St. Mary's offers many services to our parishioners, as well as opportunities to become involved. Whether you are new to the parish or are a "regular," there are many ways for you to serve your parish and meet others at St. Mary's. Check each category, then please contact any of the following if you want to volunteer, or are in need of a service.

ADOPT-A-FLOWERBED
Adopt-A-Flowerbed group is men and women who volunteer to provide for and maintain the flowerbeds on the parish and school grounds during the growing season. Contact person is Mary Kestel at 732-2051.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  ADOPT-A-FLOWERBED MEMBERS

ADOPT-A-LAWN
This is a new ministry the parish would like to begin in an effort to save on labor costs for lawn mowing. We are looking for individuals willing to mow sections of the parish and church grounds during the mowing season. Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  MOWERS

ADULT CHOIR
 This group is in need of a leader so that they can continue. Annual highlights include providing music at the Midnight Christmas Liturgy and the Easter Vigil Liturgy. Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13 or balawler1@aol.com.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  ADULT CHOIR MEMBER
  BAND INSTRUMENT
  STRING INSTRUMENT
  PERCUSSION-Timpani/Bells

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The St. Mary’s Alumni Association works with staff to help promote St. Mary’s Schools and provide services and events for graduates of St. Mary’s High School. The board sponsors the St. Mary’s Annual Appeal, homecoming events, and other activities. This board meets on Monday evenings periodically. Contact person is Dawn Prosser at 732-3110 Ext. 15 or smalumni@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  BOARD MEMBERS
 ENVELOPE STUFFING – help to stuff envelopes for a morning in the fall for the appeal, or in the spring for a second appeal mailing.
  PHONE-A-THON VOLUNTEERS – Assist in contacting alumni in the spring for the appeal
 

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
This committee was established by Fr. Paul Arts to be an advisory group to the St. Mary’s Finance Council in regards to the maintenance, upkeep and miscellaneous small projects of the church property. Buildings and Grounds takes charge of those projects which can be done by volunteers. An example would be the sidewalk replacement over the past several years.
 Currently the committee is working with Fr. Bruce to solicit and examine bids for a new church roof and heating and cooling system.
 Both past and current members of this committee are very dedicated to St. Mary’s Parish and have contributed much time and talent. We welcome new members who would like to be part of this group. Contact person is Tim Smith at work 732-1619 or at home 732-2561 or the Parish Offices at 732-3110.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  COMMITTEE  MEMBERS – assist in advising the pastor and completing volunteer maintenance projects around the church and school.
 
 

CARITAS CHOIR
This group of singers provides music for parish funerals as needed throughout the year. They also perform on some special occasions. Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 16 or balawler1@aol.com
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  CARITAS CHOIR MEMBER

CEMETERY BOARD
The main responsibility of the 10-member cemetery board is the maintenance and upkeep of St. Mary’s Cemetery. The board keeps the grass mowed, trees trimmed and keeping old and faded grave decorations picked up. The board is also responsible for the sale of burial sites and record keeping of ownership and opening and closing of graves for funerals.
 A recent improvement of recordkeeping has been the addition of a new Gateway computer to our office in the lower level of the convent. Our current board members are: John O’Leary, Bill Lange, Fred Jansen, Leo Strait, Ray Brady, Don Linnan, Paul Merten, Pat Lenhart, Mike Lenhart and Fr. Bruce Lawler. Contact person is Leo Strait at 732-6039.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  BOARD MEMBERS
VOLUNTEERS
 

CONFIRMATION
In our parish, this is a 2-year program for the sophomores and juniors of our parish with Confirmation itself in the fall of the senior year.  Year I (sophomores) includes classes in scripture through St. Mary’s School or the Religious Ed Program.  Year II (juniors) consists of monthly discussions (usually the first Sunday night of the month) concerning different elements of the Sacrament of Confirmation, a Retreat, meetings with their sponsor, and an interview with Fr. Bruce to determine readiness to receive the sacrament. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  CONFIRMATION TEAM – Adults who help lead discussions during Year II and also help with
 the practical things during the retreat.
  TREAT COORDINATOR – is responsible for calling parents of Year II candidates to bring
   snacks for the Sunday night meetings.
 

ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
 This group prepares the church environment to enhance the different liturgical seasons. The volunteers assist the committee director in hanging banners, decorating the altar and areas of the church as the liturgical seasons change. Contact person is Kathy Pomrenke at 732-3754.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  COMMITTEE MEMBERS

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
 Parish Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist help to distribute the body and blood of Christ at weekend and weekday masses. Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned for this ministry and are required to attend a training prior to serving. Contact Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  WEEKDAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
  WEEKEND EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS

FAITH DISCUSSION GROUP
Meets Wednesday mornings 9-10 a.m. to discuss various faith topics – often using videos from the Diocese.  Last year we watched excellent videos on how some of the books of the Bible came to be written.  Saints was another topic we investigated – especially:  Romero, Dorothy Day, Mother Theresa of Calcutta as well as some of the mystics and martyrs.
From 10-11 a.m., the group reads and discusses paragraphs from the new Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Last year we covered the paragraphs on Prayer.  The coming year we will be studying the paragraphs on the creed, talking in detail about the beliefs of the Catholic Church. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.

FAITH FORMATION BOARD
Advisory group for programs of faith formation including: Welcome Your Child, His Little Ones,
Religious Ed classes, Confirmation, Faith Discussion Group, RCIA, etc.  Meets monthly with the Pastoral Minister to help plan events and provide suggestions for improving the programs. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  BOARD MEMBERS – a representative of each group involved to be active in advising staff.

GIFT BEARERS
 Individuals and families present the bread and wine to the presider during weekend liturgies. Contact the Parish Offices at 732-3110.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  GIFT BEARERS

GOOD SAMARITANS
Good Samaritans is a ministry of Holy Communion to the sick and confined. This ministry has ancient roots dating back to the second century. The purpose was to show those who couldn’t be present at the Sunday mass that they were embraced and included in the worship of the assembly. It was not meant to replace visits of the priest, but to increase the number of visits by the community to its sick and confined members.
 The most appropriate way for this ministry to be exercised is after the worship of the assembly on Sunday. This enables them to share in the assembly’s Eucharistic meal. The bonds you form can be a real source of contact with the worshiping church. Vicki Baxter is the contact person/coordinator of the Good Samaritans – 732-3570.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  GOOD SAMARITANS – providing communion for the sick and homebound.

GUILD
Women of the parish including graduating seniors are already precious members of the Guild. Your ideas are welcomed and very much appreciated for the betterment of not only the church but for each other. The Guild works to maintain parish property, provides funeral dinners, parish receptions and hosts St. Mary’s Bazaar in the fall. Contact person is Cheryl Lange at 273-5443.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  BOARD MEMBERS – attend quarterly meetings of the Guild at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
  QUILITING CIRCLE
  CIRCLE CHAIRS .

HOSPITALITY MINISTERS
Ministers of hospitality are St. Mary’s parishioners who extend hospitality to the parish family as they enter the church for worship. They assist worship by distributing collection baskets for parishioners to extend their treasures at parish celebrations. Ministers are asked to display warmth and generosity and offer a gracious welcome to every parishioner entering or exiting the church for the weekend masses. Contact Anne Smith at 732-3110 Ext. 10 parishstm@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  HOSPITALITY MINISTERS

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus is a service organization of Catholic men. The KCs is an active group completing many projects throughout the parish this year. In summer 2002, the Knights replaced tile and leveled the floor in the school kitchen with some financial assistance from the Guild. August 2002, the Knights sponsored a trip to Boji Bay for altar servers from Storm Lake, Schaller and Early in appreciation of the time and talent from these young people.
December 2002 – the group sponsored two families in the “Adopt-A-Family” program. January 2003, the KCs held a Marian Hour prayer service after the noon Spanish mass to aide in integrating our two cultures. The group also held their free throw contest in January. This winter, the group hosted area priests at a Deanery meeting in conjunction with the Guild.
Spring events included a KC spelling bee contest – Justin Cullen went on to win at the KC State Competition. Two $250 scholarships were awarded to children and grandchildren of members. The Knights hosted a cookout for St. Mary’s school children.
The nights also raised thousands for the school with the bingo program, sponsored a DARE breakfast and held a fund drive for the mentally challenged. Contact person is Steve Lange at 732-6776.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  COUNCIL MEMBERS

LECTORS
 These individuals prepare to read the assigned scripture of the day aloud at weekend, weekday and funeral masses. Lectors are asked to study the readings before mass. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  SATURDAY NIGHT LECTOR
  SUNDAY 8 A.M. LECTOR
  SUNDAY 10 A.M. LECTOR
  WEEKDAY MORNING LECTOR
  WEEKDAY FUNERAL LECTOR
  WEEKEND FUNERAL LECTOR

LEGION OF MARY
The Legion of Mary Presidium was organized in 1964 with about a dozen charter members – one is still current. The Legion of Mary today has five members – four of which hold an office. After attending meetings for three months, members take a Legion Promise addressed to the Holy Spirit. After this, full membership is granted.
This group meets weekly and spend at least two hours of evangelization work each week, visiting the hospital, nursing homes, fallen-away Catholics, the ill, sympathy calls, new babies, new RCIA members and new parish members. Legion of Mary also has about 100 praying members who are visited at least once a year. All Legion of Mary work is kept confidential.
Legion of Mary members pray the rosary for all parish members at the funeral home the day before the funeral if the family desires, and also the morning before the funeral. Members also fold the pall after all funerals.
Members maintain the little shrine at the front entrance of the church filled with rosaries for anyone who needs them. They also call for volunteers to say the rosary before all of the Sunday masses.
Recent, one party that the Legion of Mary visited came back into the church after a 20-year absence, with his wife joining the church later. Members are also working on other cases.
A group of Legion of Mary Presidium from our area staffed the Legion of Mary booth at the Clay County Fair for many years until health issues made it impossible. At that time, over one thousand rosaries and pamphlets were distributed. Contact person is Julia Adams at 732-3545.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  LEGION OF MARY MEMBERS
  PRAYER MEMBERS

LITURGY COMMITTEE
This group helps plan liturgies and writes the Call to Worship, Penitential Rite, and General Intercessions.  Members assist the pastor in preparing for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter celebrations.  This group also assists in collating worship aides and making phone calls. Meetings are held on Tuesday evenings throughout the year.  Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  WRITERS
  PHONE CALLERS—Contact people to help with the liturgies.
  WORSHIP AIDE—Collate and staple the worship aides that will be used at masses.

MARRIAGE SPONSOR COUPLE
Sponsor couples meet with engaged couples preparing for marriage. A prepared format is used as a guide for the volunteer couples. Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  SPONSOR COUPLES

MONEY COUNTERS
The money counters are assigned one month out of the year to county money after the 10 a.m. Sunday mass. There are currently three people scheduled for each month. Duties would include sorting envelopes in numerical order, recording currency and completing deposit slips. This procedure only takes about 1 ½ hours to complete. Contact person is Sr. Josita at 732-3110 Ext. 12 or smbulletin@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  MONEY COUNTERS – processing the weekend collections.

ORGANIST/PIANIST
These musicians provide keyboard accompaniment at weekend liturgies on a rotating basis. We are in desperate need of more keyboardists.  Contact person is Fr. Bruce at 732-3110 Ext. 13 or balawler1@aol.com.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  ORGANIST/PIANIST

PRAYER LINE
 The Prayer Line is a telephone tree and an e-mail system for particular prayer requests. Parish members can contact the prayer line members with their requests. We have 12 phone lines and an e-mail prayer line. Membership requires that you pass on the prayer request to one other person (given to you by the leaders) and remember the intention in prayer. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  PHONE PRAYER LINE
  EMAIL PRAYER LINE

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
RCIA is a faith journey for those wanting to learn more about the Catholic Religion – or to “brush up” on their Catholic faith.  Candidates, sponsors, spouses, and any parishioners who are interested are invited to attend.  Classes begin in September – Thursday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. – until Easter.  Topics such as the Bible, Church History, Sacraments, Liturgical Year, and Prayer are discussed. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  RCIA TEAM – leads discussion about various topics
SPONSOR – Someone who journeys with a candidate, attends classes with them, introduces them
to people in parish, bring them to parish events, etc.
  TREATS – Volunteers who provide treats for classes – how often depends on how many people
volunteer.
 
 
 

SCHOOL OF FAITH
Classes about the Catholic faith for children of the parish, Kindergarten through tenth grade, held on Wednesday evenings from 7-8 p.m. September through April.  Opportunities for celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, mass, and service are included. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
Kindergarten – God loves me
1st Grade – God’s creation
2nd Grade – 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion
3rd Grade – the Church
4th Grade – the Sacraments
5th Grade – the Creed
6th Grade – the Bible
7th Grade – the Catholic Faith
8th Grade – Living the Catholic Faith
9th Grade – Sacraments
10th Grade – Year 1 of Confirmation preparation – focuses on the Bible
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  TEACHERS – Lead classes using manuals/textbooks provided
  AIDES – help with discipline and activities in classroom
  OFFICE HELPERS – Comes at 6 p.m. helps to make copies as needed, unlock classroom doors,
take attendance, other activities as needed.
  WORKING COMMITTEE – helps with various needs of the RE program: First Reconciliation or
First Communion receptions, fund-raising if needed, teacher appreciation party, recruiting teachers/aides, etc.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
These classes are for older children, who for one reason or another, have been baptized but have not made their First Reconciliation and/or First Communion.  The small group meets once a week for about 6 weeks before their First Reconciliation and once a week for about 8 weeks before their First Communion.
Materials that are appropriate for the age of the participants are provided. Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  TEACHERS – lead small classes of 3-4 students. (Time to be determined by teacher and students).

ST. MARY’S BALL AND CHARITY AUCTION
 Volunteers help in many areas to plan and organize the March charity auction for the community. This fund-raiser benefits St. Mary’s preK-12 school. The ball includes live and silent auctions, a raffle, dinner, dance and other different features from year-to-year. Contact person is Dawn Prosser at 732-3110 Ext. 15 or smalumni@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
AUCTION ITEM ACQUSITION – help to solicit individuals and businesses for item contributions for the auction.
DECORATIONS – help to plan and set up decorations for the event and clean up afterwards.
ENVELOPE STUFFING – spend a morning stuffing envelopes for the fall college t-shirt mailing, the fall raffle mailing or winter ticket sales mailing.
RAFFLE TICKET SALES – help to sell $100 raffle tickets in the fall.
TICKET SALES FOLLOW UP – help to call parishioners and community members to encourage ticket sales to the event and ensure all received their invitations.
VOLUNTEERS AT THE BALL – bid-spotting, presenting items, set-up, clerking, welcoming guests, etc.

SCHOOL VOLUNTEER
 Volunteers help at St. Mary’s Schools when convenient for all. Workers can help with special events and parties for students, help with clerical projects or other areas. Contact the school administrative offices at 732-1856 or 732-4166.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  VOLUNTEER

SURSUM CORDA
Sursum Corda is a prayer group that meets Monday afternoons in the convent. Contact person is Lorraine Peterson at 732-3560.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
  SURSUM CORDA MEMBER

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is an exciting week of helping the kids to learn Bible stories through various experiences: crafts, games, snacks, music, and classes.  VBS is usually held in June.  We’ve been using the materials from Group Inc., which are very well organized and very “user-friendly”! 
Each day all of the activities from the crafts to the music to the games to the bible adventure to the video class all focused on the same point.  Each time the point for the day was said, the kids responded with a loud OK!!!!! Contact person is Cary Brown at 732-5160 or cary@iw.net.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY:
 CO-DIRECTOR – works with staff in organizing the VBS experience, recruits leaders and aides
 PRESCHOOL LEADER – works with staff in organizing the VBS experience, recruits aides
 CRAFTS LEADER – determines crafts to be created, what we need donated, leads craft sessions
 BIBLE ADVENTURES LEADER – teaches class on bible story for the day, usually role-playing
 SNACKS LEADER – determines snacks for each day, what we need donated, makes phone calls
for donations, leads snack sessions
 GAMES LEADER – determines games for the day and leads sessions
 MUSIC LEADER – leads singing in church at beginning and end of day and leads music sessions
 VIDEO DISCUSSION LEADER – leads discussions based on short video provided by company
 PUBLICITY – does promotion for bible school
 DECORATIONS – takes care of decorating classrooms, parish center, and entry way according to
the theme for VBS that summer