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St. George's Catholic Parish - Ottawa |
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Welcome to the website of St. George's Catholic Parish, Ottawa. |
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Below is a list of the groups and committees active at St. George's. We encourage each member of the parish to become familiar with the groups and to join one. It is through getting to know each other and working together that we become a caring parish community. Contacts for each group are found on the front of the bulletin or call the rectory and ask for the contact person.
Below are brief descriptions of the groups and committees active at St. George's Parish. ALTAR SERVERSAltar Servers, both boys and girls, serve at Sunday Mass and on special religious holidays. Children must have made their First Communion and have their parent's consent and support before becoming altar servers. Training is provided. AUXILIARY MINISTERS OF THE HOLY EUCHARISTThe Auxiliary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist play an important role in the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist. They assist the priest in distributing the Eucharist under the species of either bread or wine. They also pray a blessing over children who have not made their first Holy Communion and over any adult who comes forward with crossed arms indicating that they would like to be blessed. Ministers of the Holy Eucharist must be over the age of sixteen and have been confirmed. CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUEThe CWL is currently inactive at St. George's. CHILDREN'S LITURGY GROUPMembers of this group lead the Children's Liturgy during the "Liturgy of the Word" at the 10:30 a.m. Family Mass on Sundays. There are two groups of children for Children's Liturgy - one aimed at children between the ages of four and six, the other for children seven to nine. Volunteers commit themselves to working, at most, one Sunday each month. All materials needed to prepare for each Sunday are provided ahead of time. Preparation can be done at home. CHOIR - Family MassChildren over the age of eight and adults are welcome. Practice (with the exception of Christmas and Easter, when special practices are arranged) takes place every Sunday at 10a.m. in the Church. Those interested in the choir should have a love of Christian music, both traditional and contemporary, and be comfortable with a non-traditional choir structure. The choir sings starting the first Sunday after Labour Day to the last Sunday in June. CHOIR - FuneralThe choir sings at most of the funerals at St. George's. We are amateurs but like to think that our singing might bring some consolation to the grieving families. It takes many voices to make a choir. New members are always welcome. CURSILLO REPRESENTATIVEThe Ottawa Cursillo Movement is part of a world-wide renewal movement of the church which began more than 50 years ago in Spain. During the past 30 years, more than 6,000 Ottawa-area Catholics, have experienced the Cursillo, which begins with a three-day weekend and leads to fresh awareness of "living your faith". Most importantly, the large and vibrant Cursillo community provides a means to continue Christian "formation" beyond the weekend. DECORATING/BANNER COMMITTEEThe role of this committee is to make the church atmosphere prayerful, attractive, warm and welcoming, and thus enhance the beauty of the ritual celebrations. The Decorating and Banner Committee assumes responsibility for major celebrations - Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Thanksgiving. GIFT BEARERSAt Sunday Mass during the Offertory, Gift Bearers bring the bread and wine from the assembly to the priest. Many people enjoy the simplicity of this ministry - it is non-speaking. Children or other family members or friends are welcome to accompany you, whether or not they carry one of the gifts. Gift-bearers are usually scheduled so that they serve in this ministry once a month or so. GIRL GUIDESGirl Guides of Canada is a voluntary organization for girls, led by women, that promotes the emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual well-being of girls and women through values-based programs. It challenges girls to reach their potential and empowers them to give service and leadership as responsible citizens of the world. A girl can start guiding as early as 5 year old, as a Spark, or join anytime as a Brownie, Guide, Pathfinder or member of the Senior Branches. The program is about fun, friendship, adventure and new challenges which focus on the development of personal values. The program is based on the ideals expressed in the Guide Promise and Law of developing initiative, self-reliance, resourcefulness and self-discipline. The varied and creative program promotes social, physical, intellectual and emotional growth. Each meeting usually consists of gathering for attendance, an active game, program work with interaction among the Guides, a campfire sing-song and a ceremonial finish of singing Taps. The program has included learning new crafts such as making friendship bracelets, centrepieces for Thanksgiving dinner, and candles for enrolment ceremony. HEALTH COMMITTEEThe Health Committee was formed in 1999 primarily to assist with the implementation of the Parish Nurse Program at St. George's. It has as its goal the promotion of holistic health - mind, body, spirit - for all parishioners. The committee meets 3 or 4 times a year. We would welcome any new members, particularly those who have an interest in and commitment to the promotion of holistic health. We strive to follow the example of Jesus who manifested his love of God by recognizing the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those around him. HOSPITALITYThe Hospitality group helps the parish community join together in a social atmosphere. The group's most visible involvement is hosting Coffee Talk each Sunday after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. At coffee talk parishioners socialize together and have an opportunity to visit the parish library. The group also assists at other parish events when called upon to do so. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSThe Knights of Columbus, established over 100 years ago, in March 1882, have a very long and enviable record and tradition of good works. They are noted throughout the world for their charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Today it is the largest society of Catholic men in the world, with one and a half million members in the USA, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico and several countries in Central America. Our Council #12124 came into being in April 1997 as a result of the efforts of Tom Assaly and a small group of men who organized a group of thirty men to become Charter Members of a new Knights of Columbus Council at St. George's. The Knights of Columbus are a vibrant organization in the parish and the community. With additional members we can do more. We welcome new members. LEAGUE OF THE SACRED HEARTThe League is an Apostleship of Prayer whose aim is to promote greater devotion to the Sacred Heart. The League meets once a year. For the yearly fee of $13, members receive the Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart, which is published 11 times a year. The Messenger is full of timely articles, inspiring stories, and beautiful prayers. New members are welcome. LECTORS AND COMMENTATORSLectors proclaim the Word at Mass, serving their parish through their speaking skills, but even more importantly, through their faith. An effective lector is animated by a "warm and living love for the Scripture" and prepares carefully, both spiritually and technically. Parishioners in this ministry are scheduled as Lectors (First and Second Readings) or Commentators (Introductory remarks, announcements, and Prayers of the Faithful) approximately once a month. If you have been confirmed and are a teenager or older, consider serving your community this way. Butterflies in your stomach? Practical training in voice projection and practice sessions are available, as are resources for Scripture study. LIBRARYThe Parish Lending Library was started by the former Faith Development committee in response to parishioners' suggestions during the Synod process. Today the library is run by a group of parish volunteers. The time commitment for volunteers amounts to working one Sunday (see hours below), approximately once a month. There are no regular meetings for the volunteers but social get-togethers take place once or twice a year. The library is open on Sundays after the 10:30 Mass from 11:30 -12:15 (coinciding with Coffee-Talk). At these times books may be signed out or returned. Library resources may also be returned at other times to a book return box at the entrance of the church. Our parish library is for the use of all parishioners of any age and is available to support the religious education of the children. Our collection includes books, videotapes, and periodicals for adults, teens and children. The collection includes material about the Catholic faith, spirituality, prayer, social justice, Christian literature, parenting issues, biography and the very popular children's section. Parishioners can support the library in several ways: by making use of its varied resources, by recommending titles for the library to acquire, by donating good used books, or by making in memoriam donations for a friend or loved one. Finally, consider volunteering to help so that the library's hours can be extended! LITURGY COMMITTEEThe Liturgy Committee, according to the Diocesan Guidelines, is to plan and provide for the spiritual development of each member of the parish community through liturgical celebrations, days of prayer and spiritual renewal, and any other special devotions. We meet once a month. We want to hear from you: please feel free to talk to any of us or to drop us a line in the PPC Suggestion Box. PARISH FINANCE COUNCILThe Finance Council is responsible to the Episcopal Corporation (the owner of all diocesan personal and real property) and advises the Pastor on the administration of the goods of the parish, in conformity with civil, canonical, and diocesan regulations on matters such as revenues, expenses, loans, investments, bookkeeping, repairs, construction, contracts, salaries, etc. Parishioners who serve on the Finance Council have special competence in finance, budgeting, property maintenance, or employee relations. Councillors are elected for three year terms. For more information, contact any current member whose name is on the bulletin. PARISH PASTORAL COUNCILThe Parish Pastoral Council ("PPC") is a consultative body that, with the pastor and his staff, works towards the building up of a caring parish community. The PPC strives to represent all members of the parish in working to meet the spiritual needs of the parish. (The Parish Finance Council is responsible for financial needs.) The PPC meets monthly. Eight council members are elected by St. George's parishioners for a 2-year term. Elections are held in the spring. Three additional members may be appointed to the PPC by council members. A suggestion box near the vestibule is available for your use. PASTORAL HOME CAREPastoral Home Care is a ministry of presence and spiritual nourishment. Team members visit those desiring pastoral care, such as the elderly and others unable to leave their homes. Through weekly, one-hour visits, volunteers share concerns and experiences, provide information on parish life and are a link with the parish community. A para-liturgy flowing out of the prayers and readings of the Mass and centered around the reception of the Eucharist is prepared and led by the Pastoral Home Care Volunteer. Over time, volunteers forge a special relationship with those they visit. The lives of those visited, of the volunteers, and of all parishioners are enriched through this unique ministry of presence. Team members meet together once a month to offer support and guidance to one another and to discuss relevant topics. Once a year in a Rite of Commissioning the team members receive a special blessing. New members are very welcome. PRO-LIFE COMMITTEEThe Pro-Life Committee at St. George's is an informal group of people interested in the organization of various pro-life activities throughout the year. The events we normally organize include the Chain of Life (October), Pro-Life Sunday (January), Pennies for Life (March) and Hike for Life (April). These activities are in support of Campaign Life and Action Life. Anyone interested in these or other pro-life activities is requested to call the contact on the bulletin.. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTSThe letters "RCIA" stand for the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults", the document flowing from Vatican II which guides the process by which adults are initiated into our Roman Catholic community. The RCIA process is a series of carefully planned stages marked by liturgical rites in the presence of the whole community, leading to initiation through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Parishioners who would like to help in any way with this ministry are encouraged to call the contact person listed in the bulletin. Inquirers into the Roman Catholic faith should call the parish rectory. SACRISTANSThe Sacristy is located behind the Sanctuary. The vessels, candles, vestments and linens used on the Altar are stored in the Sacristy. The weekday Sacristans light the Altar candles and place the water and wine on the credence table in the Sanctuary before the 9:00 a.m. Mass each morning. The Sacristy Team meets one morning per week to do general cleaning and preparation for the coming Sunday. SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMThe breakfast program provides a simple breakfast to students of St. George's school. Volunteers prepare the breakfast and serve it to the students. It takes an hour to an hour and a quarter to prepare, serve and cleanup each day. Volunteers are asked to commit to one morning a week or a month. SCOUTS, CUBS, BEAVERSThe purpose of the Scouts, Cubs, and Beavers is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national and international communities. Activities include being prepared by developing skills in hiking and camping and serving their community. This is all done through the generosity of the Adult Volunteers. ST. GEORGE'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL COUNCILThe school council is an advisory body of volunteers that works together to provide ideas and opinions to help the principal, and sometimes the school board/Ministry of Education, make the school a better place for learning. Council may consider issues ranging from safety, the school-year calendar and code of student behaviour to helping choose the school's extracurricular activities and school-based social, health, recreational and nutritional programs. The school community includes parents/guardians of enrolled children, and other people who live or work in the school's attendance area. By providing a link to these groups, we encourage a wide range of meaningful parental/guardian and community involvement. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETYThe purpose of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is to serve the poor and needy within the parish boundaries on a short-term or emergency basis only, by providing food, clothing, and furniture to all who ask for help. Activities include visiting families and single people by going out in pairs, remembering always, "there, but for the grace of God, go I." We have about eight meetings annually. New members to help with this work are always welcome. SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAMSt. George's Sunday School Program is a voluntary, parent-run group aimed at helping families with the Christian development of their children. It has been designed as a program of instruction for children attending the public school system. The program we use, entitled "Born of the Spirit", is sponsored by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The program is divided into levels that correspond generally to the grade level in school, but the placement of the children also depends on the previous level of religious instruction received. An individual's religious education and experience is very much part of the individual's life in the family, school, community and parish. It is hoped that involvement with St. George's Sunday School Program will broaden the spiritual life of the whole family. Families with at least one Catholic parent are welcome. Classes run on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. from mid September to May. TENNIS CLUBSt. George's Tennis Club has two hard courts on the Church property on Piccadilly Avenue. The courts are protected by a high fence with lockable gate. Starting in May each year, persons interested in playing on the St. George's Tennis Courts can pay a session's fee and have access to the courts. Membership entitles you to a key to the gates. USHERSThe usher's duties begin with greeting parishioners and visitors with a pleasant word and a smile. If no one has come forward to indicate that they are "gift-bearers" for the Mass, then the ushers will ask a family or individuals to perform this ministry during the Mass. The function we are most identified with is that of collecting the offerings of the faithful and presenting them on behalf of the congregation, as part of the Offertory Procession. When Mass is over, the usher again carries the offerings of the faithful in the procession and hands out copies of the parish bulletin. This ministry is open to any person who is approved by our pastor. Training is provided to new ushers.
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