St. Paul Church Fenton, Missouri

St. Paul Church

Organizations

LITURGY COMMISSION
Since Vatican II, the entire faith community has been given the responsibility for planning and implementing the liturgy that celebrates the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The overall purpose of the Liturgy Commission and all its committees/organizations is to provide opportunities for the spiritual development of each member of the community through the planning of, preparing for and participating in liturgical celebrations.

LITURGY PLANNING COMMITTEE
This committee is composed of parishioners who have an interest in working with the Pastoral Team to help plan the liturgies for the seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter and other special celebrations during the Church's year. Meetings are held in advance of these seasons and celebrations. Any parishioner who is of high school age or older is welcome to join.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Eucharistic ministers assist in the distribution of communion at mass and are encouraged to bring communion to homebound parishioners when needed. To become a Eucharistic minister, a parishioner needs to be at least 19 years old, be actively involved in the parish, be recommended by the pastor and be approved by the Archdiocese. The community of St. Paul has need for individuals willing to serve in this important ministry.

LECTORS/COMMENTATORS
Lectors proclaim the Word of God and commentators direct the congregation and give announcements at the celebrations of our liturgies on Sundays and Holy Days. Any parishioners of high school age or older who has a good speaking voice is invited to join this ministry. Individuals are needed for all masses both as regulars and as substitutes.

SERVERS
Servers assist at all the parish liturgies. Any boy or girl who is a member of St. Paul Parish, has completed fifth grade and is enrolled in a religious education program is welcome to join this important ministry. Training sessions are scheduled during the winter months between the feasts of Christmas and Easter. There is also a program at St. Paul that encourages families to serve at the parish weekend liturgies. Any family or individual who is interested in learning how to serve is asked to call the rectory for details.

GREETERS
In our Parish Mission Statement there is a phrase that states that we as a community will, through celebration, experience and spread the Gospel message of love. The ministry of hospitality offers all parishioners the opportunity to welcome one another as we gather for our celebration of the liturgy. All that is required is a smile, a cheerful greeting and about 15 minutes in the vestibule before Mass. Families, singles, youth and senior members are all invited to participate in this joy-filled ministry.

USHERS
Ushers greet and assist those coming to mass, oversee the collection of offerings, assist with the orderly reception of communion and handle any emergency that may arise during mass. Parishioners, at least 18 years of age, are needed to serve as regular ushers at some Sunday masses and as substitutes for all weekend and Holy Day masses.

ADULT CHOIR
The adult choir sings regularly at the 10:00 am Sunday mass and for special occasions. Membership: adults/young adults who enjoy singing and/or playing a musical instrument. All are welcome - no auditions are necessary.

FUNERAL CHOIR
The funeral choir consists of a group of men and women who strengthen the sung portions of the funeral liturgies. As a part of the assembly, the choir's presence generates a sense of parish unity with the family and friends present in the congregation. The choir is called on only when it is needed. Everyone is welcome to participate.

GUITAR GROUP
The guitar group leads the music regularly at the 5:30 pm Saturday mass and occasionally at the 8:30 am mass.

YOUTH CHOIR
The youth choir leads the singing at the 8:30 am mass on Sundays once or twice a month. The youth choir is open to any child in grades two through eight. Choir practice is held on Thursdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the church.

COME-ON-DOWN CHOIR
The Come-On-Down Choir is a group of adults who like to sing. We practice once a month on Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm and sing for the 5:30 pm Saturday mass on the last weekend of the month.

GOOD NEWS CHOIR
We generally provide music at the 8:30 am mass on the first two Sundays of each month and at the 11:30 am mass on the third Sunday. We utilize mostly guitar music, but are open to broadening our instrumental base. We welcome vocalists and instrumentalists from 6th grade and older. We especially invite those aged 12-20 to be part of our once-a-month 11:30 am mass. The group practices most Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm.

ART AND ENVIRONMENT
Members of this committee are responsible for the decorations in the church such as: the banners, flowers, seasonal displays, etc. Anyone willing to lend a helping hand, especially as preparations are made for the seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter, are most welcome.

MOTHERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Mothers of Young Children is a group for mothers with children of Kindergarten age or younger, Meetings are held September through May. A faith-sharing meeting for the mothers is held the first Friday of each month. The younger children are on site with baby sitters and the 3-5 year-olds enjoy a special program of their own. The meetings that are scheduled on the third Friday of the month provide both the mothers and their children a time for faith sharing through stories, crafts and songs. Couples and family events are also planned throughout the year and a Spring retreat is given annually for just the mothers.

Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. Those on the First Friday are at Fenton United Methodist Church and on the Third Friday we meet at St. Paul Parish in the church basement.

CHURCH CLEANING
Parishioners tidy the church after 8:00 am mass each Friday morning. Those who volunteer: care for the interior of the church, do light cleaning, straighten the books, wash the vessels and linens used at Mass, etc. This is a very important ministry as it benefits our entire faith community. "Cleaners" are always needed and are most welcome - just show up.