Parish Council:

The role of the Parish Council is to coordinate and give direction to the pastoral life of the parish. They study the needs of the parish community, and plan and implement various projects to meet those needs. They serve as a means of communication between the parishioners and the pastoral team. Members of the Parish Council are elected in annual elections held in the Spring.

Parish Outreach and Social Justice:

Faith and Justice Committee

The main focus of the Faith and Justice Committee is to raise awareness and take action on justice issues through educational initiatives that emphasize the message of justice in Scripture and in the social teaching of the Catholic Church. Some of the activities this group organizes throughout the year include education workshops, Development and Peace campaigns, liturgies, twinning with the community of Zanmoran, El Salvador and selling fair trade products the third Sunday of every month.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The St. Vincent de Paul Society is dedicated to ministering to and serving the poor of our community. Among their activities is a weekly food bank.

Visitors to the Sick

In a spirit of dignity and respect, visitors to the sick visit and offer holy communion to members of our parish who are sick or shut-in, in apartments, private homes and institutions.

Ministries That Enhance the Eucharist:

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild consists of a group of parishioners who meet weekly to see to the upkeep of the Church lines, vestments, and sacred vessels.

Eucharistic Ministers

Being a eucharistic minister is a sign of commonly shared faith in the Lord. Sharing the body and blood of Christ brings us into communion with Him and with each other, a personal sharing of the gift of Jesus. Lay parishioners distribute communion under both species during the celebration of the mass.

Lectors

Parishioners proclaim the Word of God at all weekend masses.

Liturgy Committee

The liturgy committee makes as its mission to promote liturgy that is both meaningful and accessible to all by learning about liturgy and planning liturgical events according to the seasons of the church calendar.

Ministers of Hospitality

Ministers of Hospitality greet parishioners entering the church, take up the weekly collection and distribute weekly bulletins.

Sacramental Preparation:

Baptismal Preparation Team

The Baptismal Preparation team consists of a group of parishioners who, together with the deacon or priest, help parents to prepare for the baptism of their children. In particular, they help parents understand the responsibilities and expectations associated with the sacrament.

Faith First

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a faith journey undertaken by adults seeking full membership in the Catholic Church. Originally for unbaptized Christians, it also welcomes Christians of other denominations; Roman Catholic adults who have never celebrated First Communion or Confirmation, and those wishing to update their faith.

Liturgical celebrations, catechesis (doctrine, Christian living, prayer, apostolate), and community experiences are all part of the process. Members meet one evening a week from fall until Pentecost (late spring). They also celebrate Eucharist on Sundays with the larger parish community. Each candidate is assigned a sponsor who follows the sessions with him/her. members of a team, who have had some on-going training,take responsibility for implementing the process. Contact Sr. Beverley Wattling, S.N.J.M (514-481-0267)

Spirituality :

Bible Study

Several times a year groups are formed to study certain aspects of the Bible, whether a particular book of the Bible, or a specific theme.

Christian Meditation

A group of parishioners who meet weekly to meditate in the Benedictine tradition.

Faith Sharing Groups

Faith-sharing groups meet throughout the year to pray together, to grow in understanding of how to live according to the Gospel, and to be supported in their faith by others. Some groups meet weekly for 7-week periods in the Fall and/or during Lent. Others meet every two weeks throughout the year.

Prayer Chain

By way of the phone, members of this group receive word of people or matters for which a prayer has been requested and in their own homes pray for that particular person or concern.

Ministries the Foster Community:

Coffee Fellowship

Members of the Coffee Fellowship team prepare and serve coffee and tea, trays of snacks and juice after the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays

Social Committee

The Social Committee plans and coordinates various community-building events throughout the year.