Ministries The following ministries serve the people of Our Lady of Grace Church and the community at large. Please contact the respective coordinator if interested in becoming involved in this ministry. Altar Servers Contact: Deacon Neil Hook: hookn@nycap.rr.com Young people from fourth grace through high school serve at liturgy on the weekends assisting the priest and the deacon at various times during the Mass. Special assignments are also made for special feasts (Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, etc.) Art and Liturgical Environment Ministry Contact: Sue Hartman: 399-5250 This ministry provides the decorative and artistic settings for each of our liturgical seasons utilizing space in both our worship area and Gathering Area. Bible Study Contact: Diane Simpson: 399-9322 Members of the parish community meet each Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to study Scripture and reflect on its meaning in their lives. Carol’s Crafters Contact: Carol Hook: deaconjnh@nycap.rr.com A group of ladies meets each week on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to noon to knit, crochet, sew, etc. items for infants and adults. These items are given to hospitals, nursing homes, the homebound, shelters and other places of need. City Mission Hot Meal Program Contact: Chris Morrow: 399-8213 Parishioners meet at the City Mission of Schenectady once a month to serve a hot dinner meal to those who come to the Mission for assistance. Coffee Sales Contact: Sheila Fridholm: 399-5234 Each month free trade coffee and hot chocolate are available for sale. Proceeds benefit a parish in Guatemala. This is part of the parish’s social justice ministry. Eucharistic Bread Baking Contact: Lynn Kirsch: 399-3958 At scheduled times, parishioners bake the bread that is used for our eucharistic liturgies. Eucharistic Ministers Contact: Gail Walker: 399-5418 Parishioners assist the priest and deacon at Mass distributing the Sacred Body and Blood of the Lord at communion time. Faith Formation See the Faith Formation page. Finance Committee Contact: Michael Mahoney: 399-5713 Members of this committee are appointed by the Parish Life Director to assist him in preparing the annual parish budget, reviewing financial items that affect the church and prepare final year-end budget reports for the diocese. Helping Hands Contact: Patricia Mahoney: mahoneyp@nycap.rr.com This social justice ministry provides assistance to the needy during the year as well as providing special assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas time with food baskets and Christmas gifts that are donated by parishioners. Homebound Ministry Contact: Sr. Madeline Powers: 399-5713 Visitation to the sick, homebound and those in hospitals is provided by the parish through parish visitors. This is an important outreach ministry to those who cannot worship with us on a regular basis due to illness, etc. Knights of Columbus Contact: Grand Knight Vernon Symes: 877-8989 Council 6862 of this fraternal order of Catholic men meet monthly at Our Lady of Grace. They provide a variety of services to the parish including preparing and serving special breakfasts and donating their time to help in repairs of the facility. Lectors Contact: Mary Jane Baumback : coolmjmom@msn.com Lectors serve as readers at our eucharistic liturgies to proclaim the first two Scripture readings and the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful (when the deacon is not present). Training is provided to those who wish to serve in this ministry. Music Ministry See the Music Ministry page. Parish Social Events Once or twice a month, coffee and donuts are served after each Mass on Sunday mornings. Donations to offset the cost of this service are gratefully appreciated. For this ministry, contact Frances Cappiello at 399-5754. Pastoral Council Contact: Deacon Neil Hook: hookn@nycap.rr.com This group of parishioners serve as a sounding board for the Parish Life Director and assist him in determining what needs to be done to enhance the spiritual life of the parish. Members are chosen by discernment each fall with approximately one third of the council members being chosen. Prayer Shawl Ministry Contact: Marcia Lupe: 399-5751 A group of ladies from the parish gather each Tuesday evening from 7:30 to 9 p.m. to knit prayer shawls that are then given to various persons who are in need of prayer. Salvation Army Soup Kitchen Contact: Jutta Adams: 399-6528 Parishioners gather each month to prepare soup and then deliver and serve it at the Salvation Army soup kitchen in Schenectady. Ushers Contact: Deacon Neil Hook: hookn@nycap.rr.com These parishioners are responsible for gathering the offering of the faithful at each of our eucharistic liturgies. Women’s Guild Contact: Cindi Pape: cindipa@nycap.rr.com Ladies from the parish meet monthly and assist the parish in a number of ways: donating materials for liturgical use (vestments, etc.), preparing and serving an annual fish dinner during Lent, and providing refreshments for various parish gatherings. Youth Ministry See Youth Ministry page.