Ministry Opportunities
Below is a list of the various ministries offered at Maria Immacolata. If you are interested in volunteering, or would like more information for any of these opportunities, please CLICK HERE to access our online signup form or contact the Parish Office at (985) 876-3313.
LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
Altar Server
Altar Servers assist the celebrants of the Mass in the manners prescribed by the pastor and liturgical norms. Boys and girls in grades fourth through high school are invited to serve. Adults are also encouraged to volunteer. Altar servers are trained by adult volunteers and/or the pastor and other assistants. Click here to view more details for Altar Servers
Commentator
Commentators read the prayer intentions and introduce important Mass themes of the day before the liturgy begins. During the Mass they offer the Prayers of the Faithful and make announcements at the conclusion of the communal celebration. Adults of all ages are eligible to become commentators.
Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are parishioners, eighteen years of age and older, who assist the clergy in distributing the Eucharist at Holy Mass. Click here to view more details for Extraordinary Ministers
Laundering
Laundering volunteers are needed to provide cleaning and other upkeep for altar cloths, vestments, and other textiles used for liturgical celebrations of all kinds.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God in Scripture for the first and second Biblical readings of the day, as well as the Responsorial Psalm. Lectors are charged with preparing ahead of time to authentically declare God’s Word. Volunteers can be adults of all ages who are called to this ministry. Click here to view more details for Lectors
Mass Coordinator
Mass Coordinators are responsible for assisting the priest with preparing for the Mass. Setting the altar, preparing the gifts, and keeping an accurate count of attendance are some of their responsibilities.The Mass Coordinator makes sure that the assigned Extra-ordinary Ministers are present and finds replacements as needed.
Music
Music ministry includes song leaders, instrumentalists, choir and band members. They provide instrumental and vocal leadership for weekend liturgies as well as for special liturgical celebrations for the parish family. The Adult Choir leads the music during the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass, the 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass, and the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. The Youth Choir leads the music during the 5:30 p.m. Sunday Youth Mass. A children's choir leads the music during certain seasons.
Usher
The Usher Ministry is truly a ministry of hospitality open to all men and women of the parish. The members of this group are often the first people that a person comes into contact with when they come to our church. Greeting everyone with a smile and a warm hello and making them feel welcome is a great challenge of this group. Along with this, these ministers must constantly be aware of the special needs of the elderly and handicapped who come to our services and make every attempt to attend to their needs in a manner which best satisfies these individuals without calling unnecessary attention to them. Ushers collect our offerings in church and solicit volunteers to carry our gifts and offerings to the altar. They also help to maintain order during our celebrations. Click here to view more details for Ushers
ENVIRONMENT MINISTRIES
Buildings & Grounds
Building & Grounds volunteers will be called upon to help beautify our outdoor grounds and facilities at different times of the year.
Cleaning Committee
Cleaning Committee members are volunteers who are responsible for doing light cleaning and straightening inside the church. They can be individuals, groups, or parents and their children.
Environment Committee
Environment Committee members provide suitable church decor for each Liturgical season to create a prayerful atmosphere for parishioners, and to create attention to the season’s focus. Click here to view more details for Environment Committee
FAITH DEEPENING MINISTRIES
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is promoted by exposition of Our Lord in the Eucharist on Thursday mornings in the church. Adoration continues that day until the midday Mass begins. All are invited to attend.
Baptismal Preparation
Baptism Preparation conducted by volunteer parishioners to inform parents and godparents about the significance of having their children baptized. The preparedness explains the meaning of the sacrament and the role of godparents in the child’s life.
Legion of Mary
Parishioners who promote devotion to the Blessed Mother through prayer and service to the sick, poor and needy.
Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation volunteers help the priests of the parish to inform and assist young couples in the months leading up to their sacrament of Holy Matrimony. Volunteers complement the priests’ insights with their own personal experience of the graces that are derived from the sacrament.
St. Joseph Altar
St. Joseph Altar preparations for March 19 allow volunteers to bake and cook Sicilian food for the feast day. Volunteers also assist in the design and construction of the decorative altar. Anyone with a devotion to St. Joseph is encouraged to participate.
Small Faith Groups
Small Faith Groups include prayer groups our parish offers for those who worship together in different ways: intercessory prayer; contemplative prayer; Rosary Sisters who meet at the church at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoons; and rosary devotional recitation before 8:30 Mass on Sunday mornings.
FELLOWSHIP MINISTRIES
Bakers
Bakers volunteer to provide confections for different events the parish or its ministries sponsor, such as for the Youth Group bake sales, Back to School Weekend, Bishop visits, and other functions for which they may be called upon to apply their baking abilities for the community.
Community Affairs
Community Affairs committee meets to plan, organize, and prepare and serve food for special events throughout the year.
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Good Samaritan Food Bank
Good Samaritan Food Bank is a community-wide effort that includes the services of parishioners from throughout the civil parish. Volunteers at Maria Immacolata engage parishioners to contribute to regular requests for non-perishable food items to be distributed to the needy at the Food Bank.
Good Samaritan Volunteers
Good Samaritan Volunteers minister to the immediate families bereaved upon the death of a loved one. Parishioners who serve in this capacity are divided into four groups of about seven each, and are called on a rotating basis. Each person is asked to prepare one dish that serves 12-15 people.
Homebound Ministry
Homebound ministers visit the sick and those who cannot leave their homes, bringing them the spirit of community and love. Ministers to the homebound also take the Eucharist to those who are incapacitated, either in their homes or in nursing homes. Click here to view more details for Homebound Ministry
Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men involved in charitable works within the community. Maria Immacolata Council 13819 supports activities in our parish as well as our diocese. Membership is open to adult parishioners 18 or over. Click here to view more details for Knights of Columbus
Matthew 25
Matthew 25 in the Gospel teaches service to neighbor. Volunteers in our parish who have adopted this diocesan focus work through disaster response efforts after hurricanes and other disasters. Volunteers help to provide food, cleanup, repair of dwellings, and laundry service to victims.
Nursing Home & Assisted Living
Nursing Home Ministry is provided by Maria Immacolata parishioners when a Mass cannot be celebrated. Our parish services the Homestead, Bayou Towers, Maison Deville, and Terrebonne Place.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
St. Vincent de Paul Society members have special ministry to the indigent and temporarily needy by providing necessary goods and services of many types. The Society’s thrift store in Houma accepts and distributes clothing, furniture and sundries at minimal cost.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)
CCD instruction is provided for elementary and high school students. Teachers receive catechist training to enable them to teach authentic mainline Catholic instruction. Click here to view more about the CCD Program
Children's Church
Children's Church volunteers are adults who perform teaching services outside the church proper for children three to the age of First Communion during the course of the weekend Masses, beginning before the Liturgy of the Word and continuing until after the homily. Teaching materials are provided to the volunteers by the church.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults(RCIA) prepares unbaptized adults for the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, as well as bringing baptized Christians of other faiths into full communion with the Catholic Church. Volunteers are needed to teach and to be faith companions to those undergoing the process, and to serve as sponsors for the candidates. Click here to view more details for RCIA
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School volunteers provide a meaningful and activity-filled experience for our youth each summer.
YOUTH MINISTRIES
Children's Choir
Children’s Choir is not a regular commitment for participants. The choir performs during the Christmas holidays. Interested singers may contact the parish music director for more information.
Youth Group Ministry
Youth Group Ministry adult volunteers help teenagers of the parish to participate fully in the church community and, further, to participate in spiritual growth opportunities through special events, church activities, and other experiences. This ministry is designed to encourage teen participation in the church community and is dedicated to meeting the spiritual, emotional, and social needs of our youth. Click here to view more details for Youth Ministry
ADMINISTRATIVE MINISTRIES
Finance Committee
Finance Committee members assist the pastor to review and monitor the financial position of the parish. Members serve as volunteers at the invitation of the pastor.
Office Volunteers
Office Volunteers serve by augmenting the capabilities of the office staff. These volunteers act as receptionists, make copies, do filing and other office-related tasks.
Pastoral Council
Pastoral Council members number eight to twelve parishioners who serve for three-year terms, both at-large and ex-officio selectees. They serve as an advisory board to the Pastor assisting him in decisions affecting the congregational community.
MARIA IMMACOLATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL MINISTRIES
MICS Volunteers
Maria Immacolata Elementary School serves the parish’s children and their parents by providing excellent education and faith formation for preschoolers through seventh graders. The church and the school have a strong bond of reciprocal service although separated geographically for the present.