Ministries and Organizations
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Live as Disciples
The Great Commission is a sending forth, a call for all Baptized Christians to go out in to the world and proclaim the Good News that is Jesus Christ. There is much work to be done, here in the parish, in our local community, and in the whole world. Various Ministries and Organizations come together to partake in the work together. Administration, Stewardship, Liturgy, Faith Formation, Social Justice–the need is great and the opportunities to serve are endless. Each and every one of us is called forth.
Liturgical Ministries
Altar Servers
An altar server at The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be any Catholic person (youth or adult) who has received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Additionally the server must reverently and maturely conduct themselves on the altar at all times, demonstrate a personal intent to serve, possess a working knowledge of the flow and ability to actively participate in the Mass. Candidates must attend a required training session offered each quarter to become qualified. Contact Lee Golusinski at lgolusin@aol.com.
Ministros Extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión
Es el ministerio que asiste al sacerdote a distribuir la sagrada comunión.
Contacto: Diacono Marino Gonzalez al 404-974-2235 o mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org
Lector
The Liturgical Reader Ministry at Sacred Heart provides “Lectors” (Readers of Scripture) at weekend liturgies.
The Lector proclaims the First and/or Second Readings from the Ambo. Training is provided. Contact Cathy Weaver for English Masses at 770-361-8346 or cathygweave@gmail.com or Deacon Marino Gonzalez at mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org for 12:30 Mass in Spanish.
Lectores
En el Sagrado Corazón, los Lectores sirven como “Comentadores” y “Lectores de las Escrituras” en la liturgia de fin de semana. Los Lectores leen en voz alta la primera y segunda lectura a la congregación, mientras que los Comentadores dan la Bienvenida y leen los anuncios. Se provee entrenamiento.
Contacto: : Bernardo Gonzalez, bernardogonzalez874@yahoo.com O 678-507-8359 y Guillermo Juárez, 770-480-2518 or g.juarez@dukerealty.com
Sacristan
The sacristan carefully arranges the liturgical books, the vestments, and other things necessary in the celebration of Mass. Contact Patrick Waldron at waldronp@hotmail.com
Servidores del Altar
Este grupo ayuda al celebrante durante la Santa Misa. Cualquier persona, niño hasta adulto, que haya recibido la Primera Comunión puede ser acólito. Se ofrece entrenamiento. Contacto: Diacono Marino Gonzalez al 404-974-2235 o mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org
Ushers
These ministers of hospitality during Mass on Saturdays, Sundays and special occasions strive to ensure the solemnity and tranquility of the liturgies. They greet parishioners and visitors, assist in seating, conduct the collections at Masses and direct the presentation of the offertory and the reception of Communion. Contact Mike Wazlavek at mikewaz@bellsouth.net , mikewaz1949@gmail.com or Quenten Hayes qhayes@aol.com.
UJIERES
Es un ministerio de hospitalidad durante la Santa Misa de los domingos y ocasiones especiales. se esfuerzan por asegurar la solemnidad y tranquilidad de la Liturgia. Ellos saludan a los parroquianos y visitantes, proveen ayuda en acomodarlos, realizan la colecta en la Misa y dirigen la presentación del ofertorio y la recepción de la Comunión. Contacto Andres Vega al 281-410-4417 o Irda Garcia al 678-274-2409.
Greeters
Prior to each weekend Mass, our members work in concert with the ushers to “meet and greet” mass-goers. If you like to smile and meet new people, this ministry is for you! Contact Kelly Schreckenberger at kschreckenberger@sacredheartatlanta.org.
Basilica Principal Choir
The traditional liturgical choir leads the congregation in song at the Sunday 10:00 a.m. Mass. The choir also sings at the Christmas midnight mass, during the Tridium of Holy Week and on Easter Sunday. Practice is on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the choir loft and on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Large Assembly Room. Choir robes are provided. Contact Billy Krape at 404-522-6800 by leaving a message with the parish office.
Hearts on Fire
“Hearts on Fire” is the contemporary music group that leads the congregation in song at the Sunday 6:00 p.m. Mass. Other times it leads the congregation include Christmas 7:00 pm Mass, during the Tridium of Holy Week and on Easter Sunday. Contact John Prevost at jpaul.prevost1@gmail.com
Ministerio de Música
El coro participa en la misa de los domingos a las 12:30 pm. Contacto: Delia Cruz jgjgc@bellsouth.net
Basilica Children’s Choir
The choir is open to all children of the parish in grades K-12. Rehearsals are on Sundays immediately following Religious Education classes. Lunch is provided. Please consider having your child be a part of this sacred community of children who serve the Lord through song. Contacts: Mallen Zabinski at 404-636-1655 or Gertrude Tinker Sachs at 404-542-3153 or BasilicaChildrensChoir@gmail.com.
Art & Environment
Flower Guild
This group is responsible for creating floral arrangements for the altar and for weddings and other church-related celebrations. Arranging generally takes place on Friday mornings at the church. Anyone with artistic flair or the desire to gain some is invited to join this ministry. Contact Bonnie Wolf and/or Alison McGowan.
Ladies Altar and Rosary Society
Organized in 1895, Altar & Rosary is the longest continuously functioning organization in the Parish. The Society is composed of a group of women who meet on Fridays to prepare the church and sacristy for Masses and other Sacraments. Known as “The Chars” or “The Marthas” of Sacred Heart, our members dust, polish, do laundry, iron, prepare candles, straighten and take care of other necessary tasks and keep the Maintenance Department advised of any conditions that need attention. In addition to our Friday morning work time, we enjoy each other’s company at regular Friday in-house coffee breaks and the occasional out-to-lunch treat All women of the Parish are most welcome!
Contact Mia Pond by phone or text at 404-786-6104 or email miapond@yahoo.com
Wedding Guild
Wedding Guild members direct the numerous weddings at Sacred Heart. Guild members consult with couples on the logistics of their wedding day, focusing on the couple’s wishes and the rubrics of a Catholic wedding. The Guild also assists the celebrant at the rehearsal and is a helpful presence for the wedding party on the day of the wedding. Contact Charity Hardison.
Life, Dignity, & Justice
Hospital Ministry to Emory Midtown
Contact Milt Shlapak, 404-349-0909, or shlapak@comcast.net.
Respect Life Ministry
We often take for granted one of our most precious gifts from God: Life. This ministry creates opportunities for parishioners to be educated about current events or to participate in Atlanta activities which promote life. Contact Cathy Weaver at 770-361-8346 or cathygweave@gmail.com
Thursday Food Distribution
Sacred Heart offers outreach to the homeless on Thursday mornings. Volunteers are needed on Wednesdays to prepare sandwiches and lunch bags and Thursdays, beginning at 9am, to distribute the lunch bags and coffee. Donations of bread, coffee, dry creamer, sugar, water or individual pkg. of chips or cookies are always welcome. Contact Deacon Marino Gonzalez at 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is part of the Outreach Ministries. It is a welcoming atmosphere where members Gather to pray and either knit or crochet. If you don’t know how but would like to learn we have excellent and willing teachers. There are no restrictions on age, gender or whether you’re a dog person or prefer cats ……. EVERYONE is welcomed! Our group meets monthly on the third Sunday from 9 to 11am. Most of the meetings are held at Church in the Adult Resource Room, however an occasional meeting may be held in the home of one of our members. The group prays for our sick parishioners whom are recipients of the prayer shawls and/or lap blankets. Winter scarves are also knitted for the men who are served on Thursdays at the Front Door Ministry. Contacts: Stephanie Prevost basilicaprayershawlministry@ya
Parish Life
“Cor Unum” – Young Adults
Daughters of Isabella
The Daughters of Isabella is an organization of Catholic women founded on the principle of its motto: Unity, Friendship, and Charity. Membership is open to all Catholic women, age 16 and over. The first circle of the Daughters of Isabella was formed in New Haven, Connecticut in 1897 as an Auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus by Father Michael McGivney. Shortly after, the Daughters received their own charter, and are independent of the Knights of Columbus. The Daughters of Isabella have their business meeting once a month the first Wednesday of the month from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall. Contact Daisy Pareja at atlantadaisy2018@gmail.com.
Knights of Columbus
Father McGivney formed the Knights of Columbus in 1882; now it is the world’s largest Catholic men’s organization. Knights’ Principles: According to the Knights of Columbus website (www.kofc.org), all the good works the organization does are informed by four core principles:
- Charity: Members of the Knights of Columbus show love for their neighbors by conducting food drives.
- Unity: None of us is as good as all of us.
- Fraternity: The Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus, in large part, to provide assistance to the widows and children left behind when the family breadwinner died. In the Knights of Columbus, we watch out for and take care of one another.
- Patriotism: We are proud of our devotion to God and country, and believe in standing up for both. The Knights remind the world that Catholics support their nations and are amongst the greatest citizens.”
Contact Whitney Wolf whitney@thejackelliscompany.com.
Social Committee
This group plans and provides overall coordination for parish social events and calls upon volunteers to help in preparation, serving and clean-up for these events, which include receptions for First Holy Communion and Confirmation as well as new parishioner coffees. Events also include special parish parties, including the annual parish picnic, Breakfast with St. Nick, and our annual Mardi Gras Dinner party. Help is welcomed and needed! Contact Fran Carroll altcarroll@aol.com.
Evangelization & Discipleship
Baptism Preparation
Members instruct and prepare new parents for the responsibilities of raising a child in the Catholic Church. Classes are mandatory for all parents desiring the Sacrament of Baptism for their children under the age of 12. Classes take place monthly on a Sunday afternoon. Instructor training is required and provided. Laypersons are encouraged to assist with this ministry. Contact Peggy Ballou at pballou@sacredheartatlanta.org.
Bautismos
Si desea obtener información por favor de comunicarse con el diacono Marino Gonzalez at 404-974-2235 or mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org
Faith Formation
Faith Formation for Children & Youth Classes are offered on Sundays during the school year from 11:00am-12:15pm for children in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Volunteers needed and catechist training provided! Contact Robert Rivers at rrivers@sacredheartatlanta.org
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults This program is designed for adults who are studying to become Catholics or who want to explore their faith from its roots. If you are a baptized adult, and you wish to become confirmed in the Catholic faith, or you are an adult who has not yet been baptized, this program is for you. Contact Robert Rivers at rrivers@sacredheartatlanta.org.
Circulo Biblico Si le gustaría integrarse a este grupo para estudiar la biblia. Las reuniones son los 2º y 4º domingos de cada mes. Contacto: Deacon Marino Gonzalez at 404-974-2235 o mgonzalez@sacredheartatlanta.org
Administrative
Offertory Counters
Do you know how to use a calculator? Count money? This very trustworthy group of parishioners meets on Monday mornings (except holidays) in the Parish Office to tally the donations from the weekend liturgies. Donations are posted to registered parishioners’ accounts so that proper tax statements may be generated at year’s end. Contact Michelle Rivers at 404-974-2246 or mrivers@sacredheartatlanta.org.
Partner Associations
Gift of Grace House
The Gift of Grace House opened in 1994, through efforts of the order founded by Mother Teresa, to care for indigent women suffering from HIV/AIDS. The home is located in Virginia-Highland and is supported by our Sacred Heart AIDS Ministry. Volunteers are needed quarterly to bring a side dish and help prepare and serve the Grace House Fish Fry. Contact Jim and Myra Kucera at 404-355-4313 or jimkucera@yahoo.com or myra.kucera@yahoo.com
Midtown Assistance Center (MAC)
This is an interfaith ministry that provides emergency assistance (rent, utility, food, clothing, etc.) to the working poor of Midtown and downtown Atlanta. Sacred Heart organizes food drives to stock the shelves of MAC’s food pantry; collects men’s clothing/work shoes and hygiene items; and provides MAC with financial support and a volunteer force. Get in touch with us to learn more about the various volunteer opportunities. Contact Jenny Jobson, Executive Director at 404-681-0470 or jjobson@midtownassistancectr.org
Night Shelter
Sacred Heart parishioners are needed to prepare and serve meals. In addition, men are needed to spend one night at the shelter November-March. Sacred Heart parishioners serve the meal, and prepare the breakfast and lunch bags that are given to the guests when they depart in the morning. Male parishioners are needed to spend the night in the shelter to provide spiritual comfort and friendship. To help prepare and serve meals: contact Bob Balke at Robertbalke@comcast.net or 404-788-3151.
St. Vincent de Paul Society (SVdP)
Sacred Heart’s SVdP Conference is part of the Society’s national chapter and is the oldest, continually operating conference in north Georgia. Vincentians conduct case visits to bring assistance to the needy and economically distressed persons who live within the conference’s service area. The group also holds periodic food and clothing drives. Vincentians are impelled by the vision of SVdP co-founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, who helped start a ministry for the poor in 19th century France. Caseworkers are always needed on “the front lines of poverty” in this vital ministry. Contact Mary Hudak at mary.hudak@comcast.net