St. Clare Parish - Official

Welcome to
St. Clare Parish!

Quick Overview of St Clare Parish and 2015 Schedule


The following is an introduction to the life of our Parish.
If you have any questions please ask us.


WORSHIP

MASS:
Sundays: Vigil (Saturday 4p) Sunday 8:30a and 11a
Weekdays: 8a Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Holy Days: (Masses 8a & 6p)
Mary, Mother of God (Jan 1); Ascension Thursday (May 15);
Assumption (Aug 15); All Saints Day (Nov 1); Immaculate Conception (Dec 8); Feast of the Nativity (Dec 25)

PRAYER TIMES:
Ash Wednesday (Feb 18): Mass 8a, Liturgy of the Word 12:10p and 6p
Lenten Fridays: Stations of the Cross- 12:10p and 6:30p
Holy Week (March 29- April 4)- see below
Transitus (death) of St Clare (Aug 10)
St Jude Novena (Oct 20-28)
Fridays of Advent : Advent Stations: 6:30p
St Jude Devotion: Fridays 2p
Christmas and Easter Choirs

HOLY WEEK:
March 30 & 31: Monday and Tuesday- Evening Prayer 6:30p
April 1: Wednesday- Tenebrae 7p
April 2: Holy Thursday Service 7p followed by optional adoration until 9p
April 3: Good Friday: Stations of the Cross 12:10p, Good Friday Service 3p
April 4: Holy Saturday- Easter Vigil: 8:15p
April 5: Easter Sunday Mass 10a

RECONCILIATION: Saturday 3:15p to 3:45p or by appointment


COUNCILS

PASTORAL COUNCIL: The Pastoral Council of St. Clare Parish is a consultative to the Pastor and charged with prayerfully discerning parish needs, setting pastoral priorities, and empowering people to participate in the mission of Christ.

FINANCE COUNCIL: The Finance Council of St. Clare Parish is a group of Parishioners who with the Pastor review the fiscal condition of our parish, recommends appropriate actions and develops our Parish budget, reviews quarterly and end of year financial reports.

TRUSTEES: Trustees serve as the legal representatives of our parish who oversee the general condition and direction of our Parish.


ORGANIZATIONS

WORSHIP COMMITTEE: Serve our Parish to improve our worship and plan the themes of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter also develop the quality of our Liturgical Ministers.
Liturgical Ministry: (Open to members of our Parish. If interested speak to one of the Liturgical Ministers)
Choir: Not yet established. Volunteers for a choir for Christmas and Easter are sort.
Congregation: Congregation is a ministry. The Congregation are active participants in the prayers of our worship.
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion: Assist with distributing the Body and Blood of the Lord.
Hospitality: Welcome those coming to worship and sees that church space is ready for worship
Lectors: Proclaim the Scriptures and pray the Prayer of the Faithful
Presiders: As the number of priests declines, laity are prepared to lead prayer if a priest/deacon are not available
Servers: Sets-up for and cleans-up after worship and assists the Presider during worship service.


CELEBRATIONS

July 16- Birthday of St Clare Ice Cream Social
August 10- Transitus of St Clare Prayer & Coffee Hour
September TBA- Thank-you Cookout
Christmas Caroling in the neighborhood TBA




ACTIVITIES

GARDEN ANGELS: Care for the grounds of our parish by maintaining the lawns and flower beds. (Spring through Fall on Saturdays 9a-Noon. Call our office to see when they are working)

HOME VISITATION: If interested in a home visit, call the rectory.

PARISH GUILD: Our Parish Guild’s purpose is to further the spiritual and personal growth of our community through fellowship and sponsorship of a variety of activities and by our example of Christian living and participation in various ministries within our parish.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: 2015 Theme: Roman Catholic Topics. See enclosed outline.

YOUTH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
K through 12th grade: Sundays between Masses September through May. See enclosed outline. Interested in being a Catechist?

SACRAMENTS

BAPTISM:
Infant Baptism: Parents meet with Fr Steven for instruction.
Adult Baptism: Adults enters the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Godparents: Meet with Fr Steven to discuss the role of a Godparent.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & COMMUNION
Fr Steven teaches parents to prepare their children for these Sacraments

CONFIRMATION: Youth participate in 2 years of High School Religious Education then a Confirmation program. Adults enter study with Fr Steven

MARRIAGE: By Diocese of Buffalo regulation, a couple needs to start preparation at least 6 months before expected date of the wedding

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Call the rectory (823-2358) to arrange a time to celebrate this Sacrament.

FUND RAISERS


Basket Raffle
Bingo (Thursdays 7:30p)
15 Week Club
Homemade Soup Sale
Homemade Candy Sale
Meatless Raffle
Spaghetti Dinner
Thanksgiving Basket Raffle