Invitation
In liturgical and
devotional prayer, the life of the Christian is blessed
and touched by the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.
Through our baptism into the death and Resurrection of
Christ we have received the Spirit which cries out to
God the Father (Romans 8:15). Fashioned into the risen
Body of Christ by our celebration of the Eucharist, this
Spirit prays within us in thanksgiving and supplication
to God. Please join us!
Liturgical
Ministries
As
Catholic Christians, we at Sacred Heart pray as an
ordered assembly made of a variety of ministries that
express the manifold grace that each has received. (1
Peter 4:10) Most of these ministries are coordinated
through the Spiritual Life Committee. Please contact
Fr. Charles
for more information.
Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned
by the Archdiocese of New York to assist with the
distribution of Holy Communion at parish Masses.
They also bring Communion to the homes of those
unable to attend Church because of sickness, old age
or disability. We also sponsor a group of
parishioners who take Communion to the Hospital and
Nursing Homes. The ministers meet at least once a
year to review and discuss their responsibilities
and to receive additional spiritual formation. About
every two years, the parish sponsors a training
program for new Eucharistic ministers.
Commentators and Lectors are ministers
within the Eucharistic Liturgy. Commentators
introduce the Liturgy, announce the hymns, read the
petitions at the Prayer of the Faithful, and make
the announcements at the end of Mass. Lectors
proclaim the Scripture prescribed for the Liturgy of
the day. The Church requests one lector for each of
the two readings. Commentators and Lectors should be
available to be scheduled at a weekend Mass twice a
month. A resonant voice and the willingness to speak
in front of a group are special assets required for
this ministry. Training is required for both.
Altar Servers. All parishioners having
reached appropriate age are welcome to become altar
servers. Training is required: initially, training
sessions cover practices and procedures followed
during Mass in our parish, along with a brief
teaching on the Liturgy and items used in the
Liturgy.
Choir. The parish's mixed choir
contributes its talents every Sunday at the 10:00
A.M. Mass, as well as during Holy Week, Easter,
Christmas, and other liturgical events throughout
the Church year, under the talented direction of
Andrew Bauer. Mr. Bauer has an extensive background
as a professional Church musician. He has a BA from
Bard College and a Masters Degree from the Manhattan
School of Music. The choir is always looking for new
talent. Interested individuals are invited to drop
in on rehearsals, which are held every Thursday
evening from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Church, call the
Church office and leave a message, or see Mr. Bauer
after Mass. The parish also has two contemporary
ensembles which contribute to the Saturday 5:00 pm
Liturgy and the Sunday 11:30 am Liturgy. The music
includes piano, keyboard, guitars and wind
controllers. If interested in adding musical talent,
please see Mr. Bauer
Ushers greet our parishioners at the
weekend Liturgies, help them find seating, provide
them with worship aids, take up the collection,
distribute materials during and after Mass, and help
anyone needing assistance during Mass. Several of
our ushers have served in this ministry all of their
adult lives - up to 50 years and more. Members meet
as a group annually. The size of our congregation
requires a large number of ushers, and volunteers
for this ministry are always welcome and needed.
Please contact one of the parish priests or the
office.
Bereavement
Our Bereavement Ministry
serves at all Funerals. Ministers serve in various
functions such as pall placers, altar servers, Lectors,
and Eucharistic Ministers. Their primary function is to
be of service to a family in time of need, The
Bereavement Group meets on the last Wednesday of the
month following the 8:30 am Mass unless there is a
funeral. Anyone interested in joining may contact a
Friar or the Parish Office.
Liturgy of the Hours
After the Sunday Eucharist, the Liturgy of the Hours is
the ordinary and official daily prayer of the Christian
people. Made out of psalms, canticles, and readings from
Sacred Scripture, the Liturgy of the Hours consists of
five "hours" over the course of the day: the Office of
Readings, Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer, Evening
Prayer, and Night Prayer. Morning Prayer is celebrated
Monday through Saturday at 8:00 am in the friars'
chapel, adjacent to the sanctuary of the church. Other
prayers are occasionally offered on solemn days and
privileged seasons.
Rosary Altar Society
The Rosary-Altar Society
cares for the vestments and linens used in the
celebration of our parish Liturgies. Members repair and
launder the altar linens, albs, purificators and other
sacristy items. The group also sponsors fund-raising
socials, and the proceeds are used to purchase new
vestments and furnishings. During the months of May and
October, members gather for the recitation of the Rosary
Monday through Friday, after the 8:30 A.M. Mass. The
Society meets on a monthly basis.
Holy Name
The Holy Name Society is one of the oldest organizations
in the Catholic Church. It was founded by Blessed John
Vercelli in 1274. At Sacred Heart, the Society meets
monthly, except for summer months. Members attend the
8:30 A.M. Mass on the second Sunday of the month. The
Mass is followed by a breakfast in the church hall
which, on three Sundays (Feb., May, & Nov.), is open to
family members and friends. The Society meeting is the
following Monday evening. Members help with various
parish activities and sponsor the National Safety
Council Driving Program several times a year. There is
an annual Mass for deceased members of the Society in
November.
Fr. Solanus
The purpose of the Father Solanus group is to keep alive
the inspiring memory of Father Solanus, to bring
knowledge of his inspiring life to others, to collect
information about his life and work, and to pray for and
support his Cause for Beatification. The Friends of
Father Solanus Casey meet on the First Wednesday of each
month in the Church Hall after the 8:30 am mass. They do
not meet in July or August.
Scripture Study,
Parishioners meet weekly to reflect on the Scriptures
proclaimed at the Sunday Mass. A leader provides some
background and reflections on the readings, and all are
invited to share their own thoughts after a period of
reflective prayer. No one is required to say anything.
No materials are needed: we use the Church missalettes.
All are welcome to join in whenever they can: there is
no time commitment requested. We meet Saturday mornings
after the 8:30AM Mass till 10:30 in the Church hall from
Sept – June (see the Bulletin for cancellations). Coffee
and cake are available to make this an informal
gathering. We are all on a faith journey. Come share
your journey with a small group of friends.
Nocturnal Adoration
On the first Saturday of each month, the Nocturnal
Adoration Society meets in the Church to honor the
presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. There is one
session from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. During this time, the
Office of the Blessed Sacrament is recited and quiet
meditation time is observed. The Rosary is prayed during
the final half hour. This society has specific spiritual
orientation. It gives praise and thanks to the Lord for
giving us Himself in the Eucharist and provides
opportunity for atonement of sin and the presentation of
intercessions. All are welcome to join, or to make an
occasional visit to the church during these Saturday
evenings.
Miraculous
Medal/Rosary for Life
Devotion to Our Lady and dependence on her prayers has
been part of Christian life since its first centuries.
After the 8:30 am Mass each Monday morning, (when there
is no funeral) parishioners pray the Miraculous Medal
Novena and offer the prayer of the Rosary for the
conversion of our culture to one that affirms the
sanctity of life from conception to natural death.
