St. Mary's is blessed with many structured volunteer groups.  Parishioners are invited and encouraged to get involved in the life of the parish by contributing their time and talents in one or more group.

Please contact the parish office, 519-576-3860 or stmarysc@golden.net for more information to volunteer for any of the following.

ALTAR SERVERS:  Any child in grade three or older who has received First Holly Communion, may join our Sunday Mass Serving Team.  Altar Servers are a very important part of Mass.  They carry the Processional Cross and Candles and serve the Priest during Mass.  Training sessions are held as needed.

CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE:  This is the largest national organization of lay women in Canada, who's patron is Our Lady of Good Counsel.  At St. Mary's they host monthly meetings with guest speakers, retreats, contribute to various charities and organize our monthly Social Sunday.. Members experience personal and spiritual growth as well as friendship and fun.  The membership fee is $20.00 and runs from January 1 to December 31 each year.

CHILDREN'S LITURGY:  Children from approximately age 4 - 7 are invited forward by the Priest at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass after the opening prayer  Their Leader then escorts them to the Lower Church were they participate in a Liturgy of the Word, in language that has meaning to them and they can understand.  The children learn through discussion and follow-up activities.  A weekly activity for families, to continue the discussion, is provided at the end of each gathering.  They are escorted back to their parents during the Presentation of the Gifts.

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION:  This dedicated group distribute Holy Communion at Mass.  Those who wish to become involved in this ministry must be at least 18 years of age, of excellent moral character and attend Mass regularly . Specialized training is required.  To participate in this ministry usually requires that it be by invitation of the Pastor or by someone whom he might appoint to do so, and persons are always approved by the Pastor.  The names of all persons serving in this ministry, are submitted to the Chancery Office and in turn receive an official three year mandate to serve, from the Bishop.  At St. Mary's Parish this mandate is proclaimed publicly at the Masses on one particular weekend, when the time comes for new or renewed mandates to be issued. 

GREETERS:  Before Sunday Mass our Greeters help make visitors and parishioners alike, feel welcome as they arrive.  A friendly smile and willingness to say Hi, welcome, are the only requirements.

LECTORS:  At all Sunday Masses, we engage both a Reader, who proclaims the Scriptures at Mass, and a Commentator, who welcomes the congregation, announces hymns, reads the General Intercessions and reads any necessary announcements. Those who wish to be involved in this ministry must be of high school age or older, have a clear speaking voice be confident when reading in front of people and attend Mass regularly. We also have persons who proclaim the Word at daily Mass. Training is provided.  Those who would like to Read, are given the choice of which Mass they prefer to attend.  The invitation to participate in this ministry is usually done by an announcement in the Church and in the bulletin each Fall.  The names of all persons serving in this ministry, are submitted to the Chancery Office and in turn receive an official three year mandate to serve, from the Bishop. At St. Mary's Parish, this mandate is proclaimed publicly at the Masses on one particular weekend, when the time comes for new or renewed mandates to be issued.

PRAYER NETWORK:  Open to everyone who is willing to pray for those who need special prayers.  The parish office keeps a list of all those who request additional prayers, for whatever reason, and our dedicated men and women pray for them each day.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY:  The purpose of this is a lay organization of men and women is to reach out and help the poor and needy within our community.  Members give out food hampers 4 mornings a week.  Meetings are held once a month.

SICK & SHUT-IN:  St. Mary's Parish, at any given time, has parishioners in nursing homes, others who are home-bound and others who are in hospital. When feasible, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (see description above) take Holy Communion to them . The schedule for these visits is arranged between the volunteer and the person receiving this service. Specialized training is provided.

USHERS:  These dedicated volunteers help before, during and after Mass.  Ushers answer questions, arrange gift bearers, take up the Offertory collection, distribute bulletins and lock the Church after Mass.