WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Worshiping in the Heart of Jesus
ACTS Retreats
An ACTS Retreat is a parish-based event which offers parishioners an opportunity to experience the love of Jesus Christ. This in turn fosters a desire for intentional discipleship. ACTS Retreats are given by parishioners for parishioners, and in this way, serve to build Christian community at the parish.
The ACTS Retreat begins Thursday evening and ends with Sunday Mass in the parish. While utilizing prayer, service, and teaching, the ACTS Retreat meets people where they are in their spiritual journey and invites them to experience God in a manner that is both personal and communal. Women and men have separate ACTS retreats once per year.
Contacts: Katie Schoen, (314) 570-6420, katieschoen0313@gmail.com; or Angie Louis, (314) 799-2421, alouisX4@gmail.com.
Altar Society
As members of the Altar Society, we are committed to keeping the altar and holy water fonts clean for our God and parishioners. Through our humble acts of service and dedication, we strive to show our love to God and our church. Contact: Laura Trelford, (314) 809-6354, trelfordl@yahoo.com.
Ambassadors (Greeters)
This group of dedicated individuals greets parishioners and visitors at weekend Masses. This is the perfect opportunity to create a welcoming atmosphere through a warm smile and friendly greeting for those entering our faith community to celebrate the liturgy. Volunteers generally greet one time per month at a weekend Mass. Contact: JoAnn Hasty (314) 952-0581, jhasty626@att.net.
Eucharistic Adoration
To provide a dedicated, sacred and reverent space for all parishioners and guests to worship and praise Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is the mission of the SMMA Eucharistic Adoration Chapel. Come, Let Us Worship the Lord! Psalm 34:2-4: “I will bless the Lord at all times, praise shall be always in my mouth.” Magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name forever. Contact: Rich Keuss, (314) 378-0722; or Jane Keuss, (314) 346-0616, smmaadorationchapel@gmail.com.
Extraordinary Ministers
Volunteers, who are at least 18 years of age, assist the priest with the distribution of Holy Communion. You will be trained and commissioned for this ministry.
Gift Bearers
Gift Bearers are members of the congregation who present the bread and wine to the priest at Mass. Any member/family in the congregation is welcome to volunteer to bring the gifts to the altar by picking up the small statue of the Holy Family that sits on the table with the gifts before Mass begins. The individual/family keeps the statue with them in the pew and places it back on the table when they pick up the gifts for presentation. The statue works very well for ordinary times, however, if you have a special occasion like an anniversary or special Mass intention an usher can help you reserve the offertory opportunity. Generally speaking, though. It is first-come, first-served.
Kairos Prison Ministry
The volunteers of the Kairos Prison Ministry share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ through retreat weekends, in order to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women, youth and their families to become loving and productive citizens of their communities. Contact: Jeff Kohler, (314) 378-7100, cardinalsstl@sbcglobal.net.
Lectors
Lectors are called to proclaim the Word of God in the first and second readings, prayers of the faithful, and end of Mass announcements. At a Mass without music, they may read the Responsorial Psalm. Each lector is generally assigned to one Mass per month. Contact: Dawn Edwards, (314) 487-2522, Ext. 201 or dedwards@smmaparish.org.
Liturgy Committee
This committee, made up of representatives from the Liturgical Ministries, (Choirs, Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors), our priests, deacons, and our DRE plans and provides for the spiritual development of each member of the Parish community through the liturgical celebration. All parishioners are welcome to participate in this group. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. in the Teacher’s Lounge, (no meetings in June and July). Contact: Parish Secretary, (314) 487-2522, Ext. 201.
Music Ministry
Our volunteer singing groups praise God and provide leadership to the congregation in their singing of parts of the Mass and hymns. We also sing special music on occasions to inspire and uplift the congregation. Our funeral choir provides an Evangelistic voice to believers and non-believers alike.
Cantor: These individuals sing and lead congregational singing at liturgical celebrations. Contact: Mike Laubert, (314) 892-8821, laubmi@aol.com.
Contemporary Choir: This adult volunteer group enhances liturgy worship at every 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Our mission is to glorify God, bringing the Gospel of Christ alive through joyful music. We pray through music because singing is praying twice. We are blessed with talented musicians who accompany us. Our most important requirement of participation is you must love singing or playing God’s music. Our choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 5:30 p.m. New singers and musicians are most welcome to join; please contact Sharon Albritton, (314) 714-0241, shalb60@yahoo.com.
Funeral Choir: Also known as the Resurrection Choir, this choir sings the funeral Masses. We meet one-half hour before the Mass begins to warm up and go over the hymns. Contact: Mike Laubert, (314) 892-8821, laubmi@aol.com.
Traditional Choir: This choir sings the 4:30 p.m. Mass and other liturgical celebrations using a wide variety of repertoire from Classical to Contemporary music, as well as singing the normal Sunday liturgies. The Traditional Choir practices September through May on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Contact: Mike Laubert, (314) 892-8821, laubmi@aol.com.
Youth Ministry Praise & Worship Band: With reverence, joy and diligence, the Praise and Worship Band leads Sunday, 11:30 a.m. Mass participants into prayer through Christian music, glorifying God with their musical gifts. High school students are welcomed and encouraged to participate as singers or musicians. High school singers and musicians would accompany the band leaders and not be responsible to lead the worship music. The band rehearses the last Sunday of every month following the 11:30 a.m. Mass. Contact: Kara Daman, kara.m.baker@gmail.com.
Parish Missionary Disciples
Parish Missionary Disciples evangelize to our SMMA community via the Seven Sacraments. Our mission’s desired result is a parish community re-awakened and transformed by the person of Jesus Christ and on fire to share the joy of the Gospel with all. Parish Missionary Disciples always welcome new volunteers. Contact: Al or Beverly Marcus, (314) 487-0206.
Rosary Recitations
Parishioners lead a daily (Monday - Saturday) recitation of the Rosary after 8:00 a.m. Mass.
Servers
Altar servers are boys and girls in grades 5-8, who assist the ministers at the altar. After a training program, they are scheduled in advance to serve specific Masses. Contact the Parish Secretary, (314) 487-2522, Ext. 201.
Ushers
Ushers are the first person to be met inside church with a welcoming attitude, setting the tone for worship as they greet everyone with a pleasant smile, and if needed, escort them to their seats. Ushers collect the offertory, assist with the logistics for Holy Communion, which includes providing assistance for those with physical limitations who are not able to come forward for reception of Holy Communion. Ushers hand out bulletins as Mass concludes with a friendly farewell. Contact the Parish Secretary, (314) 487-2522, Ext. 201 or email dedwards@smmaparish.org.
Vocation Icon
Our parish family has the opportunity to host the Vocation Icon in their home to pray for and increase in Vocations to the Priesthood, permanent Diaconate, and consecrated religious life.If the icon is on the Vocation table in the Church foyer, it is available to take home that week. Just sign your name and phone number in the log book. Contact: Al or Beverly Marcus, (314) 487-0206.