Readers

At every Sunday and daily Mass, men and women proclaim the readings taken from the word of God, the Bible. This ministry allows those who attend Mass to hear God’s word so that they may be nourished to lead the Christian life more fully and to be comforted by this gift from God. Readers receive proper preparation before they proclaim God’s word at Mass.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

When we gather for the celebration of the Eucharist, men and women minister the Body and Blood of the Lord. These ministers allow those who come to Mass to receive not only the Body of Christ, but the Blood of Christ as well. They also bring the Eucharist to those who are homebound or confined to nursing care facilities due to sickness of advanced age. They receive appropriate preparation in order to minister the Eucharist with dignity and respect. Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Ushers/Greeters

We always want those who come to worship with us to feel welcome. At St. Mary’s, we invite men and women as well as teenagers to minister as greeters, people whose primary ministry is to welcome those who come to pray with us. In this capacity, they help those who have difficulty with walking or with coming into the church. In addition, these ministers take up the collection at Sunday Mass.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Music Ministry

Music is an essential part of our prayer together since it touches the heart as well as the mind. When we sing, we pray twice. Our music ministry has many areas where people’s talents can be used: adult choir, youth choir, children’s choir, hand bell choir (adults and children), instrumentalists (keyboard, guitar, brass, percussion). Your talents allow us to praise God in word and in song.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Altar Servers

Adults and children alike are invited to become altar servers, assisting the priest who is celebrating Mass. For children, those in the later part of 4th grade and in upper grades are invited to become altar servers. Usually, boys and girls act as altar servers at Sunday Masses, while adults usually serve at daily Masses or funeral Masses.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Liturgy of the Word with Children

Since it may be difficult for young children, up to the 5th grade, to understand the readings and homily at Sunday Masses, children at our 10:00 Sunday Mass are invited to go to the lower church for a celebration of the Lord’s word, presented at a level that they can understand. Men and women volunteer to lead these celebrations each Sun-day or to assist the leader.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Liturgy Committee

A group of parishioners, interested in deepening the communal worship of the parish, works with the Pastoral Associate for Liturgy to offer their input and suggestions for ways in which our celebration of the Eucharist and the sacraments can be enhanced. These men and women are often liturgical ministers themselves with liturgical resources available to them.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

The RCIA is the process through which adults are fully initiated into the Catholic faith community. Those who would like to become a Roman Catholic, adults who have never been baptized as well as those have been baptized into another Christian religion, participate in this process. The RCIA process is also open to baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion and/or Confirmation and who have received little or no formal religious instruction. Those who be-come catechumens (the unbaptized) or candidates (baptized Christians) meet on a regular basis with team members who assist them on their spiritual journey. Those who seek to be a part of the RCIA team “walk” the journey of faith with these adults and share their own faith with them.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.

Art/Environment Committee

A group of our parishioners dedicate themselves to decorating our church for particular liturgical seasons, such as Christmas and Easter as well as other months of the year. They work in conjunction with our Pastoral Associate for Liturgy and our parish Liturgy Committee.

Call 201-384-0557 for more information.