MINISTRIES

CHRISTIAN INITIATION

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
If you or anyone you know is interested in membership in the Catholic Church, please contact the parish office.

INFANT BAPTISM
Parents are to call parish office after the birth of their child, to begin the baptismal preparation program.

MARRIAGE
Arrangements for a Church marriage must be made with a parish priest at least one year before the wedding.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK
Please call the Rectory to have a priest ad-minister this Sacrament to one who is seriously ill. Also, please call the Rectory to have a priest visit you or a sick relative in the hospital.

CONFIRMATION
Confirmation will be conferred in the 10th grade after a two year preparation

SACRAMENT OF HOLY ORDERS
Contact the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Newark at 973-497-4365, or speak to one of the priests or sisters

CHRISTIAN SUPPORT, SOCIAL CONCERNS, AND OUTREACH

Food Pantry
A group of volunteers who distribute food on a weekly basis to needy people who come to the Pantry. some home deliveries to shut-ins at Thanksgiving are made. The Food Pantry provides a service for residents of S. Orange/Maplewood and carries out, in a very specific way, the Gospel mandate to “feed the hungry.” Our supply of food is donated from parishioners once a month on Food Pantry Sunday. Food donations may also be left inside the Fourth Street door at any other time the Church is open. Donations of money are also welcomed and are used to buy food at the Community Food Bank.

Giving Tree
A wonderful opportunity for parishioners to share their Christmas spirit with the underprivileged families of St. Rocco’s School, Newark. Starting in mid-November, and running through mid-December, committee members perform the following tasks: writing gift tags with name, age, gift request (mid-November); setting up he Giving Tree in the church vestibule; putting out written gift tags on the Giving Tree before Sunday Mass (both of these tasks are done the first Sunday of Advent); and collecting returned gifts after on Sunday Mass (third Sunday of Advent). Giving Tree volunteers share in that true Christmas feeling of love, and embody the spirit of our parish community.

Habitat for Humanity
OLS parishioners have been volunteering to build/rehabilitate homes with Habitat for Humanity, Newark (HHN). HHN is an affiliate of Humanity International, an ecumenical housing ministry.
OLS participates in HHN because we believe that this program helps people to help themselves. Through HHN, home ownership becomes a reality for working low income families. We build/rehab homes in partnership with families working to amass “sweat equity” hours as a down payment to buy their own homes.

Helping Hands
A volunteer program in which parishioners drive seniors to medical appointments or provide hot meals on a temporary bases, whenever there is a need, regardless of age.

Interfaith Network for the Homeless (IHN) of Essex County
An interfaith ministry of volunteers that provide temporary overnight shelter, meals, and assistance to homeless families in Essex County. Congregations participate as a host or support group.
OLS has volunteered as a host congregation, hosting families for a week, about once every three months. A support congregation provides financial support and/or volunteers. The Salvation Army screens guests for physical and mental health before assigning them to IHN, while the Apostles Houses in Newark provide day-care, shower facilities, and counseling to assist the guests in finding affordable housing, and, if needed, jobs. Volunteers from participating churches and synagogues prepare food, help set up space, launder bedding, spend time with guests, and stay overnight.

Pro Life Ministry
Members of the Ministry develop programs to educate the OLS community on the compelling principle of respect for human life. The primary topics are abortion, euthanasia, and care for the chronically or terminally ill, assisted suicide, capital punishment, and warfare. Educational and pastoral aims are carried out through bulletin insert articles, annual lectures, regular membership mailings detailing recent developments and significant writings, maintenance of church book-rack materials, and service projects to help women with crisis pregnancies.

Secret Santa
Similar to the Giving Tree for St. Rocco’s School, this ministry accepts Christmas gifts to give to other
children of families in need.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society is organized into basic units called “Conferences.” A Conference such as Our Lady of Sorrows Conference normally consists of from six to ten parishioner-members, including President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The purpose of the Society is to bear witness to the love of Christ by acting as the group through which the Parish gives economic assistance to individuals and families temporarily unable to meet their current living expenses. Every effort is made to provide this assistance in ways which respect the dignity of the recipient and the confidentiality of the relationship between the recipient and the Society.

Busy Fingers
A group of volunteers who meet weekly to make Rosary beads and to knit and crochet items for Veterans, Red Cross, and other needy organizations.

Peace and Justice
OLS Peace Committee was formed in 1983 to study the American Bishops’ Peace Pastoral. Each year it has grown in membership and in deeper awareness of the need for the Gospel message in today’s violent world. We work with the Newark Archdiocese Office of Peace and Justice and with other peace groups and churches in our area. Our main purpose is to bring Christ’s message of peace to the signs of our time through prayer, study, and presentation of programs for discussion, and to initiate political action when necessary. We hop to change weapons into ploughshares. We invite all interested parishioners to join with us in our efforts for a more peaceful world. We meet the second Sunday of the month after the 9:30
a.m. Mass.

Ecumenical / Interfaith Relations Committee
The mission of this committee is to foster understanding and cooperation among Catholic, Jewish, and other religious organizations. Help organize and/or participate in Holocaust Observance, Thanksgiving Ecumenical Service, Peace Vigil, and other ecumenical services.

EVANGELIZATION COMMITTEE
Purpose is to invite non-practicing Catholics to take another look and consider coming Home.

LITURGY

Altar Servers
Grammar school aged children (grades 4 and up) serve at Sunday and Hold Day Masses in Church. Training is provided. Those adults who regularly attend daily Mass in St. John’s Chapel are invited to serve.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Ministry
Serves elementary age children at the 9:30 and 11:00 Masses. The children hear the Work of God in a joyous atmosphere of music and are guided through discussion of liturgical themes, terminology, and symbols. The children leave the adult assembly to listen to and celebrate the day’s Gospel story, rejoining their families and community for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Volunteers share in this spiritual experience by co-teaching and assisting.

Eucharistic Ministers
Serve us at the Table of the Lord and bring the Eucharist to those who are unable to attend Mass because of illness or advanced age.

Flower Arranging/Decorators
Committee is responsible for the decorating and floral
treatments done in the church for Advent, Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, and other important days during the year. Ordering of all flowers and materials, design, and installation of all decorations is done by this committee.

Healing Mass Committee
Plan the Liturgy Celebration for the Sick

Proclaimers of the Word of God
Proclaim the Word of God and offer words of welcome and instruction, lead us in our prayer intentions and make announcements.

Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)
Parishioners who welcome and greet others coming to celebrate the Liturgy. They are the community’s delegated hosts at the Eucharistic Assembly. They are also responsible for the physical preparation of the place of worship, for seating the congregation, guiding them at times of movement, preparing the Offertory procession, taking up the collection, and distributing the church bulletins.

Music Ministry
Works to serve our Lord and the parish community through music leadership at the liturgies. In recognition of the many gifts of our parish family, there are two principal groups to encourage the participation of musical persons of all ages and musical talents.
The Senior Choir is open to men and women of high school age and above. The enhance the celebration of the Eucharist at 11:00 a.m. Mass each Sunday, from the middle of September through the Feast of Corpus Christi. Sings music of all styles and periods from Gregorian Chant to Handel, Bach, and the contemporary religious music of the St. Louis Jesuits.
The Contemporary Ensemble is open to all men and women from high school age. They lead the music participation in the 9:30 a.m. Liturgy each Sunday. The repertoire is taken principally from contemporary sounds of today’s religious composers.
Children are invited seasonally to sing in the Cherub Choir (grades 1 – 3), and the Young People’s Choir (grades 4 – 8) which sing at selected liturgies throughout the year.

Sacristan
Care for the House of the Lord, see to it that our Church is welcoming, clean, and beautiful.

FAITH FORMATION

Christian Initiation (RCIA)
The rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the Church’s way for non-Catholics to become Catholics, and for Catholic adults who have not received their Eucharist and/or Confirmation to prepare for receipt of these sacraments. The RCIA is a process of faith which also involves the witness and support of sponsors from our parish community. Sponsors participate in this ministry by serving as companion, guide, and witness

RCIC
RCIA adapted for children of High School level.

Baptism Preparation of Parents
Baptism is a special time in the faith life of parents and families. And so the Church asks that parents are prepared for the commitment they are making on behalf of their children. At OLS, the priests visit with the new parents. Couples then share with priests in this preparation by leading a discussion on the Sacrament of Baptism, and sharing faith in a family setting.

Pre-Cana
Our parish follows the common marriage policy for the
Dioceses of New Jersey , and so an engaged couple meet with a parish priest over a year-long period to prepare for this Sacrament. As part of this preparation, OLS sponsors a Day for the Engages, twice a year, in April and October. This day fulfills the guidelines for Marriage Preparation in the State of New Jersey. Team couples help to facilitate the day by giving talks in the areas of Communication, Lifestyles, Spirituality, and Sexuality.

Adult Education
Process of Adult on-going formation in the Faith which provides workshops, lectures and study groups.

Men’s Prayer Breakfast
A group of men who meet every Wednesday morning 6:00- 6:45, to pray and reflect on the following Sunday’s Gospel. There is a sharing of insights and/or experiences on the meaning of the Gospel. This time gives men the opportunity to place their lives in the context of the Gospel message and thus to grow spiritually.

Scripture Sharing Group
Meets Thursday at 10:45 to 11:45 am to pray, read, reflect on the Sunday Scripture.

Bible Study
Study and reflect on a specific book of the Bible once a week for one hour and a half. Deepen your knowledge and love of God’s Word.

CATECHISIS FOR CHILDREN

First Reconciliation / First Eucharist
At OLS, preparation of children for these sacraments is a cooperative effort between their parents and pastoral staff. Each candidate’s family is actively involved in a home-based program supplemented with parent meetings, Prayer Services, and a half-day retreat.

Sunday Pre-School (First Steps)
A religious educational coop Sunday School Program for ages 3, 4, and 5. It provides pre-schoolers with a friendly learning atmosphere during Mass, with emphasis on Christian ideals through play and crafts. Parents share this educational experience by co-teaching and assisting. Meeting times: Sundays, September – June, during the 9:30 a.m. Mass. Co-op duties for parents) approximately four times per year.

The Religious Education Program at OLS serves hundreds of families whose children are not enrolled in Catholic schools. The program catechists are dedicated volunteers, approximately 50 in number, who share the Ministry of the Word by offering their time and talents as faith sharers. Our catechists want to help children discover Jesus in their lives. They are committed to the Church, want to share their faith, love young people, and want to work with them. They are supported by a Religious Education Office (coordinators and secretary), by orientation sessions, workshops, and resource material. Other volunteers (aides, babysitters, office helpers) are equally important to the program’s success. Parents, former parents, or any interested parishioner is welcome to join us. Our catechetical program is designed to support parents in their role as the primary religious educators of their children. Our goal is to teach the essentials of Christ’s message, communicating the language, tradition, doctrine, heritage, and personalities of the Catholic faith, laying the foundation for the next generation of Catholic-Christian adults. At the same time, we seek to build a warm, caring Christian community of catechists and children.

Youth Confirmation Ministry
Teens who have celebrated Confirmation and who exhibit leadership qualities are asked to consider serving as Peer Ministers in the Phase I Confirmation Program. Meets monthly for public high school freshmen. These Peer Ministers receive leadership and group dynamic skills training.

Parish School Ministry
(Pre-K to Grade 8)
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish School is a Catholic community of faith and love striving to afford the fullest and most comprehensive opportunity to realize the threefold purpose of Christian education-message, community, and service– to our students. Our school is committed to proclaiming and living the Good News of Jesus. We strive for the development of programs of current and future excellence, which prepare the students for life. Our educational approach is child-centered, thus giving the child an education that will be personally relevant and will contribute to his/her full development as a person. Through a well integrated curriculum program we offer classes in religion, mathematics, reading science, language arts and social studies, together with computer, foreign languages, music, art, gym and chess classes. We have a very fine sports program as well. OLS is a fully, Middle States Accredited School, offering enrollment from pre-school-3 yr. old through grade 8. An After Care Program is likewise provided. We admit students of any race, color, creed and national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at school. For further information call: 973-762-5169

YOUTH MINISTRIES

Scouting
Scouting offers an opportunity for the youth of our parish to become more self-reliant, to serve God and their country, to help people, and do good deeds. Scouts learn the values of friendship and of preserving nature. OLS offers Cub Scouts for 1st to 5th grade, Girl Scouts from K to 8th grade, and Boy Scouts from 6th grade and beyond.

Youth Ministry
Open to all high school students in our community. The Youth Group offers a whole range of social, athletic, and spiritual activities. It also reaches out to our community in service to those who may be less fortunate or to those who may need assistance. Anyone interested in finding out more our Youth Group is invited to attend the weekly meeting on Sunday nights from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Lower Church. Weekly meetings run along with the regular school year, with no meetings during school breaks. This meeting provides an opportunity to make new friends while discussing topics of interest in an open and honest atmosphere. If there are questions or comments, or you would just like to talk, please call Youth Ministry at 763-5454. Interested young adults are always needed to help and support the Youth Group.