SERVICE MINISTRIES AT HOLY ROSARY:

PASTORAL COUNCIL
FINANCE COUNCIL
ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION
FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION
LITURGY COMMISSION
SCHOOL COMMISSION
ADVENT GIVING TREE MINISTRY
BLOCK PARTY
BULLETIN STUFFING
BUS MINISTRY
CABRINI MINISTRY
CHRISTMAS TREE LOT
CLOTHESLINE
COLLECTION COUNTERS
CYO
FLORAL ARRANGING MINISTRY
GOD’S GREEN EARTH
GREEN TEAM---Stewardship of the Earth
GOLF TOURNAMENT
HOMEBOUND EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY
HEART AUCTION
INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS MINISTRY
LENTEN POUNDING TREE
LITURGICAL ENVIRONMENT
ORION CENTER DINNERS
SOCIAL JUSTICE
SOUP KITCHEN
ST. MARTIN SANDWICHES
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
PARENTS CLUB
PARISH LIBRARY
PARISH MAILINGS
WESTFEST

SERVICE--COUNCILS:

Pastoral Council

The Holy Rosary Pastoral Council is the chief advisory body for the Pastor and helps the Pastor set the direction and goals of the parish. The council is a consultative body that the Pastor can prayerfully reflect with and ask for assistance to guide the overall care and ministry of the Parish and the enhancement of its mission. The council's purpose is:
- To form community so that it is a sign and witness of unity for the larger community.
- To provide recommendations about the priorities and direction of the parish through pastoral planning.
- To promote communication and understanding among parish organizations and between the parish and the archdiocese and universal Church.
The establishment of the Council is required in every parish within the Archdiocese of Seattle. Members of the council are elected by the Pastor and a selection committee, and are chosen to represent the needs and values of their constituency, ministry or the parish.

Click here for more information about your Pastoral Council Members.

Finance Council

The Finance Council is a consultative body which advises the Pastor concerning the stewardship of parish financial resources. To this end, the Finance Council works with the Parish Administrator to produce a sound annual fiscal budget for the Parish. It also supports the Parish’s ability to meet its priority objectives within its financial constraints through analysis and management guidance. The Council also recommends long and short-term strategies for financial well-being of the Parish.

The membership includes parish members with financial, accounting, business, and management experience, as well as those involved in various ministries. The Council presently consists of seven members appointed by the Pastor. The Council meets the third Monday of the month at 5:30pm. It works in coordination with other administrative teams such as the Pastoral Council, Stewardship Commission, and the Parish Office staff.

SERVICE--COMMISSIONS:

Administration Commission

The Administration Commission (AdCom) oversees the maintenance needs and capital improvements to Holy Rosary’s church and school campus, including the care and upkeep of buildings, walkways, grounds, and related infrastructures. AdCom members review and prioritize projects, seek outside consultants for estimates and services when necessary, and initiate/monitor work progress. Projects range from tracking regular/annual in-house maintenance items to long-term, larger-scale upgrades and renovations.

AdCom is a group of 10-12 parishioners with diverse backgrounds and professions. We meet once per month to discuss status of projects and project budgets with the Parish Administrator. Additional time commitments of approximately 2-4 hours per month for research of project information and/or securing construction contacts and cost estimates may occur.

FAITH FORMATION COMMISSION

The mission of Adult Faith Formation is to develop rewarding programs and catechesis that enrich the spiritual lives of adult members of the parish. The group is guided by “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us,” a pastoral plan for Adult Faith Formation, issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1999.
We’re interested in a diverse group of parish members, representing all age groups. We are looking for those who have a passion for exploring new ways of presenting adult religious education in the Catholic tradition and would work well in a team environment.

LITURGY COMMISSION

Holy Rosary Parish is blessed to be able to take part in wonderful liturgical celebrations every Sunday. Our fellow parishioners who minister at the Sunday liturgies come prepared, and perform their responsibilities with understanding and enthusiasm in the service of the entire assembly. We meet Christ as we listen to the Word proclaimed with care, attend to the well-prepared homilies, sing in the company of fine musicians, embrace those around us, and receive the Eucharist as one body.

The Holy Rosary Liturgy Commission meets once a month. All who come to the meetings leave with a fuller understanding of Catholic liturgical celebration and a deeper appreciation for the liturgies that take place in our faith community. The meetings are always fun and informal. Of all the many wonderful activities that take place at Holy Rosary, our liturgies are the most important and we can all become more involved. Everyone is welcome.

SCHOOL COMMISSION

Thefunction of the School Commission is to set school policy and establish, ensure maintenance and improvements to the physical plant and equipment, approve and monitor the annual school budget and serve as an advisory panel to support the School Principle and the Pastor in the administration of the school. The School Commission meets regularly on the first Thursday of each month from September to June at 6:00 p.m. At-large commission members serve four-year terms and typically three new members are added each spring. The School Commission has various subcommittees. Parents and parishioners are encouraged to volunteer according to their talents and their skills. Time commitment: Varies depending on duties.

STEWARDSHIP COMMISSION

The Stewardship Commission is involved in the ongoing process of connecting our Parish’s past with our present as we head into the future. We do this by welcoming new parishioners and developing programs, such as The Living Your Strengths program and the Engaged Church, to make our Parish a more welcoming community to all. By discovering our signature themes and talents, our Stewardship of Time and Talent will become much more specific and objective as a result of gift- based giving. Parish attendance and the sharing of Treasure will also increase as engagement, gratitude and generosity are more evident.

Time, Talent and Treasure opportunities abound: there is something for everyone! We are a diverse group of members with plenty of enthusiasm. If you have a great idea for a new activity or ministry for the Parish, send us your idea, or better still, join our group.

SERVICE--GENERAL:

ADVENT GIVING TREE MINISTRY

Each Advent season, a treeladen with Christmas wishes is on display in the church. Parishioners are invited to select a tag from the tree, purchase the gift on the tag, and return it before Christmas. The Giving Tree has benefited Providence Regina House, Noel House, St. Martin de Porres Men’s Shelter, Matt Talbot Center, Youth Care’s Orion Center, Elder Health Northwest, Catherine Booth House, King County Detention Ministry and the St. Francis Toy Room to name a few. Volunteers are always needed to help organize this wonderful ministry. Time commitment: as little or as much as you like.

BLOCK PARTY:

The Block Party is an annual summer event at Holy Rosary. It is an event where the entire Parish is invited to come together as one community to enjoy a picnic type pot-luck meal, entertainment, and fellowship. Volunteer opportunities abound. Time commitment: 3-4 hours once a year.

BULLETIN STUFFING

Friday mornings in the parish office dining room, a group of faithful parishioners get together to attach the various inserts in the Holy Rosary weekly bulletin. These volunteers spend about two hours each Friday for the preparation of the bulletin. It is not all work—it’s also a time to visit, share a cup of coffee, and to share some laughs. Volunteers are always needed. Time commitment: 2 hours per week.

BUS MINISTRY

The Bus Ministry, a new ministry, which assists parishioners who are not able to transport themselves join the greater faith community for Mass. Volunteers are needed to drive the Holy Rosary Bus to pick up parishioners and to transport them to and from Sunday Mass. Currently, the Bus is used to bring parishioners to the 9:30 am Sunday morning Mass (Mass time may vary). With more volunteers willing to drive, this ministry can be expanded to include the Saturday Vigil Mass and/or the Sunday 11:30 am Mass. Valid Driver’s License and insurance required, as well as completion of a background check and The Safe Environment Program. Time commitment: 2 hours per week.

CABRINI MINISTRY

Cabrini Ministry is a regional program that equips lay persons to provide Christian one-to-one care to those who are experiencing a variety of needs. These needs include the hospitalized, the terminally ill, persons in grief, those in crisis, the elderly, and anyone in need of support. To become a Cabrini Minister one must complete a comprehensive program which provides a strong foundation for lay pastoral ministers in faith communities. There is a cost for the training and the training is weekly for five months totally 65 hours of training. Before beginning any ministry after completion of the training, one must pass a background check and complete The Safe Environment Program.

CHRISTMAS TREE LOT

The last week of November for the past 20 + years, just as we’re putting away the last bits of turkey, we magically become the Tree-lot Elves to spread a little bit of Christmas joy to the people of West Seattle! We are the Tree-lot Elves, a band of dedicated volunteers, of parents, grandparents, students, friends, parishioners and neighbors of Holy Rosary School. A few weeks in every year, we become Santa’s Christmas Tree helpers. We are fun-loving creatures who work hard to bring you the best trees to make your Holidays more special! Santa has given us the charge of bringing cheer throughout the West Seattle neighborhood. To accomplish this, we donate fifteen percent of the proceeds of our sales to local area charities. It’s just a little way for us to help out those who are less fortunate. Commitment is limited to a few weeks each year between Advent and Christmas. Please consider volunteering for this fun ministry.

CLOTHESLINE

The Clothesline offers free gently used and new clothing to families in need. Volunteers can choose to either work on Tuesdays sorting and stocking donated clothing, or Fridays helping families find clothing they need.

The Clothesline is administrated by the West Seattle Helpline. Its main distribution center is Hillcrest Presbyterian Church.

COLLECTION COUNTERS

The Collection Counters meet weekly to count the checks, currency and coins you donate. We tally the regular collection plus all the special purpose donations and prepare the bank deposit. Ten-key experience is particularly helpful but not required. A background check is required. Volunteers often rotate so the time commitment varies. The time to process the donations is approximately 2 hours per week.

CYO

CYO's mission is to develop well rounded youth with positive self- esteem and real care for others. What we are about is to help parents raise well-adjusted, morally strong, faith filled children and at the same time to have fun with athletics and athletic development.

CYO is open to all parishioners and students. Holy Rosary offers soccer, cross country, volleyball, basketball, track and baseball. A CYO board administers the sports programs. Time Commitment varies.

FLORAL ARRANGING MINISTRY

During our liturgies, the church is adorned with beautiful arrangements of flowers. Volunteers are welcome to join in helping with arranging the flowers or with caring for them during the week. Time commitment is about 2 hours per week

GOD’S GREEN EARTH

Once a month volunteers purchase, wash, and bag fresh vegetables and fruits for those in Seattle who are living with AIDS/HIV. This produce acts as a nutritional supplement for low-income people and is distributed through a partnership with the Lifelong Aids Alliance.

GREEN TEAM---Stewardship of the Earth

We follow the Catholic Social Teaching of Caring for God’s Creation. “ We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored.” Holy Rosary’s Green Team is made up of parents/parishioners, a teacher representative, a representative from the Parish staff, and students who all share a passion for caring for God’s creation, the Earth. The Green Team hopes to reduce the impact/carbon footprint of our community. The Green Team produces weekly green tips for the school’s Family Communication Envelope and the Parish Bulletin, initiates projects such as food wastecomposting, installing No Idlesigns, Earth Day activities and Bike to School Month.

GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Golf Tournament committee plans, runs, and participates in the annual Holy Rosary Golf Tournament to benefit the Father Mallahan School Endowment Fund. The tournament is played at the West Seattle Golf Club and features generous business sponsors from our community. The 8th Grade Class from Holy Rosary School provides caddies to raise money for their annual retreat. Meetings are held once a month from January until the tournament in the Fall. Click HERE for more information!

HOMEBOUND EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY
Holy Rosary’s Homebound Eucharistic Ministers visit those who are unable to attend Mass and wish to receive the Eucharist in their homes, care residences, assisted living and nursing facilities and hospitals. Trained volunteers visit homebound parishioners on a regular basis bringing them Communion, praying with them and spend time visiting and keeping them connected to the faith community. When visiting nursing and assisted living facilities the minister will conduct a Communion Service and take Communion to an individual’s room if they are not able to participate in the Communion Service. Volunteers must pass a background check and complete The Safe Environment Program. Time commitment varies depending on the number of parishioners being visited each week with an average of 1-2 hours per week.

HEART AUCTION

The goal of the auction is to raise funds to do what H.E.A.R.T. stands for: Helping Education and Religious Training. The auction normally takes place in the spring and is a highly anticipated event. Many people are needed to make this event a success. There are many established committees that work hard year round planning the decorations, procuring items, setting up our website and much more. Contact us if you're interested in working with an enthusiastic group of people.

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS MINISTRY

The purpose of the International Missions Board is to provide short term exposure experiences for our parishioners and others in Third World and developing countries; to mutually exchange our gifts, talents and faith in Jesus Christ with the people we encounter; and to identify areas of need that we might provide resources. Our trips are about three weeks in duration. Since 1998 we have sponsored trips to Jamaica, Kenya, Uganda, and the Philippines. The school, parish and outside donors have helped to build schools, churches, medical clinics, water projects, and provide medical equipment, computers, school supplies, school fees and more.

LENTEN POUNDING TREE

Traditionally, when events called for celebration and gift giving (weddings, births, etc.), pioneers who were cash poor “pounded” the person with gifts such as a pound of sugar or a pound of coffee. We set up our “pounding tree” on Ash Wednesday with “pounding tags.” Items collected benefit St. Vincent de Paul and the West Seattle Food Bank.

LITURGICAL ENVIRONMENT

Throughout the history of the Church, a dynamic tension has existed between the continuity of traditional artistic expression and the need to articulate the faith in ways proper to each age and to diverse cultures. The place where God's people gather prompts them to recognize the divine image in which they have been created and restored in Christ. The tradition of decorating the church for liturgical seasons and feasts heightens the awareness of the festive, solemn, or penitential nature of these seasons. Human minds and hearts are stimulated by the sounds, sights, and fragrances of liturgical seasons, which combine to create powerful, lasting impressions of the rich and abundant graces unique to each of the seasons. We need help from people with imaginative ideas, or who would like to spend time adorning the church with decorations. Time commitment varies during the course of the year - from Advent through Christmas, to Lent into Easter.

ORION CENTER DINNERS

The Orion Center is a multi-service facility for homeless youth ages 12-21 with limited services for youth ages 22- 24. It provides immediate and developmental services such as case management, health education, the Orion School (an on-site Seattle Public School), food and clothing banks, and adventure-based therapy. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm
Hundreds of volunteers continue Orion Center's collaborative spirit by lending their time and expertise to help this vulnerable population develop. More than 350 volunteers from churches, homes, and organizations provide hot, home-cooked dinners for youth at the Orion Center five nights a week.

There are two groups of Holy Rosary parishioners who share the responsibility of providing dinner for the youth. Each group purchases groceries, cooks and prepares the food, and then brings the meal downtown for the teens. On even numbered months Bill Lenth’s group provides a meal on the first two Thursdays of the month. Grace Fosado's group prepares a meal on the second Thursday of odd numbered months. Time commitment Varies.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

The Holy Rosary Social Justice Committee works to integrate Catholic Social Teaching into the parish expression of God’s love. We do this through: raising awareness of Catholic Social Teaching; promoting education and opportunities to practice the teachings; struggling with issues of homelessness, diversity, peace and nonviolence, respect for life, and care for creation.

SOUP KITCHEN

Twice a month volunteersprepare gallons of homemade soup for the Lazarus Day Center. There are many ways that parishioners can participate: prepare broth or base in your own home, join the “soupers” in the kitchen on soup days, or pick up and deliver insulated soup containers to and from the shelter on soup days. Time commitment varies

ST. MARTIN SANDWICHES

The St. Martin de Porres sandwich team makes 300 sandwiches every first Tuesday of the month. In addition we add homemade cookies or cupcakes made with special love from the school kids. The ministry is currently comprised of parishioners from age 9 to 60. Time commitment varies

ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY

This group of men and women carry on the charitable works of Christ after the example of St. Vincent de Paul. Material assistance, such as food, shelter, and clothing are provided, as well as caring companionship for those who are in need. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month. Time commitment varies depending on the activity.

PARENTS CLUB

Holy Rosary School parentssupport the school primarily through the Parents’ Club. Throughout the school year, the Parents’ Club meets approximately once per month to discuss various programs which support the school in a variety of ways including fundraising efforts which help makes the Catholic tuition affordable to all. Programs where parents and parishioners can volunteer include Westfest, the Tree-lot, the Golf Tournament, and the HEART Auction. Time commitment varies depending on the activity.

PARISH LIBRARY

The Parish Library is open between Masses on the first Sunday of each month throughout the school year. The library stocks several hundred books by well-known authors on a wide variety of religious subjects, as well as music and videos. All resources may also be checked out on weekdays during regular parish office hours. Volunteers are always welcome. Time commitment varies.

PARISH MAILINGS

We are always in need of help with our many parish mailings. Keeping parishioners up-to-date with the goings-on here at Holy Rosary is very important. In addition to quarterly statements, we often send our parishioners helpful materials to help them prepare for the different seasons, such as The Little Blue Book for Advent, The Little Black Book for Lent, and The Little White Book for Easter. Help is needed in the office (treats provided) or some volunteers prefer to take a batch home and work on them there. This is a great opportunity for school parent commitment hours or for Junior High Students to earn their service hours! Time commitment: 2-3 hours per month.

WESTFEST

WestFest is fun! Imagine a Fall weekend in September that brings together family and friends from Holy Rosary Parish. Imagine an event put on by the school and the Parish that’s safe and tons of fun for all ages. You’ll find rides, kids games, an entertainment stage, specialty food booths, BINGO, a used book sale, a raffle, an arts & crafts fair, and much more right here in the Holy Rosary School grounds.

WestFest is community! WestFest has become our community’s Fall Family Festival. In it, we celebrate the culmination of a summer well spent as well as the beginning of an exciting new school year!
It is a Festival run purely by volunteers from our Parish. It embodies everything that our community is all about. We show our children what can be accomplished by working together. Without the sheer dedication and hard work of parishioners, parents, children, friends and family, there can be no WestFest!

WestFest is tradition! As a West Seattle tradition, WestFest can’t happen without involved parents, teachers, and parishioners! Please consider helping by working a shift or two—it’s a lot of fun and a great way to meet neighbors and friends. The WestFest Chairs will work with you to find just the right volunteer opportunity. Time commitment: varies depending on the activity