Altar Servers
Alter servers are essential to assist the priest with the Mass. Servers are both leaders and participants; actively involved in the liturgy.
A server may carry the cross in and out of Mass (cross bearer), carry the candles (candle bearer) or assist the priest through the Mass.
Once a server has served 12 times (in each position at least twice), knows all the repsonses at Mass and has memorized the Creed and the Prayer for Vocations, the server will wear a cross with their alb. Wearing a cross at mass is a privilege and identifies the server as one who is well trained and experienced.
Altar servers usually meet as a group once a month for a practice and have lunch together. There are also other opportunities for fun and social time together.
Any boy or girl in Grade 3 or older who has receive their First Communion can become an altar server.
If you are interested in becoming an Altar Server at St. Mary’s Parish, or would like more information please contact the parish office at 244-2983 or email stmarysrectory@sasktel.net .
Ministry of Care
St. Mary’s Ministry of Care exists to respond to the needs of the parishioners who are experiencing; illness, isolation, loneliness or other stresses in their lives, by bringing Christ’s healing presence into their lives.
We do this through:
- Our Volunteers – who visit the sick, lonely, bereaved, those in hospitals and nursing homes while bringing a listening and spritual presence to those who need it.
- Our Extraordinary Ministers of Communion- who visit and bring Communion to the sick and elderly in their homes and who lead Communion services at Porteus Lodge.
- Our Prayer Shawl Ministry- who meet weekly for prayer, knitting and crocheting, learning and sharing. The shawls we knit are distributed to those who are sick, elderly and homebound, to bring a sense of comfort and warmth to those who long for comfort and healing.
Do you know someone who would like a visit, assistance in getting to church or Communion in their home? If so, or if you can volunteer to help others in this way, please call Iris Riley at 244-2983
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
Not a ministry of St. Mary’s but a parish in its own right. A Roman Catholic parish composed of Aboriginal, Metis and Non-Aboriginal people. Our desire is to offer to the Aboriginal community of Saskatoon an opportunity to experience the Catholic faith with an Aboriginal focus.
A pastoral team works with the community to discover its unique vision. A Parish Council advises the Parish Life Director.
Our Lady of Guadalupe offers Sunday celebration of the Eucharist, integrating some aspects of the Native tradition such as; Smudging with sweetgrass, praying in the four directions, singing in Cree, collection blanket and the presence of drummers and dancers on special occasions. Sunday Mass takes place at 1:00pm. in St. Mary’s Church
The parish also offers Sacramental preparation in the form of; RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), RCIC (for children), Baptism sessions for parents who wish to have small children baptized along with many other programs.
The vision of the parish is to; build a strong faith community, to empower and equip Aboriginal people to become leaders in their families, communities and the Church, and to be open to and to integrate the First Nations culture in our sessions and celebrations.
The parish office of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish is located at 426 Avenue J South, Saskatoon, SK . Phone (306)653-4945 Email: guadalupehouse@sasktel.net
Parish Nurse
Sr. Carol Borreson, is a registered nurse employed by St. Mary’s parish.
As the neighbourhood around St. Mary’s has changed over the past years we have found more and more that the issues we face at our parish door often involve more then just Spiritual care. Addictions, poverty, mental health issues challenge us to meet the needs of our neighbourhood in new and creative ways.
Sr. Carol assists those with low income in our neighborhood and supports and refers families to appropriate government, medical and social agencies. She helps many who are dealing with health issues like addictions, mental health and the complications that come with aging and understanding medications.
She also responds to many non-emergency situations in our neighbourhood doing what she can to provide preventative interventions.
If you or someone you know in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood would like to speak with Sr. Carol about a health related issue please call and leave a message at 249-6338
Sr. Carol’s salary is provided in large part by St. Mary’s annual Parish Auction which will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2009
If you would like to help support this valuable ministry please contact the parish office at 244-2983
