Welcome to St. Mary's of the Lake

Ministries, Stewardship and Organizations

MINISTRIES, STEWARDSHIP and ORGANIZATIONS

Please click here for a copy of the St. Mary's of the Lake Time and Talent Stewardship form.

 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered every second and fourth Monday from 7:00 – 8:00 PM.  Prayer includes the Rosary.  Join us as we pray for World Peace, Respect for Life and Vocations, followed by Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.

Altar Care.  Once a month, normally on a Friday morning, prepare the Church for the weekend.  Vacuum the sanctuary and sacristy, water plants, change candles, change and launder the altar linens, etc. as needed.

Altar Server Ministry.  The pastor extends an invitation to children to become Altar Servers, active participants in celebrating the Eucharist.  Children 10 years of age or older by December 1st are urged to consider participating in this important ministry.   Altar Servers are scheduled for weekend Masses on a rotating basis.   Training classes are scheduled periodically.  Anyone interested should call the Parish Office, 685-5083 with the name of the child willing to become trained.

Annual Report.  St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish Fiscal Year is July 1st through June 30th.  Parish annual financial reports are provided to the parishioners each September.

Advent Mornings of Reflection.  Gather from 10 to 11 AM Tuesday mornings during Advent for quiet time, sharing and prayer.

Branch Out and Grow.  Branch Out and Grow is a Diocesan support group for separated and divorced.  Please contact the Diocesan Family Office, 472-6754 ext. 5 or via the web site, www.familylifeeducationsyracuse.org , for the most current information on meeting dates and locations.

Bulletins and Scripture Readings.  If you were away or need a recent Parish Bulletin, you can look it up and view or copy from www.SeekAndFind.com .  There you will find bulletins for the past three months easily accessible as well as Scripture readings for the week.  Or you may click the link at the home of the home page of the website.

Choir Ministry.  The Choir sings at the 10:15 AM Sunday Mass and at other special liturgies.  The Resurrection Choir sings at all funeral Masses.

Communion to Shut-ins.  Commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are trained to bring Communion to a shut-in.

Contribution Statements.  Annual contribution statements are mailed in January to families. 

Devotions.  Special devotions throughout the year include parish retreats, missions and seasonal Penance Services.  Miraculous Medal Novena is prayed on Mondays after morning Mass.  The Rosary is recited each day before morning Mass.  On the second and fourth Monday of the month, we have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 7:00 – 8:00 PM.  Marian devotions are also included during this time as well as time for private prayer.

Diocesan Formation for Ministry Program.  The Diocesan Formation for Ministry Program considers applications from adults interested in preparing themselves for ministry within their parish community.  Ministries include: Catechetical, Evangelization, Family, Liturgical, Parish Business Administration, RCIA, Parish Life, Parish Nursing Ministry, Parish Outreach, Pastoral Care, Respect Life, Social Justice, Youth and Advocacy.  Information Nights are held periodically throughout the year.  Contact the Parish Office, 685-5083, for the most current information. 

Electronic Giving.  Parishioners can enroll in St. Mary’s Electronic Giving Program.  Using electronic giving may make it easier to donate to our parish.  To sign up, make changes, or modify your donations, please call the Parish Office, 685-5083. 

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Ministry.  Extraordinary Ministers are chosen by the pastor and commissioned for our Parish.  They are scheduled on a rotating basis to serve at all Masses.

Food Committee.  The Food Committee provides food for parish receptions and funeral luncheons.  Please call the Parish Office to help on this committee.

Gluten Intolerance.   Having a low to severe tolerance to foods containing, gluten can be problematic, even prohibitive when it comes to taking Holy Communion.  If you or someone in your family is intolerant to gluten, you can be provided gluten-free communion hosts.   Please contact the Parish Office 685-5083 and you will be contacted to discuss how we can help. 

Hearing Difficulty.  St. Mary’s has available six portable receiver units that can be used with an ear-plug attachment to amplify the sound coming through the sound system in the Church.  To use one of these receiver units: (1) come to the Sacristy before Mass and sign-out the unit; (2) for sanitary reasons, you will need to purchase the ear-plug attachment (for $10) and bring it with you to Church for use with the unit; (3) after Mass, please return the unit to the Sacristy and put an “x” through your name.  For questions, please contact the Parish Office.

Hospital.  Notify the Parish Office, 685-5083 if you are going to the hospital.  You personally must let us know that you are in the hospital.   Also make sure you are listed as a Catholic when you are admitted.  Confidentiality laws prevent the hospital from contacting your parish.  Hospital chaplains can contact us for you, but only if you request it. If a Eucharistic Minister does not visit you, check with the Spiritual Care Office to see if they know you are a Catholic.

Kitchen Committee.  The Kitchen Committee takes responsibility for preparation and serving of food for large parish functions and serving at funeral luncheons.  Please contact the Parish Office, 685-5083, if you can help.

Knights of Columbus.   The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society.  The Order is true to its founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity.  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.  Ifyou’d like to be a part of an international organization of 1.8 million Catholic men whose principal work involves helping others in need, the Knights would like to meet you and invite you to join.  Msgr. Meaney Council #9042 meets monthly, the second Thursday of the month at 7 PM at St. Patrick’s Parish Center in Jordan.  The Msgr. Meany Council offers a scholarship to one St. Mary’s graduating senior who has put his or her faith into action in service to the Parish.   Applications can be obtained through the Parish Office and must be submitted in early June each year. 

K of C Council #207 is located at 47 Market Street, Auburn.   For further information, visit the Knights of Columbus web site, http://www.kofc.org/en//index.html  

Lector Ministry.  The Lector Ministry is open to adult and Confirmed high school students.  Lectors are scheduled in advance for the weekend liturgies and are assigned on a rotating basis. 

Lenten Family Soup Suppers.  Soup Suppers are held each Wednesday evening during Lent commencing on the Wednesday after Ash Wednesday.  The Soup Suppers are held in the Parish Center following the 5:30 PM Mass.  Join us for  conversation and a simple supper of soup and bread.  Make a free-willing offering to support a designated cause. 

Lenten Mornings of Reflection.  Gather from 10–11 AM Tuesday mornings during Lent for quiet time, sharing and prayer.

New Parishioners.  St. Mary’s Parish warmly welcomes new parishioners.  Please register as soon as possible by notifying the Parish Office, 685-5083 of your name, address and contact information (phone number; email).  Also please notify the Parish Office of relocation when moving out of the Parish.

Parish Bulletin Ads.  Liturgical Publications, Inc. is the publisher of our weekly Parish Bulletin.  Advertising sponsors help make this publication possible, and St. Mary’s Parish appreciates our advertisers for their support.  To secure a space or for ad information, please call 1 800 888-4574.

Parish Library.  The parish library is located in Marian Hall and is available to you anytime the church building is open.

Parish Pastoral Council.  The St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish Pastoral Council, which is presided over by the pastor of the parish, is the principal consultative body in the parish.  Those who by virtue of their office are engaged in pastoral care in the parish, give help in fostering pastoral plans.  The principal role of the Council is to consider these matters and to propose practical measures, the ultimate end of which is to further the mission of the parish.   Only the pastor possesses authority to make decisions concerning proposed courses of pastoral action with regard to the parish.  St. Mary’s Parish Pastoral Council normally meets the first Tuesday of each month.

Prayer Chain.  The Prayer Chain is a network of parishioners who agree to offer prayers for the special needs and intentions of individuals in our parish family.  Please call the Parish Office at 685-5083 to make a prayer request or to join the prayer chain.

Prayer Shawl Ministry.  This ministry was started to bring the comfort and warmth of God's love to those who are suffering as well as support and love to those who are experiencing a special joy in their lives.  It is a unique way of reaching out to the community in a very tactile way--a prayer shawl can be seen as a symbolic "hug" from God.  Each month knitters and crocheters (and those who want to learn) will be gathering together on the 1st Monday and the 3rd Thursday of each month from 1:30pm to 3:30pm to pray, meditate, knit, crochet and enjoy fellowship.  Please call the Parish Office to sign up (685-5083) or just come, we'd love to have you join us!

Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA).  Anyone contemplating the possibility of becoming a full member of the Church and wishing to have the necessary instructions should contact the Parish Office.  St. Mary’s has an active RCIA process.  Traditionally catechumens and candidates are received into the Church during the Holy Saturday liturgy.

Resurrection Choir sings at all funeral Masses and meets 45 minutes prior to Mass to rehearse.

Reverence and Bodily Gestures.  When in church, both during Mass and outside of Mass, Catholics traditionally have always shown reverence to the Lord Jesus Christ by various gestures.  These practices are important means of living our faith.  For example, upon entering and leaving a Catholic Church, a Catholic would genuflect, facing the tabernacle in which the Blessed Sacrament is reserved.  This beautiful gesture is an expression of our faith that Jesus is truly present, bodily present in the Eucharist.  The elderly who are frail and others for whom it is not physically possible to genuflect may bow instead.  Another beautiful gesture, a liturgical prescription pertaining to the recitation of the Creed at Mass, is to bow slightly at the words, “and by the Holy Spirit, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.”  Let’s never fail to express our tender devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ by means of these and other beautiful gestures that have been handed down to us by our forebears in the faith.

Safe Environment Program.  In compliance with the USCCB, “Protecting God’s Children”, Adult Awareness Sessions are available and free to all adult parishioners.  This training is mandated for all Clergy, Religious, all employees and any volunteer whose ministry brings them into contact with children.  Contact the Parish Office for more information.  Note:  Parents are reminded that an adult must always accompany children if they have to leave the worship area during Mass.  Please be aware that the Church is a public building and this policy is enforced for the safety of your children. 

Same-Sex Attractions Group Support. 

Courage – Group support for persons with same-sex attractions striving to follow Catholic/Biblical teaching. 

Encourage – Group support for parents of children with same-sex attractions.  Confidential inquiries: Fr. Jeffrey Keefe (315) 422-6233.

Skaneateles Clergy Association.  St. Mary’s pastor participates in periodic ecumenical meetings with fellow religious leaders in the Skaneateles Area.

Skaneateles Ecumenical Food Pantry.  Donations for the Food Pantry maybe dropped off at St. Mary’s.   Specific needs for the Food Pantry are listed weekly in the Parish Bulletin.  The Pantry is located at the Skaneateles Transportation Center, 820 West Genesee Street (behind the Cedar House) and is open on Tuesdays from  10-11 AM and on Thursdays from 7-8 PM.

Social Committee.  The Social Committee arranges social gatherings such as the Annual Parish Picnic, dances and other social events.

Stella Maris Retreat Center.  Stella Maris is located at 130 East Genesee Street, Skaneateles and offers many programs.  Call the Retreat House for details. 

 Sunday Coffee and Donuts Reception.  There is a reception corresponding with the scheduled 10:15AM Family Mass, offering coffee and donuts in the Parish Center following Mass.  The reception is an excellent opportunity to meet other parishioners and young families as well as welcome new parishioners to our parish community.  Volunteers are always needed. 

Televised Sunday Mass.  Sunday Mass airs every week in the Syracuse area on WSYR – Ch. 9 – Syracuse, 6:30 AM on Sundays, on Time Warner Cable (serving Skaneateles and Auburn) Ch. 4 on Sundays at 10:30 AM and on Time Warner Cable Syracuse, Ch. 98 at 8:30 PM on Saturdays.  A televised Sunday Mass also airs on ABC Family from 6:30 to 7:00 AM each Sunday morning.  The Sunday Mass is produced by the Passionist Fathers and Brothers out of New York City and is available nationally on local affiliates.  Too early for you?  Tape it, Tivo it or watch it online.  For more information consult the website at www.TheSundayMass.org

Travel.  If you spend your winters in Florida, or any other warm location, or will be traveling for extended periods, please advise the Parish Office, 685-5083, when you are leaving and when you plan to return so that we may notify the envelope company.  This will save duplicate postage.

Ushers.  There are always opportunities for people to serve as ushers.  If you are interested please call the Parish Office, 685-5083.