Sacred Heart Cathedral

Ministries and Organizations

Catholic Women’s League: The C.W.L. contributes to the life and vitality of the church, family, and community through: spiritual development, the teachings of the Church, exemplification of Christian ideals, protecting the sanctity of human life, enhancing the role of women in the church and society, social justice, etc. The Executive Members of the C.W.L. meet on the last Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the lower church. The General Meetings of the C.W.L. are on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the lower church.

Church Custodians: The Church Custodians are volunteers who vacuum and clean the worship space, foyer, sacristy room, vesting room, statue alcoves, etc on the main level of the Cathedral. They are the ones who work behind the scenes to keep our cathedral in ‘ship-shape’. The volunteers clean the church on Saturday mornings about 9:45 a.m.

Development & Peace: Development and Peace is the official development agency of the Catholic Church in Canada. It provides financial support for development programs and emergency aid and it is active in lobbying governments and international organizations on issues such as peace-building, human rights, and social and economic justice. Information on meetings and initiatives is posted in the bulletin as it becomes available.

Finance Committee: The Finance Committee assists the Rector of the Cathedral in the administration of the temporal goods of the parish. Persons on the committee must be practicing members of the parish for three or more years, at least 19 years of age, and possess a good measure of expertise and experience in financial matters. The Finance Committee meets the last Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room (Parish Office Building). A close relationship exists between the Finance Committee and the Pastoral Council. Service on the Finance Committee is by appointment by the Rector.

Kairos: Kairos is an ecumenical social justice group that wishes to build a greater awareness of issues that affect us locally and globally. Kairos meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room (Parish Office Building).

Knights of Columbus: The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization of practicing Catholics. They are family, church, and charity-minded in their focus. Executive Members meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (7:30 p.m.) and the General Meeting is on the 4th Wednesday of the month (7:30 p.m.). Meetings are held in the lower church.

Liturgy:

Liturgy Committee: The Liturgy Committee oversees the liturgical life of the parish. The aim is to promote and ensure the full, conscious, and active participation of the assembly in the liturgy of the church. The Liturgy Committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room (Parish Office Building). Service on the Liturgy Committee is by appointment. Altar Servers: Altar Servers are needed to assist the priests and the parish community at all liturgical services (i.e. Mass, Adoration & Benediction, Stations of the Cross, Funerals, Weddings, etc). All parishioners (ages 8 and older) are invited to serve! Art & Environment: This involves a ministry of preparing a hospitable, prayerful environment for gathering and worship. The arrangement of the liturgical space (with attention to lighting, decoration, flowers, plants, linens, symbols, etc) creates a prayerful encounter of God in our midst. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (E.M.C.): The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMC for short) prepare for Mass by laying out the altar breads, wine, water, water bowl and towel, purificators, ciboria, and whatever else may be required for the celebration. They assist the priest in the distribution of the precious Body and Blood of Christ. After Mass they clean and put away the vessels used for the celebration. A number of those in the ministry bring Holy Communion to those in hospital, care homes, and shut-ins. Hospitality (Greeters): Hospitality Ministers (a) welcome parishioners and visitors to the cathedral, (b) coordinate the collection and the Presentation of Gifts procession, (c) hand out bulletins or other important materials at the end of Mass, (d) complete a security check of the cathedral building after Mass, and (e) provide ushering assistance when needed. Lectors (Readers): The role of the Lector is to proclaim, with conviction, the Word of God so that everyone may hear and understand that this Word is Living and Active! In this proclamation, the Church teaches us and we are nourished at the Table of the Word! The Lectors also act as Commentators who provide information before the Mass or after the Prayer After Communion. Music: Music Ministers enable the assembly to raise its voice in songs of praise to God. Consider singing or playing a musical instrument at one of our Masses: Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sundays at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sacristans: The Sacristans are attentive to the supply, placement, and condition of liturgical materials (i.e. candles, linens, altar breads, etc), vestments, sacred vessels, etc, that are used within the liturgy. In this regard, they work closely with the Art & Environment Committee.

Parish Pastoral Council: The Parish Pastoral Council works with the Rector to build up the parish as an active Catholic-Christian community that witnesses to the Gospel message and baptismal discipleship. The Council considers the needs of the parishioners and develops structures and ministries accordingly. Doing this, it seeks to encourage, affirm, support, and facilitate the participation of our community members and their spiritual well-being. The Council is a consultative body. Parish Pastoral Council meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the lower church. Service on the P.P.C. is by election.

P.R.E.P. (Parish Religious Education Program): This ministry is provided for children who attend the public schools within the city region. Children attend catechism classes at Sacred Heart Elementary School on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to @ 10:50 a.m. The P.R.E.P. also prepares children to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (i.e. particularly, Confirmation, and First Communion).

R.C.I.A.: The R.C.I.A. is a step by step journey of faith and learning for adults who wish to become members of the Catholic faith community. Since the RCIA is a process and not a program, the length of time for the stages of the process may vary according to a person’s circumstances. Full membership is based upon an individual’s desire and readiness to enter into the commitment and the responsibilities that come with full initiation within the Catholic Christian community. No one is ever coerced during his or her initiation journey. Each individual must desire, of their own free will, to become full members of the Catholic Church. The R.C.I.A. sessions are held at St. Mary’s Parish on Mondays at 7:00 p.m.

Remembering Church: This program is designed to welcome home those Catholics who have become alienated from the Catholic Church due to a variety of frustrations, concerns, or hurts. The Re-Membering Church sessions allow participants to voice their concerns in a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere. It also gives participants a chance to develop relationships with Catholics and to reconnect with their Catholic faith. Please call Giselle Jakobs (Pastoral Assistant at St. Mary’s Parish 564-4097) for more information.

Sacramental Preparation:

Baptism Preparation: Through baptism, we become members of Christ’s body and begin our initiation into the Church - which culminates in the reception of Holy Eucharist. Through baptism preparation, it is our aim to help prepare both parents and godparents to continue the mission that Jesus handed on to his disciples: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit…”. Baptism preparation for infants occurs on the second Tuesday of each month in the Board Room (Parish Office Building). Baptism preparation for children is offered at different times depending on the number of families seeking instruction. Please contact the parish office if you have inquiries. Confirmation: Preparation is provided through the school and the P.R.E.P. First Eucharist: Preparation is provided through the school and the P.R.E.P. Reconciliation: Preparation is provided through the school and the P.R.E.P. Marriage Preparation: Sessions are provided in two forms: (a) Engaged Encounter Weekends OR (b) a city-wide Marriage Preparation Program that consists of six weekly sessions. Information on dates, times, and locations of Marriage Preparation is listed on the Home Page of this website as it becomes available.

School Council: Sacred Heart School Council is responsible for implementing the policies of the Catholic Independent Schools of the Prince George Diocese, and for responding to the needs of Sacred Heart School students and parents. Members of the council are dedicated Catholic parents, who work with our Principal and Rector to create a school that is spiritually, academically, and financially sound. School Council meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Service on the School Council is by election.

School Parent Support Group: The Parent Support Group is responsible for many important activities at Sacred Heart School. Every parent, grandparent, and guardian of a child attending Sacred Heart is a member of this group. The PSG provides hot lunches, sponsors special events, and is the major fund raising group of our school. Please call the school at 563-5201 for more information.

St. Vincent de Paul Society: This society was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by Frederick Ozanam and named after St. Vincent de Paul, a French priest of the early 1600’s who had dedicated his life to charitable works. “True charity, “ de Paul said, “opens its arms and closes its eyes.” The Society, therefore, is dedicated to serve everyone, regardless of colour, race, gender, or religious beliefs. Its ministry involves a Drop-in-Centre, a Thrift Store, a Soup Bus Society, and various other Special Projects. Please call the Drop-in-Centre at 564-7871 for more information.

Shepherd’s Corner: Located next door to the St.Vincent de Paul Drop in Centre on 2nd Avenue, is Shepherd’s Corner. Its ministry is varied: it consists of dedicated volunteers who provide a listening ear and a compassionate heart to people of various backgrounds who are facing challenging life-situations; often, this involves helping women who are on the street discover that they are truly loved. The volunteers also provide agency referral, opportunities for prayer, hospital and hospice visitation, and a ministry of hospitality. Please call Shepherd’s Corner at 562-9330 for more information.

Youth Group Ministry: Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community. Our parish youth group provides a welcoming space for youth to come together to share fun and explore, deepen, and live their faith. Through peer support and team leadership, our comprehensive approach to Youth Ministry seeks to provide a well-balanced variety of activities to meet the needs of today’s youth. Our parish Youth Group invites youth in grades 7-12 to be involved in social events, family fun nights, liturgy, prayer and spiritual growth, and leadership development.