Baptism

A Baptismal preparation session and scheduling of the Baptism may be arranged by calling the Parish Office at 314-965-3985.

Preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation

Children are generally required to attend a formal religious education program during the year prior to and during the year of reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation, First Reconciliation and Eucharist are celebrated in Second Grade.

Confirmation is conferred in Eighth Grade.

Marriage

Archdiocese policy requires the couple to notify the parish priest of their intention to marry at least six months prior to the date of their intended marriage. Marriage dates will only be finalized after completion of the assessment process. Attendance in an approved marriage preparation program is required. Call the Parish Office for further details at 314-965-3985.

Anointing of the Sick

The Anointing of the Sick, for those awaiting surgery, with serious illness or impaired by old age, is a great source of comfort, strength, and grace. Contact the Parish Office for details.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel

St. Gerard Majella’s Adoration Chapel offers an opportunity for quiet prayer and reflection with Our Lord exposed in the Blessed Sacrament.  Spiritual reading materials, rosaries, and the petition book are available as guides for our parish prayer. Everyone in the parish community is encouraged to stop by “for a visit” with Our Lord at any time. 

The chapel is located in the rear of the Majella House and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  A security code is necessary to gain entrance between 10 pm and 6 am.

Prayer Chain

We pray individually for intentions as requested by parishioners. Prayer intentions do not have to be specific to our parish community.

Rosary Devotions

We pray the Rosary as a group after the 6:30 and 8:00 am Masses on Tuesdays and after the 9:00 am Mass on Saturday.

Perpetual Help Devotions

After the 8 am Mass on Tuesdays.

Small Church Communities

The Small Church Communities works to build the Church community by establishing small faith communities where people can support one another in daily living of their faith.

Liturgical Ministries

In the great rituals of the Christian tradition, various elements – the scriptures to be read, the psalms to be sung, the communion to be shared – call for many gifts from many different people acting together. 

The liturgical ministers carry out these important ecclesial actions that follow.  By the natures of our baptism, all of us are called to minister to one another in our worship.

Altar Servers

This ministry is open to all boys and girls in sixth grade and above. Please call the Parish Office for details on training.  Contact:  The Parish Office at 314-965-3985.

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion

These ministers not only speak their own faith in saying “The body of Christ,” they call forth the faith of the communicant by assisting in the sharing of Holy Communion with the assembly. The Extraordinary Ministers of Communion are scheduled in “teams”; you may indicate a Mass preference.

Gift Bearer

Those who bring forth the gifts at Mass enact an important ritual action – the presentation of the gifts in the preparation of the Eucharistic table.  Families and singles are encouraged to mark special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries by partaking in this important ritual action.  If you and/or your family would like to participate in this important ministry, contact the usher at the Mass you attend.

Hospitality

The usher does something that everyone else in the community does too—welcoming and offering hospitality. 

It is the usher’s ministry to greet people warmly, to introduce new-comers, to help people into church, to had out song sheets, to care for any needs (if someone gets sick, or other emergencies), to take up the collection, to help with good order at Communion and to distribute bulletins and such in the course of saying goodbye to everyone, and to direct people to the parish hall or school.  If you have a gift for hospitality, you would make a good usher.

Reader of the Word

Scripture is the story that identifies us and give meaning to our lives.  The special gifts and skill of the reader have to do with drawing everyone into the Scripture.  If you are interested in sharing your talents in this ministry, contact the Parsih Office

Sacristans

These ministers’ work and presence are apparent in the worship space and in the things that are seen and touched within the liturgy.  Those who clean and polish, as much as those who create and decorate, come from the assembly to care for a specific need: to fashions a place that helps people pray together. 

Their goal is to create an environment that is hospitable, welcoming, clean, human; an environment that is beautiful, that in itself points beyond to the awe and wonder that fosters our prayer.

Liturgy Committee

The Liturgy Committee oversees the planning and coordinating of all the various ministries involved in our parish worship. 

Adult Choir

The Adult Choir is an energetic group of over 30 singers who minister at the 10:00 a.m. Mass.  Their repertoire covers everything from gospel music to classical selections, all sung “in parts.”  No auditions are necessary, just a love of music  and the ability to attend rehearsals, currently held on Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m..  Singing at liturgical feasts and holydays is also a part of their ministry.

Song Leaders

If you have a vocal talent you would like to share, leading the community in sung prayer might be for you.  Song leaders are scheduled on a seasonal basis according to your schedules.  Rehearsals with the Director of Music are held on an “as needed” basis.  You will need to attend one training session held on a regular basis throughout the year.

Children’s Choir

The children’s choir is open for children in grades 3-8.  The scheduled weekly rehearsals provide an opportunity for children to receive proper vocal development and to sing at a monthly liturgy.

Ensemble Choir

The Ensemble is a small group of specialized musicians who minister at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday, and on holydays and major feasts.  Flutists, trumpeters and other instrumentalists are invited to participate on a rotating basis, and vocalists who can easily sing “in parts” (especially tenors and basses) are welcome!

Handbell Choir

While reading music is an asset, it is not a necessity.  We will teach you everything that you need to know!  Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings, and the choir plays at the main Parish Celebrations.

Spirit Choir

The Spirit Choir is composed of Teens and Young Adults who sing each week at the 11:30 Sunday liturgy.  Instruments and vocal talents are welcome to enhance the spirited prayer of this lively group.

Resurrection Choir

The Resurrection Choir at St. Gerard’s is a group of men and women who have flexibility in their schedules, usually during the morning hours.  They sing at many of the funerals here on an “as needed” basis.  The members gather about ½ hour before the funeral liturgy to go over any music.  Their main purpose is to enhance the singing of the assembly.