Get Involved at St. Patrick Catholic Church
Ministries and Groups Contact Information
(Revised 12/13/2011)
If you are interested in any of the following activities and would like more information, please contact the person listed below. Please see the church calendar and bulletin for meeting times and locations.
Adult Formation – This team works to assess and maintain the adult spiritual growth opportunities at the parish. Contact Colleen Arnold at 463-3533.
Altar Servers – Elementary, middle school, and high school aged students have the privilege of assisting the Presider throughout the liturgy. Training is provided. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Art & Environment Committee – Help with our liturgical seasonal set-ups about 4 or 5 times yearly. Great for people who like working with their hands and have a visual “sense.” Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Campus Ministry – Our campus ministry program serves collegians and cadets at Washington and Lee University, Virginia Military Institute, and Southern Virginia University. Parishioners are needed for many of the activities. Contact Burr Datz at 463-3533.
Catechists – There are plenty of opportunities to help with our Religious Education program that runs from September through May, either as a catechist or a class aid. Great training is available. Please contact Colleen Arnold at 463-3533.
Communion Minister - The Communion Minister places the sacred elements in the hands/mouth of the faithful during the reception of the Eucharist. A Communion Minister inspires belief in the real presence of Christ and fosters our sense of unity and reconciliation. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Crucifer - Cross bearers lead the procession to and from the altar at the beginning and the end of Mass. They must be able to carry a processional cross of significant size and weight. High school, college, and adults are most welcome to volunteer. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Cursillo Group Reunion – A weekly meeting of men who have completed a Cursillo Retreat regardless of where or when. Meetings follow the format of the 4th Day of Cursillo. If you are interested in a Cursillo Retreat or have completed one, contact David Kauffman at 463-9684 or falconwdk@gmail.com.
Director of Service - The Director of Service takes charge of the liturgical set-up before Mass and ensures that the liturgical ministers and others are present to serve. She/he prepares the bread and wine, liturgical vessels, the tidiness of the church and other tasks. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Eucharistic Ministers for the Sick and Homebound – If you are willing to be a Communion Minister to those who cannot attend church services due to illness, hospitalization or other reasons, please contact Laurie Strong at 463-9879.
Finance Council – The Council sees that proper financial records are maintained, develops a balanced parish budget, and monitors the parish income and expenses. Contact Fr. Joseph D’Aurora at 463-3533.
Habitat for Humanity - The St. Patrick’s Team has helped build 17 houses and finished 3 houses built by the Rockbridge County High School. We've worked on 20 of the 51 houses (40%) that Rockbridge Area Habitat for Humanity has built since 1989. New projects are underway. For more information, contact Jim Kvach at 463-5191.
Haiti Committee - The Haiti Committee works in solidarity with Sts. Peter and Paul, Palmyra, VA, and St. Rose of Lima, Freehold, NJ, to foster the twinning relationship with our twin parish in Fond Pierre, Haiti, through work projects, visits, and prayer. Contact Patricia Powell at 291-3658.
Justice and Peace - Inspired and nourished by the Gospel and the Church’s teaching, we discern and respond to the needs of our community and promote the dignity of all human persons through direct service and community organizing. Contact Irene Condie at 261-3888.
Knights of Columbus - The Knights was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. Contact Mike Coss at 348-1635.
Lectio Divina – This is an ancient practice of praying the scriptures. During Lectio Divina, the practioner listens to the text of the Bible with the “ear of the heart,” as if he or she is in conversation with God, and God is suggesting the topics for discussion. The method of Lectio Divina includes moments of reading (lectio), reflecting on (meditatio), responding to (oratio) and resting in (contemplatio) the Word of God with the aim of nourishing and deepening one’s relationship with the Divine. Contact Melissa Hemphill.
Lectors - Lectors proclaim the Word of God in a clear, audible speaking voice and in a prepared delivery style. Training is provided and on-going formation is expected. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Liturgical Music – Share in a ministry that proclaims the Gospel through the gift and power of music. We invite Cantors who are willing to share their faith and vocal gifts with our assembly. We invite singers for our Adult Choir Ministry (ACM) and youth (Grades 2-5 and Grades 6-high school) for our Youth Choir Ministries (YCM and YES! ministries). Instrumentalists are also needed. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Liturgy Committee - Working primarily behind the scenes in conjunction with the Pastor, the Liturgy Committee meets monthly to plan all that is needed to celebrate the liturgical year. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Minister of Hospitality - Ministers of Hospitality greet people warmly and make them feel welcome. They are quick to determine who the visitors are and are helpful in answering questions. Many distribute the Order of Service. We are especially seeking families to serve as Ministers of Hospitality at the 10:30 Mass with Youth Focus - the second Sunday of each month starting in September through June. Call Luci Majikas at 463-3533 if you would like to schedule your family.
Parish Life Committee – The group coordinates and plans parish social activities such as the St. Patrick’s Day Feast, Thanksgiving Dinner, and receptions. Contact Stella Sabados at 540-255-4333.
Parish Pastoral Council – As a member of the PPC, laity become active participants in the leadership of the church. Contact Fr. Joseph D’Aurora at 463-3533.
Prayer Blanket/Shawl Ministry – Those who knit are invited to make prayer blankets and shawls. The blanket and shawls are given to those who are ill, be it mental or physical, and help with peace of mind and strength of body. Contact Audrey Vaughn at 464-3845.
Religious Education - On Sunday mornings our kindergarten to twelfth grade Religious Education students meet from 9:10 to 10:15 a.m. The program runs from September to May. Contact Dr. Colleen Arnold at 463-3533.
Respect Life Committee – The Respect Life Committee promotes the dignity of all human persons from conception to natural death. We espouse the value and virtue of chastity and promote awareness through education in our Spiritual Adoption Program. Our education extends to the community with our Rockbridge Community Festival booth. The committee stresses the importance of prayer and legislative advocacy, and organizes March for Life participation for the parish. Contact Darcy McCabe at 540-348-5077.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults/Children (RCIA/RCIC) - RCIA is for those interested in becoming Catholic or receiving the Sacraments of Initiation, and includes both adults and college students. RCIC is for children who have not yet received age-appropriate sacraments. These programs run from late summer to May, but the period of inquiry can begin at any time. Contact Fr. Joseph D’Aurora or Colleen Arnold at 463-3533.
Sacramental Preparation – Second graders prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation is available for appropriate students in Grades 10-12. Contact Colleen Arnold at 463-3533. Preparation for the sacraments of marriage and baptism are done on an individual basis. Contact Fr. Joseph D’Aurora at 463-3533.
Sacristans - Sacristans "ready" the sanctuary, the altar, the vessels, the Scriptural readings, the baptismal font, the candles, and the liturgical items used in the context of the liturgical celebration. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites - The members of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites are faithful members of the Church, called to live "in allegiance to Jesus Christ" through "friendship with the One we know loves us" and in service to the Church. Under the protection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in the biblical tradition of the prophet Elijah and inspired by the teachings of St. Teresa of Jesus and St. John of the Cross, they seek to deepen their Christian commitment received in baptism. If you would like more information about Carmelite spirituality and the Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity Community which meets in Staunton on the 2nd Sunday of each month at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, please contact Laurie Strong at 463-9879.
Secular Order of Franciscans - The Secular Franciscan Order is an official Order within the Catholic Church, established by St. Francis of Assisi early in the thirteenth century. Ordinarily, we do not live in community; rather, we live with our families and perform our jobs out in the world, gathering in fraternities on a regular basis. The brothers and sisters, led by the Spirit, strive for ongoing daily conversion, to turn away from sin and to be faithful to the Gospel. We seek, with and only with God's grace, perfect charity in our secular state, helping one another in this journey closer to Christ, following in the footsteps of Sts. Francis and Clare. Please contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
St. Patrick’s Preschool - St. Patrick's Preschool provides learning experiences for spiritual and moral development. Our program provides a large variety of academic experiences in a loving, caring, enjoyable environment. We help preschoolers prepare for a successful transition to Kindergarten. Children learn through play, prayer, repetition, routine and a variety of creative experiences, and are encouraged to progress at their own pace. Contact Barbara Czekner at 540-841-1427.
St. Patrick’s Preschool Committee – Members assist in the oversight of the program and budget, and work to promote the preschool. Contact Fr. Joseph D’Aurora at 463-3533.
Usher -An usher seats people, assists with special needs, takes up the collection, and distributes bulletins. Currently, most of our ushers are members of the Knights of Columbus. Contact Luci Majikas at 463-3533.
Vacation Bible School – This week of faith and fun for children through eighth grade is led each summer by school students and a core group of adults. Contact Colleen Arnold at 463-3533.
Women’s Bible Study – The group meets weekly on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. to read the Bible in its historical context. Contact Rita Poranski at 464-3576.
Women’s Luncheon Group – The group meets monthly for fellowship and lunch. Contact Ronnie Dale at 463-2522.
Youth Ministry - Students in seventh through twelfth grade meet on the 3rd Sunday evening of the month. These programs run from September to May with periodic events throughout the summer. Contact Colleen Arnold at 463-3533.