St. Francis de Sales at 1 Maria Drive, Loudonville, NY 12211 US - Committees, Volunteer Opportunities, & Other Organizations

Listed below are various volunteer, activity, and other organizations associated with St. Francis de Sales. Why not join one that interests YOU? Altar Guild Altar Servers Buildings and Grounds Children's Liturgy of the Word Eucharistic Adoration Eucharistic Ministers Faith Formation Finance Committee Food Pantry Hospitality Lectors Liturgy Music Ministry Outreach Committee Pastoral Council RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) St. Matthew's Guild Social Activities Ushers and Greeters Altar Guild This committee is responsible for planning and decorating the church and sanctuary for the liturgical seasons throughout the year. They also take turns washing and ironing the small hand altar linens. If you are interested in joining the Altar Guild, contact Pat Pazienza at (518) 459-3579. Altar Servers This liturgical ministry provides an opportunity for boys and girls of our parish, fourth grade and up, to participate more closely in the Mass by assisting the priest. If you are interested in becoming a server, contact Jon Sozek at (518) 459-6635 Ext. 105 Buildings and Grounds Working closely with the pastor, this committee oversees and identifies the ongoing parish maintenance buildings and grounds needs and offers solutions for their improvements. If you are interested in becoming a member of this committee and have a gift or talent that you feel would be an asset to the committee, please contact Joe Metzger at (518) 438-5578. Children's Liturgy of the Word During the 9:30 a.m. liturgy, our younger children are called from the liturgy and given an opportunity to hear and better understand the Word of God and the Mass itself at their learning and participation level. If you are interested in becoming involved in this ministry, contact Jon Sozek at (518) 459-6635 Ext.105. Eucharistic Adoration Each Wednesday from September through June from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the chapel of our Maria Drive Church is set-aside for Eucharistic Adoration. Eucharistic Adoration takes place when a consecrated host is placed in a receptacle called a “monstrance” (from the Latin “monstrare” meaning to show/expose/view) and the monstrance is then placed on the altar for adoration. Parishioners are invited to spend some time in prayer before the presence of Our Lord in the Eucharist. During this time, a person may sit quietly, read favorite prayers, read the Bible, say the rosary or whatever type of personal devotion seems appropriate. Parishioners participating in Eucharistic Adoration have found that this special time of prayer has brought them rest, spiritual renewal, solace, the strength to cope with problems in their lives, an opportunity to pray for others and a deeper relationship with Jesus. Eucharistic Adoration has also brought many blessings to parishes. Eucharistic Ministers Eucharistic & Homebound Ministers are entrusted with sharing the Eucharist with their brothers and sisters both during the celebration of the Eucharist and in ministry to the homebound. If you would like to become a Eucharistic Minister, please contact Sister Mary Agnes at (518) 459-6635 Ext. 100. Faith Formation Faith Formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. Its goal is to help all parishioners learn about, love and live their faith. This committee works with the Faith Formation Director in designing, implementing and evaluating the total faith formation program in the parish which includes: sacramental preparation, adult and family ministry, youth ministry, and adult faith education. If you are interested in assisting in this program, contact Jon Sozek at (518) 459-6635 Ext. 105. Finance Committee This advisory committee reviews the parish budget and expenditures and assists the pastor in managing the business and financial affairs of the parish. If you are interested in serving on this committee, contact Paul Hood at (518) 785-1628. Food Pantry Our food pantry is supplied and run by our parishioners, who give generously throughout the year to make sure that food supplies are available for those who may have a temporary need for them. Holiday baskets are also provided to those in need. If you are interested in serving on this committee, contact Harry Nopper at (518) 438-6331. Hospitality This committee works to create a warm and welcoming environment at St. Francis de Sales Church for both its new and ongoing members as well as for visitors to our parish. This committee is responsible for the welcoming of new members and oversees the ministry of our greeters who are present at each of the Masses at our Maria Drive Church. Our greeters welcome worshippers, respond to their questions and provide information. If you are interested in serving on this committee, contact Vida Bushey at (518) 489-1062. Lectors These ministers, after reading, understanding, and practicing, proclaim the Scriptures to the faith community at Sunday liturgies. If you would be interested in becoming a lector, please contact Sister Mary Agnes at (518) 459.6635 Ext. 100. Liturgy Committee This committee promotes the worshipping needs of the parish by planning for the Sunday celebrations, major feast days, prayer gatherings and for other special or seasonal celebrations such as Advent, Lent and Holy Week. Their aim is to strive that each liturgy will be a joyful, uplifting and spiritual experience that will nurture the faith of our parish community. If interested in serving on this committee contact Janice Hauck at (518) 869-0458. Music Ministry According to St. Augustine, ”He who sings prays twice.” Thus, music ministry enables the congregation to worship more fully through song. If interested in serving as a vocal or instrumental music minister, contact Shirley Myers at (518) 482-0949. Outreach Committee This Committee sponsors a number of projects throughout the year including care packages for the military, back to school supplies, sale of third world goods and the giving tree, which respond to a variety of social service type needs. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, contact Jim Martin at (518) 869-1299. Pastoral Council The Pastoral Council is a parish leadership group that meets monthly to assist the pastor in meeting the spiritual, administrative, educational, and other needs of the parish and its parishioners. Pastoral Council members are chosen by parish members and serve a three-year term. Present council members: Rev. David E. Noone, Pastor; Edward Prince, President & Trustee; Kay A. Connolly, Vice President; Vida Bushey, Trustee; Sandy Carmichael, Nancy Cecot, Ray Cecot, Bonni Deady, George Frany, Janice Hauck, Paul Hood, Sister Mary Agnes Kehoe, C.S.J., Jim Martin, Mary Mawn, Steve Mawn, Laurie McPadden, Joseph Metzger, Joan O’Sullivan, Lisa Petrocelli, Lisa Roach, Terry Ryan, Mary Sinnenberg, Jon Sozek. RCIA Are you interested in learning more about or joining the Catholic Church? Through adult education and large & small group discussion, this process welcomes prospective candidates into the Catholic Christian Community. The goal of this process is full communion with the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. If interested in becoming a member, contact Rosemary Doyle at (518) 459-3256. St. Matthew's Guild Members, made up of teams of parishioners, count our weekly offertory collections and prepare deposit slips for the bank. If interested in becoming a member, contact Fr. Noone at (518) 542-1175. Social Activities The goal of this committee is to offer parishioners several opportunities to get together and socialize by offering various events such as monthly suppers that sometimes have a theme. If you are interested in serving on this committee, contact Joan O’Sullivan at (518) 489-6093. Ushers and Greeters Our ushers, in addition to their traditional role, offer assistance to those who worship with us and are responsible for receiving the weekly offertory collections. If you are interested in becoming an usher, contact Fr. Noone at 542-1175

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