Saint Denis Parish Community invites all parishioners to share their time, talent and treasures by actively participating in one or more of the ministries established in our parish. If interested in any of the following ministries, please call the Parish Office at 610-446-0200.


Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration
Purpose:
The Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration provides a graced opportunity to spend time with the Lord in quiet prayer.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Every Wednesday the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the Church. All are welcome from 9:00 AM until 5:15 PM.


Intercessory Rosary
Purpose:
The Intercessory Rosary provides an opportunity to pray the rosary with others for the needs of our families, neighborhood, and the world.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: The Rosary is prayed daily after the 8:30 AM Mass.


+ Parish Advisory Councils

Finance Council
Purpose:
The Finance Council is a consultative body of parishioners that advises and assists the Pastor on financial and temporal matters. The Finance Council assists the Pastor in implementing the pastoral concerns of the Parish by making fiscally responsible recommendations about resources, expenditures, plant facilities and financially related programs.
Membership:
Appointment by the Pastor
Meetings: Six time throughout the year


Pastoral Council
Purpose:
The Pastoral Council is a consultative body that advises and assists the Pastor in areas of pastoral concern. The Pastoral Council is involved in developing a Parish Pastoral Plan for the life and vitality of the Parish for years to come.
Membership:
Six elected members, three appointed members, Ex Officio members and Pastor
Meetings: Monthly


Stewardship Committee
Purpose:
The Stewardship Committee promotes stewardship awareness and ongoing stewardship education for our parishioners. The Committee oversees the annual Stewardship of Time and Talent process and sponsors the Annual Appreciation dinner. The Committee functions in an advisory capacity to the pastor in matters that will advance the stewardship aspect of our Parish Pastoral Plan.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Monthly


Endowment Committee
Purpose:
The Endowment Committee assists Saint Denis School by receiving capital and other assets to be used to defray school operating expenses.
Membership:
Appointment by the Pastor
Meetings: Four times a year



Investment Committee
Purpose:
The Investment Committee is a sub-committee of the Finance Council. The Committee consists of parishioners in the financial field who oversee parish investments.
Membership:
Appointment by the Pastor
Meetings: Four times a year


Technology Committee
Purpose:
The Technology Committee is one of the newest of our parish ministries. Its purpose is to assist the pastor in our efforts to achieve a high level of technology. Parishioners with expertise in computer programming, website design, etc. would be assets on this Committee.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Monthly


School Advisory Board
Purpose:
The School Advisory Board is comprised of parents whose children attend St. Denis School and acts as a support in an advisory capacity to the pastor and principal.
Membership:
Membership is by election
Meetings: Monthly


Religious Education School Advisory Board
Purpose:
The RES Advisory Board is comprised of parents whose children attend Saint Denis Religious Education School (RES) and advise the Director of Religious Education and the pastor in matters pertaining to the religious education of public and non-Catholic private school children.
Membership:
Membership is by election
Meetings: Monthly
 

YAA Advisory Board
Purpose:
The Youth Athletic Association Board provides opportunities for our youth to grow in faith and understanding of the Church through involvement in Parish, Regional and Archdiocesan life.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners, approval by Pastor
Meetings: Monthly


Catholic Youth Organization Board
Purpose:
The Catholic Youth Organization Board provides assistance to the Parish Athletic Director in advancing the good order of Christian spirited sports programs.
Membership:
Representatives from all youth groups in the parish
Meetings: Three times a year


+ Youth Activities

Youth Group
Purpose:
The Youth Group offers spiritual, education and social enrichment for our youth. These students meet each Thursday for conversations about their faith, participate in a variety of service projects, sponsor the annual Haunted House, share in an annual retreat experience with the youth of the Cluster, and experience many enjoyable activities.
Membership:
Open to all high school youth


Youth Athletic Association (YAA)
Purpose:
The emphasis of the Youth Athletic Association is to enable youth to become responsible participants in Saint Denis Parish Community and in society. Many sports programs for all grades are offered to all youth in the parish.
Membership:
Open to all youth in our parish.


Cub Scouts & Boys Scouts
Purpose:
The scouts are one of our oldest parish organizations and exist to facilitate the spiritual, emotional and physical development of young men on their journey to adulthood. The scouts sponsor and assist in a variety of parish and neighborhood services such as the annual Pancake Breakfast, Memorial Day Mass, St. Vincent DePaul Clothing Drive, luminaries at Christmas, and the lighting of the fire at the Easter Vigil.
Membership:
Open to all boys in grades 3 through 8


Brownies & Girl Scouts
Purpose:
The Brownies and Girl Scouts of St. Denis are active in our community on a personal and religious level by engaging in many activities, service projects, and religious activities such as camping, the annual cookie sale, Great Guy Dance, Baby Bundles Service Project, “SOUPer Bowl” canned good collection, and OYYA religious recognition projects. Meeting times and place vary with each troop.
Membership:
Open to all girls in grades K through 8


+ Liturgical Ministries

Altar & Rosary Society
Purpose:
The Altar & Rosary Society assists in caring for our altar and sacred linens. Members who also pray the rosary daily after the 8:30 AM Mass
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Altar Servers   - 
Purpose:
The Altar Server assists the priest at the 5:30 PM evening Mass and all weekend Masses, Wedding Masses, Funeral Masses and special liturgical celebrations. Adult altar servers assist at the daily 8:30 AM liturgies.
Membership:
All boys and girls, 6th grade and higher
Meetings: Training is provided for all altar servers


Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Purpose:
The Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion serves the worshipping community and the homebound by distributing Holy Communion.
Membership:
Open to all practicing Catholics, who are at least 18 years of age and in good standing with the Church. Anyone fulfilling these requirements may submit their name to the Pastor. Through a discernment process of prayer, each year, new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will be chosen. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion serve a three-year term with a mutual option to renew for another three-year term.
Meetings: Training sessions are provided by the Parish and the Archdiocese. On-going training is offered through Parish and Archdiocesan workshops.


Ministers of Hospitality
Purpose:
Those involved in this ministry offer hospitality of welcoming, ushering, and taking up the collection at weekend liturgies.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Training will be provided as needed


Readers
Purpose:
The Reader proclaims the Word of God at daily and Sunday liturgies.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Training will be provided as needed


Liturgy of the Word for Children
Purpose:
This program is for children in Grades K-2 to learn about the Sunday scripture readings during the 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM Sunday Mass from October to June. Adults are needed to conduct this Program.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Training materials will be provided


Liturgy Committee
Purpose:
The Liturgy Committee plans and evaluates parish liturgies and sponsors an evening of Reflection for all liturgical ministers each January.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Monthly


Art & Environment Committee
Purpose:
This is a subcommittee of the Liturgy Committee that decorates the church to enhance the liturgical environment. Artists, florist and anyone with a gift of creativity are certainly welcome.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Occasional


Music Ministry
Adult Choir
Purpose:
The Adult Choir sings at the 9:30 AM Mass on Sundays from September to June.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Thursdays at 7:30 PM Rehearsal


Children’s Choir
Purpose:
The Children’s Choir sings at the 4:00 PM Children’s Liturgy on Christmas Eve and various other liturgies throughout the year.
Membership:
Open to all boys and girls in grades four through eight
Meetings: Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from October to January.


Cantors/Leader of Song
Purpose:
The Cantor/Leader of Song leads the congregation in common sacred music and in the Responsorial Psalm. The Cantor is a minister of music and a servant of God’s people for he/she leads them in their prayer response to God.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Two seasonal meetings


Contemporary Music Ensemble
Purpose:
The Contemporary Music Ensemble consists of two groups who provide music at the 5:00 PM Saturday vigil and the 11:30 AM Sunday Mass from September to June.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Weekly meetings at 10:45 AM for the 11:30 AM group


+ Community Building Ministries

Holy Name Society
Purpose:
The Holy Name Society fosters the spiritual development of the men of our parish and engages in charitable works.
Membership:
Open to all men in the parish
Meetings: Monthly


Hospitality to New Parishioners
Purpose:
Hospitality is extended to our parishioners on a monthly basis after the 9:30 AM Sunday Liturgy in the Grimes Center for the purposes of welcoming our newly registered parishioners, providing time for all of our parishioners to socialize over coffee and donuts, and to spotlight the good work of our various parish ministries and organizations. Leaders of our ministries network with each other in coordinating these monthly events. Also, our hospitality team visits new parishioners, prepares a welcome gift bag, and is on hand to introduce them to others at our monthly Sunday Hospitality
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Occasional


Visitation Coordinators
Purpose:
A visitation coordinator from each street in the parish assists in scheduling families for pastoral visitation that is held each Fall and Spring. These coordinators continue to function after the visitation by welcoming new parishioners to their street and connecting them to the parish.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: None


Mothers of Young Children
Purpose:
Mothers of Young Children meet to pray, to give and receive support in the vocation as mothers, to enrich their Christian values, to share experiences by meeting with other mothers, and to enjoy a good time. Babysitting is available thanks to parishioners who offer this service.
Membership:
Open to all mothers of young children
Meetings: Monthly


Senior Citizens
Purpose:
The Senior Citizens Group provides an opportunity to gather to discuss good times, plan trips and socialize. Card playing is held on alternating Mondays at 11:00 AM in the Grimes Center.
Membership:
Any person who is 55 and over
Meetings: Twice a month


Young Adult Ministry
Purpose:
Our Young Adult Ministry, under the direction of our 20 and 30 year-old parishioners, coordinates spiritual, social and service events for the young adults of our parish. This ministry explores ways of involving all young adults in the life of our parish. The Young Adult Ministry also oversees our Theology on Tap Program, a very popular educational event held in a local pub, which is open to all ages!
Membership:
20 and 30 year old parishioners
Meetings: Held at various times throughout the year


+ Evangelization and Faith Development Ministries

Adult Faith Formation
Purpose:
The Adult Faith Formation Committee assists in planning, coordinating, implementing and publicizing Adult Faith Formation opportunities for our parishioners.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Periodically throughout the year


Small Faith Sharing Groups
Purpose:
Parishioners gather in small groups to share their faith throughout the year. Individual groups determine the frequency of these gatherings that take place in parishioner’s homes.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Various nights throughout the month


Interfaith Committee
Purpose:
This committee maintains and cultivates understanding, respect and cooperation between the parish and other Christian and non-Christian communities in the area through education, dialogue and common witness. We welcome and encourage the participation of families who share other faith traditions.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Periodically throughout the year


Little Church School
Purpose:
Little Church School is a program for children two years through five years of age. It meets in the upper school, October through April during the 9:30 A.M. Liturgy on Sunday mornings. Children learn age appropriate lessons about Jesus while their parents are at Mass. We invite energetic and enthusiastic individuals to consider teaching in this program. We have been able to provide this class with either one individual who is able to minister every week or a set of rotating volunteers who teach every four to six weeks.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Marriage Encounter
Purpose:
The Marriage Encounter weekend experience seeks to strengthen the love, communication and bond between married couples. Couples are invited to meet monthly and these meetings assist married couples in the everyday relationship, supporting them in the daily joys and struggles of married life.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Peace and Justice Committee
Purpose:
The Peace and Justice Committee exists for the purpose of promoting awareness of social justice issues. The Scriptures, Church teaching and our own faithful hearts lead us to respond to people who are poor, hungry, isolated, marginalized and forgotten and challenge us to respond to institutional injustice in society and the world.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Fourth Monday of the month


Prayer Group
Purpose:
This groups meets to praise and thank the Lord for His many blessings and to petition for the needs of the parish and community.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Weekly


Pre-Baptism Ministry - Baptism Information Packet
Purpose:
Married couples comprise this ministry that helps parents reflect on the meaning of their own baptism in preparation for the baptism of their child. Our pre-baptism class is a prerequisite for the Sacrament of Baptism for the first child or for a first child being baptized here within our Parish Community.
Membership:
Open to all married couples
Meetings: Training is provided. Meetings are on the first Monday of the month at parishioners’ homes.


Marriage Preparation Ministry -  For St. Denis Wedding Booklet click here! 
Purpose:
Married couples offer a marriage preparation program for engaged Catholics and their fiancés to explore ways to nourish their marriage in a structured and faith-filled environment. Pre-Cana is prerequisite for the Sacrament of Matrimony. Pre-Cana programs are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring of the year.
Membership:
Open to all married couples
Meetings: Training is provided

For the St. Denis Readings Booklet click here!


RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults - RCIA Packet
Purpose:
A team of parishioners journey with persons seeking full initiation in the Catholic Church. This process invites adults, who are unbaptized, adults baptized in another Christian faith, and adults baptized in the Catholic Church, who have not received any other sacraments to meet weekly from September through the Easter Season with members of the RCIA team for prayer, instruction in the Catholic faith, and the experience of community.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Weekly


Parish School
Purpose:
Saint Denis School is committed to transmitting Jesus’ message of love and service. Classroom instruction, sacramental preparation, and communal worship contribute to an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic faith. Volunteers are always welcome in the school.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Religious Education School (RES)
Purpose:
The Religious Education School (RES) provides religious education for parish students in public and non-Catholic private schools from Grades K-8. Catechists are needed to provide instruction for the children either on Sunday mornings or Monday evenings. Materials and instructional support are provided. Opportunities are also available to help with clerical work, act as hall and traffic monitors, and to assist as teacher aides.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Sunday mornings and Monday evenings


Vacation Bible School
Purpose:
Vacation Bible School is an educational and enjoyable experience of the Bible for 5 years old through Grade 3 offered one week during the summer from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Volunteers are needed to assist with art, music, instruction, games and refreshments.
Membership:
Adult parishioners and students in Grade 6 and above
Meetings: Training is provided


+ Service Ministries

69th Street Ministry
Purpose:
This ministry provides and serves a complete dinner to the folks who come to the 63rd. Street Life Center. Parishioners serve this meal on the First Thursday of the month.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Bereavement Ministry - Funeral Liturgy Music Selections - Funeral Liturgy Planning Sheet
Purpose:
Bereavement ministers assist parishioners who are dealing with the death of a loved one and assist with funeral liturgy planning. The Bereavement Committee sponsors workshops during the year and co-sponsors an annual Service of Remembrance on November 2nd in the Church.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners.


Catholic Worker Outreach
Purpose:
This ministry organizes the monthly food collection on the first Sunday of the month and arranges for the food to be transported to the Catholic Worker. Hungry families in this poor neighborhood benefit from this outreach.


HOPE Program
Purpose:
The purpose of this ministry is to respond to some of the needs of our parishioners and neighbors. HOPE provides transportation to doctor’s appointments, church, and other destinations as needed.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Legion of Mary - Questions and Answers 
Purpose:
The primary object of the Legion of Mary is the sanctification of its members by prayers and active cooperation, under ecclesiastical guidance, in Mary and the Church’s work of advancing the reign of Christ. Our Lady needs men and women to help her bring souls to Christ by engaging in the spiritual works of mercy such as consolation, conservation and conversion.
Membership: Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Every Thursday at 6:15 PM in the Lower School Faculty Lounge.



Mercy Casserole Program
Purpose:
Parishioners provide casseroles to the women and children of Mercy Hospice, a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. Recipes and containers for casseroles can be obtained in the kitchen located in the school basement on the Third Wednesday of the month between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Casseroles as well as frozen vegetables, frozen turkeys, coffee, cookies, juices, etc. can also be dropped off at this time.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners


Respect Life Ministry
Purpose:
This ministry promotes a consistent life ethic from conception to natural death for all human life issues: abortion, AIDS, death penalty, euthanasia, persons with disabilities, the environment, etc. through pastoral care, education and formation. This ministry also sponsors a bus to Washington, DC in January for the March for Life.
Membership:
Open to all parishioners
Meetings: Occasional

+ Community Building Socials

Attic Treasures - click here for 2007's dates
This annual parish fundraising event is held in the Grimes Center in the Fall. While this event raises money for our parish, it also builds community spirit among all the people who offer their time and talent to this endeavor.


Fun Fair
Our annual parish carnival provides fun and funds for our parish. This event is held the first two weeks of May (Wednesday through Saturday). Parishioners are needed to staff the various booths, to cook, etc.


Irish Celi Committee
This parish social is held each March for the purpose of bringing the families of our parish together for a good time. St. Denis Parish was founded by an Irishman (Dennis Kelly) so in his spirit and in the spirit of our earliest parishioners we toast St. Patrick. Enjoy Irish dancers, good company, and some food for the family to enjoy. Whether you are of Irish heritage of not, all are welcome to be on this committee and of course, to attend this event.


Italian Night Committee
The Italian Night Social is held each Spring to celebrate the Italian ancestry of many of our parishioners and to come together for a good time. Sumptuous food, live entertainment and lots of fun are in store for those who attend this event. Whether you are Italian or not, all are welcome to be on this committee and to celebrate at this event.