Masses

Ministries

St. Angela Merici Parish Ministries

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Altar Servers
Altar Servers are chosen from volunteer candidates who are enrolled in either public or Catholic schools, are in the 5th Grade or above and who have received the sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. The Altar Servers assist the celebrant at Sunday Masses, funerals, weddings and other special Masses and services. The training of new servers takes place in the fall. If you are interested in becoming an Altar Server you should contact the St. Angela Merici School secretary at 835-8491.

CCD
The goal of the CCD program at St. Angela is to share our faith and our Church’s beliefs with children in levels 1-11 who attend public or private schools. St. Angela’s program uses a curriculum based on scripture, tradition, prayer, liturgy, and the teachings of our Church. In addition to the religious education of children, occasional workshops are held for parents covering a variety of topics. St. Angela’s CCD program is staffed by adult volunteer instructors who share their time, talent, faith, and prayer in support of the religious growth of the children. Most of the teachers are certified as instructors by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, and the rest are working toward this certification. All instructors take continuing education courses.

The CCD program covers levels 1 through 11. Levels 1 and 2 include preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Levels 10 and 11 include preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. St. Angela Merici Church is dedicated to the religious education and Sacramental preparation of its children. If anyone needs further information or has any questions, please contact our Director of Religious Education at 837-9347.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
The aim of RCIA is to guide interested non-Catholics through a process of initiation into the Faith. RCIA is for individuals who have never been baptized in the Christian faith; or individuals who may have been baptized in another Christian denomination but wish to become members of the Catholic Church; or individuals who have been baptized in the Catholic Church but have not received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Communion and /or Confirmation). If you are interested, you should call the rectory at 835-0324.

Greeters
Greeters welcome parishioners, help with seating, collect the offerings, and guide people at Communion distribution. This Ministry is open to both men and women. If you are interested in becoming a greeter, please call the rectory at 835-0324.

Choir
The St. Angela Merici Adult Choir is a part of the parish music ministry, and serves the church community by enhancing liturgical celebrations with music and song. The choir sings a variety of music ranging from “old Latin classics” to contemporary Catholic works. Most of our music is performed in 4-part harmony. In addition to singing for the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, the choir presents a program of Christmas music before the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve, and also provides the music for all Holy Week services and other special parish celebrations. In the past, the adult choir has sung as a guest at St. Louis Cathedral.

Membership is open to all ages, high school through senior citizens. While choral singing experience and sight-reading ability are wonderful assets, they are by no means necessary. Everyone is invited to sing in the choir! We enjoy having a part in enhancing the liturgies, and we have a good time doing it! Weekly rehearsals are held in the church on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. During the summer months, rehearsals are held less frequently. If anyone would like to learn more about the choir, please contact our choir director, through the rectory at 835-0324.

Children's Choir
St. Angela’s Children’s Choir meets regularly on Wednesday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 PM. The children sing for all school Masses and at the 9:30 AM Mass on the second Sunday of each month. The choir is basically a service organization which allows children in 4th-7th grade to give back some of their time and talent to God and their parish family. They sing for the annual Parish Caroling during the Christmas season and at the 11:00 AM Mass on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The Children’s Choir has also performed at Celebration in the Oaks and Lakeside Mall as well as visiting nursing homes. The Children’s Choir has never failed to inspire and delight all who have been fortunate enough to hear them. If you would like information about the Children’s Choir, please call the rectory at 835-0324.

Family Life Apostolate
Family Life Apostolate (FLA) is a new ministry that is developing within our parish community. Although still in the early stages, FLA is reaching out in the following areas:

To reach out in WELCOME to new parishioners either through a personal phone call, note, or visit from a FLA member.

To offer support to the families of the BEREAVED by letting them know that they are in our prayers through a condolence note from FLA. Coffee is now available in the vesting room prior to a funeral if desired by the family. As often as possible, we will have a FLA member present at the church.

To offer HOSPITALITY by coordinating parish-wide potluck suppers and other family activities as they develop.

To offer PRAYER SUPPORT by the already established parish prayer line via email. There are presently over 200 parishioners who receive the intentions that are sent to the prayer line on a regular basis. There is also a prayer request book, located in the back of church, for any intentions that parishioners would like our parish to lift in prayer. These intentions will be included in the Prayers of the Faithful at our weekend Masses.
It is the blending of our families that enables us to grow and be renewed in our faith community. It would be a blessing to have your gifts and talents blended with ours as we reach out to our parish family. Whether you are male or female, single, married, divorced, or widowed, you are part of God’s family. We need the strength of all of us together in order to meet the needs of a church family as large as St. Angela Merici!

FAMILIA
A prayer group for mothers of young children. FAMILIA offers an opportunity for mothers to strengthen their families and apply their faith with focused information and practical tools that can be implemented in daily life. This prayer group meets twice a month, September through May, at the convenience of the members. There is a fee for the book and materials.

Readers
Those who proclaim the readings of Scripture at Mass help to nourish the assembly with the Word of truth and life. Readers receive a basic formation in proclamation and the Lectionary for Mass at a workshop provided by the Archdiocesan Office of Worship and then receive an orientation here in the parish before serving at weekday and Sunday Masses. Those who come forward for this ministry should have a special love for the Scriptures and have excellent skills in public reading. Deacon Nick Chetta coordinates this ministry.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Assisting with the ministry of Communion at Mass, these ministers nourish people with the Body and Blood of the Risen Christ. These ministers serve at both weekday and Sunday Masses. New extraordinary ministers receive a basic formation at a workshop sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office of Worship and then have an orientation session here in the parish before ministering. Those who come forward to serve in this ministry should have a deep and special respect for Eucharistic prayer and devotion, especially by their active and faithful participation in weekday and Sunday Masses. Msgr. Ken Hedrick coordinates this ministry.