Serve Others
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Service in Our Church
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“Sing to the Lord a new song for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises." - Psalm 98
The St. Bartholomew music ministry offers a variety of ways for parishioners to respond fully to the Lord’s sacrificial Love poured out for us during the Mass.
Do you play a musical instrument or like to sing? To discuss where you might be able to offer your gifts in our parish music ministry, contact Director of Music Carole Wysocki, 301-717-8850 or Director of Music for the Hispanic Ministry Carola Sarmiento, 301-275-8754.
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The Ministry of Lector or Proclaimer involves commitment, faith, and skill. All St. Bart’s lectors are supplied with a workbook with the texts for the specific year’s readings. We training our lectors and also encourage them to participe in Archdiocesan Lector Ministry Workshops. In general, two lectors read at each Mass, with the exception of the 7:00 A.M. Mass, for which solo lectors may volunteer. Lectors usually read at one Mass per month, with the exception of special holidays. The ability to project one's voice, to speak distinctly, and to practice are prequesites. There is a power and a presence in the Word of God which can touch and change lives, the reader's as well as the listeners'. Please contact Anne-Marie Economopoulos 301-365-1233 or [email protected] for more information.
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The Ministry of Ushering is a vital part of any church ministry. Ushers represent the church in a very visible way, help set the tone in preparation for the worship service, and assist with the smooth operation within the service. Ushers assist when there is a disturbance, illness, or other situation that requires special attention. St. Bart's ushers sometimes are called upon to provide directions to facilities, to assist visitors to their seats, to provide a comfortable temperature in the church, and, if requested, to help people with special needs to enter or leave the sanctuary. For further information, please contact Theresa Kowal at 240-460-5756 or [email protected].
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In every celebration of the Eucharist there should always be a sufficient number of ministers for the distribution of the Eucharist. If there are a sufficient number of ordinary ministers of the Eucharist (bishops, priests, and deacons) or auxiliary ministers (instituted acolytes), then they will distribute the Eucharist. However, when there are not enough ordinary and auxiliary members, special or extraordinary ministers should assist in the distribution of Communion.
In this role, you offer the Eucharist, recognize the Body of Christ in those to whom you offer the Eucharist and, ultimately, you act as the Body of Christ by fully participating in the life of the parish and the wider community. Your willingness to commit to a monthly schedule, to prepare properly for your service, and to arrive on time and dressed appropriately for your assigned mass further reflects that commitment. In addition, some Extraordinary Ministers take the Eucharist to those who are unable to attend Mass. We also have Extraordinary Ministers who act only as substitutes should a scheduled minister be unable to fulfill his or her assignment. We try to accommodate your individual schedule to the extent possible. The Archbishop of Washington appoints all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Please contact the pastor directly if you are interested in serving this Ministry. For additional information, please contact Ann Kennedy at 301-367-5988 or [email protected].
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Liturgy Committee
The Liturgy Committee identifies and coordinates the many components of parish worship in order to enhance our community’s celebrations and assist our clergy. We help our community experience their connection with God and one another.
Considering that Eucharistic celebration is central to Catholic life, we try to achieve full, conscious and active participation of all the faithful in liturgical celebrations. We take into account the various needs. Some Masses are quiet, others active or in Spanish or bilingual. Members are not ‘experts’ but will, through experience, grow in the knowledge and art of the Liturgy and hopefully empower others to serve.
For more information, contact the Parish Office at 301-229-7933.Church Guild
The Church Guild ensures that our church has a liturgically correct, reverent, and prayerful environment. Our volunteers launder altar server robes*, arrange altar flowers each week, dust windowsills, keep missalettes in place, clean and organize the vestibule and bulletin boards, refill candles, polish brass, dust, and vacuum the altar and the sacristy. The guild works closely with the Liturgy Committee, particularly at Easter and Christmas. We need volunteers throughout the year for a few hours on Thursday afternoons, on special occasions, and at Easter and Christmas.
For more information about this ministry, contact Maria El-Khouri at [email protected] or Fionnuala O’Riordan at [email protected]
*This ministry maintains the sacred linenes used during the celebration of Mass. Members are responsible for picking up, washing, ironing, folding, and returning the altar linenes. Work is done on a rotating basis and new members are always welcome. Training is provided due to the altar linens' sacred nature. for information contact Maria El Khouri at [email protected]
Altar Flowers
The gift of flowers for the Sanctuary of the church is a beautiful way to celebrate a birthday, marriage or anniversary or to honor a deceased family member or friend.
If you would like to sponsor flowers on the altar in memory of loved ones, living or deceased, please print your name, phone number and the occasion or loved one you wish to remember on a purple Flower Contribution envelope available in the church pews and/or vestibule. Minimum contribution for two vases on the main altar is $90-100. Please drop off your envelope in the collection basket, or call the parish office, 301-229-7933, and your request will be posted in the weekly bulletin.
We can only honor one individual request per weekend, so please bear in mind that, sometimes, the date you require may already be taken. Also, for your information, we will not be able to accept requests for the sponsoring of flowers on specific liturgical dates.
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Arimathean Ministry
The Arimatheans are a group of caring parishioners who volunteer their time to serve Mass at a Funeral or Memorial Service of a deceased parishioner. Currently there are about 6 participants. Training is available. Please contact Bill Ayers, 301-469-8023 or [email protected]
Parishioners who would like to participate in the St. Bartholomew Arimathean ministry can help by:Attending the Vigil, Funeral and Burial on behalf of the parish community
Praying for the deceased and their loved ones
Serving as ushers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at Funerals
Preparing, coordinating, and serving meals after the Funeral Mass and burial
Following up with bereaved family members, especially during the first year
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Service in the Community
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Volunteers for St. Martin's Food Pantry (located in Gaithersburg, MD) collect and distribute non-perishable food items to needy families every Monday. Volunteers arrive at about 5:45 A.M. on Monday mornings and distribute numbers for places in line as patrons arrive. Pantry distribution goes from 10:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.
Please place your non-perishable items in the marked container in the vestibule of the church and we will ensure our wonderful volunteers get the food securely to the Food Bank on Monday mornings.
All of the following nonperishable food items for regular food distribution are generally needed: canned soups, pasta sauces, pasta, canned vegetables, canned tuna, canned beans, macaroni and cheese, Pasta-Roni, Rice-A-Roni, Tuna Helper and similar products, dried rice, dried beans, canned fruit, dried soup or ramen, unsweetened breakfast cereals, peanut butter, jelly, powdered milk, potatoes, apples, oranges, personal hygiene products, paper products, number 1 and number 2 baby food and baby formula (in packages of 1 pound or less), and disposable diapers.
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Know someone who is hurting? Connect with a Stephen Minister.
Stephen Ministry is a one-to-one lay caring ministry to help those who are struggling with isolation, grief, stress, financial strain, and other life challenges.
Stephen Ministry Website
Trained Stephen Ministers offer high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are going through tough times
Our Stephen Ministers are ready to bring God’s love and care into your life! They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and provide weekly support for you as long as your need persists. Please see our flyer here.
If you are unable to meet face-to-face for health concerns or other reasons, we can support you with telephone calls, FaceTime, email, Zoom, etc.
If you or someone you know might benefit from receiving care from a Stephen Minister, please contact the parish office, 301-229-7933.Contamos con Ministros que hablan español
Nuestros Ministros de Esteban están listos para traer el amor y cuidado de Dios a sus vidas! Ellos te escucharán, tomarán cuidado de ti, te darán ánimo, rezarán contigo y por ti, y te proveerán con apoyo semanal por el tiempo que tu necesidad persista.
Si usted o alguien que usted conoce, se puede beneficiar del recibir cuidado de un Ministro de Esteban, al teléfono 301-229-7933.
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The Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC) is a national organization that allows mature adults to use their skills, talents, and life experiences in ways that materially benefit the poor or address issues related to poverty.
Currently, the IVC's DC/Metro MD Region partners with multiple agencies that directly serve the poor or advocate for them, such as local community agencies or programs that provide housing/shelter, meals, emergency assistance, education, job training, child care, immigrant/refugee services, health care, hospice care, counseling, and personal support for children, families, and adults who are poor or marginalized. The IVC meets locally the 1st Thursday of the month. Several parishioners are active in the IVC at various sites in the DC metro area: Julie Panaro, Annie Hisle, and Chris Cahn.
If you are interested in learning more about the IVC, contact the IVC's Regional Director, Mike Goggin, at 202-277-4447 or [email protected].
Ignatian Volunteer Corps Website
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The Gabriel Project
The Gabriel Project is national network of churches, including St. Bartholomew, that assists women and families who are challenged with unexpected pregnancies.
Many pregnant women feel forced into obtaining an abortion by their life circumstances or influential loved ones. Many are made to believe that parenting their children or giving them up for adoption is irresponsible. The Gabriel Project seeks to help these women make the choice for life by providing practical, emotional, and spiritual mentoring and assistance both during and after their pregnancies.
Expectant mothers are connected with Gabriel Project volunteers in one of two ways -- occassionally, a mother will call the parish directly after she has seen the Gabriel Project sign near the entrance of the church, but most often, we the Gabriel Network receives a call from an expectant mother via their 24-hour hotline, 1800-ANGEL-OK, and passes on her information to our Gabriel Project coorinator. The coordinator asks one of our volunteers to be the mother's "Angel Friend". This volunteer mentors the expectant mother and visits her to see what she might need and to offer emotional, moral, and spiritual support.
If you would like to know more about our response at St Bart’s, contact Selma DeLeon at [email protected] or 240-372-5915. For more information about the Angel Friend program, contact Jacqueline Johnson at 1800-ANGEL-OK or [email protected].
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When someone in your family, a close friend, or a neighbor is no longer able to come to Mass, a St. Bart's volunteer is available to bring the Holy Eucharist to a parishioner's home; and priests are ready to come to hear confessions and give the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. To make the necessary arrangements, please contact the Parish Office at 301-229-7933. An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion will then schedule a convenient day and time to administer to needs of the infirm. If you have a special calling to offer pastoral care to the sick and homebound, this ministry is a way to respond. Currently, we have several Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who participate in this ministry. Please call the office at 301-229-7933.
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