The acceptance of responsible “faith-filled acts” as a way of life is more than a practical issue of survival for the many activities of our parish. It is also an issue of spiritual growth for those who recognize God’s gifts in their lives and who seek to express their gratitude in action. At St. Joseph we attempt to provide structures for all of our members to make a response to the Lord by sharing generously their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. In this handbook there are descriptions of some of the many service opportunities offered here for those who seek to live in the spirit of Jesus ‘who came not to be served but to serve’ (Mark 10: 45).

The following is a listing of the active ministries at St Joseph:

LITURGICAL

____ALTAR SERVERS (ADULT )
Duties: Assisting the Priest/Celebrant in the celebration of the Mass. Normally scheduled for weekend vigil Masses or weekday Masses or occasional funeral Mass. Coordinator: Warren Taylor 301-937-6924

____ALTAR SERVERS (grade 4 & above)
Duties: Serve Sunday parish Masses on weekends and at Lenten Stations of the Cross. Training provided. Coordinator: Coordinator needed. Call rectory

____ARTS AND ENVIRONMENT
Duties: The floral décor and plants for the Church including the times for Easter, Christmas and Feast Days; maintenance of the candles for the Sanctuary; periodic cleaning of the vessels used for Mass; etc. Coordinators: Cora Landicho 301-572-4278.

____BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY
Duties: Meet with those who have suffered the loss of a loved one; help arrange funeral Mass; contact musicians, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, lectors, and servers for Mass. Coordinators: Mimi Baumgardner 301-937-1227, Sharon Dorak 301-937-8333.

____CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Duties: To instruct and teach children the Liturgy of the Word at the 10 a.m. Mass during the school year. Time varies depending upon the individual volunteer’s availability. Coordinator: Laura Irwin 301-937-3475.

____EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY
Duties: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the ordained minister in the distribution of Holy Eucharist at Masses and at visitations to the sick and homebound. Training is provided. Coordinators: Mimi Baumgardner 301-937-1227 and Warren Taylor 301-937-6924.

____HOSPITALITY MINISTRY
Duties: Members include Extraordinary Ministers, Lectors and Ushers who seek to make worshipers welcome as they arrive for Mass. Coordinator: Those members present at the various Masses.

____LECTORS
Duties: Lectors read the first and second reading at a specific Sunday (or weekday) Mass.
Coordinator: Michael Bernard 301-474-3411.

____MUSIC (Cantor)
Duties: To cantor at the 5: 30 PM Mass, the 12: 00 Noon Mass, and/or at funerals and weddings as needed. The cantors are also expected to participate in the Easter Vigil Mass choir and in the 10:30 PM Christmas Eve choir.
Coordinator: Jean Cook 301-345-2597 or Mary Shipley 301-937-7328

____MUSIC MINISTRY (Contemporary Choir 10: 00 Mass)
Duties: You must be willing to commit to attending the 10: 00 AM Mass on a regular basis, to attending practice twice a month, and to following the direction of the choir director. Coordinator: Bob Slepitza, Music Minister 301-937-1374

____USHERS
Duties: Help greet parishioners; aid in the seating of parishioners as required; ensure that offertory gifts are taken to the altar at the appropriate time; pass baskets at collection time; ensure the orderly flow of parishioners at communion time and assist in opening and closing the church. Coordinators: Hugh O’Donnell 301-937-6605.

SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT

____COUPLES FOR CHRIST
Duties: This world wide group consists of married couples who wish to live out their Christian life in an active and a supportive relationship with one another. They meet in a small group in a private home for a series of weekly informal discussions of the gospel in a social setting. Coordinators: Tony and Annabelle Viisk, 301-210-4612

____EPHRAIM, HARP OF THE SPIRIT
Duties: A charismatic prayer group. Meets Tuesday evenings in the School’s Library from 8: 00 PM to 9: 30 PM. Coordinators: Edie Fafard 301-937-1048 and M.M. Teague 301-937-3999.

____PRAYER APOSTATE OF MARY
Duties: After the 8: 15 A.M. Mass on the first Saturday of each month, members recite the rosary and once a week at home for the special needs of the parish. There is an optional meeting on the of each month following first Saturday Mass. Coordinators: Francine and Gary Bauchan 301-937-0944.

___PRAYER CHAIN
Duties: A ministry of prayer support. Members render prayer support and be a part of the chain for special needs in the parish. Coordinators: Edie Fafard 301-937-1048 and M.M. Teague 301-937-3999.

____SCRIPTURE STUDY GROUP
Duties: This ministry meets weekly at 9: 00 A.M. on Wednesdays in the crying room in the rear of the church to read and study the Bible. Coordinator: M.M. Teague 301-937-3999.

EDUCATION / FORMATION

____ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Duties: Volunteer opportunities exist for recess duty; reading programs; science fair coordination and judging; office assistants; substitute teaching; library assistants; theater assistants; lunch coordinators; and grounds work. Coordinator: Michael O’Loughlin, 301-937-7154, office@stjos.org

____RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Duties: There are volunteer opportunities for both classroom teachers and aides. We are also in need of people who are willing to help out with special events. Coordinator: Denise L. Young, Religious Education Coordinator, 301-937-7419, dyoung@stjos.org.

____YOUTH MINISTRY
Duties: We are hoping to create programs specifically tailored for youth in grades 7 through 8, and in grades 9 through 12. Each age group will meet together at least once a month, and preferably twice a month. Coordinator: John Whipple, Youth Ministry Coordinator, 301-937-7183.

ORGANIZATIONS/ OUTREACH

____CYO
Duties: The CYO provides programs in soccer, basketball, football, softball, baseball, T-ball, etc. This program is for Catholic children and non-Catholic children who attend our Parish Schools in grades 1 through 8. Coordinator: Pat Prada 301-549-1762.

____50+ CLUB (FOR SENIORS)
Duties: Members set aside the 1st Wednesday of the month from 12: 00 noon to 2: 00 to socialize, share their experiences and enjoy one another’s company Usually, the members share a brown bag lunch and bingo. Once a year there is a potluck lunch. Coordinator: Cora Landicho 301-572-4278.

____HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Duties: This entity acts as the Parent/Teachers Association for St. Joseph’s Catholic School and helps organize volunteer support for students, teachers and special activities. Officers of the Association serve for a specified period of time, as elected. Coordinator: Tom Keane 301-931-3015.

____KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Duties: Locally, we assist the religious in our community; locally and internationally, we support vocations to the priesthood and religious life; we reward and encourage local community volunteers though “self help and resource exchange” (SHARE). There are numerous social events. Coordinators: Thomas Lank 301-937-8756, Hugh O’Donnell, 301-937-6605, John Landicho 301-572-4278.

____LADIES OF CHARITY
Duties: Organizing visits to local senior homes 1st Monday and 3rd Friday of the month, so that the residents may have prayer services and receive the Holy Eucharist. Training is by “shadowing” a member during activities. Coordinators: Helen Truman, 301-572-4278 and Cora Landicho 301-572-4278, for Hill Haven; Peg Downey 301-937-6439 for Paint Branch.

____MARIANISTS
Duties: Marianist Lay Communities (MLCs) are intentional Christian communities that collaborate in Mary's mission to bring Christ to the world. We pray, study, and serve in a community setting to deepen our faith and spread the gospel. We network with other Christian communities to build a community of communities
to support our parish and out church. Coordinators: Mike and Annette Wasno 301-937-7857.

____SOCIAL CONCERNS OUTREACH
Duties: We have extensive and varied programs to reaching out in service to those in need, and to work for a more just and peaceful world through advocacy and solidarity with the poor and powerless. These programs includes our Food Pantry, and Clothing Closet that collect and distributes items to those in need, the Gabriel project that helps pregnant women in need, We reach out to those in need of rent assistance, to those seeking solutions to immigrant issues and to children in need of school supplies. Some parishioners cook and serve meals for the homeless at Elizabeth House in Laurel, visit the homebound, send comforting cards to the sick and provide transportation to Mass or doctor’s appointments. This program also includes collecting school supplies for our sister-parish in St.Croix, collection for the poor in the missions and providing dental assistance to the needy. Seasonal programs, such as Christmas: “Shoebox gifts” to local homeless shelters, Christmas Giving Tree to provide food, clothes, and gifts to families in need, supplying items for a Wish List for residents of CCNV and Toys for Assumption parish children in the District, as well as, selling of religious Christmas Cards that directly benefits the pro-life program. You are encouraged to involve yourself in just one of a number of these programs. Coordinator: Susan Rohrer 301-595-7340.

ACTIVITIES

____CHURCH GARDENING
Duties: Prepare planting areas; planting; watering; weeding; removing wilted or dead flowers; mulching; tree and shrub care; raking leaves; and watering the grass. Need a basic knowledge of the care for flowers, shrubs, trees and grass. Coordinators: Ludy Schneider 301-937-6210, Al Millard 301-937-1258, and John Garofolo 301-937-7423.

____HOSPITALITY SUNDAY
Duties: Coordinate Hospitality Sunday each month. The ministries and organizations in the parish take turns purchasing doughnuts, making coffee, serving refreshments for this event after Sunday Masses, and cleaning up. Coordinator: Judy Harrigan 301-937-2724

____ROSARY MAKERS
Duties: A team of volunteers who come together on the 1st Tuesday of the month, from 7: 30 P.M. to 9: 00 P.M. in the Church to make rosaries for the propagation of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, that are distributed to the poor and needy). Training is provided. Coordinators: Cora Landicho 301-572-4278 and Olga Ramirez 301-937-1109.

____BASKET BINGO/SPECIALTY BINGO
Duties: Setup and organize fundraiser bingo games, supplies and prizes; call bingo numbers back; award prizes; and account for all revenues and expenses in accordance with policies and procedures, every other month for 6 hours. Coordinators: Judy Harrigan 301-937-2724; Laura Dragos 301-301-937-4476.

____BAZAAR
Duties: This great annual event requires the effort of over 120 volunteers. During the year, teams prepare the arts and crafts and other items that will be sold at the bazaar. Volunteers are needed to setup and run the tables and refreshment stands, to help in the kitchen, and to cleanup after closing. Volunteers are also needed to sort, price and store the items collected for Attic Treasures. After initial planning,1/2 day to setup; and 1 day during the Bazaar. Coordinators: Coordinator needed. Please contact Judy Harrigan 301-937-2724 or call the rectory 301-937-7183.

PASTORAL ASSISTANCE

____CARDINAL’S APPEAL
Duties: Coordinates our parish response to the annual Archdiocesan Appeal for the needy. Opportunities exist for being lay presenters. Attendance at the Archdiocesan Training before speaking at Masses on appeal weekend.
Coordinator: John and Eppie Carroll 301-595-7012.

____FINANCE COUNCIL
Duties: Meetings are held on a quarterly basis, to provide advice to the Pastor on financial issues. Financial, management, administrative, auditing, investigative skills are needed. Potential members are subjected to an approval process. Coordinators: John Landicho 301-572-4278.

___LEGISLATIVE NETWORK
Duties: Coordinate and make calls, send e-mails and letters to legislators on issues of concern to Catholics, both locally and nationally. Attend meetings sponsored by the Archdiocese and meet with Delegates and Senators. Volunteer opportunities exist. Coordinators: Gary Bauchan 301-937-0944.

___SCHOOL ADVISORY BOARD
Duties: Consisting of school parents, interested parishioners & the principal, advice and assist the Pastor and in matters of policy and planning. Bi- monthly meetings, a business or education background is helpful but not necessary. Coordinator: Martin Rater.

____PARISH SECRETARY
Duties: Volunteers are needed for light typing, computer entry, photocopying, answering phones, and assisting parishioners. Due to the nature of some of the tasks, all volunteers must be willing and able to maintain strict confidentiality. Jennifer Tansey and Marie Borhorfoush, 301-937-7183, stjoseph.beltsville.md@adwparish.org.

____PASTORAL COUNCIL
Duties: Meets each month to advise the Pastor of concerns raised by individual parishioners and/or particular parish ministries, committees and organizations. Assists the pastor in implementing a vision and direction for the parish.
Coordinators: Jay Konar 301-210-8321.

____SUNDAY COLLECTION COUNTERS
Duties: There are 7 teams each led by a Coordinator. Each week, a separate team counts the offertory, enters the data into the computer, and deposits the collection at the bank. they serve one Sunday, every 7 weeks, from about 10:45 until 2: 00pm. Coordinators: Frank Visk 301-937-2883.