Altar Server: Do you like helping out?

Altar servers have the privilege of assisting the priest in the sanctuary during the Mass and other liturgical functions. An altar server attends to supporting tasks at the altar such as lighting candles, ringing the altar bell, as well as carrying the cross, among other things. Anyone interested in becoming an altar server, who has made his/her First Holy Communion, please call the parish office,
315-841-4481 or emailing Laurie Ostrander l_ostrander@yahoo.com.

Altar Cleaning: Do you experience deep satisfaction from a job well-done?
The Altar Cleaning ministry serves our Lord and our church community by cleaning and refreshing the altar, and holy water fonts. The duties include dusting, polishing, vacuuming, and preparing the sanctuary for the weekend liturgies. If this is a ministry you might be interested in, please join us in serving our parish community. Please call Laurie Ostrander at 315-525-7831 if you’d like to pitch in!

Bereavement: Does providing comfort to others in their time of need give you a sense of purpose and fulfillment?

St. Bernard’s Bereavement Ministry provides a place in which the friends and family of the deceased can come together and be nurtured by hot meals in a comfortable surrounding by our volunteers who report the experience of service as being equally beneficial to them as well. Those interested in becoming involved in this ministry should contact Joan Lallier lallierj@roadrunner.com.

Coffee Hour: Does providing others with an opportunity to experience fellowship (and a few treats) leave you feeling accomplished and content?

Assistance is needed with preparation and clean-up for coffee hours which are offered after Mass times minimally throughout the year. Duties include: making coffee, setting out cups, plates, napkins, etc and desserts prior to the end of Mass. Clean-up entails clearing the tables, washing any platters or silverware which were used, and returning unused items to storage for future use. No heavy lifting is required. If interested please call the Parish Office 315-841-4481 or email stbernards@syrdio.org.

Community Outreach: Do you enjoy giving back to the community? Do you find happiness through helping others?
St. Bernard’s offers many opportunities for you to give back to the community through programs such as:

• Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter Food Baskets
• The Giving Tree
• Clothing Giveaway, among others. If any of these interest you please call Lynne Pletl at 315-527-4016

Eucharistic Minister: Is your faith experience enhanced through the sacraments of the Church? Does the prospect of having a role in providing this experience to others appeal to you?

A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person who assists the priest in administering the sacraments of Holy Communion, the consecrated bread and wine. If you’re interested in being trained for this ministry email Laurie Ostrander l_ostrander@yahoo.com or call 315-841-4481.

Hospitality: Do you enjoy welcoming others? Would you like to be the first face people see when they enter the church for Mass? Those ministers involved with hospitality have the important role of providing a first impression for visitors to St. Bernard’s Church! Greeters offer a Missal w/ bulletin to each visitor and take up the collection during the Mass. If this ministry is of interest to you, please contact email Laurie Ostrander l_ostrander@yahoo.com or call 315-841-4481 for more information.

Lector: Do you enjoy speaking aloud or are you willing to challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone? Are you interested in proclaiming the Word of God to the congregation? The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. S/He may also announce the intentions for the UniversalPrayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings. (Taken from “The Lector at Mass” USCCB.) Please email Laurie Ostrander l_ostrander@yahoo.com  or call
315-841-4481 for more information.

Music: Do you love to sing and/or play an instrument? Are you interested in joining those members of our church who have similar talents? St. Bernard’s Music Ministry offers these kinds of opportunities during the 9am Mass every Sunday! Please call Mike Tower
315-525-9803 for more information if you think you’d like to take part in the fun!