ST. PIUS X MINISTRIES

St. Pius X is a stewardship parish. We believe that our talents, time and treasure are God's gifts to us. Our stewardship is using those gifts to serve one another in His name. The ministries in action here in our parish depend on the time and talent of many people. You will find, in the following, descriptions of the organizations and ministries at the parish with which you may wish to become involved. What is your talent?
We encourage your input and participation. If there is something you see lacking in our parish and you would like a new ministry developed, we would love to hear from you. We welcome your ideas, they are valuable for the growth and progress of the spiritual and social life of our Parish Family.

Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council exercises shared responsibility for the pastoral life of the parish under the leadership of the pastor. The council's role is an advisory one. Its responsibilities are to plan and recommend policies and programs to the pastor and to guide and monitor parish commissions.
Membership in the council consists of the pastor, 12 parishioners and a staff representative. candidates for the council are selected from a list of names submitted by the ministries and organizations of the parish. term of office for council members is three years.

COMMISSIONS
Commissions are the action arms of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Each ministry, organization or program is grouped into the commission with which it shares and most common interests.
The commissions here at St. Pius X are as follows:
Education
Spiritual Life
Parish Concerns
Administrative Services
With the exception of Administrative services, council members serve as liaisons between the various organizations that are represented by the commission and the Council.

EDUCATION COMMISSION
Adult Education
An Adult Education Committee develops programs for adult parishioners, designed to help them grow spiritually and to become more informed about their Catholic Christian faith.

SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMISSIONS
Adult Funeral Servers
Working with the Celebration of Life Ministry, the Adult Funeral Servers, both men and women, assist as servers for the Funeral Masses. This is a dedicated group of individuals who help the Funeral Mass go smoothly for the loved ones and the Presider.

Baptism Preparation
Catholic parents who request Baptism for their children must be registered in the parish and attend Mass regularly. Parents and Godparents are required to attend a preparation session regarding the Sacrament of Baptism. Godparents, at least one of who must be a practicing Catholic, are also invited to attend.

Celebration of Life
The loss of a loved one is felt by many family members and friends. Through the process of plannning all of the arrangements, one detail is usually left out. That detail is planning the Funeral Liturgy.
At St. Pius X, the Celebration of Life Ministry meets with the loved ones to plan out the funeral liturgy. this includes the selection of the Readings and the Gospel, the music, and the presenters for the Presentation of the Gifts.
The Celebration of Life Ministry also supplies the loved ones with a list of support groups, if so needed.

Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers have the special responsibility of helping the priest and deacon to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. To become a Eucharistic minister, one must be a practicing Catholic and a member of our parish, and be approved by the pastor. Training is required. Ministers are commissioned for a three year period.

Greeters
Greeters are the people that smile and extend their hand to welcome worshippers to Mass. They also assist the ushers during the second collection.

Lectors
Lectors are the men and women who proclaim the word of God at liturgical celebrations. Volunteers must be comfortable with reading in public. Training is provided.

Liturgical Environment
This committee plans and develops a worshipful environment for the church in which we can pray and celebrate the different liturgical seasons and holidays.

Mass Servers
Serving in the church is a special privilege and has for centuries been a ministry manifesting the gifts that our young children have to offer the church. It allows a Mass Server to be close to the Altar, to carry the cross, to carry the light of Christ, to wear the robe of Baptism, and to hold the book of the prayers. Serving the holy people while we do our holy actions in the church is a way of growing closer to God. The Mass Server Ministry at SPX is one very important Ministry. It entails a commitment and responsibility to be able to serve at scheduled Masses as well as to volunteer when a Server cannot serve.
The Mass Servers must be in at least 3rd grade either attending Religious Education classes or attending a Catholic School and have made their First Communion and First Reconciliation.

Music Ministry
The Ministry of Music helps the worshipping community participate more fully in the liturgy by praying through song and providing a strong musical foundation.

Adult Choir
Aids the congregation in worship and prayer through song. The Adult Choir is open to all singers from high school age and beyond. Prior musical experience is not necessary. Rehearsals are held each Wednesday, from 7:00PM -9:00PM.

Children's Choir
Is open to all grade school children that can read. Rehearsals are held each Sunday after the 10:30AM Mass, and generally lasts 40-45 minutes.

Step by Step Teen Choir
The Teen choir is for the teens of the parish. We hope to get many new members! This choir is open to any teenager wanting to sing... all voices are welcome!

Resurrection Choir
Sings at all Funeral Masses and rehearsals are held 30 minutes before each funeral. This choir aids tremendously to the funeral service, as many people who attend funerals may not be familiar with the Catholic liturgy. It means a great deal to the bereaved family to see and hear the choir as they enter the Church. The music adds greatly to the mass.

Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation is a program for engaged couples in which they meet with a married couple in four two-hour sessions to discuss communication patterns that enhance the marital relationship. The priest blesses the engaged couple at Mass and the community prays for them. Meeting times are flexible.

Ushers
Ushers serve at Mass by assisting people to their seats, collecting the offertory, and directing the flow of people during communion.

HUMAN CONCERNS COMMISSION
Like early Christian communities, today's parishes are close-knit communities, bonding together people who share a common faith and values. Parish organizations provide an atmosphere and opportunity for memebrs to grow and experience acceptance in a relationship with each other as members of the Body of Christ. A strong communal life is the goal of the Human Concerns Commission. Its primary responsibility is to build the parish into a faith community by identifying and providing for the social and communal
needs of the parish.

CCW-Council of Catholic Women
The CCW is an organization of parish women whose purpose is to establish interest in all parish activities, activities of the Archdiocesan Council, and to cooperate with outside agencies for community welfare. Meetings are held once a month beginning in September and ending in June. Meetings begin with a prayer followed by a business meeting, then entertainment and fellowship.

Minister of Care
Ministers of Care are individuals that bring Communion and comfort to those who are sick and/or home bound. Visits are made to nearby hospitals, nursing homes and private homes. Ministers receive training and are commissioned by the parish for three years.

Family Assistance Ministry
The Family Assisatance Ministry assists families that are having financial difficulty. It is a short term assistance program that provides food assistance and directs families to other Catholic Resources.

Step by Step Youth Ministry
Started getting together in January 2007. We set up some simple objectives. We need to be proactive in the following areas:
Service Projects
Retreats
Movie Nights
Fund Raiser
Field Trips
Holy Week Mission
"Angel for a Day"

Members of our Ministry are currently High School and College students. We are always looking for new members. The St. Pius X Parish "Step by Step" Youth Ministry does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin.

We get together on Saturday evenings @ 6:00PM in Room 101
We have our own website:http://spxstepbystep.webs.com/
We also have a Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=25448144244

Outreach to College Students
This committee keeps in touch with our parish college students. Treat and snack packages are sent to students during exam time to let them know that they have our support and prayers.

Parish Sharing
Our sharing parish is St. Joachim. The parish sharing committe meets with members of our sharing parish, St. Joachim, to build bridges between the two parishes. This enables St. Joachim and St. Pius X parishes to share the unique gifts that God has given each parish.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
This Ministry reaches out to those in need of comfort and solace, as well as in celebration and joy. Blessings and prayers are woven into each shawl. The shawl maker begins with prayers and blessings for the recipient. The intentions are continued throughout the creation of the shawl. Upon completion, a final blessing is offered before the shawl is sent on its way. Shawls are available to our parishioners, their families and friends. Shawl makers and recipients are always in need.

Social Events
This committee plans and implements non-fundraising parish events which promotes fellowship and build community. Some events include Hospitality Sundays, Oktoberfest and the Parish Feast Day.

Welcoming Committee
This committee visits all new families/persons registered at St. Pius X to welcome and inform them about parish ministries and activities. (A letter of introduction is sent beforehand.)

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES COMMISSION
The Administrative Services Commission works closely with the pastor by providing the necessary administrative skills to sustain the parish mission. This commission aids the pastor in his administrative responsibilities and is concerned with parish resources, budgeting and the effective use and maintenance of parish facilities.

Bingo & Lightning
Bingo & Lightning are played Saturday evenings from September through end of May in the Parish Hall. Doors open at 3:45PM; games begin at 6:45PM. Pull-tabs & raffle games are also played. Volunteers conduct the sessions.

Collection Counters
Collection counters are volunteers who meet on Sunday mornings to count the weekend collections. No experieince is necessary, but confidentiality is essential. Commitment is for one Sunday a month for a year, time spent counting is about 4 hours per Sunday.

Finance Committee
This committee is appointed by the pastor. They meet regularly to assist the pastor in overseeing the finances of the parish, in preparing the annual parish budget and in making the annual financial report to the Archdiocese and the parishioners.

If you are interested in any of the ministries please contact the Rectory at 708-484-7951.