St. Vincent de Paul Parish

35 Liberty Street

Petaluma, Ca. 94952

Directory of

Ministries, Programs and Services

Our parish of St. Vincent de Paul has a long and proud history. It was founded in Petaluma by Archbishop Joseph Alemany of San Francisco on January 18, 1857. The church that we worship in today was built in 1927. Over the years, St. Vincent’s built and continues to maintain both an elementary school and a high school.

This booklet lists the current forms of parish ministry available to the people of St. Vincent’s. As baptized people, we are called to a spirituality of stewardship, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God and is entrusted to us to be used wisely, faithfully, and generously. Through the stewardship of our time, our treasure, and the many different talents that we possess, we are invited to work together to help fulfill the mission of Christ. Under the guiding and unifying influence of the spirit of Christ, we will sanctify our parish and the world through the ministry of our daily life and through the ministries of the Church. You are invited to participate in the call we share together and to become part of the history of who we are as the parish community of St. Vincent de Paul.

Parish Staff
Fr. Gary Lombardi	Pastor

Fr. Ismael Mora	Parochial Vicar
Rose Marie Woodruff	Pastoral Associate
Abraham Solar	Director Pastoral
Mike Cresta	Youth Minister
Rose Marie Woodruff	Junior High Coordinator
Rose Marie Woodruff	R.E.P. Coordinator
Dorothy Callaghan	Administrative Assistant
Noelia Gonzalez	Secretary
Andrea Aguilar	Office Assistant

Telephone Numbers

Parish Office: 762-4278 Fax 763-8188

Hispanic Ministry: 769-4195

S.V. Website: www.svdpch.org

S. V. Elementary School: Susan Roffmann

762-6426 Fax 762-6791

S. V. High School: Ed Kavanaugh

763-1032 Fax 763-9448

Mass Schedule

Mon.- Sat. 8:00 a.m. Mass

Saturday 5:00 p.m. (fulfills Sunday obligation)

Sunday English 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Spanish Masses:

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Sunday 12 noon

IV. Parish Outreach Ministries

Birthright

C.O.T.S.–Food for the Homeless

Eucharistic Team to the Sick

Homeless Shelter Programs

Small Christian Communities

Welcome Ministry

V Parish Teams and Committees

Baptismal Preparation Team

Finance Committee

Hospitality Committee

Liturgical Committee

Marriage Preparation Team

Office Helpers

Religious Education Team

Respect Life

VI. Catholic Schools

St. Vincent’s Elementary School

St. Vincent’s High School

S.V. Parents and Friends Organization

VII. Parish/Catholic Organization

Catholic Ladies Aid Society

Cursillo

Knights of Columbus

Ladies Auxiliary

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Young Ladies’ Institute

Young Men’s Institute

VIII. Diocese of Santa Rosa Directory

I The Sacraments

Baptism

Call the parish office to arrange for a preparation class and a date. We ask you to contact us at least 2 months in advance of your desired date. Baptisms are celebrated:

English: 2nd and 4th Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Spanish: 1st and 3rd Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

Baptismal Preparation

We ask all parents of children being baptized at St. Vincent’s to participate in preparatory sessions. The first session is a personal conversation. The second session is for parents and sponsors. It is held in the church on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

In the case of adults preparing for Baptism this usually involves being a part of the Catechumenate or an adult preparation program.

Contact: Parish Office 762-4278

Confession (Reconciliation)

English and Spanish: Saturday 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Individual confessions may be scheduled by appointment.

Contact: Parish Office 762-4278

Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation is the completion of the sacraments of initiation. The preparation for Confirmation is part of an overall High School Youth Ministry Program. (Please check the section II - Parish Religious Life and Education). Confirmation is a two year program.

Contact: Mike Cresta 762-4278

We also offer 6 weeks of catechetical sessions during Lent for Catholic adults who wish to celebration the Sacrament of Confirmation as a completion of Christian initiation.

Contact: Rose Marie Woodruff 762-4278

Marriage

Couples wishing to be married at St. Vincent’s need to contact one of the priests at least six months before their wedding date in order to allow sufficient time to complete the period of pre-marriage preparation.

Contact: Parish Office 762-4278

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Formerly known as convert classes, R.C.I.A. is a process of welcoming those who want to be fully initiated into the Roman Catholic Church. This includes non-baptized people, as well as those who are baptized in another tradition, it also includes Catholic adults asking for the Sacrament of Confirmation, but who have very little training in the faith.

Contact: Rose Marie Woodruff 762-4278

II Parish Religious Life and Education

Elementary Religious Education

Classes are offered during the months of September through May on Tuesdays from 3:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at St. Vincent’s Elementary School (Howard & Union). Classes are from first through fifth grades. Home study is provided by appointment. New registrations are accepted on an on-going basis.

Contact: Rose Marie Woodruff 762-4278

High School Youth Ministry - Confirmation

St. Vincent’s Youth Ministry has three purposes: (1) seeks to engage our high school parish in growing and developing their personal and spiritual growth, (2) forms relationships with both youth and adults in our community of believers, and (3) empowers them to be leaders working for justice, peace and service in the Petaluma community.

Contact: Mike Crest 762-4278

Junior High Youth Ministry

Junior High Youth Ministry is for grades 6-7-8. The program will meet on the first and third Wednesday, plus special outreach projects along the way from 7:15-8:30

p.m.

Contact: Rose Marie Woodruff 762-4278

Sunday Pre-School Program

Three, four and five year olds. are invited to attend the pre-school program during the 9:00 a.m. mass between September through June. Parents are welcome to help in the program.

Contact: Karen Stypa 763-8698

Vacation Bible School

For one week each summer, children, teens and adults from St. Vincent and St. James parishes work together to provide a fun, faith-filled experience for our youth. This daily adventure focuses on God’s love for us through art, crafts, music, skits, sculpture, snacks and lots of love. We welcome energetic hearts and hands to provide this ministry to children of both parishes.

Contact: Roberta Guerra 763-4773 (St. James)

Amy Wheless 773-3183 (St. Vincent)

III Sunday Liturgical Ministries

Altar Ministry

The Altar Ministers are scheduled to assist at Mass. They must have completed fourth grade and want to make and keep the commitment to scheduled assignments.

Contact: Margaret Cerrone 778–0215

Altar Linen Ministry

The Altar Society cares for the altar linen and other items used in the celebration of our parish liturgies.

Contact: Cameron Carey 778-8506

Art and Environment Ministry

In dialogue with the Liturgy committee, the Art and Environment team meets to plan seasonal and special celebrations such as Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter, Thanksgiving, Pentecost, etc. The purpose of the team is to create both inside and outside the church, a prayerful environment which will set the mood, the spirit and the theme for a particular season.

We always welcome artistic parishioners to be part of the team. We always need people to help with decorating the church. Please give us a call if you should like to be on our list.

Contact: Annette Dessel 762-6980

Eucharistic Ministry

Liturgical Ministers serve the community by assisting in the distribution of Communion at Sunday and weekday Masses.

Contact: Joanne Longaker 762 - 8162

Flower Ministry

The Flower Committee takes care of floral arrangements for the Sunday masses throughout the year. The members will rotate on a regular basis. This committee will also coordinate with couples planning their weddings at St. Vincent’s. There are a number of tasks associated with this ministry, so even if you don’t specialize in arranging flowers, your help is needed and would be appreciated.

We also would appreciate flowers or greens from your garden that you would like to donate. You can leave them in a bucket with water in the flower room on Fridays or Saturdays. If you have an interest in this ministry, please contact us.

Contact: Mary Clare Anderka 664-1774

Hospitality Ministry

Greeters

Greeters welcome parishioners and visitors as they enter church for our Sunday liturgies. All parishioners are welcome to host one of our Masses.

Contact: Janet Clark 765-6513

Ushers

The Usher ministry is one not only of taking up the collection at mass, but also of welcoming and attending to the needs of the people who come to mass. Both men, women and older children are welcome in this ministry. We ask those who would like to be involved to please give us your name and at which mass you would like to usher.

Contact: Lori Nelson 762-0985

Ministry of Lector

The Lectors participate in the liturgy by proclaiming the scripture readings. Proclaiming the Scripture on Sunday involves personal preparation time as well as periodic meetings for on-going lector formation.

Contact: Kathie Sullivan 762-5392

Music Ministry

Music is integral to Catholic liturgy. St. Vincent’s needs people willing to contribute their musical talents to our celebrations of Sunday mass. There is someone in charge of music at each at these masses, but we are in need of those willing to donate their time and musical talent to help our parish celebrate.

Contact:

Marcia Kostielney Sat. 5:00PM 481 - 2609

Dennis Melfa Sun. 7:30AM 781 - 9567

Christina Kauk Sun. 9:00AM 765 - 1706

Eve Gmeiner Sun. 10:30AM 766 - 1729

Parish Organist /Pianist

Marilyn Thompson 762-1190

Sacristan Ministry

This is a ministry we would like to form. Sacristans make sure that all the “nuts and bolts” are ready for mass. We would also hope to find people willing to take responsibility for the overall care of the sacristy. Those participating in this ministry would need to be present before and after the 5:00 p.m. mass on Saturday evening and the 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 a.m. masses on Sunday morning. If enough are willing, a rotating schedule can be worked out.

Contact: Office 762-4278

Sunday Liturgy of the Word for Children

Six to twelve year olds. . . . are invited to participate in the Liturgy of the Word, a special time to hear God’s word and share in learning more about its meaning in their lives. We have this on Saturdays at 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays at the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

VI - Parish Outreach Ministries

Birthright

Lends support to pregnant women or couple’s who are searching for solutions. They provide financial assistance, medical referrals, counseling, birthing and parenting classes, educational materials and clothing donations. Birthright is always in need of volunteers. Every volunteer is trained to choose his or her words with care and non-judgmental guidance when dealing with the woman’s natural fear about pregnancy and how to deal with it in her circumstances. Expenses are met through volunteer fund-raisers and tax deductable donation from individuals and organizations.

Contact: Laura Petersen 763-9888

Cots: Food for the Homeless

The feeding of the homeless is a program that many of the local churches take part in. It is under the direction of COTS. The volunteers from St. Vincent’s prepare a hot vegetable dish or a salad every other Tuesday from November thru March. It is delivered to the Kitchen on

Payran.

Contact: Evy Garzoli 762-9328

Eucharistic Ministry to the Sick

This ministry involves bringing Communion to the sick in their homes and in nursing homes. If you are aware of someone who would appreciate receiving Holy Communion in their homes, please contact the parish office at 762-4278. If you would like to bring communion to the sick. Please contact the names listed below.

Contact: Carole Giacomini 664-1611

Homeless Shelter Program

St. Vincent’s participates in an ecumenical program to provide food and shelter for certain periods of time during the year. Volunteers are needed to provide meals, transportation of homeless children to and from school, and a few hours of companionship for families.

Contact: Marie Fletcher 766-9225

Small Christian Communities

Small Christian Communities, or “SCCs”, represent an ongoing effort among parishioners to gather at home in small groups and reflect on how the Scriptures apply to their daily, personal lives. Commonly know as “faith sharing”, this concept has its roots in the early Church, when believers “broke open” Christ’s teachings in the context of community and mutual faith. As such, SCCs are the modern version of the domestic Church. They developed out of St. Vincent’s five-season Renew effort in 1997-1999 and form a strong foundation for the life of our parish. Small groups meet on various days, times, monthly, and /or weekly during the holy seasons of Advent and Lent. There is a small group to fill every need!

Contact: Claire Pass 763-9075

Welcome Ministry

The Welcome Ministry’s mission is to personally welcome new parishioners into our parish family. Each month Welcome Ministry members will receive the names of new parishioners. Ministry members will call each new parishioner to welcome them to the parish, and schedule a time for a personal visit and to deliver the Welcome Package. The Welcome Package will include Father Gary’s welcome letter and information on stewardship, the St. Vincent de Paul Ministry Booklet, the Welcomer’s Ministry Card, and a small personal gift from the welcomer. Information on Petaluma could also be included if the new parishioner is new to the area as well.

The gift can be a dozen cookies, muffins, flowers from your garden, gourmet coffee or tea, a prayer card or an inspirational verse, etc. Be creative. Anything personal that says, “Welcome to our parish family”

Contact: Joan Cattalini 763-2946

V - Parish Teams and Committees

Baptismal Preparation Team

There is a need in our Baptism preparation program for

Catechists to lead classes in church on the second Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The Catechists would have guidelines and preparation to help the parents and Godparents be ready for the ceremony on the day of Baptism.

Contact Rose Marie Woodruff 762 – 4278

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee oversees the fiscal aspect of parish life. It works with the pastor in making decisions regarding finance and the financial policy of the parish. It develops and regularly reviews the parish budget. It also takes the lead in coordinating financial plans for the parish and its schools.

Contact: John Dado 763 - 2534

Dorothy Callaghan 762 - 4278

Liturgical Seasonal Planning Committee

The primary mission of the Liturgy Committee is to enable focused, balanced, and prayerful worship at each mass in the parish, regardless of time, day, or season. It also plans for other spiritual activities pertinent to the liturgical seasons of the year and oversees the coordination of all the liturgical ministries of the parish.

Contact: Eve Gmeiner 766 - 1729

Marriage Preparation Team

The marriage preparation program for both St. Vincent’s and St. James needs married couples willing to spend a Friday evening and a Saturday once or twice a year as part of a team preparing engaged couples for marriage. During these sessions, the role of the team couples is to provide hospitality and to share brief insights and personal experience on certain aspects of married life. This ministry involves periodic planning and team formation sessions.