LITURGICAL OPPORTUNITIES & MINISTRIES
The information below gives you an idea of the many and varied liturgical opportunities our ministries that we have at St. Nicholas. Sacrament preparation information can be found on the main menu.
Altar Servers
Our Alter Servers are young men and women, grades 5 through 8. Those who are interested may sign up through St .Clare School, PSR classes, or Sign-up Sunday during the fall. Server training and refresher meetings held twice yearly or as needed. For more information, please contact Jake Tenberge via email at
jake10berge@charter.net. Please watch our
Altar Server Training Video.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
This is a Montessori based religious education program designed for 3-5 year old children in Level I, and ages 6-9 in Level II. It is normally held Sunday morning or Wednesday morning. For more information, please contact MaryAnn Caponegro at 632-2852.
Children’s Word
Each Sunday, adults and teens minister as Catechists to mature 3 year olds through 1st graders the Sunday Liturgy of the Word. This is held at the 10:30AM Mass year round except for Christmas Day, New Years Day, and Easter Sunday. For more information, please contact Cheri Hobbs at 624-0627 or via email at jcjkb.hobbs@global.net; or Julie Weiss at 624-3790 or via email at njweiss@yahoo.com.
Eucharistic Ministers
Our Eucharistic Ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the assembly during Mass and bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound as needed. Training is conducted biannually. For more information please contact Carla & Mark Daggitt via email at daggittribe@charter.net.
Please note that Proclaimers and Eucharistic Ministers follow Diocesan guidelines which require the pastor to select from a group known to him to assure that the lives of those chosen for these very public ministries witness to the faith. Obviously, those chosen need not be saints, but if someone’s life were seriously out of step with the gospel values and they were involved in these very important public ministries, scandals could be given.
Greeters
Our Greeters welcome parishioners and guests upon their arrival at Mass. For more information, please contact Michelle Casey via email at michellecasey@yahoo.com.
Liturgy Committee
Through study of church rituals, liturgical seasons, and prayer, the Liturgy Committee forms and plans variations of liturgy elements (prayers, music, movement, environment) and organizes ministries crucial to liturgical celebration for St. Nicholas. The committee normally meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM. For more information, please call Sr. Judy McKenna at 632-1007, or via email at liturgy@stnicholasofallon.org.
Liturgy of the Word with Communion
This Service is held in the absence of an ordained minister, when needed. For more information, please contact Sr. Judy at 632-1007, or Barb Furdek at 632-1137.
Marriage Enrichment
This activity offers a variety of sessions to married couples aimed at providing them an opportunity to grow in their marriages in the midst of the pressures and complexities of today’s society. Couples are provided with a fresh outlook on how to deal with issues commonly encountered in marriage and family, with an emphasis on Catholic values. Sessions are normally held the 1st Saturday of each month following the 5 PM Mass. Watch the bulletin for updated information. For more information, please contact Joe & Pat Kaiser at 622-8851, or at joepatkaiser@yahoo.com.
Music Ministry
Music Ministry refers to all choir members, and those who are cantors. For more information, please call Glenn or Cindy Mackey 628-1992.
- Cantors: Our Cantors lead the singing during Mass. Cantors need to be active members of a choir. For more information, please call Glenn or Cindy Mackey 628-1992.
- Youth Choir: Our Youth Choir is made up of 2nd through 8th grade Music Ministers who sing at the 10:30 AM Mass on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. They meet for rehearsal on Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. For more information, please call Sister Judy at 632-1007, or Karen Scherrer at 632-9699.
- Parish Choir: Our Parish Choir supports assembly music participation at 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays or as needed. It is open to anyone over high school age. The Choir rehearses on Tuesday, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM weekly. For more information, please call Sister Judy at 632-1007.
- Day Choir: Our Day Choir provides support for many daytime prayer needs, such as funerals and morning prayer. For more information, please call Sister Judy at 632-1007, or Eileen Yahl at 624-6371.
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
The PSR is a faith formation activity for the youth. It is held each Sunday, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at St. Clare School. For more information, please contact Barb Furdek at 632-1137, or at dre@stnicholasofallon.org.
Presenters of Gifts
Our Presenters of Gifts are individual persons or families that present the gifts of bread and wine at the weekend Masses. Presenters may volunteer as individuals, groups, or a family unit. For more information, please contact Tom & Janet Lintker via email at work2play@charter.net.
Proclaimers (Lectors)
Lectors prepare and proclaim the assigned Scriptures for the assembly during Mass. For more information, please contact Helen Martin at 632-2477 or via email at jmikem@sbcglobal.net; or James Harper via email at jcharper76@yahoo.com. Please note that Proclaimers and Eucharistic Ministers follow Diocesan guidelines which require the pastor to select from a group known to him to assure that the lives of those chosen for these very public ministries witness to the faith. Obviously, those chosen need not be saints, but if someone’s life were seriously out of step with the gospel values and they were involved in these very important public ministries, scandals could be given.
Retreats
Our Retreats are scheduled and planned retreats in cooperation with King’s House in Belleville. They will be announced in the Sunday bulletin, Parish Newsletter or on or website. For more information, please contact Leona Ahring [women] at 632-3819, or Kitty Hohrein at 632-6061, or Joe Rademacher, Sr [men] at 632-6625 or Jude Hopper at 624-8412.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
This is an on- going inquiry into the Catholic faith that may lead to becoming a Catholic. It is conducted by Fr. Bill, Barb Furdek, Sr. Judy and other team members. It meets weekly, generally Wednesday evening, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. For more information, call those mentioned above or call the Church Office at 632-1797.
Scripture Study
Fr. Sean Martin, OP, professor in scripture from Aquinas Institute offers instruction in the scriptures. Beginning in the fall of 2009, he will teach a course on the gospel of Mark. We meet normally on Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. For more information, please contact Barb Furdek at 632-1137.
Small Christian Communities (SCC)
SCC is groups of people who meet for the common purpose of growing in faith. Groups meet on day and time determined by each SCC throughout the week. For more information, please contact Barb Furdek at 632-1137, or at dre@stnicholasofallon.org.
St. Clare and St. Nicholas School
St. Clare School is a Catholic grade school co-owned by St. Nicholas with St. Clare Parish. It offers instruction in grades K through 8th grade. For more information, please contact their Principal Ken Pajares at 632-6327.
Stations of the Cross
Is a public devotion held regularly each Lent, normally on Friday, time to be announced each year. For more information, please contact Father Bill, Deacon Olson or Sr. Judy.
Ushers
Our Ushers locates seating, assists with collection baskets and presentations of gifts, assists in emergencies during Mass, and prepares church interior after each Mass. For more information, please contact Scott Beil via email at
sbeil@800link.com or phone 618-355-1999.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is held for one week each summer during late June or early July. Listen for announcements and check the bulletin for this year’s schedule. For more information, please contact Terri Terhaar at 628-0629.
Women of Faith
This is a gathering of women that seek to strengthen their faith through the growing recognizing that God is working in and through them. The evenings meetings are held several times a year. They feature dinner, wine, chocolate and lots of stories all focused on our own spirituality, and of course prayer.