Liturgy and Spirituality
To make inquiries about the organizations/committees/ministries listed here when the contact is not a staff person, please use this contact form.
Altar Servers
The privilege and honor of serving at the altar and assisting the priest has been a long standing tradition of the Catholic Church. The Ministry of Altar Server is an opportunity for a boy or girl from grades 5 through 12 to serve the Church and the Lord in this special way.
While the primary focus of this ministry is to assist at the weekend Masses, Altar Servers are called on to assist at special liturgical functions such as Holy Week, Holy Day Masses, Weddings and other special Masses throughout the year, and the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
Contact: Deacon Roger Polefko
rpolefko@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Altar Servers—Grades 5-8
This ministry is open to any boy or girl in grades 5 through 8. All students who desire to serve should express an interest in serving and have the support of their parent/guardian. New Altar Servers are welcomed throughout the year.
Contact: Deacon Roger Polefko
rpolefko@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Altar Servers—Grades 9-12
This ministry is open to all high school boys and girls even if the student has never been an Altar Server. Any student in high school should have a desire to serve the Lord and be an example to those around him/her. As well as serving as a role model for participation at Mass, it is also the duty of the High School Server to be an example of faith as he/she works with the younger Altar Servers.
Contact: Deacon Roger Polefko
rpolefko@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Adult Servers
This ministry is open to adult men and women who wish to serve at the daily Mass at 7:30 am or Funeral Masses. Adult Altar Servers are also asked to serve at daytime Holy Day Mass and the 12:00 pm (noon) Lenten Masses. There is no age limit.
Contact: Deacon Roger Polefko
rpolefko@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Charismatic Prayer Group
Since 1971, parishioners have gathered for prayer and worship on Friday afternoons at 1:30 pm. The purpose of the meetings is to give praises to God, out of which arises a desire for personal holiness, the willingness to strengthen the Church, and the fervor to evangelize the larger community.
Contact: Parish Office
sjbinfo@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Choir – Adult
Those interested in leading the faithful in singing God’s praises are encouraged to consider our Adult Choir. If you can carry a tune and are willing to work, our Adult Choir might be for you. Weekly practices are Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm. The Adult Choir assists at the 11:00 am Mass every Sunday except the second Sunday of the month, on that weekend they assist at the 4:00 pm Mass on Saturday.
Contact: Norm Cotone
ncotone@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Choir – Youth
The Children’s Choir sings at the 11:00 am Mass on the 2nd Sunday of the month November thru May. Participants include children in 3rd grade and up. Practices are twice monthly on Tuesdays at 6:15 pm.
Contact: Norm Cotone
ncotone@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Computer Projection Volunteer
Parish volunteers run the multimedia projector to present prayer texts and song lyrics during the liturgies. Minimal computer knowledge is needed.
Contact: Amy Folger
Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion
We are fortunate to have many members of the parish who joyfully and reverently help distribute the Eucharist at Mass and to the sick and homebound of the parish. The diocese provides training for this ministry, as does the parish after the diocesan training has been completed.
Contact: Father Matt Byrne or Deacon Roger Polefko or Ed Flegel
(440) 886-3500
mbyrne@sjbparmaheights.org
rpolefko@sjbparmaheights.org
Greeters
Saint John Bosco is a welcoming and friendly community. Greeters are parishioners who welcome people as they come into the church during our weekend Masses. Anyone who is friendly and willing to commit to arriving at least 15 minutes before Mass is welcome to join this ministry.
Contact: Thomas Halloran
Instrumentalists
Musical accompaniment is important at our parish liturgies. Skillful instrumentalists are always welcome to join our ensemble. Those interested are selected by audition only. Experience and a professional background are preferred.
Contact: Norm Cotone
ncotone@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the first and second readings at Mass. A Lector at St. John Bosco is rooted in a love for, knowledge of, and belief in the Word of God. These qualities enable the Lector to share God’s Word with the assembly gathered at Mass.
Training and assistance is provided in order to proclaim the Word in a manner that will enhance the congregation’s experience.
Contact: Deacon Roger Polefko
rpolefko@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Mass Coordinators
These volunteers see that everything is ready for the celebration of weekend Masses. They place items where they need to be and see that all liturgical ministers are present. Their service assures that the details are covered so that Mass is celebrated well.
Contact: Father Matt Byrne
mbyrne@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
Since January 1, 2000 our Perpetual Adoration Chapel has been a source of blessings for many in our parish and beyond. It is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Parishioners are encouraged to try to spend one hour weekly in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in response to the Lord’s invitation to “Spend an hour with me.” Our goal is always to have at least two people, who are called “Adorers”, in prayer in the Adoration Chapel for every hour.
Contact: Betty Kovach or Kathy Jasany
Prayer Companions
“SJB Prayer Companions” pray for the prayer intentions that are made to the parish prayer line. To be a “SJB Prayer Companion” all that you need to do is be able to receive a daily evening email with the prayer intentions of the day and commit to spending some time within the following 24 hours in prayer for those intentions. Anyone who does not have access to email can sign up by agreeing to receive a phone call each evening with the prayer intentions of the day and making just one phone call that evening to another “SJB Prayer Companion” to pass on those intentions.
Contact: Parish Office
sjbinfo@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Prayer Requests
The entire parish is invited to pray for those who have asked for our prayers and for all whom we have promised to pray. The parish responds to these prayer requests in three ways.
First, a listing of individuals who have asked for prayers is published in the Sunday bulletin for four weeks. After four weeks names are automatically removed from the list unless the Parish Office (440-886-3500) has been asked to retain an individual on the list for a longer period.
Second, a prayer basket is located near the statue of Saint Joseph, patron of the Universal Church. Prayer slips are available for individuals to write out their intention and place it in the prayer basket. The intentions in the prayer basket are remembered at every Mass celebrated at the parish.
Third, you can also submit intentions through our Prayer Line. Send an email to sjbprays@sjbparmaheights.org, call 440-862-7448 or submit a form at this link. These intentions are prayed for by the St. John Bosco Prayer Companions.
To learn more about the St. John Bosco Prayer Companion, see above.
Contact: Parish Office
sjbinfo@sjbparmaheights.org
(440) 886-3500
Spiritual Development
The mission of the Spiritual Development Committee is to serve the Lord and the people of St. John Bosco on our journey to holiness by offering faith formation activities and opportunities for faith sharing. Our role is to work closely with our Pastor in presenting, sponsoring and supporting programs and resources that enrich the Catholic experience in our parish. Activities directed by the Spiritual Development Committee include: organizing retreats, missions, book discussions, Holy Hour prayer services and video presentations. The committee offers Catholic enrichment through Little Rock Scripture Study, the Lighthouse Catholic Media Kiosk, and the distribution of The Little Books for Advent, Lent and Easter.
Contact: Jan Bacher or Kathi DiVincenzo
Ushers
Have you ever been invited to a gathering and the only person you know is the one who invited you? What a relief when someone reaches out to welcome you. Our Ushers meet and seat people at our Masses and keep alert to special needs during the Mass. Additional duties include taking up the collection and presenting the gifts, ushering at Communion, and distributing bulletins after Mass. Arriving fifteen minutes before Mass is required for this ministry.
Contact: Dennis Fox