We are a parish family with many and varied gifts offered for the service of God’s people. Our ministries, committees and organizations are staffed by volunteers who share their time and talent. These are the heart and soul of our parish family-individuals who minister to members of our parish, our community, our neighbors. It is our hope that you will find in these pages opportunities for you to share your gifts with members of our parish family and enable others to come to know the God who loves them.

Catechetical Ministries

Lifelong Faith Formation
Our vision is that members of St Edward Parish family will fully, consciously and actively participate in and celebrate all aspect of passing on the faith, living the faith and celebrating the faith. And that this new fire of faith draw them into a deeper relationship with Christ and be witnesses in our community of love and service.

This ministry includes CCD, Youth Ministry, Family Program, Women On A Mission, Men On A Mission, our Lenten Series, Pre-school ministries, Sacramental Preparation ..

Baptismal Preparation Team
The ministers provide faith-filled models of Christian parenting; they prepare parents celebrate the sacrament of Baptism with their children.

Sponsor Couples
are critical in today’s large churches where the individual can seem lost in the crowd. After individually reading and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures and reflections/commentaries, members meet in small groups to share their insights, questions and reflections.

Catechists Grades1- 6
Pre-School and Elementary Religious Education provides weekly programs that include instruction, prayer, Scripture, service and community building. The catechetical staff seeks to provide support and guidance to families as they live out their faith through prayer and worship, service and work as well as every day family life. If you wish to be a part of that dynamic team and dedicate yourself to nurturing the faith of children join this ministry of the Word.

Catechists Youth Ministry
consists of the Word, worship, creating community, justice and service, enablement, guidance and healing and advocacy. Youth Ministry reaches out to Youth to invite them to a relationship with Jesus and the Christian community. Adult Advisors should have a willingness to work with and support teens, having a basic understanding of adolescence.

Rite of Christian Initiation Team
The RCIA is the way the Church helps unbaptized persons prepare for and reflect on Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA also includes baptized persons from other Christian faiths who are preparing for reception into full Communion in the Roman Catholic tradition. A key to the development of the RCIA in the parish is to form and develop local leadership. The RCIA team includes persons who will provide the formation opportunities necessary to help the catechumens and candidates during their initiation process.

Rite of Christian Initiation Sponsor
The RCIA is the way the Church helps unbaptized persons prepare for and reflect on Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA also includes baptized persons from other Christian faiths who are preparing for reception into full Communion in the Roman Catholic tradition. While sponsors are not members of the parish team, their contribution to the process is key. It is they who individualize the RCIA and they are often the best judge of the shape of the journey for the candidates and catechumens.

Committees

ACTION: ALLIANCE FOR CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION INFLUENCING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ACTION
ACTION is a faith-based regional organization of leaders and congregations from across the Mahoning Valley who work together to “stand firm and take action” against injustice in our community. There are currently 21 Congregations forming ACTION.

COLLECTION COUNTERS
Every Sunday after each liturgy, two members of this group gather in the rectory to open and count the collection for the week.

Liturgical Ministries

Cantor
The purpose of the Music Ministry is to enhance our liturgies with song and music. Cantors lead the singing of praise at the liturgies and present both the Responsorial Psalm and the General intercessions. Cantors inform the assembly of any changes or additions to the liturgy of that day and go over new assembly music with all who are gathered. The cantors practice on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm in the church sanctuary.

Sunday Choir
Members of the Sunday choir assist the assembly gathered at 10:30 Sunday liturgy and at special liturgies throughout the year. The Ministry of Music is none other than the Lord’s song and to gather the many voices into one song of praise. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm in the church.

Youth Chorus and Band
Members of the Youth Chorus and Band assist the assembly gathered Sunday liturgy and at special liturgies throughout the year. The Ministry of Music is none other than the Lord’s song and to gather the many voices into one song of praise.

Adult Altar Servers
This ministry is particularly for funeral liturgies and is open to both women and men.

This ministry trains young people to participate in the Mass and to assist the priest at liturgy. This ministry is open to girls and boys who have completed third grade. It is required of those wishing to be servers to participate in the training sessions which are held on two Sundays after the 12 noon Mass. Servers are scheduled to serve once or twice a month.

Lector
The ministry of Lector is open to all parishioners, youths and adults. The ministry of Lector is a share in the work of the Lord’s Spirit who opens the hearts of those assembled to God’s holy Word. The Lector is to proclaim the true and saving Word of God; to proclaim that Word which challenges, confronts and captures the hearts of the assembly. The Lector invites those assembled to feed at the table of the Word that all may become as one in their knowledge and love of the living God. Annual training sessions are offered for those wishing to be a Lector.

Environment and Art
Members need not be artists or crafts persons although these qualities are helpful. What is asked is a willingness to participate and do what is necessary for any given occasion – that is, meeting, planning, setting up and taking down liturgical environments for various liturgies and feasts.

Eucharistic Minister
Any member of the parish who has been confirmed may be commissioned as an Eucharistic Minister. To be called from among the community, you must have an essential unity between your life inside and outside the liturgy; in other words, ministers should show themselves to be generous and self-giving.

Greeter
The Greeter is the first of Christ’s faces to greet God’s people as they assemble for prayer. The ministry is one of welcome and hospitality; to introduce strangers, to care for the needs of those assembled. The Ministry of Greeter is part of Saint Edward Parish hospitality ministry. It is composed of parishioners who heed the call to welcome all who gather. They are present to all who enter our Church with a word of greeting and an offer of assistance. The ministry complements our Ushers ministry and works in tandem with them.

Usher
The Ministry of Usher is one of hospitality more than of collection-taking and door- tending. This ministry is open to both men and women of the parish who want to pray, sing, participate, and assist the community in a variety of ways. Their gracious manner as they distribute participation materials, attend to the special needs of parishioners, help parents with infants, and assist the elderly, helps set the tone of hospitality that ultimately pervades the entire gathered community.

Parish Council The focus of this ministry is to share with the pastor in meeting the needs of the spiritual and temporal needs of the parishioners. Secondly, the Parish Council develops effective lines of communication with all parishioners. Council members are elected for a three-year term.

Parish Council Commissions

Lifelong Faith Formation
Vision Statement: We, the members of St. Edward Parish Family, believe in a lifelong faith journey with Jesus Christ manifested in our thoughts, words and actions. We pass on our faith to adults, youth and children through the love of community, the Word of God, the celebration of the sacraments and the call to Christian service.

Finance/Administration
This consultative body helps the pastor in the administration of parish property and goods. This commission is responsible for the preparation of the annual budget and monitoring income and expenses by reviewing the monthly financial statements. In addition to the budget and monthly finances, this commission oversees matters related to maintenance and expansion of facilities.

Parish Activities
This Commission seeks to strengthen the families of Saint Edward Parish by assisting those in need and nurturing the faith of all through various activities. Through its members, program and projects, the Commission works to give life to the goals of the Parish Pastoral Council as they pertain to family life. In doing so, it hopes to sustain, develop and make available activities and services, which answer the needs of all families and bring about close, caring relationships.

Small Communities of Faith
are critical in today’s large churches where the individual can seem lost in the crowd. After individually reading and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures and reflections/commentaries, members meet in small groups to share their insights, questions and reflections.

Christian Service
This Commission identifies social needs in the parish, our local community, and the wider community. We educate parishioners about the needs and then select ways to meet those needs. Members also encourage parishioners to engage in legislative advocacy on pertinent social legislation.

Spiritual Life and Worship
This commission seeks the active participation of the faithful called for by Vatican II. Recognizing that all activity of the Church directs itself to Liturgy, the commission shares the responsibility of implementing diocesan liturgical policies and directs the liturgical concerns of the parish including the environment and art of the worship space.

Click here to download our ministries catalog.

In November 2009, the women of St Edward parish gathered for the third Women on a Mission. Formation for a new team will begin in March. Please call Sr Therese Ann if your are willing to serve on the new team.