*ALL LIFE ASCENSION
Contact: Amanda Perkins (304)382-4673

The All Life Ascension Ministry raises awareness within the community of the dignity of human life from the moment of conception to the end of one’s natural life. Time Commitment: Varies by activity being performed.  

*RETIRED & ACTIVE
Contact: Parish Office (304) 562-5816

The Retired & Active Club is being created for those retired and anyone who wants to join in. The  Club will offer, monthly meetings, day trips, book club and much more. 

*CARE TEAM
Contact: Parish Office (304) 562-5816 

A team of mature adult volunteers dedicated to provide social and spiritual support to individuals who are elderly or ill, for those recovering from illness or surgery or for those that can’t get out and around very well. Support would include phone calls or visits to homes, hospitals nursing care facilities or hospice. Other support would be praying & reading scripture. 

ASCENSION PRAYER CHAIN 
Contact: Ellen Siebel 304-389-5637 and/or Bridget Washburn 740-646-0554

The Prayer Chain Ministry is a ministry that anyone can do. Requirements needed to be involved are: knowing how to pray, and the willingness to pray for the special intentions of others and having access to a computer. It's an online prayer chain. Here's how it works, Anyone needing prayers for themselves or loved ones or friends can send requests to a main email address and they will be sent to the prayer warriors. When requesting prayers you can include your full name or just a first name or remain anonymous . Anyone wanting to be a prayer warrior for this ministry should submit their name and email address to be put on a contact list. Send info to: [email protected]

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS 
Contact: Parish Office (304) 562-5816 

Volunteers are needed to phone calls, make tags, carry, sort, and organize gifts for approximately 24 families. Additional volunteers are needed to distribute.  Time Commitment: Varies by activity being performed. Dates & times will be set by November of each year.

*HEALTH CARE MINISTERS
Contact: Parish Office (304) 5625816.
A group of nurses, doctors and other health care providers meets every other month to discuss various issues that might concern the parishioners at Ascension. They offer blood pressure screening once a month after mass, volunteers needed. CPR, first aid and babysitting classes are also sponsored by this group. Time Commitment: will be determined by participants

BLOOD DRIVE
Contact: Michael Joseph  (304) 562-6059

Twice a  year the Knights of Columbus sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive for the community at large.  Assistance is needed in to set up and take down, to check people in  & to serve snacks and juice to those who donate blood Time Commitment: 2 hour shifts, twice a year from noon to 6:30pm

*FUNERAL LUNCH MINISTRY
Contact: Parish Office (304) 5625816. Ascension offers lunch after a funeral mass. Ministry opportunities include set up, serving, bussing tables, making phone calls, washing dishes, making a salad or dessert or clean up. The funeral lunch is held in the Parish Hall on the day of the funeral. Time Commitment: 2 to 4 hours the day of the funeral.

ALTAR SERVER
Contact: Gary Bonnet (304) 382-4944

Servers include young people, who are in at least the 4th grade and serve at the Masses on the weekend. Adults serve for weekday Masses & weekend Masses. Training is provided. Time Commitment: Varies -Saturday/Sunday during Mass.

*ART and ENVIRONMENT
Contact: Parish Office (304) 562-5816. Members of Art and Environment assist with preparing the church environment for various seasons throughout the year. Time Commitment: Varies with seasons. Talent ranging from climbing ladders and hanging things to sewing and designing. 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION 
Contact: Becky Dunn  (304) 3898504. The perpetual adoration ministry is a Eucharistic devotion where people commit to taking an hour to praise and worship Jesus before the Most Blessed Sacrament. The hour you sign up for is spent in silent prayer and meditation. You may bring your own prayer books, use the books in the chapel, read the Bible, pray the rosary, or just sit and enjoy the peace that comes from simply being in the Presence of God. We are in need of adorers.

USHERS/GREETERS
Contact: Gary Bonnet (304) 382-4944 OR Parish Office (304) 562-5816.
Ministers of Hospitality, including ushers, greet and assist parishioners and guests as they enter the church for worship. Also assist with the gift procession during the liturgy, and distribute bulletins at the conclusion of mass. Time Commitment: 30 minutes prior to and after Sunday liturgy on a rotating basis. All are welcome to join this ministry Ushers/greeters can sign up to serve at any of the Masses celebrated.

LECTOR
Contact: Cathy Perry  (304) 421-2379

Lectors study, reflect upon and proclaim God’s Word at assigned Holiday and weekend Masses throughout the year. Lectors are provided with study guides and are scheduled well in advance. Time Commitment: The number of Saturdays or Sundays a lector is assigned will vary with the total number of available lectors. 

SACRISTY LINEN CLEANING
Contact: Cathy Campbell (304) 382-5982
Wash and press as required linen (purificators, towels, and other linens) used during Mass. Pick up linen in the Sacristy on Monday and return on Tuesday. Time Commitment: Once every 2-3 months 

EUCHARIST MINISTER
Contact:  Joan Zappitelli (304) 757-8927 or (304)545-6195 

Eucharistic ministers are certified lay ministers who assist in distribution of the Body and Blood of Christ during the Eucharistic celebrations in church. Time Commitment: Weekend Mass of your choice.

EUCHARISTIC SHUT IN MINISTRY
Contact: Bill Fenton (304) 206 -0361. Eucharistic ministers are certified lay ministers who assist in the distribution of the Body of Christ to the sick, elderly and shut-ins of the community. Time Commitment: Visitation to the sick , elderly and shut-ins varies from location to location, generally not more then 1-2 hours per week. 

MUSIC MINISTRY

Contact: Ilyana Owens [email protected]

CHOIR ENSEMBLE SINGERS

The choir provides vocal support for the Cantors and assembly, sitting with the cantor and musicians in the choir section during mass. No prior experience is necessary, including reading music. Ability to read music/understanding of your vocal range is a plus.

Time commitment: Minimum participation of 2 masses per month, indicating to the music director which mass the singer will attend. Occasional Tuesday night practices for upcoming music and events. Arrive 30 minutes before mass for last minute practice and information.

CHOIR ENSEMBLE MUSICIANS/ PIANIST/ LEAD MUSICIANS

Musicians and pianist provide musical support for the Cantors and assembly. Knowledge of music and reading music is a must, or be willing to study/practice with the music director. All instrumentalist are welcome. Please contact the music director for specifics on your choice of instrument, or your willingness to participate. We can find the best way for you to support the choir. Lead musicians should also understand the basics of the order of the mass and assists the cantor and/or music director in leading the congregation through mass.

CANTORS

Cantors assist at Mass by leading the songs, litanies, mass parts, hymns and responses. Cantors should be able to read music for the purpose of reading psalm responses. Cantors should also understand the basics of the order of the mass and lead the congregation accordingly.

Time commitment: Minimum of 2 masses per month. Initial practice with the music director and musician in leading mass. Occasional Tuesday night practices for upcoming music and events. Arrive 45 minutes before mass to set up sound system, locate Worship Aids, and confirm the number board for the day’s music.

SEASONAL CHOIR

The seasonal choir sings during Advent and Christmas Masses and resumes for Lent, Triduum, and Easter masses. No prior experience is necessary. Anyone ages 13 and older are welcome. The ability to read music is helpful, but not necessary.

Time commitment: Christmas Choir- Practice once a week from November through December and commitment to one or more Christmas masses. Easter Choir- Practice once a week during Lent through Easter Morning, and commitment to one or more Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) masses and Easter morning mass.

*YOUTH CHOIR (singers and musicians)

Youth choir is open to children of ages 7 through 18.

When: a month, plus Christmas Eve mass and Easter Sunday mass. Children are exposed to the basics of music and singing as well as learning about sung prayer and the celebration of the mass. Children may also participate with instruments provided by the church.

Time commitment: One or two practices during the week leading up to the scheduled mass. Arrive 30 minutes before mass for last minute practice and information. Christmas and Easter practices will follow the Seasonal choir practice. 

PARISH LIFE
Contact: Terry Williams  (304) 546-8379

The heart of a parish is the Eucharist, but the parish family is the body that makes it a unique and vibrant community with an exci ting parish life. Parish Life is concerned with the promotion of Christian stewardship as a way of life, and how living out our call to discipleship in service to the Church and her members provides a living example by which the spirit of evangelization is witnessed. 

Time Commitment: Monthly meetings & participation/ leadership in some of the sponsored events 

*COFFEE and DONUT MINISTRY
Contact: Terry Williams  (304) 546-8379

What a way to start your Sunday morning! Our beautiful ministry of fellowship is offered on Sunday mornings after the 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM masses. Join fellow parishioners as we provide hospitality, serve, juice, hot coffee, donuts/bagels, wash dishes and reset tables on a rotating schedule. Bring a warm heart and a big smile! 

Contact: Carolina Leachman (304)562-5816 
email: [email protected]  

*CHILDRENS LITURGY OF THE WORD (C.L.O.W)  

CATECHIST
The parish catechist shares faith, leading children and youth to greater knowledge and discipleship, using prepared materials. Training and resources are provided. Time Commitment: Prepares for and meets weekly with small groups of children grades 1 thru 5, on Sundays from 9:45 AM to 10:45 AM. September thru May.

CATECHIST ASSISTANT
Works with Catechist on regular or as needed basis, offering assistance with small group. Time Commitment: During CRE session regularly. 

CATECHIST SUBSTITUTE
Called upon to take a catechist’s place as needed in CRE. Lesson plan and materials are provided. Time Commitment: 1 hour 15 minutes session, as needed, depending on your availability. 

HALL MONITOR 
Adult/Teen  presence in the hallway to monitor children needing to be out of the classroom during class time. Time Commitment: 1 hour 15 minutes. 

NURSERY AIDE
This ministry is available during CRE providing child care for the catechist’s children during the session. Time Commitment: 1 hour 15 minutes during the actual session.  

YOUTH MINISTRY  (Grades 6-12) 
Contact: Carolina Leachman (304)562-5816
email: [email protected] 

All 6th-12th graders are invited for fun activities, prayer, food, games and building friendships. Adults are needed to chaperone, interact, lead small group discussions, play and have fun with young people. 

EDGE (Grades 6-8)
Edge is a Catholic middle school youth ministry program. It provides a safe fun place for youth to find solid Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Edge resources speak to the physical, psychological, cognitive, relational, and spiritual maturation of middle school youth. 

LIFE TEEN (Grades 9-12) 
As a Eucharist-centered movement within the Roman Catholic Church, Life Teen leads teenagers and their families into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church. With the Blessed Virgin Mary as our intercessor and guide, Life Teen seeks to unleash the fullness of the Sacramental power present within the young Church. 

*CONFIRMATION TEAM
Each year Youth Ministry has the honor of guiding families toward the full initiation of their young people into the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation.  In order to prepare our young people to receive the Sacrament, a team of adults and high school students helps plan and implement the confirmation sessions and a retreat aimed at deepening the faith and understanding of our young people.  Members of the team include session coordinators and small group facilitators.   

Time commitment:  one hour per week, plus monthly planning. Retreats, conferences and other events.

*Core Member
A CORE Team Member is simply responding to their baptismal call to serve. The CORE Member is an adult, ages 19-99, who will be an important role model in teenagers’ lives. The approach to ministry should be rooted in service, commitment, and dedication to the Church and the teenagers you serve. CORE Members are one of the most vital parts of the Life Teen Ministry. First and foremost, CORE Members are role models to all our teens, knowing that how you live and act makes a strong impression on teens. 

Time commitment: EDGE session Sunday’s 9:45am-10:45am plus monthly planning meeting; Life Teen session Sunday’s 6:30pm-8pm plus monthly planning. Retreats, conferences and other events.

CHAPERONE/DRIVER
As needed for special events, conferences and service projects usually planned every month. Must be 21 years of age. Time Commitment: 2 to 4 hours.

CARD BOARD CITY
An annual event that our parish youth look forward to. Teens will bring a large box to sleep in as they experience what its like to be without a home. We are in need of a speaker or activity leader. We also need people to serve a meal “soup kitchen” style  Time Commitment: 3-5 hours  

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
During lent stations are led by our teens. We are in need of musicians/instrumentalist. 

Time Commitment:  30 minutes before start of Stations start and the duration of stations of the cross approximately 30-45 minutes

Each Friday in Lent, Life Teen  sponsors soups dinners and a fish fry the purpose of which is primarily to promote continued community fellowship and raise funds for their annual Steubenville Youth Conference and other events. 

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours each Friday during Lent