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Catechetical Ministries
Baptismal Preparation Team
Breaking Open the Word
Sponsor Couples
Catechists Grades 1-6
Catechists Grades 7-8
Catechist: High School/Youth Ministry
Parish School of Religion Aide
Rite of Christian Initiation Team

Rite of Christian Initiation Sponsor
 

Committees/Events 
Collection Counters
Nursery Volunteer

Parish Council
Parish Council Commissions

Education/Formation
Adult Education Committee
Finance/Administration
Parish and Family Life
Small Communities of Faith
Social Concerns
Worship

Pastoral Care Ministries
Bereavement Ministry
Eucharistic Minister to Homebound/Nursing Home

 

Liturgical Ministries
Cantor
Traditional Choir
Celebrate Chorus and Band
Funeral Choir

Brass Choir
Instrumentalist
Altar Server
Adult Altar Server
Eucharistic Minister
Lector
Usher
Environment and Art
 

Parish Organizations
M.O.M.S.
Knights of Columbus

Spirited Seniors

Social Concerns
Habitat for Humanity
Justice and Peace Issues
Social Outreach
Pro-Life
 

Catechetical Ministries

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 Sr. Lu
330.562.8519, ext 222

Breaking Open the Word--Adults
This ministry is part of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Ministers facilitate the reflection on the Sunday readings with candidates and catechumens.
 

Contact Sr. Lu
330.562.8519, ext 222

Sponsor Couples
Sponsor Couples welcome an engaged couple into their home on five occasions to discuss, with the help of published materials, important aspects of marriage and Christian living. 

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.
 

Catechists Grades 7-8
Junior High Youth Ministry exists to assist young parishioners to grow in the Christian life during their transition to adolescence. To that end, regular opportunities for catechesis, Christian service, socials, prayer and worship are offered to the youth of the parish.
 

Catechist: High School/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.
 

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 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.
 

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 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.  Sponsors are an extension to the Parish Team, and 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 Sr. Lu Haidnick, CDP
330.562.8519, ext 222

Committees/Events

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-end. Each individual is assigned throughout the year.
 

 Parish Newsletter
Three times a year OLPH publishes as newsletter which is sent to the homes of all registered members. While the weekend bulletin is useful, its limited space and readership leave something to be desired. The newsletter offers in-depth reflection and explanation on many of the issues that are important to the community.

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.
 

Traditional 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.
 

Celebrate Band and Choir
Members of the Celebrate Band and Choir 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.
 

Funeral Choir
The Funeral Choir has been together for over 16 years. Members practice on Monday mornings from 9:45 to 11:00 am in the church. The Funeral choir sings at all Funeral liturgies celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and at morning Holiday Masses and for the special liturgy on the Feast of All Souls. This group considers it a privilege to serve Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishioners in their time of grief.
 

Instrumentalists
Piano, Organ, String, and Percussion instruments add variety and tonal color to the liturgies.  Those assembled will often hear the musicians at the 5:00 pm Saturday and 10:30 am on Sunday. 
 

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.

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.
 

Usher/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 OLPH 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.

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.
 

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.
 

Parish Organizations

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 to be a support for each other. 
 

Knights of Columbus
This organization provides members the opportunity to demonstrate their stewardship.

Participation by adult men [ages 18+] sets an excellent example for our young parishioners.

Contact Joe Yash

330.686.9399
 

Parish Council

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Parish Council Members

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:
Education/Formation
Education/Formation Commission is a standing Commission of Parish Council. Members promote the growth and formation of faith for children and adults.
 

Adult Education Committee is a subcommittee of the Education/Formation Commission. The members work with the Director of Religious Education to plan workshops, special lectures or courses for adults in such areas as family life, general spiritual enrichment, special catechetical in-service.
 

Finance/Administration
is a standing committee of Parish Council. 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.
 

Parish and Family Life
This Commission seeks to strengthen the families of OLPH 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.
 

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.
 

Social Concerns
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 John Sloe

330.562.7341

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 Jan Zimmerman
330.562.7058

Spirited Seniors

Spirited Seniors
This group offers companionship, communal activities and a sense of belonging to parishioners over the age of 55. There are no formal meetings.

Seniors gather weekly with the first and the third Thursdays as their main gatherings from 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM.
 

Contact Mary Willick
330.562.8315

Pastoral Care Ministries

Bereavement Ministry...
seeks 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. In addition, the liturgy is enhanced through the Funeral Choir (see above) as well as the use of our Parish Center for a funeral luncheon provided by the parish. New volunteers are always welcomed to make phone calls or to prepare casseroles and baked goods on the day of the luncheon.

 

Contact Sr. Lu
330.562.8519, ext 222

  Contact Sr. Lu
  330.562.8519, ext 222

Social Concerns

Habitat for Humanity
Parishioners join with other Christians in our community together to help build affordable housing for lower income families. No expertise is required. 
 

For more information contact:

Habitat for Humanity

  330-296-2880 or

Dick Rowley

330-562-1019

Justice and Peace Issues
Parishioners are encouraged to engage in legislative advocacy on pertinent justice and peace issues. Be the advocate of the poor called by Christ to bring his word to the work of justice and peace.
 

Contact John Sloe

330-562-7341

Social Outreach
As members of the Catholic faith community of Aurora, we are our brothers’ keepers. As volunteers for various social outreach projects [Giving Tree, Blanket Sunday, Collection of food and the bloodmobile to name a few] to the poor of Portage County, members help those in need as Christ has directed.
 

Contact John Sloe

330-562-7341

Pro-Life
Through prayer and action we work to educate and influence others to create a greater respect for human life from conception until natural death. The committee addresses issues such as: Abortion, Euthanasia, Fetal Stem Cell Research, Cloning and Capital Punishment.

Calendar of events
 

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