St. Augustine Parish Ministries
Spiritual Life Commission

The Spiritual Life Commission encourages the growth and development of the faith life of the parishioners of St. Augustine Church. We will assist the pastoral team in starting and promoting programs and ideas for the spiritual needs of our parishioners. These programs include, but not limited to, prayer groups, retreat programs, parish missions and evenings of reflection. The Liturgy Committee and all liturgical ministries come under the Spiritual Life Commission. Pastoral Team liaison for this commission is Dr. Karen Shadle.

Liturgy Committee

The Liturgy Committee meets monthly to oversee the liturgical life of the parish. Through planning specific liturgies, setting policies and supervising all aspects of liturgy (i.e. music, lectors, servers, etc.), the committee nourishes the faith community through spirit-filled liturgies. The committee consists of approximately 8 people, who represent the various specialties needed to produce effective worship.   Contact: Debbie Julius

Altar Servers (grade 5 and up)

Altar servers assist the presider during liturgies. Approximately 6 youth and 8 adults participate on a regular basis serving one hour per month plus assisting in funerals and weddings.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Eucharistic Ministers

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharistic serve with the presiding priest to distribute the body and blood of Christ to the parishioners assembled during the liturgy. With the ministers that we have, one serves about every 3 weeks. Ministers also commit to assist in the special liturgies and during the extra holiday functions.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Readers/Lectors

Lectors proclaim the scriptures at the weekend liturgies and at other times as needed. In doing so, they communicate the Word of God to the worshipping assembly as well as provide a link between God's Word and the people of God. Each is assigned a specific Mass time with the intention that each lector read at least once a month. While there are occasional training sessions, no regular meeting dates are set.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Greeters/Ushers

Greeters warmly welcome parishioners and guests arriving for Mass. They also coordinate activities, distribute worship aids, collect monetary offerings and direct people during the communion processions.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Cross Bearer

Cross bearers lead the procession in and out of the Church while carrying the processional crucifix. Each serves about once every 4 weeks.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Music Ministry (instrumental)

Provide accompaniment for the music leadership for the congregation to heighten the liturgical experience. Most often accompaniment with additional instruments is for special occasion liturgies.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Music Ministry (Choir/Cantor)

Provides the music leadership for the congregation to heighten the liturgical experience. There are 30 music ministers. We currently have a mixed choir, men’s choirs, and several cantors.    Contact: Karen Shadle

Art & Environment 

Art & environment focuses on the decoration of the Church to enhance worship. Through illustration, color and symbols, including floral displays, banners and interpretive installations, our liturgical environment reflects the significance of the Church calendar. Art & Environment requires a chairman and volunteers for specific work sessions. There is a budget line of the Liturgy committee and the core group of 6 is active throughout the year, especially at holiday times.   Contact: Deb Barber

Eucharistic Ministers to the Sick and Homebound

Eucharistic Ministers to the sick and homebound bring the presence of Christ and love of the community to those who are not able to join our parish family for Sunday worship. Communion, visits and prayer are offered.    Contact: Deacon John Thompson

Church Cleaning

To maintain the inside of the church by cleaning, polishing, vacuuming, organizing and reporting any items needed for repair. Teams do a deep cleaning of the Church every month. Contact: Karen Shadle

Sacristans

Sacristans assist in the preparation of the Church before each Mass and the clean-up and lock-up of the Church after each Mass. They set out the communion vessels, prepare the credence table, light the candles, put out reserved signs on pews (when necessary) and set out the offertory gifts. Contact: Karen Shadle

Prayer Blankets

The prayer blanket ministry provides homemade "prayer blankets" which are given to the sick of our parish by either pastoral team members or family members. This group sews the blankets, binds them into packages, and places a prayer book with each blanket.    Contact: Deacon John Thompson