This ministry seeks to educate and enrich the spiritual life of the parish by organizing scripture studies, faith sharing groups, retreats, and days of reflection to share faith insights and strengthen the commitment to the Lord.
This ministry consists of parishioners who launder and iron the small linenes used at all the Masses. Linens are picked up and dropped off at the sacristy on a weekly basis.
Altar Servers assist the priest at Mass once or twice a month. The server must demonstrate an understanding of the responsibilities undertaken and the ability to perform them correctly. An appropriate reverence towards these duties is essential. All children are welcome to participate, starting anytime after January of fourth grade. Training is provided and parents must commit to supporting their children in serving at their assigned Masses. For current Altar Servers, please read the OLL Altar Server Ministry Handbook. Please download and complete the Altar Server Registration Form.
The Baptismal Ministry at Our Lady of the Lake is aimed at:
Baptismal host couples have an active involvement in defining the Baptismal preparation process, as well as, participation in the actual Baptismal program at Our Lady of the Lake.
Couples are asked to participate for a two year term, which is renewable. Each host couple participates in one to three Baptisms per year. This entails hosting a “catechesis” meeting with the parents whose babies are to receive the sacrament, held on a weekday evening during the week prior to the Baptism. This catechesis meeting lasts about 90 minutes, and is usually held at the host couple’s home or at the rectory. Host couples also participate in the Baptism ceremony itself, organizing and directing the couples, and by assisting the priest during the ceremony. The Baptism ceremony is held on Sunday, at 1:30 p.m. and is usually concluded by 2:45p.m.
In addition to participating as host couples for one or two Baptisms per year, the Baptismal ministry host couples meet as a group two or three times a year, to assess, develop and revise the program, plan for recruitment and training of new host couples, and to touch base with one another as a group.
Bethany is a ministry offering consolation and comfort to those who have lost a loved one. In addition to attending wakes and funerals, Bethany members assist family members in the planning of the funeral liturgy.
Cornerstone is a weekend experience of religious and social significance, so named because it focuses on Christ as the main foundation or cornerstone of our lives. This is a 26 hour retreat held within the parish, which begins on a Friday evening and concludes on Saturday evening. Accommodations and meals are provided on the premises. The retreat encompasses talks, small group discussions, quiet contemplation, Reconciliation and a Eucharistic celebration. Cornerstone provides a wonderful opportunity for spiritual renewal – to live, love and grow in the spirit of the Lord. Separate retreats are held for men and women.
Eucharistic Ministers are an integral part of the church liturgy. They serve the parish family by distributing Communion under both species at all Eucharistic celebrations. Parishioners who possess a mature faith are welcome to serve. Two training meetings per year are offered. Ministers are scheduled for approximately one weekend Mass per month.
Members of this ministry plan and implement this monthly Eucharistic Celebration ensuring it is child friendly with music, readings, homily, and participation. A family breakfast is served following each monthly Mass. Everyone is welcome to participate in planning and in sharing visions and views.
This program assists the financial needs of the parish by selling grocery certificates to parish families after all weekend liturgies and at the rectory during business hours. The certificates, when redeemed at local supermarkets, yield a 5% return for O.L.L. It is hoped that with continued support and participation from all parishioners, greater financial gains can be realized to help the parish achieve some long term goals. Our Church sacristans and volunteers serve approximately 10 minutes after Mass selling certificates.
The Knights of Columbus is an organization long renowned for rendering service to Church and community by promoting the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Fund raising for the developmentally disabled, contributing to Catholic Charities, and providing resources for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, are just a few activities organized by the Knights. Meetings are held twice a month.
Fr. James J. Kelly Council 3632 serves the parishes of Our Lady of the Lake in Verona and St. Catherine’s in Cedar Grove.
Since it is Christ Himself who speaks to us when the Holy Scriptures are read in Church, lectors have a responsibility that entails sincere piety and decorum. They are challenged to communicate with humility, focusing the congregation’s attention on the text, not on the reader. A workbook and resource materials are provided during the formation period for new volunteers. Lectors serve approximately once every 5-6 weeks.
The Liturgy Committee ensures that our liturgical celebrations are Spirit-filled and reflective of what we believe as a faith community. The Committee plans Sunday liturgies, as well as, special seasonal liturgies in accordance with the liturgical calendar of the Church.
Liturgy of the Word with Children gathers children to celebrate the Liturgy using simplified readings and homilies to help them understand God’s Word. Children are called to the sanctuary (after the greeting) by the presiding priest and led by the lay presider to St. Joseph’s Chapel. The music, environment, reading, Gospel and homily of the day are presented in images that are familiar to the children. The children receive a handout with an activity related to the liturgy topic to share with their family. Liturgy of the Word with Children is currently held every Sunday during the school year (except Easter Sunday). Planning meetings are held about 4 times a year. Time commitment varies for presiders, musicians, and environment team members. Adults and teenagers who would like to help form our children in faith are welcome.
This ministry is currently under construction
Ushers, or Ministers of Hospitality, cordially welcome and greet parishioners as they enter the Church. They provide assistance locating seats and negotiating stairs when necessary. Ushers also facilitate the offertory and communion processions, as well as, gather the offertory donations, and distribute parish bulletins. Ushers generally serve one Mass per weekend. Men and women are always welcome to serve.
Volunteers serve on a monthly basis preparing, serving and cleaning up for a midday meal served at St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark to poor, homeless and hungry people. Additionally, monthly food collections are held in parish to ensure replenishment of necessary food supplies at St. John’s.
Ministers to the homebound provide a vital outreach between parish life and those unable to attend liturgies. Our ministers offer Holy Eucharist, as well as, parish bulletins, religious reading material, and a few minutes of companionship. Ministers visit homes once each week.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and come before his presence singing.”
—Psalm 100
The Music Ministry is made up of various components, all of which partake in leading song at Sunday liturgies and sacramental celebrations. Included in the leadership of this ministry are the Director of Music and four professional cantors. Other ministers participating in the music ministry are the members of the Parish Choir and the Children’s Choir. In addition to leading music at parish liturgies, these groups also participate in an annual Christmas Concert.
The Parish Choir practices on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm from September to mid-June and sings for the 10:30 mass on Sundays as well as for Christmas, Easter, and during Holy Week. The Parish Choir is open to all individuals in grade nine through adult. The ability to read music is not required.
The Children’s Choir practices on Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm and sings for approximately eight liturgies from October to May. The Children’s Choir is open to all children in grades 3-8, no musical training is necessary.
Those who are interested in joining the music ministry should contact Director of Music Vincent Carr.
Each year on Holy Saturday during the Easter Vigil, thousands are baptized into the Catholic Church in the United States. Parishes welcome these new Catholics through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. Listed below are some questions and answers about the process of Christian Initiation.
Prior to beginning the process of becoming a Christian, an individual comes to some knowledge of Jesus Christ, considers his or her relationship with Jesus Christ and is usually attracted in some way to the Catholic Church. This period is known as the Period of Evangelization and Precatechumenate. For some, this process involves a long period of searching; for others, a shorter time. Often, contact with people of faith and a personal faith experience lead people to inquire about the Catholic Church. After a conversation with a priest or a parish director of Christian Initiation, the person, known as an “inquirer,” may seek acceptance into the Order of Catechumens, through the Rite of Acceptance. During this Rite, the inquirer stands amidst the parish community and states that he or she wants to become a baptized member of the Catholic Church. The parish assembly affirms this desire and the inquirer becomes a Catechumen.
The Period of the Catechumenate can last for as long as several years or for a shorter time. It depends on how the person is growing in faith, what questions they encounter along the way, and how God leads them on this journey. During this time, the Catechumens consider what God is saying to them in the Scriptures, what changes in their life they need to make to respond to God’s inspiration, and what Baptism in the Catholic Church means. When a Catechumen and the priest and the parish team working with him or her believes the person is ready to make a faith commitment to Jesus in the Catholic Church, the next step is the request for baptism and the celebration of the Rite of Election. Even before the Catechumens are baptized, they have a special relationship to the Church.
The Rite of Election includes the enrollment of names of all the Catechumens seeking baptism at the coming Easter Vigil. Typically, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Catechumens, their sponsors and families gather at the cathedral church. The Catechumens publicly express their desire for baptism to the diocesan bishop. Their names are recorded in a book and they are called the Elect.
The days of Lent are the final Period of Purification and Enlightenment leading up to the Easter Vigil. Lent is a period of preparation marked by prayer, study, and spiritual direction for the Elect, and prayers for them by the parish communities. The Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation takes place during the Easter Vigil Liturgy on Holy Saturday when the Elect receives the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Now the person is fully initiated into the Catholic Church.
As a newly initiated Catholic, they continue their formation and education continue in the Period of the Post-Baptismal Catechesis, which is also called Mystagogy. This period continues at least until Pentecost. During the period the newly baptized members reflect on their experiences at the Easter Vigil and continue to learn more about the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition they reflect on how they will serve Christ and help in the Church’s mission and outreach activities.
Coming into full communion with the Catholic Church describes the process for entrance into the Catholic Church for already baptized Christians. In most cases, these individuals make a profession of faith but are not baptized again. To prepare for this reception, the people, who are called Candidates, usually participate in a formation program to help them understand and experience the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church. Although some preparation may be with Catechumens preparing for baptism, the preparation for Candidates is different since they have already been baptized and committed to Jesus Christ, and many have also been active members of other Christian communities. The Candidates may be received into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil or at another Sunday during the year depending on pastoral circumstances and readiness of the Candidate.
For Catholics who have been Baptized, Confirmed and made First Communion but then drifted from the faith, the way they return is through the Sacrament of Penance. Catholics who were baptized but never received Confirmation and/or Eucharist also participate in a period of formation. This process of formation is completed with the reception of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Communion often at the Easter Vigil or during the Easter Season.
In keeping with the Vatican documents and the American Conference of Catholic Bishops, the OLL Respect Life Ministry seeks to raise awareness of the appreciation of the consistent ethic of life, in the “seamless garment” tradition, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. By disseminating literature and reporting on national events, this ministry seeks to promote a culture of life, by encouraging prayerful listening to the word of God and openness to the promptings of the Spirit, while addressing a host of moral issues. Volunteers are always welcome and invited to participate in the varied ongoing activities.
Please read this June 2022 issue of Family & ProLife News Briefs.
The Social Justice Ministry seeks to raise awareness of the Church’s teaching and to urge us all to respond accordingly to the social justice issues of the day, as they apply to human dignity, human rights, and the caretaking of God’s creation. Emphasis is placed on walking in the footsteps of Jesus with both feet, one foot for advocacy and one foot for outreach. All are welcome to serve as workers in this vineyard.
In keeping with the OLL Mission to be a welcoming community, this ministry extends its hospitality to new parishioners. Once a month, after all weekend Masses, members of the Welcoming Ministry are available to register new members of the parish family. Additionally, members participate in planning Welcome Liturgies and hosting receptions several times throughout the year.
Our Bereavement Ministry offers hope and comfort to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Trained facilitators conduct support meetings 9 to 10 times during the Fall/Winter and late Winter/Spring seasons which cover a variety of topics chosen to help those who are grieving. The death of a loved one is difficult to accept and meeting with people who are feeling the same way can help.
