Your Parish Needs You – Volunteer Today!

Altar Servers assist the priest and the deacon during Mass. Some altar server responsibilities include lighting the altar candles, bearing the cross and candles in processions, assisting with incense and holy water, approaching the priest (or the deacon) whenever necessary to present the book, to help receive the offertory gifts at Mass and prepare the altar, and to assist in any other way required. Training is provided.

Choirs lead congregational singing. Singers and people who play an instrument are needed. Each parish and community mass has its own choir.

Communion Ministers assist in distributing Holy Communion during Mass. Training is provided.

Ministers of Hospitality – Greeters welcome parishioners and guests at the entrances of the church and welcome table, distribute the bulletin and help with coffee after designated Masses.

Ushers help parishioners and guests find seats, take up the collection, ensure order at communion, distribute the bulletin, give information and directions. Training is provided.

Food and Beverage  volunteers help to prepare and serve coffee and desserts on coffee Sunday weekends and provide other food needs at particular church gatherings. Volunteers are needed in planning, organizing and implementing, with a team of people, for a particular event.

Ministers to the Homebound bring holy communion to the homebound and those in nursing homes or senior residences. Training is provided. *Must be Vulnerable Sector Cleared and vetted according to Diocese of London protocols.

Presentation of Gifts Ministers (individuals or families) carry the gifts of bread and wine and the collection to the altar on behalf of the congregation.

Readers and Commentators proclaim the Word of God (first & second reading, psalm verses), offer welcome at the beginning of Mass, announce the prayers of the faithful in the absence of a deacon and read the announcements at the end of Mass. Training is provided

Sacristans prepare the altar, ritual books, vessels, linens and candles that are required for Mass. They ensure all ministers of the liturgy are present and have some clean up tasks after Mass.

Adult Faith Formation is the ongoing, lifelong process of deepening one’s relationship with God through experience, reflection, study, and prayer, aiming to develop spiritually mature, fully integrated disciples of Jesus who live their baptismal commitment. Volunteers are needed to help with faith enriching programs, as leaders of small faith sharing groups, coordinators of programs or those willing to become a leader in the adult faith formation process.

Family Ministry: Assist in organizing Family Faith Formation events and activities. Support parents/guardians/caregivers in deepening their faith and engaging their children in parish life. Help coordinate events, prayer services, retreats and service projects. Provide hospitality and create a welcoming environment for all families of the parish. *Must be Vulnerable Sector Cleared and vetted according to Diocese of London protocols.

 
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is the Catholic Church’s process for adults to explore and enter the faith, typically involving study, prayer, and participation in a faith community to prepare for sacraments like Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. It’s open to the unbaptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition or even baptized Catholics who haven’t completed their initiation sacraments. The process is a spiritual journey of formation and discernment, culminating in the Easter Vigil and enabling participants to become full members of the Catholic Church. Volunteers are those who have made a commitment to accompany these people in their faith journey.

Sacrament of Confirmation: Faith sharing of volunteers of their own journeys and experiences of Confirmation with families/candidates/sponsors. Small group conversation to help families to journey with their teens and to understand the lessons and apply them to daily life. Support families/candidates/sponsors on their retreat experiences and service projects that deepen their faith. To pray with and for the families/candidates/sponsors for the guidance and encouragement of the Holy Spirit. *Must be Vulnerable Sector Cleared and vetted according to Diocese of London protocols.

Sacrament of First Communion: Support catechists by helping lead small group discussions and activities that explain the meaning of the Eucharist. Share faith experiences to help families/children understand Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist. Assist with preparation by helping families/children learn prayers, responses, and postures at Mass. Participate in rehearsals and on the celebration day, helping to create a welcoming, faith filled environment for all. *Must be Vulnerable Sector Cleared and vetted according to Diocese of London protocols

Sacrament of First Reconciliation: Support children and families in learning about God’s forgiveness and the meaning of the Sacrament. Help facilitator lead activities, prayers and related discussions. Share examples of faith and God’s mercy to inspire families/children. Assist with retreats/meetings and the celebration day itself. *Must be Vulnerable Sector Cleared and vetted according to Diocese of London protocols.

Baptism Preparation Team Members are called to share in the Church’s teaching on the sacrament of baptism by being involved in the preparation sessions and providing hospitality and a welcoming environment and participating in the liturgical celebrations when available.

Marriage Preparation Team Members guide engaged couples through the process of preparing for the sacrament of marriage within the Catholic Church. They create a welcoming environment, support couples in navigating practical life issues, and help them assess their readiness for marriage.

Assumption Cares is an outreach ministry based on the needs of Windsor’s West-End community. Supported by volunteers, the programs include conversational English, exercise for chronic pain, cards and games, food distribution, community meals and living with pain and mental health groups. Volunteers are needed within all these programs.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an organization of lay people that seeks by person – to – person contact to serve those in need. They seek to live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy. Their mission is to come together, see Christ in everyone, have personal contact with the poor and help in any way possible. Volunteers are needed for home visits, help with food distribution and other particular needs. There are St. Vincent de Paul groups at St. Alphonsus and Our Lady of the Assumption parishes.

St. Alphonsus Cares is an outreach ministry which seeks to meet the needs of the area by offering programming and assistance for people who live in the downtown core of Windsor. The programs include Bingo, crafts, a community meal on Friday and women’s and men’s support groups. They partner with other organizations who share their space: N/A, Nar-Anon, and the South Sudanese Society. Volunteers with a talent to share or a desire to help are needed within all these programs.

Bereavement Team Members provide support to those who are experiencing grief. They offer emotional, spiritual and physical support to parish members who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Members visit the home of the grieving family, pray with the suffering and assist with funeral arrangements. Must be Vulnerable Sector Cleared and vetted according to the Diocese of London protocols.

St. Angela Merici Sagra/Festival Committee is a group of individuals who organize the annual sagra/festival which celebrates the patron saint “St. Angela” and coincides with festivities held in Italy in the middle of August. The committee organizes events, from games to entertainment, raffles and much more.

Patron Saint Societies of St. Angela Parish celebrate the patron saint of their respective regions in Italy. There is a group –  attended monthly mass and get together. In addition to mass, activities include organizing banquets, special masses and processions for all to enjoy. These activities are held at various times of the year. The main goal is to maintain the religious traditions, culture and connection to the homeland Italy and to unite the Windsor/Essex County Italian community and the community at large. There are three societies: San Francesco Di Paola Society, San Giuseppe (Joseph) Society and the San Pio Society.

Basilian Lay Associates are Catholic women and men called to the Basilian charisms of community and education in the Church’s mission of evangelization. They support both active in ministry and retired Basilian priests and deacons and support their ministries by involvement as communion ministers, readers, volunteers in R.C.I.A and other faith formation programs.

The Catholic Women’s League is a national organization, meeting at the local parish level, rooted in Gospel values and calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God. CWL members contribute to the life and vitality of the church, family and community. There are CWL groups at Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Angela’s parishes.

The Knights of Columbus is an international order of Catholic men serving our Catholic Church, community and all of humanity. Knights are called to lead with faith, to protect our families, to serve others and to defend values in a busy changing world. 

Young Adult Ministry offers social events, personal support structures, ways to get involved with the parish and opportunities to deepen a relationship with God. This ministry seeks to help young adults feel welcome, at home and valued in our faith communities.