Altar Servers. The altar server has a critical role in support of the priest and deacon at Mass and at other liturgical celebrations. In our parish, altar servers include parishioners of all ages, both young people and adults. The parish provides training for all those who are called to serve God and His People in this important liturgical function. For Information, please call Barbara at 753-2055 or Anne at 259-2511.
Bereavement Ministry of Consolation. This ministry assists the family at the time of death. Participants in the bereavement minsitry of consolation provide help with arrangements, help in planning the liturgy, and follow-up contact with the family. Members assist with the funeral vigil service at the funeral home or church. Training is available for volunteers who serve in this ministry. For information, contact Carmen Lopez-Aquino at 751-7052.
Choir and Cantors. Music stirs the soul in such a deeply personal way that it becomes an essential element of good Liturgical worship. Here at St. Vincent de Paul we have some of the best musicians and cantors you will find anywhere, and their different musical styles reach out and touch the heart and enliven the spirit. The combined musical styles of the choral groups and musicians encourage the congregation to sing and pray the Mass together. Making “joyful noises unto the Lord” is truly the vocation of the music ministry. For information, contact Dawn DiNome at 646-236-9759. Click here to visit the choirpage.
Council of Catholic Women. These women love Our Lord and His Church: praying together, working together and having fun together! Their charism is to support the pastor and deacons through prayer and action, hosting parish-wide social events, and networking with the National CCW. By putting their Catholic faith into action, they are able to make significant contributions to the work of the Church through involvement in the social, economic and environmental issues of today’s world. For information, call Laurel Fassino at 863-381-4269. Click here to visit the CCW page.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. When the needs of the Church require, and when sufficient ordinary ministers (priests and deacons) of Holy Communion are not available, lay people designated by the bishop may distribute Holy Communion at Mass and in other appropriate situations. Formal training conducted by the diocese is required prior serving in this ministry. For information, please call JoAnne Coutant at 750-6424. Click here to visit the Extraordinary Ministers Page (Password Required).
Food Pantry. People are coming into church and many are bringing donations of food. They’re placing canned and packaged food items in collections baskets in the vestibule for later distribution to families in the surrounding communities. Church members who recall the Corporal Works of Mercy - Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty - give items from their own surplus in order to share with those whose needs may be greater than their own. Continued generosity and support for this ministry has enabled the Food Pantry to ease the strain on families and children who are experiencing shortages of food. To volunteer, please call Terri Schleich at 430-3541.
Faith Formation Teachers (Catechists). As the parish's faith formation program grows, so will our need for qualified and loving faith formation teachers. The Diocese of Orlando has a certification program for catechists which will not only help prepare you to teach the Catholic Faith to our young people, but will also deepen your own faith. If you believe you are called to this wonderfully rewarding ministry, please call Frank Webber at the Parish Office 330-0220. Click here to visit the Faith Formation Page.
Knights of Columbus. Founded by Father Michael J. McGivney in 1883 the Knights of Columbus are a group of Catholic men bound together by principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. Our motto is, "In service to One. In service to all.” You can often see a group of men in red Council shirts selling charity fund raiser tickets after Mass, setting up tables and chairs for a parish event, working on our parish walkway memorial path and shrine to the unborn and making donations to local needy organizations. They are your Knights of Columbus. For more information, call Gerald G. "Gerry" Haggerty, Grand Knight, at 205-8182. Click here to visit the Knights' Page.
Library Helpers. In the vestibule of the Church there is a bookshelf on the right containing inspirational reading materials. This is a small part of a larger collection of over 1300 books and audio-visual tapes that you may check out. The Main Library is through the double doors at the back of the Church. Library Helpers maintain this collection and shelve returned items. One third of the collection is devoted to Bible Study and Religious Formation. Biographies, books by Max Lucado and books about Mother Theresa and the Popes are especially popular. You are invited to look at the printed catalog or browse through the collection. Use the sign out sheet provided and take something home to enjoy. To volunteer as a library helper, contact Jane Nelson at 751-4547.
Maintenance Volunteers. Maintenance Volunteers are those generous and helpful people who are willing to give their time and energy to facilitate the routine tasks and special events sponsored by the Church. Social events and fundraisers such as bazaars, picnics, festivals and seminars, etc., always require arranging chairs and tables and sometimes even erecting tents and temporary shelters. These events would not be possible without the assistance of Maintenance Volunteers. To volunteer, contact Dn. Dan Pallo at 391-9338.
Ministers to the Sick. Ministry to the Sick is the compassionate care brought to people who are hospitalized, confined to nursing homes, hospices, or who are too incapacitated to leave their homes. Ministers bring the Eucharist, share their time, listen to, and pray along with the patient and family care-givers that may be present. Those who participate in this practice of charity attest to Jesus’ healing presence in our community. For information, please call Mary Wresh at 748-3639.
Money Counters and Verifiers. The task of counting the monetary gifts made at all weekend Masses belongs to the Money Counters and Verifiers. These gifts also need to be sorted, kept secure, deposited, and confidentially accounted for. The job takes attentive care because the collection baskets not only contain cash and the weekly envelopes, but parishioners’ gifts for special needs and requests. Counter and Verifier volunteers share their talents of careful attention to accuracy, and many also have prior banking and calculator skills. For information, contact Lorna Powell at 753-9470.
Nursing Home Mass Helpers. Located less than a mile from the center of Wildwood is a complex of simple buildings that is home to over 200 aged and infirm people. Catholic residents look forward to having Masses celebrated in their recently refurbished chapel. A small group of dedicated parishioners volunteer to assist the celebrant at these bi-weekly liturgies and socially interact with the residents. For many residents these opportunities to visit and pray with Father Peter and Saint Vincent de Paul parishioners are their only connection to the larger community. For information, contact Crestina Vaught at 751-4892.
Office Helpers. The spirit of generosity is very evident among those who volunteer to serve as Office Helpers. Men and women offer their time and a variety of clerical skills to help with some of the administrative work of the parish. Some volunteers work weekly while others serve on an “as needed” basis. No matter which way they lend a hand, staff members are very appreciative of these generous helpers. For information, contact Jennifer at the office 330-0220.
Outreach Ministry. Three days a week, four hours a day, in the lower level of the San Pedro Maldonado Mission Church across from City Hall in Wildwood, parishioners become the face of the Catholic Church to those in need. Using the inspiration of St. Vincent de Paul and Mother Teresa, these trained volunteers help those individuals or families who are facing difficult situations or circumstances. A plan is implemented to distribute resources earned by the parish’s management of “Our Mother’s Attic” Resale Shop. Please call Sheila Duffy at 430-3761. Click here to visit the Outreach Ministry's page.
Readers. Lay readers serve the church by volunteering to proclaim the Word of God at all the liturgies. The Catholic Church confidently teaches that Christ himself is truly present in the Word proclaimed and that He speaks to His people through the reading of Scripture. When we hear Our Lord’s word and receive it in our hearts, we may be drawn into dialogue with Him. Nourished by His sacred word, we learn to live the mystery of redemption and salvation becoming Christ’s living witnesses before the world. For information, contact Frank Liddy 751-1835. Click here to visit the Readers' Page (Password Required).
Resale Shop. The mission of “Our Mother’s Attic Resale Shop” is to raise funds, through the resale of household items, to support the outreach ministries of our parish. This store is staffed by caring volunteers who provide a warm and welcoming environment for families with limited means to shop for items needed in their homes. In addition, the reduced pricing also provides shopping experiences for persons interested in buying gently-used furniture, decorative items, appliances and artwork. All store items are contributed by parishioners and community members, and donations are always welcomed. Click here for more information or call Mary Liddy 689-0128.
Respect Life. Respect Life is rooted in belief that: "Human life is sacred because from its beginnings since it involves the creative action of God and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the creator, who is its sole end" (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church). St. Vincent de Paul Parish strives to live out this teaching by defending life from conception to natural death. It supports pro-life action in our community, and works toward ending abortion, euthanasia, mercy killing, capital punishment. Click here to visit the Respect Life page.
Sacristans. Sacristans are those behind-the-scenes persons who make many of the needed preparations for our various liturgical celebrations. They prepare the sacred vessels and the bread and wine used at Mass, and ensure everything necessary for each liturgy is in place. Through their efforts our liturgies are celebrated as intended. Training of new sacristans is conducted by the parish. Training is required. If you would like to become a sacristan, please call Mary Ann Brown at 748-1338.
Soup Kitchen. The Wildwood Soup Kitchen is an ecumenical ministry that serves the poor of our community by providing a hot, nutritious and tasty meal to all who come. It operates Monday through Friday out of the fellowship hall at the First Presbyterian Church of Wildwood. The kitchen prepared and served 47,654 meals in 2006. If you are interested in volunteering your time, or making a donation of money or food, please call Roe Occhipinti at 753-7752. Click here for the current brochure (PDF file) or visit the Wildwood Soup Kitchen's website at http://www.wildwoodsoupkitchen.com.
Spiritual Friendship Club for Developmentally Disabled Adults. Parishioners with loving and open hearts meet on alternate Wednesday afternoons to talk, pray, and share their lives with developmentally disabled adults. Members first meet and prepare a catechetical program for presentation at the next session when the two groups come together. This program is presented amid craft projects, Scripture readings, shared stories about Jesus in their lives, and a light snack. New members, families and caregivers are always welcomed and encouraged to participate in this program. If you have an interest in the club for someone in your family or can volunteer to be a helper catechist, please call Mariagnes Moran at 205-8966. (No special training is required, just a loving and open heart.) Click here to visit the club's page.
Ushers and Greeters. A friendly "hello" at the Church door is the first contact you’ll have with some of our Ushers. The men and women who participate in this ministry see to the needs and comfort of our parishioners at liturgical celebrations. They provide orderly and efficient assistance in seating parishioners, take up the collection at Mass, assist with the presentation of the gifts, all the while being mindful to maintain reverence and respect. No experience is necssary, and training will be provided. Please call Nick Gallinaro at 430-1270. Click here to visit ushers' page. (Password Required)
Fingerprinting & Safe Environment Training Information for Volunteers
Those who serve in certain ministries are required by the Diocese of Orlando to have a background check clearance through the Diocese of Orlando every five years and to have successfully completed the Safe Environment Training prior to serving. If you have been notified that you need to do or re-do your fingerprints or to complete your Safe Environment Training, please click here and carefully follow the detailed instructions.
(Password Required)
(Password Required)
God needs you
...to do His work by serving His Church and His People.
As a new and growing parish, St. Vincent de Paul has many ministerial needs that can be met only by your active involvement. You are encouraged to pray and discern what God is calling you to do. For we must not only hear the Word of God; we must act on it as well. Get involved! And help do God's work in our parish and in our community.
"In all humility we will do what we can, and in all humility we will entrust the rest to the Lord.” -- Pope Benedict XVI, from his encyclical, Deus Caritas Est
Updated: 11/8/2011
