
Continuing Christian Development is a program for children and youth not attending a Catholic school. The goal is to develop an awareness of the riches of the Catholic tradition and to encourage the spiritual and moral growth of young persons. Through learning experiences, prayer, and development of community spirit, dedicated catechists reinforce the Catholic Christian atmosphere of the family.
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Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Order is unequivocal in its loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ on earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded over a century ago and remains true to them today.
Join the Knights of Columbus! What a great way to meet men of the faith and work in our community.
Please scan the QR Code to join! God bless our Knights.
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​Lectors
A person who has a love of God's word and chooses to proclaim it publicly exercises the role of a lector. That person then meets with the ministry coordinator for instruction and orientation. The lector begins serving by a prepared weekend schedule, and by rotation on a voluntary basis for Holy Days, prayer services, Holy Week, etc.
This ministry involves the lector with two important tools, the Bible and the Workbook for Lectors and Gospel Readers. It is through a lector's love and understanding of God's Word that the proclamation of faith community comes alive.
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For the Assisting with the Liturgy Calendar, follow the link below.
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Altar Rosary Society
This group of women serves the parish by attending to needs that are a part of our gathering around the table of the Lord -- the primary sign of our Catholic Christianity. The Society provides hosts, altar linens, vestments, servers' albs, baptismal stoles and some altar flowers. Every woman of the parish is considered a member of the Society and is encouraged to attend meetings. These meetings feature various speakers and presentations.
The Altar Rosary Society operates within the guidelines of the diocesan Council of Catholic Women.
R.C.I.A.
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is the restoration of an ancient process of discerning and ritualizing stages of conversion, leading to sacramental initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) into the Catholic Church.
It is a formative process involving past and present teachings, traditions and rites. The responsibility of the parish community in the RCIA process is through its witness, worship, service and catechesis. The community offers the invitation and support necessary for these men and women.
Each year in the United States, there are thousands and thousands of adults, either never baptized, or baptized in another Christian denomination, who become Catholic.
I want to form an RCIA team made up of members of the parish to help with the instruction of these new candidates and catechumens and also as support staff - to provide snacks, to be sponsors or godparents and to assist with the various rites and meetings and retreats or simply to provide an interested "ear" to a newcomer. RCIA will most likely meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. If it turns out that potential candidates cannot meet on Tuesdays, we would change the meeting to a different night of the week.
If you are interested in helping out with the RCIA team in one capacity or another, give me a call.
When someone begins RCIA, they are not committing themselves to becoming Catholic at that time. In the first stage of RCIA, called the Inquiry Period, a person makes no other commitment than to begin finding out what Catholics believe. It is only at the Rite of Catechumenate (around the First Sunday of Advent) that the individual is asked to become a catechumen - a learner of the Faith. That lasts up through Lent when the catechumens are asked to make another commitment - that of the Elect - those who have elected or chosen to become Catholic at the Easter Vigil. Those who are already baptized make a profession of faith as Catholics and are confirmed and make their First Holy Communion as Catholics.
At any time, if a candidate does not feel ready to take the next step, they are certainly free to "put themselves on hold." We need your help in asking possible candidates to consider RCIA this year. I will be happy to speak to anyone to explain the RCIA program to them in greater detail. Since these folks are not members of the parish, they will not see my invitation to consider becoming Catholic. We need you to invite them to become part of us!
Engagement Committee
The St. Mary on the Lake and the Sacred Heart Engagement Committees come together with Fr. Todd to assist him in planning engaging opportunities for our Parishes. Thank you all for your dedication!
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St. Mary on the Lake Members: Doug Gillies, Barb Gillies, Diane Linsner, Jen Loar, Jared Meyers, Dawn Nicoson, Doug Nicoson, and Erin Schwartz.
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Pastor: Fr. Todd
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Sacred Heart Members: Patty Button, Ann Emerick, Dan Emrick, Mary Ann Kingsley, Ali Moreno, Sara Moreno, and Annie Shaw.