Volunteering

1 Peter 4:10-11. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.

The life of a parish is only as strong as its volunteers. At St. John’s, we turn to our parishioners to give of their time and talent to the parish community. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please use the contact information provided within each ministry description. There is also opportunity to become involved in upcoming parish social events and activities. For more information contact the parish office at (905) 634-2485, speak with the priest or fill out the volunteer registration form below by clicking on the link. If you’re discerning a call to volunteer in our parish, please download and read the “Screening in Faith” document put forth by the Diocese of Hamilton for the Volunteer Screening Initiative and Volunteer Guidelines.

Eucharistic Ministers

Actively participate in the celebration of either weekend or weekday masses by assisting in the distribution of the Eucharist. You can also serve by distributing Communion to the sick, elderly or shut-ins as needed. Training is provided and new ministers are always welcome!

Contact: Christopher Hawken directly at (905) 632-7542 or hawkenchris@yahoo.ca or the Parish Office at (905) 634-2485.

Lectors

Lectors’ mission is to respectfully proclaim the word of the Lord during Masses. Informal training is provided at the parish and there is also a training program available through the diocese. Generally, lectors read at one Mass a month. Scheduling is very flexible.

If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry please contact the parish office at (905) 634-2485, to speak with the priest.

Altar Servers (Youth and Adult)

The Altar Server Ministry provides both girls and boys an opportunity to actively participate in the tradition of Catholic worship.

We welcome all interested youth attending the 4th school-grade or above who have already received the sacrament of First Holy Communion. Training is provided.

Adult Altar Servers are also needed to serve at funerals and/or weekday Mass.

If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry please contact the parish office at (905) 634-2485, to speak with the priest.

Ministers of Hospitality (Ushers)

At each Mass, four ushers are needed to welcome parishioners, help with seating, collect the offertory, sometimes present the gifts prior to Eucharist, and distribute bulletins. Ushers also help to protect the health and safety of parishioners by being aware of emergency procedures.

If you have an affinity for meeting people, ushering might be the ministry that could use your talents. To volunteer, speak to one of the ushers, or contact the Parish Office at (905) 634-2485.

Children’s Liturgy

Children’s Liturgy takes place every Sunday at the 11:00 am Mass, throughout the school year.

Our Parish welcomes all children (age 4 – 1st Communion age) to participate in age appropriate Liturgy of the Word.
They will hear the same Scriptures that are proclaimed at Mass, but explained on a level that younger children can understand.

At the start of Mass, the priest invites the children to come forward. Following a blessing, they gather in the parish hall to hear the Gospel.
The children return to their parents at the Offertory Procession.

Throughout the year, the children participate in additional activities such as singing in the Church and the Christmas Pageant.

Volunteers welcomed! If you enjoy growing your faith, and love working with children, God may be calling you to pass on Catholic teachings to children and help grow strong Christian families.

For more information contact Anne Marie Buttenham (905) 317-3539 or childrensliturgystjohns@gmail.com

Music Ministry

Music makes liturgy come alive with joy. St. John’s is constantly looking for enthusiastic people who wish to join others in song. No experience is necessary and new members are always welcome. Below is a brief description of each ministry:

5:00 p.m. (Saturday) and 9:00 a.m. (Sunday) Choirs: Choristers of sing SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass) and rehearse on Saturday afternoons at 4 p.m. Members have the flexibility to attend either Mass as there is continuity of music at both liturgies. This group also sings a cappella as needed during the Easter Triduum.

11:00 a.m. (Sunday) Choir: This choir warms up before Mass and often has short rehearsals after Mass. A combination of guitar, organ and keyboard are used to accompany the choir. New singers and instrumentalists are always welcome.

Funeral Choir: This dedicated group of volunteers is an integral part of the Funeral Masses. They rehearse 30 minutes before the Funeral Mass.

Children’s Choir: If numbers of participants permit, this primary/junior group sings approximately once a month.

Teen Singers: Teens can join at any Mass or rehearsal. Training for canting is also provided.

For more information on any of these music ministries, please visit us in the choir loft after Mass or contact the Parish Office at
(905) 634-2485.

Baptism Preparation

The Sacrament of Baptism is where life in Christ begins!  Parents are offered the chance to explore their faith and strengthen their commitment to God and one another through spiritual renewal. Parent’s must first meet with the pastor, complete all registration forms, and make arrangements for their child’s Baptism.

Baptism takes place on the third Sunday of each month.

To become a member of the Baptism Preparation team and share your talents, please contact the Parish Office at (905) 634-2485.

Bereavement Ministry

St. John the Baptist Parish provides a loving, compassionate and caring presence for those who have lost a loved one through death.

Who are the Bereavement Ministers? They are generous and caring men and women who have made the commitment to accompany their fellow parishioners through the journey of grief. Bereavement Ministers are available to serve at the altar funeral liturgies.

What Is Involved in Being a Bereavement Minister?
• Pray for members of our parish community who have died, and their families
• Offer a listening ear and a caring presence as the bereaved move through the services
• Visit the family of the deceased at the wake to assure them that the parish is with them in prayer and sympathetic support
• Assist in setting up the altar for the funeral liturgy
• Serve as Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers at the funeral liturgy, as needed
• Greet and welcome those attending the funeral on behalf of St. John the Baptist Parish
• Serve at the funeral liturgy, assisting the celebrant with details of the mass or service

To become a member of the Bereavement Ministry team, please contact the Parish Office at (905) 634-2485.

Event Volunteer Ministry

Our Event Volunteer Ministry at St. John the Baptist Parish is a way for parishioners to get involved in various church community events throughout the year. Volunteers are asked to sign up on a general list and complete the Diocese screening forms. Emails are sent out to update parishioners on upcoming events and volunteers can indicate their interest and availability for upcoming events. The Event Volunteer Ministry is a great way to meet new parishioners. “Many hands make light work”

Email: stjohnsevents12@gmail.com
Lois Morrison-Huq — Lead Volunteer Coordinator
Dina Knight — Lead Events Coordinator

Knights of Columbus

St. John the Baptist Parish has been blessed with the presence of two Knights of Columbus Councils. Our parish was the founding Council in Burlington on December 12, 1960 by the men of the Parish looking to strengthen their faith and grow the church community. That spilled out into the Burlington community and through the growing population five new Councils and one Assembly was born. The original Council still exists but after 64 years a new Council was recently created. Council#18496 began on June 6, 2024.

The Knights of Columbus was started by soon to be Saint, Blessed Michael J McGivney to help families in need. We still do this today guided by the principles of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

Join us on your faith journey as we continue our good work not only in the church but also in the community at large. Looking for more information about the Knights in St. John’s? Contact John D’Addario 905-973-0474.

Hospital Visiting Team

A team of Eucharistic Ministers, under the direction of the pastor, take Holy Communion to parishioners and out-of-town patients at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital on Wednesday mornings, or as the need arises.

If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry please contact the parish office at (905) 634-2485 to speak with the priest.

Shut-ins Committee

A team of Eucharistic Ministers, under the direction of the pastor, distributes Holy Communion to residents of long-term care facilities and private homes weekly or twice a month. Our volunteers often find it enjoyable to spend time to visit and get to know the people they are serving.

If you are interested in volunteering for this ministry please contact the parish office at (905) 634-2485, to speak with the priest.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

St. John the Baptist Parish Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is one of the most active Conferences in Burlington and has been for more than fifty years.

We are blessed with very generous Parishioners, Sponsors, Donors, and dedicated Volunteers, known as Vincentians, who commit endless hours of their time, to serve and assist our Parish community in the many ways that God has called us to do.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul believes that no act of charity is foreign to the society; this is the “Vinnie motto.”
We are a lay Catholic organization whose mission is to live the Gospel message by serving the needy with love, respect, justice and Joy.

Our Society has a phone line that is answered on a weekly rotation by our dedicated Volunteers, who return the phone calls and assist our members in a prompt and efficient manner. Phone calls may vary from requests for food vouchers, assistance with rent, utility costs, the need for clothing, medication, dental care, beds, temporary shelter, gas money, bus tickets and sometimes just someone to talk to.

We have a very good working relationship with our community partners such as the Burlington Food Bank, Compassion Society, Knights of Columbus, Wellington Square United Church, SSVP Furniture Store in Hamilton and mattress distributors.

We have been active in the past support of our conference schools, both Elementary and Secondary, with the snack program and various other programs within the schools. As well as sending children to summer camp programs.

The Christmas Program that we run has been a tremendous success and we have been blessed with the financial means to assist many families in various ways, thanks to the generosity of our Parish family and Sponsors.

We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month, via a Zoom meeting.

If you feel that this vocation may be for you, please send the Society an email as we are always welcoming new ideas.
God’s love never stops.

Phone: (905) 979-6460
Email: ssvpstjtb@gmail.co

The Catholic Women’s League

The Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of Canada is a national organization rooted in Gospel values, calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God. The CWL serves the parish community by contributing to the spiritual life of our own parishioners.

Our members are involved in the various liturgical ministries as Ministers of the Eucharist, Lectors, Choir Members and Altar Servers for funerals.

Each year the league hosts both Advent and Lenten retreats, open to the parish.

General meetings are held on the second Monday of the month from September to June. Our discussion topics often reflect the objects of the league, for example, the sanctity of life, Catholic education, religious freedom, social justice, etc. Guest speakers are occasionally invited, with the meetings open to all parishioners.

Come and see what we have to offer. We need you!

Lori Skinner – President
Phone: 905-637-8165

St John’s Men’s Group

The Saint John’s Men’s Group was established to support and strengthen the spiritual growth of men through casual fellowship with other men of our parish. Meeting from 8 to 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month except for July and August, we socialize over a brief presentation and discussion regarding Catholic men in the world today. The Men’s Group has also been responsible for the planning and hosting of parish events such as the annual Talent Show and raised funds for the parish with BBQ’s and parking cars in our church lot for the Annual Sound of Music Festival.  Please consider joining us at our next meeting.  For more information, please phone David Foster at 416-892-8819.