Getting Involved at St. Mary Oskaloosa
MINISTRIES & GROUPS
PARISH COUNCIL
Parish council is an elected advice body to the pastor. The duties of the parish council include strategic and adaptive planning, which involves identifying the vision and mission of the parish, conducting assessments, recruiting others into active ministries, setting goals and objectives. Meetings are held the 3rd Thursday at 7:00 PM on the odd month.
LITURGY
The function of Liturgy Ministry is to prepare, oversee and evaluate all parish liturgies and devotions. Liturgy meets the 2nd Thursday of the month at 5:00pm.
Email Carolyn Dale:
carolyndale1940@gmail.com
Adoration
The prayertime takes place before the exposed Eucharist. First Thursday from 7:00pm-8:00pm Holy Hour for vocations; and other Thursdays of the month from 5:00pm-9:00pm.
Altar Servers
Altar Servers assist the priest during Mass. This ministry is open to boys and girls after they receive their 1st Communion and adults. Training is required
Email Jennifer Feudner:
oskystmarydre@diodav.org
Sacristans
Sacristans care for the sacristy, the sacred vessels, and the overall physical preparation needed for the Holy Mass and other liturgies.
Readers
The readers proclaim the readings from sacred scripture during Mass with exception of the Gospel.
Ministers of Hospitality
Ministers of hospitality consist of ushers and greeters. They welcome people to Mass, find people to bring up the collection and put the Church back in order after Mass.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHC)
These ministers assist the priest with the distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ at the Holy Mass.
Livestream
The livestream minister uses technology to run the computer and camera to live stream the Sunday morning Mass and funerals (if needed).
Ministers of Communion to the Homebound
This ministry is to take the Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass due to illness or other circumstances.
MUSIC MINISTRY
Musicians
The musicians are trained in piano, organ and other instruments and accompany a cantor at weekend Masses or Solemnities.
Call Donna Hasso: 641-673-6839
Cantor
Cantor leads the congregation during Mass through the singing of hymns, the responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and the Mass parts.
Call Donna Hasso: 641-673-6839
Adult Choir
The adult choir is open to high school students and adults who want to sing, are able to read music and have experience singing soprano, alto, tenor or bass music in a choir setting.
Call Donna Hasso: 641-673-6839
Children’s Choir
Children’s choir is open to all K – 8th grade students who will sing at the assigned Mass.
Call Jenny Feudner:641-673-6680
FAITH FORMATION
The Faith Formation Ministry serves the parish by developing, implementing, and evaluating programs that enrich the lifelong faith life of everyone in the parish. The ministry meets the 4th Thursday of the month at 6:00 pm.
Call Parish Office: 641-673-6680
Email Jennifer Feudner:
oskystmarydre@diodav.org
Children’s Liturgy Leaders
These leaders lead Children’s Liturgy at the 8:00am Sunday Mass during the school year.
Faith Formation Catechists
Share your faith with students in our parish. Help lead a class, assist in a classroom or be substitute catechist.
Faith Formation classes for the kindergarten – 12th grades are held on Wednesday nights during the school year.
Men’s Group
Email: oskystmary@diodav.org
Women’s Group
Email: oskystmary@diodav.org
Couple’s Group
Email: oskystmary@diodav.org
OCIA Sponsors
The OCIA sponsors aid in the initiation of catechumens and candidates as they go through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). Usually from September through Easter
Call Parish Office: 641-673-6680
Marriage Preparation/
Sponsor Couples
These ministers are married couples who work closely with engaged couples preparing for marriage.
CHURCH & FAMILY LIFE
The Church & Family Life Ministry plans ways to develop a sense of community within the parish. The ministry meets on the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm.
Vocation Ministry
This ministry is to raise awareness and invite parishioners to live out Christian vocations to holiness as married couples, priests, deacons, and religious. The meetings take place as needed.
Advent by Candlelight
Women members of the parish serve this committee to plan and host an evening during Advent consisting of dinner, prayer, and fellowship.
Greeting Card Ministry
Greeting cards are sent to parishioners on the occasion of a birth, illness or death to show support from the parish family.
Funeral Luncheon Workers
These ministers serve grieving families, by providing a meal immediately following the Funeral Mass.
Prayer Chain Ministry
This ministry coordinates the prayer chain through email to prayer partners for those who request the prayers.
Email Melanie Hirl:
mehirl1956@gmail.com
Photographers
There are always opportunities to capture images of our parish life.
Hispanic Ministries
Hispanic ministries prepare and coordinate the Spanish Mass, the Hispanic Prayer Group, and the Hispanic retreat.
Call Tony Chavez: 641-387-4858
SOCIAL JUSTICE & PEACE
The Social Justice & Peace Ministry’s purposes is to raise awareness and help parishioners understand the social teachings of the Catholic Church. This includes End-of-the Month Meals, Ecumenical Cupboard, Angel Giving Tree an Growing Hope Meals
Call Parish Office: 641-673-6680
Email Jeannie Kingma:
jmkingma@pella.com
Transportation Ministry
This ministry provides transportation to Mass, local appointments, or other local errands, appointments, etc.
STEWARDSHIP & EVANGELIZATION
The purpose and goal of this ministry in the Catholic Church is to help the parish live its deepest identity: a community of missionary disciples who receive God’s gifts, share them generously, and invite others into the life of Christ. Stewardship & Evangelization are two movements of the same mission:
Gratitude>Generosity>Witness>Invitation
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS
This ministry meets to review and oversee facility and landscaping projects for the parish. This group meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
Call Bob Feist: 641-569-0040
Email Bob Feist: bfeist@oskyfoods.com
Flower Bed Maintenance
Help take care of outdoor flowers with the seasonal planting, watering, and weeding of planters, gardens and flower beds.
Lawn Mowing
Help maintain the outdoor church grounds and the rectory. Duties include lawn mowing, weeding, and clean-up.
NATIONAL MINISTRIES
Knights of Columbus
Be part of this Catholic men’s organization, giving back to the parish, family and community through various charitable activities especially the November Turkey Dinner.
Email Harry Andrews: gdzilla66@gmail.com
Columbiettes®
Catholic women’s organization that supports religious, charitable and community activities in our parish and neighboring areas.
Email:
president.oskycolumbiettes@gmail.com
Contact Information
St. Mary Catholic Church
Oskaloosa, IA 52577
(641)673-6680
oskystmary@diodav.org