Faith Formation begins upon our Baptism into Father, Son and Holy Spirit and into a parish community.  As you review the ministries listed below you will find a consistent message of welcome.  We believe that every member of our parish family should be welcomed as a family member and treated with dignity and respect as they find their way deeper into the faith and as they continue to develop their relationship with God.  In such a large community, many people find it helpful to connect with one of our ministries to encounter others with their same interests and to find fellowship within the bigger community.  We encourage you to review this list for yourself and for other members of your family.  As you ponder just where Our Lord may be inviting you, please feel free to contact our ministry office for more information:

Merry Marcellino, Coordinator of Ministries - [email protected] or 609-267-0209, ext. 305

“Discover the gift of love you receive by serving others.”

Altar Servers – This ministry recruits and organizes young people who show an interest in leading the opening and closing procession and assist the priest and deacon at Mass.  All boys and girls from 4^th grade and older are welcome.*

Altar Rosary Society – This group of women who love our Mother Mary…The Altar Rosary Society is open for membership to any female over the age of 18.  The Altar Rosary Society is a friendly, loving group of ladies who meet the first Tuesday of every month (except July and August), in the Parish House, to pray the rosary.  Within the past few years the Altar Rosary has added activities with our church family.  They coordinate the Wish Tree Project in December with gifts donated to families in need via the St. Vincent de Paul Society, sponsor an essay contest at Sacred Heart School and give Nativities as prizes, give Bibles and a scholarship to 2 Sacred Heart School graduates, have a baby shower with gifts donated to Good Counsel Home, conduct a Family Rosary, make and give Rosary beads to the hospital and school children, and some members choose to wash and iron our altar linens.  Our meetings start with the rosary at 7pm, followed by a short business meeting and then refreshments and fellowship, lasting less than 2 hours.

Baptismal Bibs – this group sews and decorates bibs used in Baptism of infants.  Some sewing knowledge is helpful.

Baseball (CYO) – Boys and Girls, T-ball – Little League.  This league consists of over 800 boys and girls with over 260 coaches and is a community league sponsored by Sacred Heart Parish.  All of the children/teens reside in the Rancocas Valley Region and the league is a member of the Babe Ruth League and function under the rules of Cal Ripkin League.  It consists of a recreational league and a competitive league.  The coaches are all Virtus trained (Protecting God’s Children) and fingerprinted for the protection of our children.  The league provides an opportunity for all of the children to learn sportsmanship and respect for others.*

Boy Scouts – Boys 6^th grade and up meet weekly on Thursday evenings and have opportunities to develop leadership, friendship and independence.  The boys go camping once a month.  All boys are welcome!*

Collection Counters – These volunteers assist in the counting and preparation for deposit of all donations given in our weekly collections.  This volunteer opportunity involves a commitment of two hours a month.

Cub Scouts – This branch of scouting begins with tiger scouts at age 5 and progresses through Weblos in the 5^th grade.  These groups of boys progress through scouting as they earn badges of achievement as they prepare to join older scouts.  Leaders take time to develop teamwork, achievement and good scouting behavior.  The boys meet once a week or twice a month depending on their level of scouting.*

Eucharistic Adoration – This prayer ministry allows people to gather in the presence of the Eucharist for prayer.  This prayer space is set within our Parish House in the Chapel of the Two Hearts.  The entrance is on the side of the parish house via a porch area.  All are welcome from 9am to 8:30pm Monday through Friday.  Come and spend an hour or a few minutes in the peacefulness of this beautiful chapel.  We are most grateful to all volunteers who can dedicate one hour a week consistently at the same time each week.  Set aside one hour with Jesus, in the form of the Eucharist, each week.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – Ministers offer their services during our Masses to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ.  Must be at least 18 years of age, fully initiated and practicing their faith.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick – Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick – there are multiple opportunities to care for the Sick through our parish ministries.  Our parish in cooperation with the facilities served will provide the training needed.  We have a hospital ministry where seven days a week our ministers visit the sick at Virtua Memorial Hospital.  A minister can commit to a 2-4 hour shift a week and be a dynamic part of this ministry.  We also have ministers who visit Virtua Rehabilitation center three Sundays a month.  Complimenting that ministry is another team of ministers that conduct a prayer service and distribute Communion to the patients on the First Friday of the month at this same facility.  We also have Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion that visit the members of our parish family who are homebound due to illness.  These ministers are able to set their own schedules in collaboration with the families/individuals they are visiting.

Homebound Ministry – This ministry is designed to bring the Word of God and the Eucharist to our homebound brothers and sisters.

Hospital Ministry – This ministry provides the Eucharist to the hospitalized 7 days a week.  There is a 16 hour workshop offered in preparation for this ministry.

Hospitality Committee – these volunteers provide events for our parish family to gather for fellowship.  Several times a year after our Sunday morning Masses all the parishioners are invited for light refreshments.  Our parishioners are also welcomed by this committee after events throughout the year:  Christmas Carol Festival in December, Lessons and Carols in January, Easter Vigil celebration to welcome the newly initiated and more.

Jail & Prison Ministry (Mother of Mercy Prison Ministry) We have multiple opportunities to become involved in encouraging those who have been imprisoned with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.  “When I was in prison, you visited me.”  Our parish ministry provides support through small group faith sharing, prayer and liturgy at the County Facility CWRC in Pemberton for women and to the Mount Holly Jail for men.  The person responding to care for the imprisoned must be able to pass a background check and must be willing to spend time in training for this ministry.

Knights of Columbus – The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men’s organization that focuses on faith, service, unity, patriotism and fraternity.  Our Knights of Columbus meetings are held on Tuesday evenings once a month.  Their service to the community includes:  March for Life, Support of Seminarians, and Basketball free throw contest for the children of the parish, Collection for Good Council Homes (pro life organization).  Many of our Knights also offer their service throughout the other ministries.

Legion of Mary – Legion of Mary is a ministry dedicated to gathering in prayer and providing service to the parish.  This group of men and women meet on Tuesday evenings every week to spend time in prayer and discuss and plan their service to the parish and the community.

Ministry of Hospitality – (Ushers) – this ministry made up of men and women provides a warm welcome to all who enter our church for worship.  In addition they provide assistance to anyone who needs help in finding seating or has any other need during our Masses.  They are also responsible for taking up the collections at our Masses and organizing the procession of gifts.

Ministers of the Word – (Lectors) – this ministry is open to all who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation and who are willing to receive training in the proclamation of the Word.  This ministry invites the Lector to spend time during the week learning about the readings which they will proclaim at Mass.  Our Ministers of the Word are normally scheduled at least once a month.

Music Ministry – the music ministers at all of our Masses are volunteers.  We have musicians, cantors, an adult choir, and a children’s choir.   If you have musical ability (voice or instrument) and would like to offer your gift of music to Our Lord, you are welcome to contact us.  

Our Lady of Fatima Holy Rosary Crusade – This prayer ministry gathers every Thursday at 6:00pm at a parishioner’s home.  Prayers and Rosary are shared.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena – This prayer ministry meets every Wednesday evening at 7:15 in our parish house chapel.  It includes praying the rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

Pilgrimage of the 2 Hearts – This prayer ministry gathers on the first and second Friday of each month at different parishioners’ homes.  Novena to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the rosary are recited.

RCIA for Adults/Teens/Children – this process provides year round formation for those individuals/families that may have an interest in finding out more about the Catholic Faith.  This is a welcoming program to all who may have been baptized as children but have not completed their sacraments or who have an interest in making the Catholic Church their church home.  Catechists (teachers of religion) are welcome to the RCIA team.  Catechist formation classes are required but will be provided to an interested candidate to join the RCIA team.

Sacred Heart Athletic Association – this basketball and cheerleading organization is open to all parish or school children third grade and older.  Coaches meet the requirements of the diocese (Virtus training and fingerprinting).  The basketball and cheerleading season begins in September and ends in March.

St. Vincent De Paul – This is a ministry of outreach to the poor which services the Rancocas Valley Region.  The goal of those who volunteer in the Society is to “grow in holiness as we care for the poor.”  This ministry responds to the invitation given to us in the Gospel, “For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked, and you clothed me.”  The Vincentians “followers of St. Vincent” believe that in the people they serve, they are called to “see the face of Christ.”

Ushers – See Ministers of Hospitality

“What do you want of me Lord, where do you want me to serve you?”

*All volunteers working with children must complete Virtus training and be fingerprinted.