St. Agatha Catholic Church - Organization Descriptions

This service organization has been serving St. Agatha's for more than 80 years! Funds earned through various activities including the Christmas Bazaar and the Spring Fashion Show are used to purchase, repair and/or replace altar items necessary to celebrate the Eucharist, including the host and wine. The society also maintains the priest's vestments, servers' garments, and altar linens; coordinates the care and provision of altar flowers; cleans and maintains the church; annually provides the Easter candle, and all other candles in the church and the Adoration Chapel; annually purchases the music issue and missals; and decorates the church for the holidays. The Society offers financial support to St. Agatha School, and a variety of outside ministries such as Birthright. All men, women and youth are invited to join.

A new group to St. Agatha's, the Faith & Astronomy program uses high tech telescopes and satellite hook-ups with the Vatican to discuss the creation and our faith.

We have several active bible study groups meeting year round. We have a Men's Weekly Breakfast on Wednesday's at 6:45 am, led by Fr. Slider, they meet for breakfast at Eastmoreland Grill for faith and fellowship. You're invited to drop in even if you cannot attend on a regular basis. The Women's Bible Study meets weekly from September through April at our Parish Center. And we have 6+ small groups that meet weekly at various times during the Lenten season.

The children of the parish, generally ages 5 to 12, process to the Parish Hall during the 10:30am Mass with an adult catechist, where they celebrate the Liturgy of the Word. The Vatican approved Liturgy is adapted so that it is more comprehensible to children. The children are encouraged to listen to the Word, to reflect upon how Jesus speaks to them, and to explore how they can respond in their own lives. They pray a simplified Creed, offer Prayers of the Faithful, and then return to Mass at the Offertory. Registration is not required and parents are welcome to accompany their children. We also have a CCD/Children's Faith Formation program that provides for the 1st through 4th grade religious education of St. Agatha parishioners who attend public grade school or are home-schooled. The text series provides age appropriate lessons on: The Trinity, Sacraments, including preparation for First Communion and Reconciliation, Marks of the Church (One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic); Ten Commandments; Beatitudes; and celebration of the Mass. These themes and scripture, tradition, and prayer encourage children to live, and know, their Catholic faith. They meeting weekly on Sunday's 9:30-10:30am in the Parish Center.

Eucharistic Ministers help distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the congregation. The Lectors proclaim to the congregation the Sacred Scriptures during the Mass.

This dedicated group bring prayer, fellowship and the Holy Communion weekly to those who cannot attend Mass for extended periods of time, due to illness or infirmity.

The Friends of St. Agatha was founded in 1993 to help ensure the viability of St. Agatha School by providing sustaining income to offset the increased costs of providing a quality Catholic education. The original founders and volunteers went door to door to secure pledges from the community to support the school.

Since its inception the Friends of St. Agatha Trust has provided nearly one million dollars in operational support for the school. This support has enabled our school to continue its mission and offer a Catholic Education to those who otherwise lack the ability to pay full tuition.

Generous gifts from the Wizer and Tennant Families have allowed the trust to evolve and offer income from a professionally managed investment portfolio in addition to the sustaining gifts given by our members. A volunteer board and manager help ensure that over 99% of all income is returned to the school.

The Friends of St. Agatha Trust provides a secure dedicated environment to administer sustaining and legacy gifts. We are always happy to meet in person and help with estate planning and directed gifts.

A group of volunteers to welcome those arriving for every Mass, and seek to identify visitors and new parishioners to help them feel more connected to fellow parishioners.

Taking care of our landscaping for all 6 buildings in our community. They can always use volunteers to help mow the lawn, pull weeds, trim bushes, and general clean up of our grounds.

This organization is dedicated to helping prepare receptions and food (salads and desserts) for the families of our parishioners who have passed away.

In 1882 the Knights of Columbus were established for the purpose of aiding Catholic men to remain steadfast in their faith through mutual encouragement, to promote fraternity, to provide financial assistance for widows and orphans and to promote knightly ideals of spirituality and service to Church, country and fellow people. All men of the parish are welcome.

St. Agatha's Peace and Social Justice Team came into existence in 2005 as a group dedicated to consciousness raising. Among the best ways to raise consciousness is to engage in specific actions and projects. Thus, we take it as our ministry to promote peace by working for justice. The projects that we have carried out or are currently engaged in include various workshops, discussion groups, and lectures; monthly sales of fair trade coffee; monthly volunteering at the St. Francis Dining Hall; and sponsorship of a refugee family from Burundi. We meet after the 10:30 Mass on the second Sunday of each month. All are welcome.

The mission of the group is to promote parent teacher participation; to enrich the current school programs with curriculum supplements and equipment; and to provide fundraising, support and assistance to the School as needed. The group sponsors annual events such as the St. Patrick's Day Festival, Father Daughter Dance, and Back-to-School Night, and Teacher Appreciation Week

A team of volunteers to facilitate and train other volunteers and staff in the importance of protecting our children from predators and to help make them aware of signs of a child in need.

A service organization that provides emergency assistance including food, shelter, clothing, furniture and help with rent or utilities. Organizes their annual Christmas food drive, and distributes food baskets to individuals and families in need.

A group that facilitates raising money for the building and maintenance of our school.

For 25 years, the Thrifty Cottage has been a neighborhood mainstay selling used and new clothing, house wares, knick-knacks, etc. Stop by and find a treasure Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays 10am to 2pm (closed Wednesdays) and Saturdays 10am to 3pm. For donations, please call Shirlene at 503-235-6532.

Adults and older youth assist with seating, collecting the gift offerings, passing out the weekly bulletins, and before leaving the church building, they make sure it is in order for the next celebration.

Our Wedding Coordinators help the wedding party plan everything involving a Catholic Church wedding, i.e., flowers, music, ceremony, etc. They also help with the planning/set up of the reception, if it's held in our Parish Hall.