PARISH MINISTRIES
Parishes live through their ministries. At Our Lady of Mount Carmel, we have many ministries, both liturgical and non-liturgical. Many parishioners are involved in these ministries.
LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
There are four Sunday liturgies (6:00 PM Saturday evening anticipated Mass; 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:00 noon Masses) that are served by the Ministers of the Eucharist. Nicole Skopak schedules these ministers every two months. During the week, the regular schedule is 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM, and 8:00 AM on Saturday. If there is a Eucharist Minister present at one of these Masses, that minister will come up voluntarily to admin-ister the cup. During July and August, there is only one Mass on weekdays at 8:00 AM. Again, a Eucharistic Minister will often be present and help the celebrant. Some Eucharistic Ministers also take Communion to the sick and homebound.
LECTORS
The proclamation of the Word of God is a very important ministry. Again, at the four Sunday liturgies, lectors, or readers, proclaim the scriptural readings. Nicole Skopak also schedules these lectors, of which she is one, every two months. During the week, a lector, if present, will do the readings.
MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY OR USHERS
Weekend liturgies run smoothly because of the Ministers of Hospitality, or Ushers. These men and women greet those who come to Mass, and make visitors feel welcome. They take up the collections at the Offertory and lead the Offertory Procession to the altar. They help maintain order at Communion time and hand out the weekly bulletin at the end of Mass.
MASS SERVERS
These boys and girls help the celebrant to make the liturgy flow better. Though only a few, they serve at the 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM Masses and at special liturgies, such as the Holy Week liturgies.
MUSIC MINISTRY
There is a web page on this site that highlights the Minister of Music, Dr. John Murez, and the Parish Choir.
NON-LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
There is a web page on this site which deals with our Religious Education Program, or the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (C.C.D.) under the leadership of Bruno Suria, the Coordinator of Religious Education. There are nine catechists providing instruction to the children of the parish.
PARISH COUNCIL
There is a web page on this site explaining the Parish Council with Maryann Zecchino as Parish Council President.
BAPTISM PREPARATION TEAM
Margaret Pratt and Maureen Bienkowski prepare parents of infants and young children prior to the baptism of their children.
SOCIAL CONCERNS COMMITTEE
This committee is part of the Parish Council and provides for collection of food twice a year. Under the leadership of Margaret Battista, the members of this committee sorts and distributes food collected on the two weekends before Thanksgiving to families in the area for the holiday, and on the six week-ends of Lent for distribution to food pantries in town and in Newark.
BINGO WORKERS
Some people may not see working at Bingo as a ministry, but these volunteers give their free time to work at this endeavor to help raise money for the parish.