LITURGY

ADULT CHOIR
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Scott Parr 419-224-3080
St. John: Mary Lou Barber 419-738-3643
St. Rose: Betty Gilmore 419-229-9686

MISSION: The vocal choir encourages active participation in parish religious services by leading congregational singing. The choir is open to anyone interested in raising his/her voice in song for the Glory of God.

ADULT HANDBELL CHOIR
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Mary Jean Miller 419-339-2033

MISSION: The Handbell Choir is part of the Parish Music Ministry.

AFGHAN MINISTRY
St. Charles: Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635

MISSION: Knit or crochet lap robes for home bound, nursing homes, and baby blankets for Heartbeat.

ALTAR SERVERS
St. Charles: Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Fr. George Blasick/Sister Judy 419-224-3080
St. John: Bill Hanz 419-229-3903
St. Rose: Lisa Foster 419-222-5521

MISSION: This ministry is open to any Catholic boy or girl in the 6th grade through high school and any adult wishing to serve at the Altar during Mass and other liturgical services. Training is provided.

ARTS AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. John: Sandy Laus 419-339-2253
St. Rose: Brian Army 419-649-5305

MISSION: Volunteers decorate the worship area for holidays, special masses, and seasons. Volunteers are also responsible for maintaining the sanctuary, i.e., changing candles, watering plants, etc.

CANTORS
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Sr. Judy 419-224-3080
St. John: Mary Lou Barber 419-738-3643
St. Rose: Anna Gilmore 419-229-9686

MISSION: A Cantor leads and supports the congregation in singing hymns, psalms, and acclamations at Mass and other services while encouraging congregational singing.

CARE OF CHURCH LINENS
St. Charles: Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635
St. John: Pat Ehora 419-224-0536
St. Rose: Judie Bourk 419-229-1240
Marian Shanahan 419-222-5521

MISSION: Volunteers clean and iron all linens used in the sanctuary.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. John: Velma Kill 419-222-5521
St. Gerard: Deanna Cira 419-224-2211

MISSION: The Children’s Choir sings at designated liturgies as they begin to understand the formation of a small faith community.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
St. Charles: Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Jerry Aska & Sr. Judy 419-224-3080
St. John: John Pellegrini 419-228-0224
St. Rose: Lisa Foster 419-222-2982
Lima Memorial Hospital Kate Romaker 419-222-2465

MISSION: The role of Eucharistic Ministers is a response to the call of Christ to serve His people at the Eucharistic Meal. The Church commissions Eucharistic Ministers to serve at Mass and in visitation to the sick. Our faith tells us we become full heirs with Christ by our Baptism. Training is provided for this ministry.

FUNERAL CHOIR
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard Sr. Judy 419-224-3080
St. John: Mary Lou Barber 419-738-3643

MISSION: The Funeral Choir provides comfort to grieving families through song. The choir will be called upon when a funeral is scheduled.

GREETERS
St. Charles: Kathy Kidd 419-991-2378
St. Gerard: Sr. Judy Leibengood 419-224-3080
St. John: Jeff Steinke 419-339-3194
St. Rose: Jim Bourk 419-229-1240

MISSION: A warm “hello” welcoming everyone to God’s house is important to our faith community. You have a chance to set the tone for the entire service. To send a feeling to a person that they are welcome and we are glad they are worshipping with us is the goal of a greeter. It is also a wonderful way to meet and converse with fellow parishioners. Greeters should arrive 20 minutes before Mass and stay at assigned doors until the start of Mass.

LECTORS
St. Charles:* Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635 & Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Jerry Aska & Sr. Judy 419-224-3080
St. John: Roseanne Ann Roop 419-645-5640
St. Rose: Sr. Noel Frey 419-222-5521

MISSION: As a lector you have been called to participate in the service of proclaiming the Sacred Scriptures at the liturgy. As a minister of the Word of God, you do what John the Baptist did...proclaim over and over, “Prepare the Way for the Lord!” Christ is present in His word since it is He Himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in Church. As a lector, you are a servant of the Word of God. Adults and high school students are encouraged to volunteer.
* We currently have enough Lectors at St. Charles.

LITTLE PEOPLE’S CHURCH
St. Gerard: Mary Camp 419-224-3080

MISSION: A program designed to help pre-schoolers develop an understanding of God’s plan, their part in it and to gain a sense of belonging to a joyous and enthusiastic faith during the 10:30 liturgy.

ACTIVITIES: The group meets during a Sunday morning Mass. Dedicated individuals who relate to little ones are needed as volunteers.

LITURGY MINISTRY
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Sr. Judy 419-224-3080
St. John: Sandy Laus 419-339-2253
St. Rose: Brian Army 419-649-5305

MISSION: Works as a group to enhance the Liturgical Celebrations of the parish. The committee works with the pastor on the public worship of the parish adding artistry and polish that encourages people to lift up their hearts in praise. Members are given opportunities for continuing education. Recruitment, training and coordination of ministries are responsibilities of the committee. Creative planning leads to parish enthusiasm for liturgy.

LITURGY MUSICIANS
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635

MISSION: These musicians enhance the vocal music at mass. Musicians have an opportunity to audition and then rehearse with an accompanist and choir.

LITURGY OF THE WORD FOR CHILDREN AND GOD SQUAD
St. Charles: Jeanna Stalkamp 419-991-2285 & Sue Janowski 419-991-6614
St. Gerard: Kevin Gerken 419-302-0101

MISSION: The Liturgy Spotlight, from Liturgical Ministry, Summer 2000 states “Children learn well through their bodies-bodily engagement is a major mode of learning. The more the liturgy makes use of the senses, the more it is ‘embodied’, the more the children who are present will be immersed in the Christian tradition.” With this in mind, we share the message of God’s Word through discussions, visuals, active songs, puppetry, and by acting out the readings of the homily. We provide an opportunity for the children to personally reflect on God’s Word which is presented at a level they can understand.

ACTIVITIES: We need volunteers to help with planning, scheduling, setting up tables, name tags before mass and clean up. God Squad members are always needed as cantors, for greeting children, reading, acting, performing puppetry and action songs.

SPANISH MASS
St. Gerard: Fr. George Blasick 419-224-3080 Elias Pína 419-339-2253

MISSION: The Spanish Mass is held once a month, on the 2nd Sunday of the month at 12 noon. This is the outreach of Saint Gerard Parish to the Catholic Hispanic community. The hope of this ministry is that it will, in time, expand to reach many more people.

ORGANISTS
St. Charles: Rugh Fosnaugh 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Sr. Judy Leibengood 419-224-3080
St. John: Marilyn Gengler 419-695-8368
St. Rose: Betty Gilmore 419-229-9686

MISSION: Weekend Liturgies

SACRISTANS
St. Charles: Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: George Petrilla 419-224-3080
St. John: Jeff Steinke 419-339-3194
St. Rose: Brian Army 419-649-5305

MISSION: Members of this group are responsible for the preparation of the worship area for Mass. This includes preparing books for the readings, and preparing the Eucharist, etc.

SEAMTRESS MINISTRY
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635

MISSION: Here is an opportunity to use your sewing skills to help the parish. Baptismal gowns, baby bibs, altar linens, environment and mending.

USHERS
St. Charles: Trudy Gossard 419-228-7635
St. Gerard: Tony Youngpeter 419-228-5825
St. John: Jeff Steinke 419-339-3194
St. Rose: Jim Bourk 419-229-1240

MISSION: An usher assists in welcoming, distribution of bulletins, money collection, obtaining offertory gift bearers and responds to any need an individual might have while at the church service.

YOUTH HANDBELL CHOIR
St. Charles: Ruth Fosnaugh 419-228-7635

MISSION: A music ministry which enhances the weekend liturgy. Grades 4 through 8. Weekly practice. Plays at mass once a month.