.
Parish leadership is provided by the Pastor and two major advisory councils, the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. Work within the church is accomplished by lay people organized into ministries and teams. There are opportunities to be involved ranging from a simple, once a year project, to a weekly commitment. Completion of the annual Time and Talent Survey allows parishioners to volunteer for the different ministries. What follows is an overview of some positions of lay leadership and involvement in the life of Ascension Parish.
The Pastoral Council is an advisory group to the Pastor. It serves as a medium through which insights and concerns of the total parish can be brought before clergy and laity alike. It attempts to reflect to the pastor the thoughts, opinions, and needs of the whole parish.
There are six standing ministries:
1. Education 4. Youth 2. Pastoral 5. Stewardship 3. Sacraments, Spirituality & Worship 6. Parish & Family Life
The Finance Council is an advisory group to the Pastor. This Council meets whenever needed.
The Business Manager will be an ex-officio member of the Finance Council. The Chairperson of the Finance Council or another member he or she designates shall be an ex-officio member of the Pastoral Council and shall serve as a liaison between the two councils.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
The maintenance of buildings and grounds is controlled by the Pastor of Ascension Parish.
Custodial: Custodial responsibilities include general cleaning of the facilities, minor repairs and replacements, and arrangement of facilities for social, educational and liturgical functions. Cleaning, waxing, shampooing, minor maintenance, and repairs are accomplished with the help of volunteers. Arrangement of facilities for church functions is usually provided by volunteer help.
Grounds: Lawn mowing, landscaping, snow removal, or major maintenance are accomplished by volunteer services. Additional assistance is also needed for the beautification of the property. This may include cleaning and weeding, planting trees and flowers, pruning, etc. Again, this is accomplished through volunteers.
ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT
Administration activities are primarily conducted by a part-time office manager. However, significant support is provided by volunteers who assist in the following areas:
Answer the phones, make telephone contacts, type, file, make and collate copies, draw,illustrate, or paint, substitute for the office manager during vacation or illness, and count collection receipts.
(Volunteers are needed to help prepare parishioners for the celebration of sacraments. If you are interested, please contact the Pastor or Director of this ministry at 562-5816. ).
BAPTISM
. Since parents who desire baptism for their child assume the responsibility for his or her spiritual formation, they are to participate in a Baptism Preparation Program which is offered on a quarterly basis. Parents are encouraged to attend these sessions prior to the birth of their child. Since sacraments are celebrations of the whole Church, Baptism is normally during one of the Sunday liturgies.CONFIRMATION. Students here usually celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in ninth or tenth grade. During the process, our youth aim to deepen their personal relationship with God, to grow into full membership in the Church, and to come to understand the need for and participate in serving others.
Parish Mentors are spiritual companions chosen by the candidate. Any fully initiated, practicing Catholic is eligible.
EUCHARIST. Preparation sessions for "First Eucharist", for both children and parents, are on Wednesday evenings in the spring. Parent sessions serve two purpose: 1) to deepen parents’ understanding of the Eucharist; and 2) to provide ongoing home experiences that will assist the child at this age level to come to know Jesus through faith shared by others. Toward the end of the preparation process, each child will meet with the Pastor for an interview.
RECONCILIATION. God calls us to live a life of peace and love in our community. However, we often fail in this call and become alienated from God and one another. Special preparation sessions for "First Reconciliation" are held for both parents and students during October and November.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK Whenever anyone is seriously sick, preparing for or recovering from surgery, chronically ill or weakened by age he or she may receive the Sacrament of the "Anointing of the Sick". In this celebration the Lord, through his Church, show care, concern and love as well as pray for healing in body, mind and spirit. A Communal Anointing of the Sick takes place once each year.
MARRIAGE. Our parish has the obligation to help prepare people for the Sacrament of Marriage. The family is central to all of us and marriage is a gift that is meant to bring new life and continued growth in love. We ask couples to make arrangements at least six months in advance to begin the paperwork and pre-marital counseling. Couples are required to participate in an Engaged Encounter weekend held in Charleston.
Since the bride and groom are the ministers of this sacrament, they will plan both the ceremony and the music according to parish guidelines.
HOLY ORDERS. Every member of the Church has a responsibility to pray for, foster, encourage and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston is always looking for qualified candidates for the priesthood. Religious orders welcome men and women interested in living the consecrated life of a Brother or Sister. For more information, please contact the Pastor or Pastoral Associate.
1) OF ADULTS (RCIA). This is the process by which non-Catholics learn about the Catholic Church and decide whether or not to become Catholics. The Process of Christian Initiation of Adults seeks to form adult Christians. A new group of Inquirers is formed in mid-August and includes both those who are not yet baptized (catechumens) as well as other Christians seeking to learn more about or become Catholic (candidates). The group meets almost every Monday night through Pentecost Sunday in early June. On the Vigil of Easter, those who have elected to become Catholics, will receive the appropriate Sacraments, which may include Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, and Eucharist.
2)
OF CHILDREN (RCIC). The catechumate for children of catechetical age is the normal process by which children become fully initiated members of the Catholic Church. It is a process wherein children are led to full initiation through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. The catechumate is intended for those children, not baptized as infants, who have attained the use of reason and are of catechetical age.Ministries for RCIA and RCIC include the following:
CATECHIST. The role of the catechist is to share the light of our faith with catechumens and candidates. Training and on-going education is required.
SPONSOR. Sponsors are spiritual companions chosen by the RCIA Team to accompany a catechumen or candidate through this spiritual journey . They participate in the weekly sessions along with their catechumen or candidate and share their faith life.
PRAYER SPONSOR. These people pray for a specific catechumen or candidate in their names.
REFRESHMENTS AND RECEPTION TEAMS. Someone is needed to prepare a small snack (fruit, cookies, etc.) for the break during the Monday evening sessions. Some one or some group is needed to help prepare and serve the reception after the Easter Vigil. We are always in need of volunteers.
The goal of Christian Initiation -- whether all at once for adults or over a period of several years for children -- is the formation of a Spirit-filled Church of deeply committed Christian adults who can bear witness to their faith in Christ.
.
The purpose of the Adult Formation Team is to enliven the Catholic Christian faith of parishioners. They support the Pastor and other parish leaders by directly sponsoring a variety of educational programs and serving as a resource for other parish teams and groups as requested. The team promotes discipleship, leadership, and evangelization. It advocates a family perspective and supports effective programs for adult and parish renewal. Currently there is two ongoing adult education opportunities:
1. Wednesday morning Scripture Study
9:45-11:30 a.m. year around
2. Evening Scripture Study - To be Announced
Spring and Fall
c) CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Parents are the primary religious educators of their children. To assist
parents in educating their children, the parish offers a formal religious
education program on Sundays with kindergarten through eighth grade meeting
during the morning and high school teens meeting on certain evenings. The parish
places a high value on the religious education of its youth and strongly
invites committed adults to serve as catechists and assistants.
The
d) RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CATECHISTS
. Each year the parish enlists the volunteer CRE Teachers willing to give of themselves to pre-schoolers through high schoolers. The parish occasionally pays the cost of attending training programs sponsored by the diocese in this area.. A Nursery provides child care during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy. Pairs of volunteers serve on a rotating basis. Children from ages two to four may play in the nursery. The nursery follows the CRE schedule and is not staffed during summer. One or two persons are needed to coordinate the nursery volunteers. Their responsibility is to make up the schedule and remind volunteers of their assigned date to supervise the nursery. Nursery volunteers are always welcome. The Mass is shown on Closed-circuit TV in the nursery room.
is conducted daily for one week in the summer. Vacation Bible School welcomes youth, parents, and other adults for this wonderful concerted effort combining study and recreation.
. A number of parish children attend Catholic schools in the area: St. Francis, St. Anthony, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Fatima, Charleston Catholic and Huntington St. Joseph. Because of its proximity and the availability of a school bus, St. Francis of Assisi in St. Albans enrolls the most students from our parish. For more information about the school call 727-5690 or 727-3033.
a)
Pastoral Visitation and Outreach. The Pastor regularly visits the sick at home and in hospitals in the area, bringing the Sacraments and counseling services to our parishioners. Volunteers also send greeting cards, and occasionally provide telephone calls to the sick and bereaved. Lay Eucharistic Ministers regularly bring the Eucharist to the sick and homebound.
b) Social Ministry Team. The Parish has a responsibility to help the needy both within and outside the parish. Our social ministry includes "We Care/We Share" and the Christian Community Cupboard. It also includes the Right to Life advocacy; pastoral visitation and outreach; and food preparation. It encourages volunteer involvement and provides opportunities and training for service. Although it tries to keep the "big picture" in mind, it also handles certain specific tasks such as supplies for Camp Happy Valley and assisting parishioners who need transportation.
1. We Care/We Share is the parish organization that handles direct assistance to the needy. Its funding comes primarily from the parish budget with significant donations made by individuals. Basic services also include assistance with payments for utilities, rent, medication, food, etc.This team networks with various service organizations, schools, and other churches to provide seasonal food baskets, transient aid, distribution of used clothing, etc. Through the years a significant number of parishioners in need have been helped.
2. Community Cupboard. Along with approximately thirteen other churches, Ascension Church participates in the ministry of the Christian Community Cupboard to provide emergency food for needy families in our area. It is located on Virginia Avenue in Hurricane (right behind Forest Burdette United Methodist Church). The Cupboard is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Once a month qualified families may secure a three day supply of emergency food.
The Cupboard is mainly supported by gifts of food, money, and time from member churches, individuals, organizations, and church clubs. Remaining surplus from the Federal Commodities distribution is given to the Cupboard, and food is secured from the United Food Operation during January, February and March. On occasion grants from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) provides for additional food. One local store contributes dated products, such as breads and pastries. Our weekly bulletin lists food items needed to supplement the cupboard. On the second Sunday of each month parishioners are invited to bring food for this purpose. Parishioners from Ascension staff the Cupboard twice a year.
3. Respect Life Team. From conception until natural death, all human life is sacred since we are created in the image and likeness of God. The Respect Life Team strives to make parishioners more aware of Pro Life Issues and related needs. Education, legislative awareness. a prayer line on behalf of pregnant women and their unborn children, and matemal program support are just some of the efforts of this team.
5. Food Preparation. Volunteers' names are placed on a list and contacted to prepare a dish or a meal as the need arises. Preparation is done in the volunteer's home and delivered to the parish function (such as funerals, annual picnics, adult socials, etc.), or a person or family in need.
. A Small Faith Community consists of ten to twelve adults, singles and couples, who meet regularly to talk about life experience and faith, and to become Church at a smaller level. Groups form according to the day of week which best suits the individuals availability. Initial formation requires nine consecutive weeks which foster community. Invitations to form or to join small groups take place in January. A steering committee assists this process which enlivens and deepens our parish life.1. outreach to parish members, inviting them to continually grow in faith
2. outreach to the unchurched, inviting them to find a Church home, especially in the Roman Catholic Church
3. outreach to inactive Catholics
4. outreach to newcomers in our parish
5. outreach to other Christians through ecumenical and unitive efforts.
a) PRAYER TEAMS
INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM (PRAYER LINE). A number of parishioners are willing to pray for people when requested. If you have a need or would like to volunteer to pray, please contact one of the people named in the Sunday bulletin.
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP NOVENA is prayed following Monday evening liturgy.
MINISTRY OF PRAISE. Members periodically receive a letter from the Bishop asking them to pray for certain intentions. In addition, ministers of praise are asked to pray for the parish and the parish staff.
b) LITURGY TEAM
Just as a fine meal takes time and effort, so planning is necessary for good worship. Volunteers are needed to help. The purpose of the "Liturgy" team is to promote the liturgical and spiritual formation, growth and development of individuals and the community. New members are needed and welcome.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY. The Parish provides a monthly children's Mass from September through May. Assigned age groups assume liturgical ministries and the music and homily receive a child's focus. On some occasions particularly during the summer months, leaders take children apart for their own Liturgy of the Word. Adults and youth are needed for planning, for assisting with practices, puppets, mime, etc.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD. Children aged 4 through 11 years are dismissed after the opening prayer during the 11:00 Sunday Liturgy. They meet with a volunteer leader in an adjoining area to listen to the same scriptures and a reflection in age-appropriate way. They rejoin their families for the Presentation of giifts. Volunteer leaders and youth helpers are needed to engage our young children in this joyful ministry. Call the office and offer to take a Sunday.
WRITER OF GENERAL INTERCESSIONS. In response to the Scripture readings and homily during Sunday liturgy, the community prays the General Intercessions. An individual, couple or family is needed to write these prayers with the help of various resources.
MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY (Greeters) are responsible for welcoming the faith team as it gathers as one to celebrate the Sunday Liturgy and other special occasions. Greeters help to "set the tone" of the celebration by greeting people with genuine presence and warmth. They greet people and help them find a seat. They also meet the needs of the community during the liturgy. They collect the community's offering and distribute bulletins.
Greeters do in a special way what we are all called to do: greet everyone warmly and welcome them in our liturgy.
LECTORS are the story tellers of the community who make the Word of God come alive. They are called to proclaim Scriptures in such a way that fosters the listener's hearing and understanding of God's Word. They prepare through prayer, resourcing, familiarity with the Scriptures and practice.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS help the pastor distribute the Eucharistic during the Mass. Eucharistic Ministers are trained locally and commissioned by our Diocese for three years. They assist in distributing the Eucharist to those present at Liturgy and bring communion to those who are hospitalized or homebound.
MUSIC MINISTERS. A music minister and Volunteer choir bring the liturgical music and hymns to the Mass. Hymns are also participated in by the general congregation.
ALTAR SERVERS are generally comprised of children and youth of third grade age or older. They provide specific assistance to the priest during Mass, after Taking the appropriate instruction classes.
In addition to the liturgical ministries there are a number of people who work unseen but provide invaluable support to the parish when we celebrate and worship.
. Volunteers, under the direction of the pastor, enhance the environment of the church with flowers, and art work, especially during Christmas, Holy Week and Easter.
. Paraments are the altar clothes and the banners for the ambo (pulpit) and need to be changed according to the feast or season of the Liturgical Year. Paraments and vestments are located in the Sacristy, and are to be organized. cleaned and pressed as needed.
ALTAR LINENS. A corporal is the square cloth placed on the altar upon which the bread and wine is placed. The purificator is the cloth used to wipe a chalice after someone drinks. A finger towel is used after the priest uses holy oil and during the handwashing at the Preparation of Gifts during Mass. Altar linens, located in the Sacristy, are to be cleaned and ironed as needed.
BRASSWARE. A number of items used in worship are made of brass and
need to be cleaned and polished: holy water sprinkler, Paschal and altar
candle holders, thurible and boat, processional cross and tabernacle. This
is done as needed.
SERVERS ALBS. Robes for servers need to be cleaned and checked for their condition on a monthly basis.
BAPTISMAL ROBES. Part of the Rite of Baptism is the clothing with a
baptismal garment. An adequate supply for infants should be on hand at all
times. A monthly visual inspection will insure a good supply. Robes are made
when needed for adults baptized at the Easter Vigil.
ASCENSION YOUTH GROUPS. Our Ascension youth attend many different schools, both public
and private. Ascension Youth Groups provide a common ground for your youth to build community with each other and our parish family as they gather or prayer experiences, service opportunities and social activities. Our youth have many gifts and talents which they share through involvement in parish worship and life.The Middle School Youth Group is open to all youth in grades 6, 7, & 8. Throughout the year various activities are planned for, by and with the youth. Ski trips, amusement park trips, treasure hunts and lock-ins are only a few of our well-attended social events! A yearly high light is the WV Jr. High Rally held every spring at Jackson's Mill. Helping out in the nursery, assisting with preschool and Kindergarten CRE, and the children's holiday parties are some of the ways in which MS students serve the parish.
The High School Youth Group is open to all youth in grades 9, 10, 11, & 12. Various activities are planned for, by & with the Parish Youth Board. There are three categories of activities: Faith Formation, Service, and Social. Faith formation includes small group faith sharing, Lenten prayer breakfasts and youth masses. Service involves a mission trip to nearby Coalburg, WV to winterize homes for the needy, working in local soup kitchens and food banks, assisting with Middle School and children's activities, and parish lawn and building maintenance. Social activities include hockey games, amusement park trips, ski trips, bowling and pool parties. The Diocesan Youth Ministry office offers leadership training workshops, youth conventions, and the popular Teens Encounter Christ retreat weekends.
We also sponsor a Venture Crew Post, a high adventure team whose recent outings have included rock climbing, rappelling and white-water rafting.
The stewardship Ministry, comprised of the Pastor, Business Manager, the Office Manager, and other participants, is responsible for managing the financial resources of the parish, disbursement of funds to satisfy all obligations, and periodically reporting on the financial condition of the parish.
The Family Life Ministry serves the parish family by sponsorship and support of family picnics, soup nights, pot-luck suppers, funeral lunches, or other social activities that allow families and individuals to get to know each other, share experiences, and gain strength as a parish family. This ministry also oversees the Sunday morning nursery.
. From its beginnings in 1882 to the present, the Knights of Columbus has been a means to unite Catholic men for service, charity and fellowship. The following are reasons to join:I. The Knights of Columbus is a faith centered program;
II. It supports our nation and civic activities on a local level;
III. It provides an opportunity to grow in faith, friendship and mutual help;
IV. Membership offers the benefit of a generous insurance program to safeguard a family's future;
V. It is a great way to meet other parishioners and make new friends.
Every year the Knights of Columbus have service projects that benefit the parish and the needy. They also have a variety of social events which are usually open to all parishioners. Meetings are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.
One of the Knights of Columbus service projects is the Bloodmobile. The Catholic Church of the Ascension and the First Baptist Church of Hurricane sponsor quarterly blood drives. Traditionally, we host the Blood Mobile on Good Friday and Veterans Day. An informal committee is in charge of recruiting, advertising, set up, etc. The local web site is located here. http://www.rc.net/wheeling/kc9483/
b) Social Activities. The parish sponsors a number of social activities for the enjoyment of the parish families. Among them are biweekly soup nights every Wednesday except in the summer; A bazaar every October ; Occasional Chili Cook offs ; annual picnics in the summer and in the fall ; Spaghetti dinners, etc.
c) ADULT SOCIAL
. This is a monthly gathering for men and women, especially retirees, who are free to attend during daytime hours. The purpose is fun, fellowship, and mutual support. The gathering is normally held on the third Thursday of each month and consists of bingo with small door prizes, refreshments, laughter and camaraderie. Occasionally the group has a luncheon outing, a short excursion, a brief retreat, cookout or holiday potluck. Any adult is welcome.
d)
Exercise Program. The "Huff and Puff' gang meets for stretchercise every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 9:00 am. These low impact exercises provide optimum stretching and toning.
This guidebook does not exhaust or limit all we do as a parish family. Your participation in these and other services in the name of the Lord is welcome – and encouraged. New or better ideas and unmet needs may be brought to the attention of the pastor or a director of a particular ministry.
