Guide to Ministries

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
The Eucharistic Liturgy is the source and summit of Catholic life. All members of God’s Holy Church are called to active participation in the Mass. Please consider participating in one of the following ministries that are integral to our worship.

ALTAR SERVER: This ministry is open to all parishioners 4th grade and older. Servers assist the presiding priest in the processional, setting and clearing the altar and holding the Roman Missal for prayers. You will receive training for this ministry and will serve with an experienced server initially. Altar Servers also have the opportunity to serve at weddings & funerals.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are parishioners who have been confirmed and have been commissioned to distribute Holy Communion at Mass. They are required to attend a training session before being scheduled. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion also have the opportunity to bring Communion to the sick and homebound.

LECTORS: Newman Center parishioners who are high school age or older and have been confirmed may serve as Lectors. These men and women proclaim the Word of God at Mass and other liturgical celebrations. Lectors are required to attend a training session before being scheduled. 

SACRISTAN: Sacristans ensure that everything necessary for Mass is set up and in place before Mass begins, recruit additional ministers as needed for Mass, and assist where needed during Mass. They are also responsible for making sure that items are properly cleaned and stored after Mass. You will receive training for this ministry and will shadow an experienced Sacristan before you do this on your own.

GREETER: Any parishioner who has been confirmed may serve as a greeter. The greeter has three roles. First, theyfwill welcome people by smiling, saying “hello,” and handing them a bulletin. Secondly, a greeter will assist people with seating if necessary especially if the chapel is full. Finally, a greeter will stay in the narthex and new wing area throughout Mass to guide latecomers and those who are lost.

MUSIC MINISTRY/CHOIR: At each Mass choir members lead the congregational singing and individual cantors are recruited from the choir. Rehearsals are Sunday at 6:00 pm and Monday evenings at 7:30 pm. Choose the rehearsal that is most convenient for you. Contact Dr. John Roebke at Mass, by e-mail (jroebke@kent.edu) or just come to a choir rehearsal.
 

PARISH SERVICE

COFFEE & DONUTS: Coffee and donuts are offered after the 9:00 am and 11:15 am Masses year round. Volunteers select which shift they prefer: set-up before the 9:00 am Mass, refreshing the coffee and doughnuts between the two Masses, or clean-up help after the 11:15 am Mass. Please note: This is a Sunday morning obligation. 

PARISH PRAYER CHAIN: Never underestimate the power of prayer. Be part of our parish prayer chain if you would like to be included among those who pray for the specific needs of our parish family. You do not need to forward any e-mails. You may always submit prayer requests to Linda Roebke at lkroebke@gmail.com.

GARDEN CLUB: Help keep our parish beautiful by maintaining the flowerbeds an landscaping around the building. Involves periodic planting, trimming, and weeding. Work with a budget and rely on other organizations like KofC and CSA for additional labor when necessary. Contact Mike Sweeney at 1270sweeney@gmail.com for more information.

RECEPTION & FUNERAL LUNCHEON HELP: Throughout the year we host receptions for a variety of events. The office will contact volunteers for this ministry as needed. Funerals are rare in our parish, but we do occasionally need help with set-up, food preparation, serving, and clean-up for funeral lunches. Times of these events will be based on need. Contact Corey Sees at the parish office.

PARISH ORGANIZATIONS

GIVING TREE: Members of this ministry prepare and hang tags, help sort and distribute gifts, and occasionally help with shopping for gifts to fulfill unclaimed tags. This is a fall ministry and is completed before Advent. Contact Eileen Kelly at 19ekelly58@gmail.com.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: A service organization for Catholic men, 18 years of age or older, the Knights of Columbus are dedicated to the four core principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. Members support our parish and the community through volunteer work and raising funds for use by local, state and national charities. Meetings are held on the third Sunday of the month between the 9:00 and 11:15 am Masses. For membership information, contact Mike Sweeney at 330-802-6560 or 1270sweeney@gmail.com

COLEGIO MISSION COMMITTEE: As Catholics, each of us has a call to be a missionary. This group promotes our parish’s longstanding support for Catholic education at the Padre Nicolas Antonio Rodriguez Diocesan School in Agua Caliente, El Salvador, by raising awareness, organizing fundraising events and coordinating quarterly donations. The committee typically meets on the 4th Thursday of the month. Contact Kate Horning at 330-688-0604.
 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND FORMATION

CCD CATECHISTS: The Confraternity of Christian Doctrine or CCD is the name given to any group within the church that provides for the catechesis (teaching) of the faithful. In our parish we use the term to refer to the religious education we provide for our children from age 4 to grade 8. CCD instructors must be confirmed Catholics, submit a BCI background check (paid for by the parish) and attend a diocesan-sponsored Child Protection In-service. Teaching manuals and materials are provided by the parish. Classes are held on Sunday mornings. Contact Carmen Roebke at 330-678-0240 or croebke@kent.edu.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (R.C.I.A.) SPONSOR: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) sponsors are needed for those who are preparing to come into full communion with the Catholic faith. Meetings for RCIA are held most Wednesdays at 7:00 pm from September to the Easter Vigil. Contact Carmen Roebke at 330-678-0240 or croebke@kent.edu.

YOUTH MINISTRY VOLUNTEER: Adult and student (over 18 years of age) volunteers who have participated in the Diocesan Child Protection program (or are willing to attend a training) are needed to assist with our Youth Ministry program. Duties include, but are not limited to, providing transportation and chaperoning various activities. Contact Carmen Roebke at 330-678-0240 or croebke@kent.edu.

MARRIAGE SPONSOR COUPLES: Married couples assist the parish staff in preparing engaged couples to live out the Sacrament of Matrimony. Sponsor couples should be practicing Catholics who have been married for a minimum of 5 years. Typically a sponsor couple will meet with the engaged couple for six sessions. Materials and training for the sessions are provided by the parish. See Carmen Roebke for a volunteer application if you would like to serve in this valuable ministry. 

SOUP AND SCRIPTURE: This is an opportunity for adults to continue to grow in knowledge and understanding of the faith over a good bowl of soup. Led by Fr. Chad Johnson on select Wednesday evenings from 5-7 pm, we will discuss various topics concerning scripture, Catholic tradition, moral teaching, or worship—sometimes all of the above! Each week some attendees volunteer to bring soup, bread, salad or dessert so there is a variety of things to choose from. These evenings include student and non-student parishioners, so come join the discussion! Contact Fr. Chad for more information.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

CATHOLIC CHARITIES: Located in Ravenna, Catholic Charities provides programming and services to meet basic human needs, strengthen families, build communities and empower low-income people. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of activities. Contact Veronica Victoria at vvictori@kent.edu for more information.

COUNTY CLOTHING VOLUNTEERS: Members of the community help with sorting clothes and performing other duties to provide clothing for those in need around Portage County. Volunteers perform this service at Portage County Clothing Center in Ravenna from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on the first Tuesday of every month. Contact Dottie Pascarella at tpascarella@neo.rr.com.

HATTIE LARLHAM: The Newman Center has had a longstanding relationship with Hattie Larlham, a residential facility in Mantua for profoundly disabled young people. The Catholic Student Association sponsors a variety of activities on weeknights. Check the bulletin for upcoming dates. Transportation is provided. Contact Veronica Victoria at vvictori@kent.edu for more information.

KENT HOT MEALS: Volunteers from our parish are needed six times per year on a Thursday afternoon to help serve meals to those in need at Kent Social Services, located at 1066 S. Water St. in Kent. Two shifts are available: 1 pm to prepare the meal and 3:45 pm to serve and clean up. Dates are posted in the bulletin two weekends prior to serving. Contact the parish office for more information.

LORD’S LUNCH: This ministry of Christian hospitality is housed Saturday mornings at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent. Our commitment to this program is typically 3-4 Saturdays a year. We gather in our parish kitchen on Friday afternoon or evening to prepare the meal and arrive at Trinity at 10:30 am Saturday morning to organize and serve the food at 11:30 am. Currently all food is carry-out so interaction with the wider community is outside. This is a great opportunity for families or anyone interested in direct service to the poor. Contact Carmen Roebke, 330-678-0240 or croebke@kent.edu, for more information.

CAMPUS MINISTRY/CATHOLIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION (CSA)
Contact: President Mandy Flanagan at aflanag4@kent.edu or Campus Minister Veronica Victoria at vvictori@kent.edu
Facebook: Kent State University Catholic Student Association | Twitter & Instagram: @ksu_csa
Take an active role in campus ministry as a member of the Catholic Student Association (CSA). CSA meets once a month. CSA offers a variety of programs and leadership opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to participating in CSA activities, all students are encouraged to help with the planning and implementation of events. The best way to find out what’s happening with CSA is to attend our monthly meeting, follow us on social media, or read the weekly bulletin for a current listing of activities.

Spiritual Life: Broaden and mature in your faith by participating in Sunday and weekday liturgies, singing in the choir, praying the Rosary, and participating in other devotional prayer experiences. Weekend retreats are offered in the fall and spring semesters for a deeper experience of prayer and community. These are a great way to take a break from academics, meet new friends, and reflect on how God is present in your life. Contact: Hannah Fender at hfender@kent.edu

Service and Justice: Within and beyond the parish community, we are called to serve our brothers and sisters in need and to reflect on the treasure that is Catholic Social Teaching. CSA offers direct service to local organizations, including Catholic Charities of Portage County and Hattie Larlham. CSA raises money for local charities of your choosing with our monthly parish breakfast. Additionally, students have opportunities for service learning and cross-cultural experiences in the United States and abroad through our domestic Alternative Spring Break and through an international service immersion to El Salvador. Collegians for the Colegio is a student-led, monthly sponsorship program to support education at the Padre Nicolas Antonio Rodriguez School in Agua Caliente, El Salvador. The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Student Ambassadors educate and advocate for global justice on campus. Contact: Hannah Staffeld at hstaffel@kent.edu

Education: Learn more about your Catholic faith by participating in Bible Study, joining our CSA Men’s or Women's group, and attending speakers on Catholic topics at the Newman Center and off-campus. Contact: William Martzaklis at wmartzak@kent.edu

Campus Outreach: Help us spread the good news about the Newman Center and CSA within the larger campus community by participating in ecumenical and interfaith events in which we connect with other student and religious groups on campus. We also work to build awareness of Catholic campus ministry at Kent State University through publicity channels (flyers, chalking, signs, etc), social networking, representing CSA at on-campus events, and good old-fashioned conversation. Contact: Katelyn Niester at kniester@kent.edu

Social Activities: CSA plans numerous social activities throughout the year providing recreation, fellowship, and community in a relaxed environment. Past events have included game nights, outings to explore downtown Kent, dances, bowling, ice skating, trips to local attractions, drive-in movies and more. Each year, we participate in the annual Homecoming Parade. Come to our monthly meeting and help us plan for this year! Contact: Genevieve Carstensen at gcarsten@kent.edu