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ST. SIMON PARISH
1860 Grant Road Los Altos, CA 94024
(650) 967-8311

Liturgical & Sacramental Ministry


The Liturgy and Sacramental Ministry at St. Simon's is made possible by the members of these major ministry organizations:  Catechetical, Liturgical, Sacramental, and Social Justice/Outrich Ministry.  If you are interested in becoming a liturgical ministers please contact the Parish Office at 650-967-8311. Please select a category:

CATECHETICAL MINISTERS

Catechetical ministers serve the parish in many different ways: as catechists for our various children's religious education programs, RCIA, CIC, marriage and baptismal preparation programs, and other adult education programs.
CHILDREN'S SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION/RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Catechists prepare children to receive the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation, and provide on-going religious formation for the children in public school. These sessions are held during the school year on Tuesday afternoons.
PRE-SCHOOL OF RELIGION Catechists in this program nourish the faith of young (3 to 5 year-olds) children in a creative playful process on Sunday mornings during the 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. Liturgies.
CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD Catechists share the Sunday scripture readings with children in grades 1 through 4 every Sunday during the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy.
CIC (CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF CHILDREN) Catechists share the Sunday scripture readings and the traditions of our church with children who are preparing for full initiation into our church.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS) Catechists, Sponsors, and Team Members,  journey with adults who are preparing for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
RCIA INQUIRY

If you are interested in becoming Catholic, you will have an opportunity to ask questions, learn new things and check out the Catholic faith by calling Sue Marrion at 650-694-7479. AND if you were baptized Catholic, but have never received Eucharist and/or Confirmation, you are invited to call! 
MARRIAGE PREPARATION TEAM Married couples work with engaged couples in a series of four marriage preparation sessions.
BAPTISMAL PREPARATION TEAM Individuals or couples assist in the preparation of parents for the baptism of their infants or young children.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS

Liturgical ministers serve the parish in many different ways: as altar servers, choir members, Eucharistic Ministers, intercession writers, lectors, planners, ushers, or those who prepare the environment for our special celebrations.  They are an integral part of each liturgy. 
ALTAR SERVERS Young men and women in the fifth grade or older, who assist the priest during the celebration of Eucharist and other sacraments.
MUSIC MINISTERS The Music Ministry of St. Simon Church offers many opportunities for you to put your musical talent to use! If interested in Music Ministry contact Music Director, Amy Stacke at (650)967-8311 or by e-mail at ATS375@aol.com.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Women, men, and youth of our community assist the Presider with serving the Body and Blood of Christ to those receiving Communion, and with extending a blessing to little children and to those who may not be receiving Communion. Some ministers also take communion to the sick and elderly of the parish who are unable to attend the celebration of Eucharist.
LECTORS These Ministers process in with the Word of God. They are trained to proclaim the Word of God, to gather the prayers and petitions of the assembly and to make the final announcements that indicate the activities of the Church Community during the week. 
LITURGICAL PLANNERS Parishioners assist in the liturgical planning of the parish, which includes scheduling of liturgical ministers, setting the environment, and encouraging participation. They meet on a monthly basis.
USHERS  Parishioners who  welcome and seat people as they arrive for Sunday Eucharist.  They also take up the collections during Mass and distribute the parish bulletin following Mass.
CHURCH ENVIRONMENT  A group of parishioners who work to see that the environment of our worship space enhances our liturgical celebrations and the seasons of our church year. 
INTERCESSION WRITERS Individuals who write the prayers of  the faithful each week.

SACRAMENTAL MINISTRY

SACRAMENTS FOR ADULTS
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS - (RCIA) The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), is the process where unbaptized adults and baptized Christians of other churches are welcomed into the Catholic Church.  The process, called the "Catechumenate," is adult-oriented and sensitive to the experience and questions they have. Inquiry sessions are on-going, and attendance at them will not obligate you in any way. 

We also invite baptized Catholics who have not completed their initiation into the Church (never received Confirmation and/or Eucharist) to prepare for these sacraments. 

The RCIA meets weekly to share the Word of God, reflect upon God"s call, and  be formed in the teachings of the church.  When the process nears completion, those to be initiated (or complete their initiation) into the Church celebrate the sacraments at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
RCIA INQUIRY

If you are interested in becoming Catholic, or want to check out the Catholic faith, please call Sue Marrion at 650-694-7479. 
MARRIAGE Generally marriages are celebrated here at St. Simon"s when at least one person is a member of the parish.  Exceptions are made on a case by case basis.  The couple must make an initial contact with one of the parish priests at least six months before the proposed marriage date.  At that time, the date and time for the wedding can be reserved on the parish calendar.  Confirmation will only be made after all required pre-marital preparations are completed.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION For members of the parish preparing for marriage, St. Simon offers two different options for marriage preparation.  The first option is for the couples to meet in small groups in the homes of parishioners of St. Simon who are trained to lead couples in a process of addressing marriage issues. Or couples can choose to attend an Engaged Encounter Weekend.   Arrangements for participating in these programs are made through one of the parish priests.
RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION) Confessions are held every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. or by appointment. Communal Reconciliation services are scheduled during Advent and Lent.
COMMUNION TO THE SICK Members of the parish who are homebound, sick, and/or hospitalized will, upon request, be visited by one of the priests of the parish or by a trained minister to the sick on an occasional or regular basis.  Please call the parish office to let us know when you, a member of your family or a neighbor is in need.
RITE OF ANOINTING THE SICK This sacrament is for all who are seriously ill or whose health is impaired with advancing age.  Please call the parish office to request this sacrament for yourself or anyone who is seriously ill.

SACRAMENTS FOR CHILDREN
BAPTISM For the baptism of infants and young children (under 7):  After an initial interview the parents are asked to attend two baptismal preparation sessions at the parish. Godparents are also required to attend. The purpose of these sessions is to share an understanding of the Rite of Baptism, the role of parents and godparents and other helps toward Christian parenting.

Baptisms of infants and young children are celebrated during the Sunday liturgy as scheduled according to the Church Year.  The Sacrament of Baptism is not celebrated during the season of Lent.
CHILDREN"S CATECHUMENATE (CIC) For children from third grade to seniors in high school:  The Children"s Catechumenate is modeled on the Adult Catechumenate and looks to fully initiating children into the Church through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.   Together with others of the same age who are seeking these Sacraments, they meet during the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy each week.  This process is an extension of the Children"s Liturgy of the Word.  There are also parental preparation sessions.   In keeping with current Church practice, these children receive Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
FIRST RECONCILIATION/FIRST EUCHARIST The Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are usually received in the 2nd grade. During the sacramental year, there will be parent sessions  and at least one parent is to attend.  Sessions for public school  students are held on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Sessions for  students of St. Simon School are held as part of their regular religion class. 
CONFIRMATION Confirmation preparation is a two-year process in the 7th and 8th grades.  During the sacramental year there will be sessions for parents and sponsors.  The sessions for public school students are held on Tuesday evenings.  The sessions for students of St. Simon School are held as part of their regular religion class.  The process includes weekly sessions, retreats, and service hours. 
For more information on sacraments, please contact the parish office 650-967-8311

SOCIAL JUSTICE/OUTREACH

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY St. Vincent de Paul Society is a world-wide organization of men and women dedicated to living out Jesus" call to love our neighbor through service to the poor and most needy of our society. Members of our local conference here at St. Simon"s meet regularly and collect donations of food, clothing, household items and money to distribute to the poor of our neighborhood. For more information please contact Tom DeFranco at the parish office. 650-967-8311.
OUTREACH MINISTRY  Visiting ministry

LAYETTE APPEAL		 This event is sponsored by the
Diocesan Office of Women in the Church. Newborn items (through 12 months) are collected and distributed by the Santa Clara County Nurses Association.  Annual October fund drive.  You may place new items in the bassinet in the vestibule of the Church beginning October 15th.  School children may bring items to the First Friday Mass on November 3rd.
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE Advent fund drive.

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