Service and Mission

• Become an Usher: Volunteers of all ages assist and welcome all visitors and new parishioners to St. Paul Catholic Center.  Volunteers will be scheduled based on their Mass preferences, and will have a brief orientation showing them where helpful items (paper towels, first aid kit, etc.) are located.

• Sunday Suppers: Bring a little TLC into the lives of IU students by helping with weekly home-style dinners (including  the monthly, and much-loved, spaghetti supper) after the 5:30 p.m. Mass every Sunday.  Team members prepare and serve supper fare to appreciative college students.  Time commitment is two or three hours a month during the school year. Sunday Suppers are currently on hiatus due to the pandemic but we hope to resume soon! Email Fr. Patrick at frpatrick@hoosiercatholic.org for more information.

• Art & Environment: A&E members add beauty to the worship space with flowers, plants, and seasonal decorations. They attend two or three planning meetings a year (Advent, Christmas, Lent/Easter, other) and draft a schedule of flower care. This committee coordinates with the Sacristy Chair so that the worship space has a cohesive look and atmosphere. Email charlenieweenie@yahoo.com for more information.

• Coffee & Donuts: Families and individuals serve these tasty delights after the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses on the first and third Sundays of the month. Two or three volunteers are needed to serve coffee and juice. Coffee & Donuts is currently suspended due to the pandemic but check back soon for more information. Email Len Tieman at lentieman@yahoo.com for more information.

• Christmas Sharing: Share the joy of Christmas with others by giving gifts to families in need in the Bloomington community during the Christmas season.  Thirty-five sponsor families are needed to work with one or two families who have requested assistance. Time commitment is approximately two to three hours during Advent. Email Eileen at eileenschellhammer@comcast.net for more information.

• Peace and Justice: Beginning with prayer and reflection, we aim to be a parish activist group inspired and guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching:  Life and dignity of the human person; call to family, community, and participation; rights of workers; solidarity; and care for God’s creation.  We raise awareness and encourage action, work with groups both local and beyond, and hold membership in Pax Christi USA. Currently we are meeting virtually on a monthly basis. We welcome any faculty, staff, student or resident parishioner interested in joining us. Email Mary Clare at maryclarebauman@gmail.com to get connected.

• St. Vincent de Paul Society: Seeking a way to help others? The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving, with dignity and compassion, those who are in need. Volunteers staff telephone hotlines, make home visits, provide referrals to other social service agencies, and offer financial assistance in some instances. Warehouse volunteers collect donated furniture and appliances and distribute those items to clients in need. Email Ron Kofmehl at ronkofmehl@comcast.net for more information. 

• St. Paul's Shawls: We provide comfort, support and prayers for newly baptized babies, cancer patients, and others in need of healing in our parish and in the Bloomington community by knitting, crocheting and sewing blankets, shawls, and wraps to convey, in a very tangible way, our concern and prayers for those who need either spiritual or physical healing. The group meets monthly. Email Mary Alice Hoover at kandma@comcast.net to get connected.

• Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Lectors and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist with the reading and distribution of Holy Communion primarily during weekend Masses.  They must be baptized, practicing Catholics, dress modestly (business casual) and participate when scheduled.  A clear speaking voice and a desire to proclaim and share the good news are important for lectors. Training will be provided. Contact Fr. Reginald for more information.

• Altar Servers/acolytes: Acolytes vest at least 10 minutes before Mass, light and extinguish the candles, and assist the priest at Mass. Servers must be baptized, receiving communion and participate when scheduled or obtain a substitute.  Training will be provided. Contact Fr. Reginald at frreginald@hoosiercatholic.org for more information.

• Sacristan: The sacristan and volunteers create a prayerful environment for worship in the church throughout the liturgical year, especially in the seasons of Advent and Lent.  Some tasks are carried out at home, such as laundering the small cloths (purificators and corporals) used during Masses, and some at church, such as light cleaning, maintaining the Holy Water fonts, candles, furniture, altar linens, acolyte robes and priest vestments.  The team usually works on Wednesday mornings and maintains weekly and monthly checklists. Email Fr. Reginald at frreginald@hoosiercatholic.org to get connected.

• Outreach Communion Ministry: The Outreach Communion Ministry is the shining light of Christ to all our sick, home-bound, and dying parishioners and their families.  Volunteers make calls at hospitals, retirement centers, and nursing homes, and visit our home-bound parishioners.  You may volunteer for one hour a month, or more, depending on your availability. Training is provided and the schedule is flexible. Contact Marianne Warthan at mariannewarthan@gmail.com or Deacon Ron Reimer at deaconron@hoosiercatholic.org for more information.

For centuries, music has been an integral part of the Catholic liturgy and music ministers have a unique opportunity to enliven worship through song. The music ministry at St. Paul's is quite active and we are continually searching for those among us willing to participate and share the gifts that they have been given with the community. Whether you are a singer or an instrumentalist, there is ample opportunity for you to share your talent. If you are interested in getting involved in any of our music ministries, please email our music director, Dr. Tim Gregson, at tgregson@hoosiercatholic.org.

• Cantors: Cantors, who lead the congregation in song, need both a pleasing voice and confidence to stand and lead the congregation. Cantors rehearse with the accompanist before the service they are to cantor.  Typically, they are assigned a mass two to three times each month. Cantors must attend cantor training as required in order to be scheduled.

• Instrumentalists: Instrumentalists of various levels of ability are welcome to share their talents, keeping in mind that a certain level of proficiency is necessary. Instrumentalists rehearse with the accompanist and cantor before the service.

• Adult Choir: This ensemble is open to singers of all ages and levels of ability. The adult choir serves weekly at the 10:30 a.m. Mass from late August through mid-June. The choir rehearses weekly on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m., and gathers for warm-ups and rehearsal at 9:30 on Sunday mornings. In addition to their liturgical responsibilities, the choir performs three to four concerts each year.  No audition required.

• College Choir: College students make up this choir which serves weekly at the 5:30 p.m. Mass during the academic year from late August through early May. The choir, which often sings contemporary liturgical music, gathers for warm-ups and rehearsal at 4:30 on Sunday afternoon. No audition required. High school-aged students who are interested in participating in the music ministry are encouraged to consider joining either the Adult Choir or the College Choir.

• Children's Choir: The goal of the Children's Choir is to teach young people the language of music and artistic expression within the context of a Catholic community of faith. This choir will lead worship at the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Christmas Eve . The children rehearse three times in preparation for the mass. This ensemble is open to all children ages five and older. Parental supervision during rehearsals may be requested.