Living as Disciples
In what ways has the Spirit gifted you? How are you being called to use your special gifts in God's service?
We all have many gifts and talents - whether inherent skills, favorite hobbies or special training - and though we may not have thought of them in such a way before, these gifts are the ways that we may answer God's call to serve Him and each other. We hope these descriptions of currently active ministries at Saint Bartholomew will help you to get more involved in the liturgy, prayer, sacramental life, faith formation, service opportunities and social outreach programs of our parish.
Whether you are new to Saint Bartholomew Parish Community or have been with us for some time, you are an essential member of the life of the parish community. None of our parish programs is possible without the efforts of our parishioners. And there are a wide variety of other ways to get involved in our parish, limited only by your imagination and willingness to participate: such as groups for Young Adults, Young Families, Seniors, Newcomers; developing Special Outreach or Education Projects; providing Photography or Seasonal Decoration; or any other gift or talent you can think of to share with the community.
For more information on any of these opportunities, please contact the Parish Office at (650) 347-0701.
Liturgical Minister Schedule for December 2007 - February 2008
Altar Servers Adults and children (entering 4th Grade and older) are invited to serve at Mass. We meet four times a year to review serving at weekly Mass or learn special liturgies and to set schedules. Families are encouraged to make this a family commitment.
Lectors Lectors proclaim God's Word to the assembled community during Saturday and Sunday liturgy. Proclaiming the Word requires a charisma for this ministry along with a willingness to devote oneself to prayerful study of Scripture. Formation and training sessions are held several times during the year.
Eucharistic Ministers Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned by the Church to help distribute the Body and Blood of our Lord to the assembly at Saturday and Sunday worship and to take this precious gift to the sick and homebound in our community. Formation and training sessions are held several times during the year.
Ushers/Greeters We are need more Ushers and greeters for each of our masses. These wonderful volunteers provide the ministry of welcome. In addition to taking the collection, ushers assist the assembly as needed. Men and women of all ages are encouraged to join us.
Altar Society The Altar Society is in desperate need of new members. This group is so important to the spiritual environment of our church. Members take turns once a week preparing the sacred space by light dusting, and filling the holy water fonts. Other duties include the very important task of laundering and ironing the linens once a week. During Christmas and Easter the group organizes the church to clean the entire worship space. It is a wonderful community builder.
Hospitality Committee It's not all coffee and donuts! Please join us and help plan and carry out various projects such as the picnic, newcomer receptions and events that build and strengthen our parish family. Come with your enthusiasm and ideas.
Art and Environment Artistic creativity is helpful, but an interest and willingness to work with others is most important to providing an atmosphere of prayer for all those who come through the church doors. Some members of the committee do the floral arrangements, some decorate the church for the liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent and some assist with the bulletin boards in the vestibule.
Children's Liturgy of the Word On Sundays, within 9:30 a.m. Mass, teams of adult facilitators rotate on a monthly basis and guide children (ages 6-11) in prayer and discussion based on the Scripture readings. Children's Liturgy of the Word gives an opportunity for children to hear and reflect on God's Word in language they can understand.
Liturgy/Music
Song Leaders A group of confident
voices who team up to lead the assembly in song. Professional
experience is not required; just a love of singing and the ability
to blend with various types of voices. Rehearsals are from 7-9
p.m. on Wednesdays in the music room.
Children's Choir From reading age through grammar school, this group of boys and girls sings at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. The group rehearses after the 9:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays.
Contemporary Choir This group sings at the 5:30 Sunday Mass. Members must be 12 years and older. Youth and young adults are especially needed to round out the sound of this talented group. The music is typically more modern and upbeat in nature. Rehearsals are on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. in the church.
Musician Guitarists, piano players and instrumentalists of all types (strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion) are needed to play at various masses.
Festival Choir This multi-talented group is comprised of adult and adolescent singers who work hard to prepare more intricate musical selections for the liturgical feasts: Easter, Christmas, Pentecost, as well as an annual concert. We begin rehearsals 6-8 weeks before the feast.
Faith Formation
Faith Formation Team members work with the Staff and other ministry
groups to develop, plan, and implement ways to help parishioners
of all ages learn and grow in faith. Special emphasis is placed
on providing opportunities for adults to grow in the their relationship
with Christ through experience, reflection, prayer and study.
The Team meets monthly. Ongoing formation is provided.
Catholics Returning Home
If you are a Catholic who has been away from the Church, this
invitation is for YOU! No matter how long you have been away
and for whatever reason, we invite you to consider renewing your
relationship with the Catholic Church. Our Catholics Reutrning
Home program is a safe harbor for returning Catholics to explore
and share their faith with others. For more information please
contact Donna Salinas, ext. 14 or donna@barts.org.
Faith Formation for Children
Catechists Adults and adolescents are invited to serve as catechists
who prepare weekly sessions, share their faith and support parents
in passing the Catholic faith to children. Ongoing faith formation
and resources are provided.
- Middle School Faith Formation, Grades 6-8, is offered on Sunday mornings from 10:45 a.m. to noon, and on Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m.
- Elementary Faith Formation, Grades 1 through 5, meets on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:15 p.m.
Assistants Adults and adolescents assist the catechists during the sessions.
Pre-School Parents who participate in this co-op program rotate leadership of the sessions which are held for Pre-school/Kindergarten children during 9:30 Mass on Sundays.
Resource Center Helpers are needed to assist individuals, committees, and catechists with the inventory of quality Catholic resources. For assorted special projects, we are seeking volunteers with artistic, graphic, computer or administrative skills.
Prayer
Lay Presiders Saint Bartholomew
offers a variety of prayer and retreat opportunities, such as
Evening Prayer, Centering Prayer, Conversation with the Word,
Small Faith Communities, and Saturday Morning Retreats, that
are led by teams and individual lay presiders. Formation is provided
for those interested in sharing their faith and leadership talents
with these groups.
Sacramental Preparation
Baptism Team
Parishioners assist with faith formation for parents who wish
to have their child (infant to seven years old) baptized in the
Catholic faith.
First Eucharist Parents accompany their children as they prepare for First Eucharist. Families meet monthly on Sundays to pray and learn. Help is needed with set up, clean up and small group supervision.
Marriage Prep Couple The parish provides preparation for those planning to celebrate marriage. Married couples from the parish assist the priest or deacon by helping engaged couples approach the sacrament in a prayerful and reflective way. There is a one-day training session for those interested in this ministry.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
(R.C.I.A.)
R.C.I.A. is the process by which adults are received into the
Church and celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation
and Eucharist).
Team Members help the R.C.I.A. process in a number of ways, according to their gifts and talents. While there is a need for people who are comfortable handing on the faith, there are also roles which require good listeners, or those who feel comfortable leading others in prayer. Formation is provided.
Sponsors accompany a person who is on a journey of faith. You may sponsor someone seeking Baptism, someone already baptized in another Christian tradition, or someone baptized Catholic, but without further formation in the Catholic faith. Sponsors meet on an informal basis with their Candidate and join them in the Monday night R.C.I.A sessions. Sponsors also represent the Church community during liturgical celebrations of R.C.I.A. rites at Mass. Each Candidate's journey is a unique story, being a good listener and spiritual friend is the joy of this ministry. Formation is provided.
CONFIRMATION
Catechists work with High School teenagers for 11 weeks preparing them for Confirmation in the areas of faith, prayer, morality, discernment, and service. The team of Catechists meets periodically fall/winter to prepare for the program which begins in January 2005.
Retreat Leaders Adults are needed the weekend of March 10-12, 2006 to facilitate small groups, oversee activities, and serve as cabin leaders. There will be 3-4 preparation meetings (held on weekday evenings) in the months leading up to the retreat. There is also a need for teenagers who have already been confirmed to serve as peer leaders.
Days of Reflection Adults are needed to help with the Intergenerational meetings that take place in January and April. These are half-days of reflection, prayer and catechesis for confirmation candidates and their sponsors.
Youth Ministry
Drivers are
needed for occasional off-site youth activities, usually on Sunday
evenings. Drivers must be at least 25 years old and have a valid
driver's license and insurance.
Adult Leaders are needed to help with the supervision of Youth Ministry activities. Each adult leader will be needed approximately once a month, usually on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. No experience is required, but they must be at least 21 years old.
Fundraiser Aides The Dinner Dance and Auction on February 11, 2006 is the major fundraiser for the summer youth Mission Trip. Assistance is needed with auction item solicitation, and organization, decorations and a number of other large and small tasks (both prior to and/or on the day of the event.) Adults are also needed to assist youth with other fundraising activities, such as car washes and Advent Wreath sales.
Mission Trip Leaders During the summer, parish youth go on a weeklong immersion trip to serve the less fortunate. Adults accompany the teens as they travel and perform their service.
Care for Others
Circle of Concern The Circle is a Women's Guild ministry of service
to support parishioners who are suffering from ill health or
the death of a loved one. Occasional meals may be provided. In
addition, the Circle of Concern offers a noontime reception for
up to 80 people following a funeral or memorial service (Monday
through Friday, when available). Volunteers are needed to prepare
the food and/or visit the sick.
Social Justice Core Team is committed to prayer, fellowship, and continued
efforts to promote justice - both locally and throughout the
world. Our goal is to be informed,
committed citizens, with specific actions based on our faith
in Christ and his teachings.
Second Harvest Every Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m., loyal
volunteers meet in the Parish Center to sort, pack and deliver
bags of groceries to 55 "shut-in" seniors in San Mateo.
With vacation schedules, it is especially helpful to have substitute
helpers.
Grief Support Ministry Members reach out to comfort those who have lost a loved one. On All Souls Day, Nov. 2, we celebrate a liturgy to commemorate our relatives and friends who have gone home to God. Resource materials and a monthly bulletin insert provide ongoing support to those who are grieving.
Sandwich Sunday On the first Sunday of the month, parishioners of all ages gather following 8:00a.m. and 9:30a.m. Masses to make sandwiches for hungry children and adults. The lunches are distributed to the needy through Samaritan House.
Saint Vincent de Paul The Saint Bartholomew Conference of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society provides emergency assistance for families and individuals. Each week members visit and assist people who are in need of food, clothing and furnishings.
Samaritan House Every Tuesday, parishioners take turns serving dinner at Safe Harbor, a homeless shelter operated by Samaritan House. We also assist with meals at the First Church of Christ in San Mateo. Occasionally substitutes are needed.
Catholics Returning Home Team Catholics Returning Home is a program for inactive Catholics who want to explore re-establishing their connection with the Church. Team Members are parishioners who welcome others and share their own journey of faith.
Habitat for Humanity A community outreach that involves parishioners who work side by side to help build an affordable housing project with Habitat for Humanity. The parish Steering Committee coordinates our volunteers for the two workdays during the year.
Administrative Support
Office Assistants Volunteers are needed to give our receptionist
lunch breaks for an hour, one day each week. You will be answering
phones, welcoming visitors, and assisting with special projects
as needed. Computer skills (such as Word, Excel, or experience
with data entry) are especially helpful. Please let us know your
availability.
Parish Mailings Help is needed throughout the year with mailings to our 1850 parish families. If you are interested in helping stuff and fold Parish communication pieces, please indicate what days/times are convenient for you.
Facilities Projects Throughout the liturgical seasons we need assistance with putting up banners in church, setting up altar displays (non-floral), putting up lights for Christmas and many various facilities related projects. We also need help with changing lights in church through out the year. If you are interested in assisting in any way, please give us your phone number and best times to call.
For more information on any of these opportunities, please contact the Parish Office at (650) 347-0701.