Volunteers

Interested in volunteering? There are many opportunities here at St. Joseph's. In addition to the clubs, groups and ministries, there are several other organizations within the parish that depend on volunteers. See the individual articles for detailed information. We can always use your help!

Children's Liturgy of the Word
Donut Socials/Hospitality
Wedding Coordinator
Ushers
Money Counters
Lectors

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD offers young children an understanding of the weekly Gospel readings at their level of development. CLOTW is held the first Sunday of the month during the 11:00 a.m. Mass, September through June. The lessons are geared towards children in second grade and younger. When Children's Liturgy of the Word is held, the children participate in the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites with the worshipping assembly. Only the Liturgy of the Word is celebrated separately.

The Leader walks the children from Mass into a classroom for a short lesson (20 minutes). During the lesson, the Leader reads one or two Readings, discusses the theme for that month, and does an easy craft relating to the lesson. The Readings and all materials for the craft are provided for the Leader.

During the regular 11:00 a.m. Mass, children in second grade and older have the opportunity to participate as readers, ushers, etc.

If you are interested in becoming a Leader, please contact the Faith Formation Office: 412-963-8885 ext. 301, or ccd@stjosephohara.com.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord, and may please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.   (Colossians 1:10)

DONUT SOCIALS:

What We Do:

On the first Sunday of each month, September through June, the Parish has a monthly social after the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses, with donuts, coffeecake, coffee and juice. All are welcome to attend, and enjoy the fellowship of other parishioners. Monetary donations are accepted to help offset the cost.

How You Can Become Involved:

We would love to have your help! We always need people to set up for our socials, and clean up afterwards. Duties would include making coffee, setting out the donuts, muffins, juice, cups, plates and napkins, and putting these items away after the social.

If you are willing to help with our socials (even just once would be a big help!) please call the parish office.

HOSPITALITY:

What We Do:

Occasionally, our Parish holds special events that require additional helping hands. When these circumstances arise, we like to have a ‘pool’ of people we can call upon to help with set up, kitchen duties, and clean up.

How You Can Become Involved:

If you would like to help when we have a special event, please call the parish office.

What We Do:

The Wedding Coordinator Ministry at St. Joseph is a way for the volunteer laity to reach out to couples planning to enter into a sacramental marriage.

The goal of the Wedding Coordinator is to assist the Pastor and the Pastoral  Associate in guiding the couple through the spiritual and temporal preparations for their marriage at our church.

When a couple chooses to marry and sets a date with Father, their contact information as well as their actual rehearsal and wedding dates and times will be given to the wedding coordinator. She/he will contact the bride, and work with the Pastor and Pastoral Associate to answer questions, suggest ways to plan a liturgy/ceremony in terms of music and reading choices, and assist at the rehearsal and on the day of the wedding.

At times, the bridal party will want to use a church space prior to the Mass. It is appropriate to use the conference room next to the office. It is important to make sure that the room is tidy after the event and ready for the next use since weddings usually occur on Saturday prior to the weekend Masses at the parish.

There are approximately twelve (12) weddings each year. How many coordinator volunteers we have would determine how often you would be asked to serve.  When serving, it requires your presence at the church for the rehearsal as well as the wedding (usually 3-4 hrs. total) along with any necessary phone calls or e-mails you might need to make.

For more information, contact the Parish Office at 412-963-8885 ext. 306.

What We Do:
To be an Usher anywhere -  and particularly at St. Joseph Parish -  is a special calling.  This ministry requires an individual to possess a warm presence, with a willingness to serve God and the congregation by assisting with the little “chores” of Mass by using good common sense in a very reverent way.  This ministry is open to anyone (male or female) who has been confirmed and is in good standing with the Catholic Church.

The Duties of An Usher:

• Help take up the collection(s) and transfer it to the safe
• Welcome people as they arrive at church
• Help to seat people when the Mass is full
• Distribute the bulletins after Mass
• Other duties as  the need arises

To Become An Usher:

• Contact the parish office to obtain diocesan required clearances.
• At the first Mass that you usher, come forward after communion to be commissioned.  At this time you will receive your usher pin to wear while serving, and be welcomed with gratitude by the congregation.

Moms with daughters, dads with sons - what a great way to be able to minister together at Mass!

If you’ve ever had any inkling, why not take advantage of this invitation to come aboard.  The group is always looking for new folks to join them.

"I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. 
Our feet shall stand within the gates, O Jerusalem." (Psalms 122:1,2)

Men and women of the parish volunteer to count the weekend and Holy Day offertory collections on a weekly rotating basis. Each Sunday, a group of 3-4 money counters are scheduled to count. This duty generally takes  2 1/2 hours to fulfill. Each group counts approximately five times per year. The group meets at the parish office at 10:00 a.m. to begin each week’s counting.  The ‘banker’ of your group will then deposit the offertory collections into the depository at the bank. Adding machines and all other required supplies are provided. Training is also provided on our procedure and instruction on how to complete the necessary counting forms to meet the Diocesan guidelines for this ministry. To join this ministry, please contact the parish office.

What We Do:

We read God’s Word at weekend and Holy Day Masses.  This typically includes an Old Testament passage and a New Testament passage.  There is a Lector Workbook given to each lector to help prepare him/her for reading these (pronunciations, hints for emphasis, background information on the reading for meaning).  In addition, the lector carries the Gospel Book in the Entrance Procession and at the end of Mass as the altar servers lead the procession out of church. They also read the Prayers of the Faithful (petitions) following the Creed and the announcements at the end of Mass just before the final blessing.  Generally, every lector serves about once every six weeks, a little more frequently around Easter due to the greater number of liturgies.

How You Can Become Involved:
The first step is getting the required Diocesan clearances. You will then be placed on the schedule. If you are scheduled for a time or date that you cannot make, just call another lector to switch. There are a few lectors who, due to other commitments, only serve as substitutes, so if a regular schedule isn’t a fit for you right now, subs are always welcome!

New Lector Workbooks are distributed in September.There is always a notice in the bulletin as to where they can be picked up.

For more information, please contact the Parish Office 412-931-8885.

Praise to you, Lord God,
king of the universe,
and all glory to your name.
I praise you and thank you for calling me
to proclaim your word to your beloved people.