Ministries

OUR MINISTRIES

We invite you to read over these brief descriptions of the many varied ministries and opportunities offered here at St. Xavier. Please thoughtfully and prayerfully consider participating in one or more of these ministries as your discernment guides you.

Altar Servers
Our Altar Attendants serve at the weekend Masses and on special occasions such as weddings and funerals. Both youth and adults may request training for this ministry. Youth must be in the 4th grade or older.

Choir
The St. Xavier Choir under the direction of Dr. Mark Bailey is a well-tuned group of talented individuals of all ages. The Choir is ever-expanding its repertoire and is always looking for new talent. If you love to sing, this group welcomes you!

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
These volunteer ministers assist in distributing Holy Communion with reverence and dignity at liturgical celebrations and to those who are ill or permanently or temporarily homebound. Training is provided and required.

Finance Committee
This select committee of the Pastoral Council advises the Pastor regarding the financial implications of policy and helps establish financial stability for the parish. The members are appointed by the Pastor and work directly with the Business Manager of the parish.

Giving Tree
This is an Advent project providing Christmas gifts and assistance to various community agencies and area families in need. The volunteers oversee the project, set-up and coordinate the duties such as contacting agencies, making tags, tracking gifts, and delivering the packages to the respective agencies and organizations

Marriage Preparation Sessions
Married couples that assist engaged couples in their preparation for marriage by helping them to learn more about themselves and their relationship through the discussion of the FOCCUS pre-marital survey. Interested couples must have a strong marital relationship and posses good communication skills. Training and certification is required.

Mass Sacristans
Sacristan is the title used for men, women and mature teens that prepare the worship space for liturgical and devotional celebrations. These people are a necessary part of every liturgy and assist the priests, deacons, and lay ministers by preparing the items required and by anticipating the needs of the celebration. Training is provided and required.

Men’s Prayer Group
Meets during lunch and offer to the parish such things as devotional practices, Stations of the Cross during Lent, and general male spirituality.

Music Ministry
Instrumentalists, vocalists and all those with musical talent are encouraged to offer your gifts to enhance the sacred celebrations at St. Xavier.

Office Volunteers
Assist the staff in preparing mailings, answering phones, special projects, research and general office tasks. This is a fun way to help out and see what goes on in the parish office each day.

Pastoral Council
Advises the Pastor on the pastoral needs of the parish. The nine-member council helps to articulate a vision for ministry, assess pastoral priorities and recommend concrete actions to meet the spiritual needs of the parishioners. It serves as a channel of communication among the total parish community. The members are invited and selected by the Pastor.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
If you like to knit or crochet you are welcome to join our Prayer Shawl Ministry.  The Shawls are made and given to individuals who are sick, homebound, in a nursing facility or for any other need.  Each Shawl has been blessed and is presented with a prayer attached.  If you would like to give one of our beautiful shawls to someone you know please contact St Xavier Church.

RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is the formal program by which a non-Catholic joins the Catholic Church.  The process offers adults who are not baptized, or who are baptized persons of another faith tradition, an opportunity to explore the message of Jesus Christ in the Catholic Church. To assist these interested people, our active parishioners are invited to become a part of the RCIA leadership team as a sponsor, lecturer, witness, and other faith sharing roles.

Readers
Responsible for preparing themselves to proclaim the Sacred Scriptures at Mass, these people discern their talent of public speaking and constantly work to improve their abilities so that all may hear and understand the Word proclaimed. Training is provided and required.

Religious Education
St. Xavier provides religious education for our young people in preparation for the receptions of the Sacraments of Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation. Parent aides, dedicated teachers, and catechists are invited to participate and passing on the faith to our children.

Sewing Ministry
Keeping the altar lines clean and fresh for liturgical celebrations is the duty of these highly dedicated individuals who also mend garments and sew beautiful lines for liturgical use.

St. Vincent de Paul
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is an international organization, which provides help to the poor while conscientiously maintain the confidentiality and dignity of those who are served. Their mission is to provide immediate relief, on a limited basis, to those in our parish and in our area. St. Xavier Church joins with members from the downtown Cathedral to meet and pray on Saturday mornings before visiting those who have requested aid.

Tender Mercies
Our commitment to the poor in downtown Cincinnati is witnessed by our on-going support of Tender Mercies. This ministry provides hot meals once a month as is coordinated through the Parish Office. Volunteers are always needed to cook and bring the meals to church on a specific weekend. Please consider sharing your cooking talents with those who hunger each day.

Thursday Social
Because we are created as social beings, St. Xavier, through the generosity of local establishments, offers monthly opportunities to gather over food and drink (usually as reduced prices). These events require some coordination and contact with neighborhood restaurants. All adults are invited to attend and meet other parishioners in a social setting.

Ushers/Ministry of Hospitality
These parishioners provide an atmosphere of welcome and worship for the parish community and visitors at weekend Masses. They facilitate good order in the liturgy, look after the collection, direct the procession for reception of Holy Communion, distribute the parish bulletin, and generally provide a hospitable atmosphere for the assembly. Good people skills are required and training is provided.

Wedding Sacristans
In addition to the duties outlined under Mass Sacristans, these people organize and facilitate wedding couples, wedding attendants, parents and guests during the wedding celebrations whether it is during Mass or Outside of Mass. They assist the officiant, especially guest clergy, and make sure that everything goes smoothly before, during and after the liturgy.

Worship Committee
This select committee of the Pastoral Council advises the Pastor regarding the many facets of our parish liturgies, prayer, and worship environment. The group meets at least quarterly to promote and strengthen continuing liturgical renewal in the parish by preparing parishioners for service in all liturgical ministries, including the ministry of the assembly. This is done through formation of ministers and through the proper preparation and evaluations of our many liturgies and devotional celebrations.

St. Xavier Book Club
This group of literary minded parishioners meet once a month to discuss a recent publication or Papal encyclical.  Open to anyone, the group usually meets on Tuesday afternoons.

 _____________________________________________________________________

Many of the above groups and organizations have a contact person.  Those details will be forthcoming.  If you have questions about these ministries, or would like to register, please call Diane Roden in the parish office 513.721.4045.  We can connect you with others who can provide more details about meeting times and registration.