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We are a parish family with many and varied gifts offered for the service of God’s people. Our ministries, committees and organizations are staffed by volunteers who share their time ands talent. These are the heart and soul of our parish family-individuals who minister to members of our parish, our community, our neighbors. It is our hope that you will find in these pages opportunities for you to share your gifts with members of our parish family and enable others to come to know the God who loves them.

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Catechetical Ministries
 

Lifelong Faith Formation
Our vision is that members of St Edward Parish family will fully, consciously and actively participate in and celebrate all aspect of passing on the faith, living the faith and celebrating the faith. And that this new fire of faith draw them into a deeper relationship with Christ and be witnesses in our community of love and service.

Vision Statement: We, the members of St. Edward Parish Family, believe in a lifelong faith journey with Jesus Christ manifested in our thoughts, words and actions. We pass on our faith to adults, youth and children through the love of community, the Word of God, the celebration of the sacraments and the call to Christian service.

This ministry includes CCD, Youth Ministry, Family Program, Women On A Mission, Men On A Mission, our Lenten Series, Pre-school ministries, Sacramental Preparation..Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308.

Baptismal Preparation Team
The ministers provide faith-filled models of Christian parenting; they prepare parents to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism with their children. Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308

Sponsor Couples
are critical in today’s large churches where the individual can seem lost in the crowd. After individually reading and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures and reflections/commentaries, members meet in small groups to share their insights, questions and reflections. Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308

Catechists Grades1- 6
Pre-School and Elementary Religious Education provides weekly programs that include instruction, prayer, Scripture, service and community building. The catechetical staff seeks to provide support and guidance to families as they live out their faith through prayer and worship, service and work as well as every day family life. If you wish to be a part of that dynamic team and dedicate yourself to nurturing the faith of children join this ministry of the Word. Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308

Catechists Youth Ministry
consists of the Word, worship, creating community, justice and service, enablement, guidance and healing and advocacy. Youth Ministry reaches out to Youth to invite them to a relationship with Jesus and the Christian community. Adult Advisors should have a willingness to work with and support teens, having a basic understanding of adolescence. Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308

Rite of Christian Initiation Team
The RCIA is the way the Church helps unbaptized persons prepare for and reflect on Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA also includes baptized persons from other Christian faiths who are preparing for reception into full Communion in the Roman Catholic tradition. A key to the development of the RCIA in the parish is to form and develop local leadership. The RCIA team includes persons who will provide the formation opportunities necessary to help the catechumens and candidates during their initiation process. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308.

Rite of Christian Initiation Sponsor
The RCIA is the way the Church helps unbaptized persons prepare for and reflect on Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. The RCIA also includes baptized persons from other Christian faiths who are preparing for reception into full Communion in the Roman Catholic tradition. While sponsors are not members of the parish team, their contribution to the process is key. It is they who individualize the RCIA and they are often the best judge of the shape of the journey for the candidates and catechumens. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308.
 
Committees
  ACTION: ALLIANCE FOR CONGREGATIONAL TRANSFORMATION INFLUENCING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ACTION
ACTION is a faith-based regional organization of leaders and congregations from across the Mahoning Valley who work together to "stand firm and take action" against injustice in our community. There are currently 21 Congregations forming ACTION. Contact Jim Smith at 330.743.2308.

COLLECTION COUNTERS
Every Sunday after each liturgy, two members of this group gather in the rectory to open and count the collection for the week. Contact Clara Mullen at 330.743.2308
 
Liturgical Ministries
  Cantor
The purpose of the Music Ministry is to enhance our liturgies with song and music. Cantors lead the singing of praise at the liturgies and present both the Responsorial Psalm and the General intercessions. Cantors inform the assembly of any changes or additions to the liturgy of that day and go over new assembly music with all who are gathered. The cantors practice on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm in the church sanctuary. Contact Tim Web at330.743.2308

Sunday Choir
Members of the Sunday choir assist the assembly gathered at 10:30 Sunday liturgy and at special liturgies throughout the year. The Ministry of Music is none other than the Lord’s song and to gather the many voices into one song of praise. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm in the church. Contact Tim Web at330.743.2308

Youth Chorus and Band
Members of the Youth Chorus and Band assist the assembly gathered Sunday liturgy and at special liturgies throughout the year. The Ministry of Music is none other than the Lord’s song and to gather the many voices into one song of praise. Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308

Adult Altar Server
This ministry is particularly for funeral liturgies and is open to both women and men. Contact Jim Smith at 330.743.2308

Altar Server
This ministry trains young people to participate in the Mass and to assist the priest at liturgy. This ministry is open to girls and boys who have completed third grade. It is required of those wishing to be servers to participate in the training sessions which are held on two Sundays after the 12 noon Mass. Servers are scheduled to serve once or twice a month. Contact Jim Smith at 330.743.2308

Lector
The ministry of Lector is open to all parishioners, youths and adults. The ministry of Lector is a share in the work of the Lord’s Spirit who opens the hearts of those assembled to God’s holy Word. The Lector is to proclaim the true and saving Word of God; to proclaim that Word which challenges, confronts and captures the hearts of the assembly. The Lector invites those assembled to feed at the table of the Word that all may become as one in their knowledge and love of the living God. Annual training sessions are offered for those wishing to be a Lector. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

Environment and Art
Members need not be artists or crafts persons although these qualities are helpful. What is asked is a willingness to participate and do what is necessary for any given occasion – that is, meeting, planning, setting up and taking down liturgical environments for various liturgies and feasts. Contact Mary Ann Schueller at 330.743.2308

Eucharistic Minister
Any member of the parish who has been confirmed may be commissioned as an Eucharistic Minister. To be called from among the community, you must have an essential unity between your life inside and outside the liturgy; in other words, ministers should show themselves to be generous and self-giving. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

Greeter
The Greeter is the first of Christ’s faces to greet God’s people as they assemble for prayer. The ministry is one of welcome and hospitality; to introduce strangers, to care for the needs of those assembled. The Ministry of Greeter is part of Saint Edward Parish hospitality ministry. It is composed of parishioners who heed the call to welcome all who gather. They are present to all who enter our Church with a word of greeting and an offer of assistance. The ministry complements our Ushers ministry and works in tandem with them. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

Usher
The Ministry of Usher is one of hospitality more than of collection-taking and door- tending. This ministry is open to both men and women of the parish who want to pray, sing, participate, and assist the community in a variety of ways. Their gracious manner as they distribute participation materials, attend to the special needs of parishioners, help parents with infants, and assist the elderly, helps set the tone of hospitality that ultimately pervades the entire gathered community. Contact Jim Smith at 330.743.2308
 
Parish Council
  The focus of this ministry is to share with the pastor in meeting the needs of the spiritual and temporal needs of the parishioners. Secondly, the Parish Council develops effective lines of communication with all parishioners. Council members are elected for a three-year term.
 
Parish Council Commissions
  Lifelong Faith Formation
Vision Statement: We, the members of St. Edward Parish Family, believe in a lifelong faith journey with Jesus Christ manifested in our thoughts, words and actions. We pass on our faith to adults, youth and children through the love of community, the Word of God, the celebration of the sacraments and the call to Christian service. Contact Jim Merhaut at 330.743.2308.

Finance/Administration
This consultative body helps the pastor in the administration of parish property and goods. This commission is responsible for the preparation of the annual budget and monitoring income and expenses by reviewing the monthly financial statements. In addition to the budget and monthly finances, this commission oversees matters related to maintenance and expansion of facilities. Contact Msgr Siffrin at 330.743.2308

Parish Activities
This Commission seeks to strengthen the families of Saint Edward Parish by assisting those in need and nurturing the faith of all through various activities. Through its members, program and projects, the Commission works to give life to the goals of the Parish Pastoral Council as they pertain to family life. In doing so, it hopes to sustain, develop and make available activities and services, which answer the needs of all families and bring about close, caring relationships. Contact Betty McLaughlin at 330.743.2308.

Small Communities of Faith
are critical in today’s large churches where the individual can seem lost in the crowd. After individually reading and reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures and reflections/commentaries, members meet in small groups to share their insights, questions and reflections. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

Christian Service
This Commission identifies social needs in the parish, our local community, and the wider community. We educate parishioners about the needs and then select ways to meet those needs. Members also encourage parishioners to engage in legislative advocacy on pertinent social legislation. Contact Dr. William Cleary at 330.743.2308

Spiritual Life and Worship
This commission seeks the active participation of the faithful called for by Vatican II. Recognizing that all activity of the Church directs itself to Liturgy, the commission shares the responsibility of implementing diocesan liturgical policies and directs the liturgical concerns of the parish including the environment and art of the worship space. Contact Mary Ann Schueller at 330.43.2308
 
Pastoral Care Ministries
  Ministry of Consolation
Members seek to be of support to individuals who are working through the grieving process. A variety of services are available following the death of a loved one. Assistance in the planning of a liturgy, which could be done months or years in advance, can be done with the support of one of our Ministerial Staff. New volunteers are always welcome. Contact Sister Theses Ann at 330.743.2308

Catholics Returning Home
People leave the Church because of boredom, ignorance and misunderstanding of the basic beliefs of the Church, anger and hurt caused by the Church in some way, anger at God and a variety of other reasons. Relatively few people leave because of theological differences. Most non-practicing Catholics eventually want to return to the Church because of major life events such as family crisis, illness, marriage, births, deaths, job loss or success and many other reasons. As people begin to question the paradoxes of life, they begin to search for the stability and peace that only God can provide in a Church community. Contact Msgr. Siffrin or Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

Eucharistic Minister to Hospital/Homebound/Nursing Home
The Eucharistic Minister shares in the work of the Lord’s Spirit who makes of those gathered one bread, one body. Eucharistic ministers are an extension of the parish to those who are homebound, hospitalized or residents in a nursing home. This ministry is open to all confirmed members of the parish [high school through adult]. To be called from among the community, the Eucharistic minister must have an essential unity between their life inside and outside the liturgy. They are to show themselves to be generous and self-giving to family. Contact Jim Smith or Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

Parish Health Ministry
This ministry works to educate and help prevent health problems for individuals in the parish. Information is provided through the bulletin, as well as supplemental materials from organizations in our area. Monthly blood pressure screenings and semi-annual glucose and cholesterol screenings are provided. Membership is open to anyone interested and not limited to health care professionals. Contact Mary Ann Cashier at 330.743.2308

Prayer Chain
The prayer chain is the spiritual alarm system which communicates and takes prayerful action on behalf of the needs of the parish family, our community and for global needs. This network of people are committed to prayer on behalf of others. The importance of the prayer chain is that it faithfully intercedes on behalf of others. Contact Jim Smith at 330.743.2308.
 
Parish Organizations
  Saint Vincent de Paul
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to those who are needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul. As a reflection of the whole family of God, Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group, and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule. Organized locally, Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served because, in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ. Contact Ray West at 330.743.2308

Spirited Seniors

This group offers companionship, communal activities and a sense of belonging for parishioners over the age of 55. There are no formal meetings and the group networks with the Mahoning County Senior Center located at Park Vista. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308

M.O.M.S.

The Ministry of Moms Sharing is a way for moms to share faith, parenting skills, issues of family development in a Catholic environment. Members meet periodically at a time convenient to share faith and be supportive of each other. Contact Sister Therese Ann at 330.743.2308.