Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers assist our presider by distributing Eucharist at all liturgies. In addition, they visit Brandywine Nursing Home after being sent forth by the presider of the 12:45 pm Sunday Mass at the beginning of that liturgy. Assignments for liturgies and visits are made for a four-month period and usually require about one Mass per month or 4-5 visits per year. Some Eucharistic Ministers take it upon themselves to bring the Eucharist to those who are infirm or shut-ins. They might also be asked to do so by our parish Outreach Program. Training is provided at the onset of this ministry. There are approximately 35 parishioners active in this ministry.

If you are interested in this ministry, please call the rectory at (914) 941-1646.

Lectors

Lectors proclaim the Word of God at all liturgies. This entails two readings, the Prayer of the Faithful (when the Deacon is not present), and announcements. At non-music Masses, they introduce the ministers at the Mass to the congregation and speak the Responsorial Psalm. Family members volunteering in multiple ministries, can arrange to be assigned at the same Mass. Training is provided. A clear, strong speaking voice is required. No regular meetings are scheduled. There are approximately 35 parishioners active in this ministry, which is open to high school students and adults.

If you are interested in this ministry, please call the rectory at (914) 941-1646.

Altar Servers

Altar servers assist the presider of all liturgies including daily and Sunday Mass, funerals, weddings and special occasions such as Confirmations and First Communions. Altar servers must be in the 4th grade or older (some are adults). Albs are provided. Training is provided on entry into this ministry and periodically as needed. Assignments are made on a monthly basis. (e.g. the 9:00 am Mass for the month of June). Family members volunteering in multiple ministries, can arrange to be assigned at the same Mass. We have approximately 25 Altar Servers. We welcome anyone in the 4th grade or older who would like to participate in this ministry.

If interested, please contact Fr. Praxid at the rectory at (914) 941-1646.

Kathy Bosco schedules the Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, and Altar Servers.

Choirs

The Adult Choir provides musical support and ministry at the 10:15 am Mass at St. Theresa's Church on Sundays from mid-September to early June. The purpose of the choir is to provide a more powerful choral musical support for the congregation, so that all present will participate more fully and willingly in the musical parts of Mass. The adult choir also sings on major feast days during the year, and plays a particularly important role in the liturgies during Holy Week. In addition, the choir prepares various anthems during the year as a means of offering their music to the glory of God.

The Adult Choir rehearses on Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. The only requirement is a reasonable commitment to rehearsals and Mass responsibilities, and the ability to sing in tune.

The Junior Choir provides musical leadership at the 9:00 am Mass at St. Theresa Church from mid-October until Easter Sunday. In addition, the choir leads the congregational singing at the 4:00 pm Vigil Mass for Christmas.

The choir is open to young people in grades 3 through 8. The choir has two rehearsal times each week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm), but each singer is required to attend only one of these. The basic requirement for membership is the ability to sing in tune, responsible attendance and a love of singing.

The High School Choir rehearses once a month on a Saturday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, and sings at the 5:15 pm Vigil Mass from October through Palm Sunday. This choir joins our other choirs for special occasions such as Christmas, Holy Thursday, and Easter Sunday. All students in grades 9 - 12 are welcome to participate.

New choir members are always welcome. Please contact Gary Bratt
at (914) 941-0863.

Cantors (Song Leaders)

This ministry is one of leadership and presentation. The Cantor encourages the congregation in its musical participation in the Mass. It is the responsibility of the cantor to lead the congregation in the Mass parts and hymns, and to teach them new music when applicable. The cantor is also the presenter of the Responsorial Psalm and the gospel acclamation, the two parts of the Mass where there is dialogue between the congregation and the Cantor.

Cantors lead at all music Masses throughout the year: 5:15 pm Mass on Saturday, and 9 am, 10:15 am and 11:30 am Masses on Sundays. They also lead at any special Mass which requires music. Cantors meet for rehearsal four to five times during the year and are assigned on a sign-up basis. Requirements are a pleasant, well-pitched singing voice and a commitment to musical presentation and liturgy. Many of our Cantors are Choir members, but you need not be a member of the Choir to be a Cantor.

If interested, please contact Gary Bratt at (914) 941-0863.

Ushers

Ushers do more than take up collections. They take a deep interest in each person arriving for Mass and throughout the Mass they are constantly concerned about your well-being and comfort. Assignments are individually made and there are no regularly scheduled meetings. There are approximately 20 parishioners who regularly serve in this ministry.

If you are interested in regularly serving in this ministry, please call the rectory at (914) 941-1646.

Greeters

Greeters arrive approximately 15 minutes before Mass and warmly welcome parishioners to celebrate at both of our churches. After Mass, they distribute bulletins as people leave, straighten up the pews, return the books to the book rack and gather up bulletins left behind. Meetings are scheduled as needed. There are approximately 10 parishioners who serve in this ministry.

If you are interested in this ministry, please call the rectory at (914) 941-1646.

Altar Society

There are about 20 parishioners who care for the altars at both St. Theresa and Our Lady of the Wayside. They clean the altars, launder and prepare the altar linens and place the flowers on the altar and care for them. They work in teams of two and are usually assigned to one week every few months. If you are interested in this ministry, please call the rectory.

The Altar Society coordinators at St. Theresa’s are Jean Micallef and Mary Weidenhamer. Sophie Keyes is the coordinator at Our Lady of the Wayside.

Church Bulletin

Volunteers prepare the Church Bulletin each week. The Bulletin is the primary means of communication with parishioners. It is a great ministry, and we would appreciate it if you could give us some time, approximately 2 hours one weekend per month. If you are interested in this ministry, please call the rectory.

Our Bulletin volunteers are: Marie Ange Brunnemann, June Jarvis, Mary Kleen, Regina Molinelli, and Paul Radovanovich.