Altar Servers
Boys and Girls grades 4 and higher are eligible for this ministry. Servers assist the priest at Church services, serve as good role models for other children and come closer to Jesus as they serve His alter.
- Fr. Charles Johnson, 716-836-0011 ext 122 or cjohnson@stamelia.com
Child Care During Mass
This is temporarily on hold due to the COVID pandemic.
Our parish offers child care for children from six months of age to five years old. This takes place in room 26 of our school building (which is attached to the church) while parents attend Mass at 9:00am or 11:00am on Sunday mornings. The program is administered by professionals who are degreed and state certified. They rely heavily on the help of volunteers who have a love for children.
- Kathy Waite, 716-491-8269 or youth@stamelia.com
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
This is temporarily on hold due to the COVID pandemic.
At the 4:30pm Saturday Vigil Mass as well as the 9:00am and 11:00am Sunday Masses, children ages 4 through 11 are invited to take part in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word. They are dismissed from Mass to the sacristy where they hear the assigned readings front he Children’s Lectionary, along with an explanation they can easily understand. Adult volunteers facilitate the sessions.
- Barbara Gallo, 716-308-4480 or
Eucharistic Ministers
These men and women assist the priest celebrant in the distribution of Holy communion at Mass. They serve once to twice a month at a designated Mass. Some of the ministers take holy communion to the homebound and sick after Mass. Diocesan training sessions are required and readily available.
- Tracy Boeck, 716-834-1092 or boeck249@verizon.net
Greeters
Men, women, children and families are invite to spend 15 minutes before Mass on the weekends, offering a warm smile a friendly “Hello & Welcome” to people arriving at the church. Our hope is to have enough greeters to serve at each entrance for all Masses.
- Rectory Office, 716-836-0011 or rectoryoffice@stamelia.com
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of the Lord as well as the Prayer of the Faithful (in the abscence of a Deacon) at weekday and weekend Masses. Weekend Lectors usually serve once a month at a designated Mass. Individuals with natural gifts such as strong and clear voices are encouraged to inquire and be trained for this ministry.
- Lorraine Gulczewski, 716-836-8487 or lorraine513@verizon.net
Liturgy Committee
The sacred liturgy is both the source and the summit of all parish life and activity. This committee is responsible for the beautiful and inspiring liturgical decor installations that are an integral part of the liturgy and church atmosphere during each liturgical season throughout the year. The committee meets monthly.
- Karen Biesinger, 716-836-5574 or jkbiesinger@verizon.net
Music Ministry
Our Director of Music ministry is Steven Gruhalla. He can be reached at sgruhalla@stamelia.com
Parking Lot Assistants
Many of our parishioners are advanced in age and appreciate some help in getting from their cars in the parking lot into the church. They are offered a steady arm by our Parking Lot Assistants who are ready to help with a friendly smile on their face.
- Rectory Office, 716-836-0011 or rectoryoffice@stamelia.com
Ushers
Men and women serving as ushers are present before Mass to greet people as they arrive in the church. They help with seating, obtaining gift bearers for the Offertory procession, take up the collection, direct parishioners at Communion time and distribute bulletins at the end of Mass. Ushers general serve at the same Mass each week.
- Tim Scanlon, 716-817-2165