St. John the Evangelist Church

Liturgical Ministries

Decorating

Designs, plans, and coordinates the decorating of our Cluster Parishes with emphasis on enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of our Cluster Parishes through aesthetical design. The decorating subcommittee is always in need of volunteers, especially during Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.

Communications

Works with our Cluster's office staff in maintaining the Parish bulletin and website, and works towards unifying our Cluster's communication efforts.

Hospitality / Outreach

Works toward increasing the experience of hospitality in our Cluster Parishes and coordinates these efforts with the other subcommittees, the Youth Ministry, and any parishioners who volunteer their time and talent. Additionally, the Hospitality/Outreach subcommittee works to create a connection between our Cluster Parishes and the surrounding community, attempts to bring the fallen away back to the Church, and actively seeks new members.

Music Ministry

God has bestowed upon His people the gift of music and song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises. Sacramental music and singing together in church expresses so well the presence of God to his people.

Effective preparation of liturgical song that fosters the maximum participation of the gathered assembly is a cooperative venture that respects the essential role of a variety of persons with mutual competencies:

* Bishop * Priest * Deacon * Gathered Liturgical Assembly * The choir * Lector
* Psalmist * Cantor * Organist and other instrumentalists.

In our parish, this takes place in our church as well as our school:
* Our Organist/Choir Director is Janet Rainey
* Liturgy Committee is chaired by Maura Kastberg
* School Liturgical Coordination is handled by Diane Galarneau

Human Concerns Committee

The Human Concerns Committee is primarily a service group striving to better the lives of the poor and disabled in our community. Some of the committee's work involves the programs of Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) of which we are a member church. We generally meet in the evening of the second Thursday of the month. New members are always welcome!

Kathy Carney: Guidance Secretary - ritandkath@nycap.rr.com

Prayers are very important to our Catholic faith. They are a gateway to communication with our Lord and unite us during worship at Mass. Click below to view a printable selection of common Catholic Prayers!

** The Rosary Society meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. **

Liturgical music is a sign of God's love for us and of our love for Him. Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the Liturgy. The people are encouraged by the Celebrant, Cantor, Lector and the Choir to take part by means of acclamations, responses, psalms, antiphons and hymns. The musical formation of the assembly must be a continuing concern in order to foster full, conscious, and active participation.

The cantor is both a singer and a leader of congregational song. Especially when no choir is present, the cantor may sing in alternation or dialogue with the assembly.

Parishioners interested in training to become a cantor at the 4 PM Vigil, 8:45 AM or 10:30 AM Masses should contact Janet Rainey (518) 372-3381

Knowledge of music, liturgy and singing experience is required.

The Children's Liturgy of the Word is held each Sunday during the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Before the First Reading begins, children in Grades Pre-K through 6 are invited by the priest to come forward to experience the Liturgy of the Word at their own level. The children participate in songs, prayers and readings in the area of the church adjacent to the sacristy. The children return to their seats after the Prayer of the Faithful.

Coordinators: Bill and Liesha Sherman