Listed here are the ministries of St Catherine's. See the organizations page for various other groups that meet at St. Catherine's.

PARISH MINISTRY COUNCIL: Consists of nine parishioners, the Pastor and a staff representative. There are also two alternates should anyone resign during the year. Each year parishioners nominate people to take part in a discernment process, which calls forward new members. The usual term is three years. Their mandate is to be the eyes and ears of the parish, to recognize needs and to establish goals and priorities. They look to the future as dreamers and visionaries for our people and to call the whole community to respond to the movement and power of the Holy Spirit in our midst. Meetings are normally held the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the staff meeting room and are open to parishioners. Anyone wishing to address the council should contact the Chairperson two weeks before the meeting. Click here for a list of names of those on the council.

PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL: Code 357 of Canon Law states that each parish is to have a finance council to aid the Pastor in administration of the parish goods. They are an advisory body and participation is determined by the discernment of the council, the Pastor and finance manager. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of the Month at 7:00 p.m.

LITURGY COMMITTEE: Meets as needed, to plan for the different liturgical seasons. Anyone having a love of our liturgy and a willingness to grow in their understanding of how to make good celebrations happen is welcome. Dates of meetings are published in the bulletin.

ALTAR SERVERS: See E.M., Lector, & Server page.

ART & ENVIRONMENT: As part of the Liturgy Committee a number of parishioners make plans for ‘dressing’ our church in a manor that will enhance our celebrations at all times of the year. Help from many parishioners is needed before major feasts.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS: See E.M., Lector, & Server page.

HOST / HOSTESS: Couples or individuals arrive at the Church twenty minutes before Mass to make sure everything needed is in the correct place. After Mass they wash the vessels used and put them away.

LECTORS: See E.M., Lector, & Server page.

MUSIC: See the Music Ministry page.

SACRISTAN / CHURCH CLEANING: Our goal is to keep our church neat and tidy, respecting that when we come to worship we encounter a pleasant environment. Many hands make light work, cleaning is usually done on a Friday morning, regular and occasional help is always needed and men are especially welcome to help with all tasks.

USHERS/GREETERS: These men and women offer hospitality to people as they gather for Mass or other celebrations in the Church. They may be needed to respond to special needs and make sure that collections are taken up and bulletins passed out. Everyone is welcome to take part in this ministry. The head usher provides training.

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CONSOLATION AND SUPPORT

PASTORAL CARE OF THE SICK: If someone in your family or someone you know is sick, please call the parish office. We would rather get two calls than none! Eucharistic Ministers will bring Communion each week or a family member can be trained to do this.

 HOSPITALIZATION: Anointing of the Sick may be administered to those expecting surgery or to those needing special care before admittance to the hospital. Please ask to be anointed after any Mass. Most hospitals have a chaplain’s office that also helps to meet the spiritual needs of the sick. Please note that for confidentiality reasons, hospitals no longer notify us that parishioners are patients; this has to be done by the family.

EMERGENCIES: (Deaths, serious illness) Please call the office or the emergency number after office hours. We seek to bring Christ’s healing and sustaining presence at all times of difficulty.

 FUNERALS AND WAKES: When contact is made with the office following a death, we have parishioners who meet with the family to help plan the wake and funeral. There are many options and these caring people help sort through the choices, make arrangements and take some of the burden at a difficult time. Participants in this ministry should be sensitive to working with the bereaved and possess an active knowledge of the parish. Training will be provided at the parish level to give a practical understanding of the funeral liturgies and the tasks that need to be accomplished, but participation in Diocesan training sessions would also be expected.

 CARDS TO THE SICK & BEREAVED: This ministry extends our care and concern for those who are sick or who have lost a loved one. The hospital is called to assess where to send cards and the parish office tries to keep in touch to see in what ways we might be of help. Cards are one way we can assure the sick and bereaved that they remain in our thoughts and prayers.

PRAYER: Prayer requests are passed along to the parish community.  Initial call should be made to the parish office.

 RED BRIDGE PLACE: Red Bridge Place is a retirement facility within the parish. We are beginning to provide worship opportunities and support at holiday times.

 BLUE RIVER CARE CENTER: We currently minister to residents at Blue River Care Center by providing a weekly Communion Service for Catholic residents. There are other ways to help, including feeding patients, writing letters and just keeping company.

CONSOLATION AND SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS:  If you need a safe place to talk, get a hug or a cup of coffee you will find us in the Parish Offices. Call Veronica if you need to talk. Respite care is not available.

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YOUTH MINISTRY: Includes all those ministries, which are to, with, for, and by youth. Through a variety of activities, spiritual, social, and service oriented, our young people are encouraged to appreciate the lifelong rewards that can be gained through Christian commitment. Adult volunteers are essential to the success of this ministry. A wide range of adult talents and skills, from sports and music to just being a good listener and friend are needed to mentor our youth. Training is made available to all those who are interested in helping. Please note that all volunteers are screened for the protection of the children.

 CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (Kid’s Word): Each Sunday of the school year during the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Mass, children are encouraged to experience the Word of God at their own level. Children are dismissed at the beginning of the Mass and return at the preparation of the gifts. Adult and youth helpers work with a volunteer program coordinator.

 CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN (RCIC): School-aged children wishing to become Catholic or learn more about the Catholic faith are invited to join this process of faith formation and learning. For more information, a parent or child may contact the pastoral associate at the parish office.

 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: A one-week event is offered in collaboration with St. Matthew the Apostle Parish during the summer months for parish children and their friends. Youth and adult volunteers are needed; training and preparation for the program are required.

 YOUTH ACTIVITIES: Participants include any interested junior high or senior high school student. Activities are determined by personal interest, availability and time commitments. Youth are encouraged to participate in local retreats as well as regional and national youth events. Watch the bulletin for activities and events. Young people interested in peer ministry, service or leadership opportunities should contact Fr. Bob Stone.

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BAPTISM: Except in rare circumstances, Adult Baptism is celebrated as part of the Rite Christian Initiation of Adults at the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday.

INFANT BAPTISM is celebrated throughout the year, excepting Lent, during the Sunday Liturgy. Parents attend a preparation class during pregnancy. Classes are held as needed in the parish office building. To register, call the parish office.
    Baptism of older children takes place after individual preparation. Call the parish office for more information.

 CONFIRMATION: Currently in our Diocese, the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated when a young person reaches their sophomore year of high school or older. The preparation is about a year long and aimed at nurturing and stretching the growing faith of youth. Some of the components include: speakers, discussions, service projects, prayer, worship, community building, and an overnight retreat. (Confirmation of Adults is made available periodically when scheduled by the Bishop.)

 FIRST COMMUNION & RECONCILIATION: Preparation for these Sacraments is a cooperative effort between parents and parish. Sessions are held jointly for children and parents; information is publicized through the parish bulletin, Our Lady of Peace School and mailings. Parents are asked to judge their child’s readiness to celebrate the sacraments. (Second grade is the customary time for celebrating 1st sacraments at the parish.) Children need to be actively involved in a process of Religious Education in either Our Lady of Peace School or other Parish Family Faith Program. Celebration of First Communion ordinarily takes place during the Easter season after the child has celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

 MARRIAGE: Couples are asked to contact the parish office soon after their engagement and at least NINE months prior to the anticipated wedding date. If there have been previous marriages, dates cannot be set until the annulment process has been completed. Marriage preparation involves four phases: initial interview, marriage inventory and discussion material; sessions with a “lead couple” OR Engaged Encounter; and planning the liturgy with the celebrant.

 ANNULMENTS: The parish has an annulment advocate who will begin the process with those seeking healing and/or the possibility of remarriage within the Church. The first contact should be with our Pastoral Associate.

 ANOINTING OF THE SICK: This sacrament is offered occasionally as a communal celebration at our weekend liturgies. Anyone seeking physical, mental or spiritual healing is encouraged to receive the sacrament. In addition, the sacrament may be requested in anticipation of hospitalization, serious illness or near death. The Church very much wants to bring Christ’s healing, sustaining presence to any member of our community during times of illness. Please call the parish office.

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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE OUTREACH: St. Catherine of Siena Outreach and Food Pantry exists to help those who, finding themselves in an emergency situation, need assistance to help tide them over or get them through the emergency.       We serve members of our parish family and others who reside in pre-defined boundaries of our neighborhood. St. Catherine’s Outreach and Food Pantry is funded through the generosity of the parishioners and staff of the parish as well as other social service agencies. 

CATHOLIC WORKER HOUSE: This ministry, based at 31st and Troost, exists to provide food and short-term shelter for the homeless and the poor. The parish provides money to buy one meal each month (serves 200+) and sends four adults to serve the meal on the third Wednesday of the month. The time commitment is approximately 4:00-8:00 p.m.

 FUNERAL DINNERS & RECEPTIONS: This ministry meets two very critical needs in our parish:

 1.  Receptions to celebrate special events in our parish;

2.  Funeral dinners to ease the distress of a grieving family and friends following the death of a parishioner.

 Two teams of parishioners accept responsibility for providing a covered dish meal when a death occurs. For receptions, helping at one event each year is usual. Help is needed in providing a dish, or serving the meal, or making the necessary phone calls. A little help goes a long way!

 BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY: The parish has an active group that offers hope and comfort to those who are grieving. There is a Grief Support Meeting on the second Saturday of each month, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The meeting takes place in the Staff Meeting Room. Anyone experiencing loss is most welcome to attend. (Those grieving divorce or job loss may also find this group a support.)

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OFFICE ANGELS: Unlike many business offices, our parish does not have the luxury of hiring temporary help when circumstances create short-term staffing problems. Illness, vacation and personal emergencies, or periodic work overload cause disruptions in our office; and if it were not for the generous donations of time and talent by various dedicated volunteers, we would at times go under! Share the joy of helping to make St. Catherine’s serve all parishioners to the best of our ability by volunteering for any of the tasks below on an as-needed basis: 

 MONEY COUNTERS: Each week our donations must be counted and prepared for bank deposit. Sensitivity to the confidentiality of donor gifts is essential. There are two teams that work alternate months.

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PARISH & BEYOND

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Organized as a mutual benefit society for Catholic laymen in 1882, the Knights have remained committed to charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Activities fostered by the Knights include funding scholarships, providing loans to Catholic institutions, insurance programs for members, and much more. The Knights support parish activities and sponsor a variety of service events each year. Men over 16 years of age are welcome members. Meetings are held every Tuesday at the Knights Hall at 5111 E. 112th Terrace (off Grandview Rd.), Tel. 816-966-1492.

 RESPECT LIFE: As Catholics, we support life from conception to natural death. Issues such as terminal care, living wills, euthanasia, stem cell research and the death penalty all fall under this banner. We take an active part in the legislative process, help the Crisis Pregnancy Center with a baby shower each October, and sell Mother’s Day Carnations for the Missouri Right to Life campaign. To become actively involved with Respect Life, please call Rose Mary O’Hearn at 765-1320.

 HEALING AFTER ABORTION: Anyone suffering the pain of guilt or loss after an abortion can find healing and hope through PROJECT RACHEL. The confidential telephone number is 816-591-3804. 

VOCATIONS COMMITTEE: Exists to create an awareness of the need for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. An effort is made to encourage those who are considering a religious vocation and to educate young people as to the possibilities that exist within this calling. Members actively support men and women who are currently committed to religious life. Men and women over 16 years are welcome at the bi-monthly meetings.

 SCOUTING: For information on programs contact: Scoutmaster Matt Ismert (816-966-9607) for Boy Scout Troop 631; Chris Wilber (816-822-1854) for Cub Scout Pack 631 (Tiger, Cubs and Webelos); and Girl Scout Troops through Our Lady of Peace School.

 MISSOURI CATHOLIC CONFERENCE: Parishioners network with Catholics throughout Missouri through letters, phone calls, and visits to the Jefferson City to lobby our legislators and governor to enact laws that ensure the dignity and needs of each person within our state. Past concerns include, pro-life, welfare reform, prison concerns and education. An annual autumn conference in Jefferson City is usually well attended.

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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

There are some simple ways in which to help others - the parish collects a number of items to benefit the outreach program and the Emergency Assistance Fund and Our Lady of Peace School 

ALUMINUM CANS: The parish collects and recycles aluminum cans and clean foil on a regular basis to provide support to our emergency assistance fund. There is a fenced area for collection in the parking lot.

 BEST CHOICE BAR CODES: These bar codes are also collected to benefit the emergency assistance fund. There is a ‘drop box’ in the information kiosk at the back of the church.

 CAMPBELL’S SOUP LABELS: The school saves these. A complete list of product labels that form this program is available from the school. Once again use the drop box.

 GENERAL MILLS CEREAL BOX TOPS: These benefit education and may be taken to school or left in the drop box.

 PAPER RECYCLING: The parish encourages the recycling of paper products, including magazines, catalogs, newspapers, office paper and envelopes. (NO CARDBOARD OR TELEPHONE BOOKS.) The recycling bins are located behind the school on 106th. Terrace and are emptied weekly. Funds generated support the parish youth programs.

 TOILETRY ITEMS: Unopened items from hotel stays are welcomed at the office – food stamps cannot be used for personal care items, and so we try to help provide them.