Liturgy and Ministry

Our Parish offers Liturgy and Ministries for all ages and opportunities to meet your time and interests. Click here for the Current Schedules.

MUSIC MINISTRIES

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LITURGY TEAM

The Liturgy Team is responsible for the development and evaluation of our liturgical style. The team is comprised primarily of parishioners working together with staff members. Team members bring their varied experiences and points of view, along with their concern for liturgies and seasons. A subcommittee of the Liturgy Team is Arts and Environment. This group is responsible for decorating the church for the various seasons of the liturgical year. Meetings are held once a month as announced in the Bulletin and are open to all
parishioners.

MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST

This ministry is comprised of lay men and women trained by our parish and commissioned by the Archdiocese for a 3-year term of service to our congregation. Eucharistic ministers serve Communion to the assembly at Mass. In addition, they bring the Eucharist and fellowship to those who are homebound, in the hospital, and in Pembrooke Nursing Home. Interested parishioners are encouraged to contact us at any time. Training sessions and commissioning occur once a year in the fall.

MINISTERS OF THE WORD (LECTORS)

Our Ministers of the Word proclaim the Word of God at all of our weekend assemblies and on other important occasions. A willingness to prepare on one's own for each proclamation is necessary for this ministry. Interested parishioners are asked to contact us at any time. Training is done throughout the year.

ALTAR SERVERS

Altar servers keep much of the detail of our celebrations flowing smoothly by assisting in weekend liturgies, weddings, funerals, and daily Eucharist for those who are available. Young men and women parishioners, 6th grade and older, are welcome.

USHERS

Ushers enhance our weekend liturgies by helping to seat people, organizing the Presentation of the Gifts, helping with the collection, putting out Bulletins, and greeting people. Any parishioner is welcome and meetings will be announced in the Bulletin. Please email Cathy Madison if you would like more information or to sign up to become an usher.

CHILDREN'S LITURGIES

A children's version of the Liturgy is provided for all children in the parish. We give children the opportunity to take an active part in proclaiming the greatness of God. A Parents' Committee meets to help in the planning of these liturgies and all parents of the parish are invited to join. Watch the Bulletin for meeting information.

Children's Liturgies are provided in the following ways:

Children's Liturgy of the Word
Sunday at 10:30 Mass (except Hospitality Sundays. Then it will be at 9:00 Mass.)
Complete Childrens Liturgy - Special times during the year, namely Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter
Children's Liturgy with SSJ School Children - Generally held at 9:00 Mass on the First Friday of the month

CHURCH CLEANERS

Over the years at SS. Simon and Jude Parish volunteers have maintained the beauty of our church. We are always open to welcome new helpers. Every Friday morning, one of 10 teams of parishioners cleans the church proper and related rooms. If you would like to assist month in this rewarding endeavor, we only ask that you spend about 2 hours every other month.

CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP

The primary mission of serving God by serving the Catholic Church is achieved in the Charismatic Prayer Group. There are prayers of healing, great love, many gifts of the Spirit, including the gift of a warm reception to any member of the parish wanting to come. Meetings are held Monday evenings 8:00 p.m. in the Church.

MALVERN MEN OF SS. SIMON AND JUDE

St. Joseph in the Hills Retreat House in Malvern holds an annual retreat weekend. In order to "continue that feeling" one receives from his annual retreat meetings are also held throughout the year. Any men of the parish interested in the retreat weekend and/or the ongoing meetings are invited.