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Faith Organizations
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Formation Team was formed out of a commitment by the bishops of the United States to attempt to renew the formation of Catholic Adults. “Jesus blessed the children and taught the adults. Today, we teach the children and bless the adults.” Our team is committed to continuing the Church’s education of adults through experience, reflection, prayer, and study. Anyone interested in joining our team is invited to do so, and will be warmly welcomed.
-- Tom Wilt, Volunteer Coordinator
CCD
The parish CCD program assists parents in presenting our faith to their children. While parents lay the foundation for this work, CCD provides: religious education in Levels Pre K to 7; assistance to parents as they promote Catholic values and practices; an environment of acceptance where Catholic doctrine is taught and discussed; opportunities for receiving and celebrating sacraments. Registration is held in September. Check the parish bulletin in August for registration dates.
-- Edith Bobb, Volunteer Coordinator
Parish Retreat
Each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, we gather together for an opportunity to rest, renew, and deepen our relationship with the Lord. Please consider making room in your time for this retreat. Think of it as a gift to yourself, a way to step aside from everyday concerns to relax and care for your soul.
-- Gerry Owens, Volunteer Coordinator
Pro-Life
Members promote respect for the gift of life through prayer and increased awareness of the evils of abortion and euthanasia. All are welcome.
-- Joseph McKeown, Volunteer Coordinator
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
We welcome those adults wishing to become a part of our Catholic Community. We meet on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the convent. It is a two-year program starting in September each year and running through May. The first year will concentrate on the basics of the Catholic religion. The second year will focus on the Sunday readings. During the second year candidates receive the sacraments of initiation, which include Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, at the Easter Vigil.
-- Gerry Owens, Volunteer Coordinator
Scripture Study
Twice a year in the fall, and again during Lent, we get together to study a specific portion of the Bible. Our goal is to help people be able to read, study, and live the Word of God. We also encourage people to grow in personal knowledge of God, and to experience a greater sense of the/a Christian Community.
-- Gerry Owens, Volunteer Coordinator
Service Organizations
Aid for Friends
Aid for Friends was founded about 32 years ago. The agency provides free services to the needy, disabled, and elderly homebound throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. Imagine what a little food and friendship can bring to someone in need? Visitors, drivers, or cooks are always needed. Cooks can prepare frozen meals, which can be dropped off at the rectory during regular hours.
-- Dennis Mullen, Volunteer Coordinator
Altar Servers: Grade School & High School
Altar Servers play a very important part during the mass. Their role includes:
· assisting the priest
· carrying the cross or candle in the procession
· preparing the altar
· assisting those distributing Holy Communion.
We are always looking for more interested boys and girls. Altar servers must be at least in fourth grade and have made the sacraments up to and including the Holy Eucharist.
--Mary Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator
Altar Servers: Adult Servers
Adult Altar Servers are also needed to assist priests at weekday masses, funerals and special occasions.
--Contact the rectory
CHOIRS - MUSIC
*Adult Choir / Cantor
The choir is a group of individuals dedicated to proclaiming God’s word through song. The choir sings at Mass, on holidays, and at special liturgies during the year. Practice is on Sunday mornings before 11:00 Mass, 2 or 3 times a month.
Cantors lead the congregation in song during Mass and in special liturgies. New members are always welcome.
-- Estelle Bayer, Music Director
*Bell Choir
The Bell choir is made up of men and women who play beautiful music with handbells. The choir "rings" at one Mass a month from October through May. Practice is on Monday evenings in the church.
--Maria Roberts, Volunteer Coordinator
*Children's Choir
The children's choir is made up of boys and girls in grades 3 through 8 from our parish. Rehearsals are on Thursday afternoons from 4 to 5 pm. in the church. The children's choir sings at the family Mass the first Sunday of the month and also sings for First Communion and Confirmation as well as at the Christmas Eve Mass.
-- Jean Koebert, Children’s Choir Director
*Sunday Night Singers
The “Sunday Night Singers” is a group of “20 Something & 30 Something’ musicians and singers who provide the parish with contemporary Catholic music for Mass the first Sunday night of the month and various liturgies throughout the year. The groups uses electric keyboard, electric drums, guitars and horns. We are always in need of more voices and musicians. Please come and join us.
--Rich Burns, Volunteer Coordinator
Church Caretakers
Remembering that our church is God’s “dwelling place,” the Caretakers are dedicated to caring for His house. They spend about an hour every Friday from noon until 1p.m., dusting, dry mopping, vacuuming, freshening the holy water fonts, and decorating for the different liturgical seasons. Consider joining this special group, and come stand with us on “holy ground.”
-- Sr. Teresa, Coordinator
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic ministers assist in the distribution of the Eucharist during mass and also take communion to the homebound. Ministers are appointed by the pastor.
-- Fred Paul, Volunteer Coordinator
Finance Committee
Members of this committee are appointed by the pastor to oversee the financial matters of the parish.
-- Rev. James E. Goerner, Pastor
Fundraising Committee
The main goal of the Fundraising Committee is to offer a variety of fundraising events during the course of the year. The monies realized from these fundraisng events will go toward parish improvements and general upkeep of the parish. If you would like to join the committee please contact the rectory. 215-831-1224.
-- Pat McPhillips, Volunteer Coordinator
Janitorial Maintenance
Help is needed with the following duties:
Weekly:
Mondays – clean and mop the gym;
Fridays - clean bathrooms in the church, empty trash, buff church floor, and sweep the grounds for light trash pick up
Seasonal:
Spring/Summer – cut grass and weed whack every 7-10 days
Summer – install and remove convent air conditioners
Winter - shoveling snow from sidewalks, steps, and grounds
Work hours are generally M-F from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Any help would be appreciated.
-- Jim Galdo, Parish Maintenance
Landscaping / Gardening
We are looking for volunteers willing to keep the parish grounds looking beautiful. The volunteer opportunities include: weeding, planting flowers, mulching, cutting the lawn, hedging the bushes, or watering - whatever is fitting to one’s talents.
The parish will provide beverages for those willing to help. Volunteers can dedicate their work in the memory of a loved one. Volunteers who donate more than 5 hours in a week will be recognized in the bulletin for their efforts.
-- Ryan McGinnis, Volunteer Coordinator
Lectors
The ministry of the Lector is an important one to the life of the Church in proclaiming and reading God’s living Word. The Word of God speaks to us in a way that enlightens our hearts and minds, and calls us to respond in faith and love. A lector assists in mass by reading the two scripture readings, as well as the intentions for that mass. Workbooks and workshops are provided to help in this ministry.
-- Gerry Owens, Volunteer Coordinator
CYO – High School
The mission of the CYO is to empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus in our world today; to draw them to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic Faith Community; to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each person; and to encourage the youth to become a responsible members of their faith community.
-- Keith Monteiro, Volunteer Coordinator
Social Committee
The Social Events Committee is responsible for planning and running social events for the parishioners. Some of these events include: The St. Patrick’s Day Party, Night at the Races, The Valentine’s Social, Parish Appreciation Luncheon, and the St. Bartholomew’s Feast Day Picnic. The purpose of these events is to build community beyond the religious aspect and to allow our parish members to get to know each other. Proceeds from the events are used to benefit the parish.
--Pat McPhillips, Volunteer Coordinator
Social Organizations
Bereavement Support Group
St. Bartholomew Parish offers a support group that provides comfort and support to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Two (eight week) sessions are offered throughout the year (October and March). There are two group sessions offered (mornings or evenings) typically on Mondays. This group provides an understanding of the myriad of emotions that an individual undergoes during their grieving process. The group offers comfort, coping skills, and educational materials. Anyone is welcome.
--Contact the Rectory
Cancer Support Group
St. Bartholomew Cancer Support Group consists of individuals from various parishes and neighborhoods who have had a personal experience with cancer or any other incurable disease. Some members are currently diagnosed with cancer, under treatment, or they are in remission. Other members function as a person of support for a loved one. Our group supports one another in sharing the joys and sorrows of the particular time and circumstances, and unites spiritually through prayer. We hold a devotion to St. Peregrine, the Cancer Saint. All are welcome. We meet on the second Thursday of each month from 4pm to 5pm on the rectory porch.
--Dee Carr, Volunteer Coordinator
Christmas Homebound Gift Program (The Giving Tree)
Two parishioners started this program over 25 years ago. A Christmas tree is set-up on the Sacred Heart Altar and parishioners place gifts under the tree. Parish children make Christmas stockings, cards, and decorations, which are added to the gifts. The gifts are delivered to our homebound friends. Hopefully, this program can continue with the generous help and contributions of our parishioners.
-- Ann Krapp, Volunteer Coordinator
Outreach Programs
The parish outreach programs are meant to allow individuals and families to experience the warmth, generosity, and compassion of the people of our parish. Some of the programs are grass-rooted within our parish (and are described within the booklet), and others are programs we affiliate with to a larger extent. These outreach programs include:
o Thanksgiving and Christmas projects
o St. Vincent DePaul Society
o Aid for Friends
o Visiting the Home Bound
o Operation Rice Bowl
o Poor Man’s Supper
o Food Drive
Instructions for these annual and upcoming events will be posted in the parish bulletin at the appropriate time.
Director of Parish Services
Pastoral Council
Parish Council’s role is to advise the Pastor in parish matters. It develops and recommends pastoral plans through a consensus process and prayerful reflection. Its membership is representative of the entire parish and is comprised of elected and appointed parishioners.
-- Scott Luterotty, Parish Council President
Ushers
The Ministry of an Usher is considered to be one of hospitality. The duties of an Usher are as follows:
- greet parishioners and visitors as they gather for the
celebration of mass
- assist in seating people
- take up the collection
- direct the Communion procession
- distribute Sunday bulletins before and after mass
- assist in any emergencies that may occur
- invite parishioners to take part in the Offertory procession.
Affiliate Programs of St. Bartholomew’s Parish
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. There are no dues or fees. AA meets in the gym on Saturdays at 7:00 pm and Sundays at 1:30 pm.
Golden Age Club
St. Bartholomew’s Golden Age Club meets every Tuesday from September until June. We are a social group for seniors, offering companionship, friendship, refreshments, education, entertainment, and inexpensive day trips. We have speakers who talk about health, safety, and other relevant matters. There are about 100 members of different faiths and races, age 55 and older. Members aged 90 or more are free of paying dues.
--Julia Bobb, President
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St. Bartholomew Community Service Project
SBCS Project sbcsproject@hotmail.com
Here is how the project works:
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Read through the list below about the different opportunities to serve and/or participate in our parish.
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Choose one or more that interest you.
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Call the rectory (215-831-1224) or e-mail us at: sbcsproject@hotmail.com. Leave your contact information (name, phone number, e-mail, high school, organization of interest) so we can get back to you.
We look forward to hearing from you! e-mail: sbcsproject@hotmail.com
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