Adult Education

Adult Enrichment
The Adult Enrichment Committee is charged with discovering the spiritual and social concerns of the adult members of our parish. Programs and educational experiences are designed to meet those concerns so that parishioners grow holistically in their faith. Committee meetings are held once per month.

Baptismal Preparation
The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated each Sunday at 1:30 PM. Pre-Baptismal instruction for parents is conducted on the fourth Monday of each month in the Rectory. Attendance at the class is mandatory. Contact the Rectory for an appointment.

Bible Sharing
This discussion group is an offshoot of Renew. The group meets mornings in the Outreach Center. They follow the booklet, "God’s Word Today", progressing at their own pace.

Little Rock Scripture Study
This program consists of daily personal Bible study along with weekly discussions and faith sharing in small groups. It uses bible study materials from the Little Rock Scripture Series. Several sessions are offered throughout the year exploring various books of the Bible.

Marriage Preparation
Marriage Preparation Arrangements must be made with one of the parish priests at least six months in advance. All couples planning to be married in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Buffalo must participate in an approved formal marriage preparation program.
At SS. Peter & Paul we have a program run by trained married couples that meet three evenings.  Many areas of marriage such as children, communications, finance, etc. are discussed.  Reservations to attend this program may be made by contacting the Pre-Cana Coordinators. For other options of approved programs, refer to the Diocese of Buffalo website http://www.buffalodiocese.org/FamilyLife/index.htm.

R.C.I.A. – The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
This is the process by which people become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It is a conversion journey concerned with the total formation of the individual and the believing Church community. This journey includes a team and sponsors who, acting as representatives of the larger Church community, accompany the candidate through the various stages of the Rite. The process culminates with the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil.

Liturgical Ministries

Altar and Rosary Society
This group is responsible for the care and cleaning of the altar, making bibs for the baptism of newborns and the recitation of the rosary at members’ wakes.  They meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the school cafeteria.  (September – June)

Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priest at the celebration of all liturgies.  Any young man or woman, beginning with the fifth grade of elementary school, public or parochial, is eligible to join this group.  Public school students must be regularly attending religious education classes. 

Bereavement Committee
This group of parishioners is available to help a family when they experience the death of one of their members.  Any one or more of the following services is available:

• Help in planning the funeral liturgy

Contact is maintained with the family for any ongoing need they may have. Reference materials for those interested in individual help or grief support groups are also available. 

Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic ministers assist with the distribution of Communion at Masses.  They are sometimes called upon to make Communion visits to the homebound, sick or elderly. 

Lectors
Lectors proclaim the Word of God from Scripture and lead the congregation in the Prayer of the Faithful at each Mass.  Any man, woman or young adult who has received the sacrament of Confirmation is eligible to be a lector. 

Music Ministry

Contemporary Ensemble-This group performs mostly contemporary music with the accompaniment of piano, guitar and other instruments.  The ensemble sings at the 9:15 AM Mass on Sunday and rehearses Thursday at 7:30 PM.  Voice placement and instrument audition is required. High School through adult ages.

Senior Choir-This choir performs both traditional and contemporary music.  Emphasis is put on good choral technique and voice production.  The choir sings at the 10:45 AM Sunday Mass and rehearses Wednesdays at 7:30 PM.  Voice placement is required. High School through adult ages. 

Wedding Coordinators
Wedding coordinators assist the priest celebrant and the wedding party by facilitating a scheduled beginning of all wedding ceremonies.  

Worship Committee
The worship committee is responsible for assisting the priests and parish organizations with developing meaningful liturgies.  The committee also coordinates, organizes and provides educational opportunities for
the various liturgical ministries. 

Ushers
Ushers assist in maintaining a dignified, reverent atmosphere during liturgical celebrations.  They greet the people, facilitate seating, take up collections and see to the needs of the congregation. 

Parish Groups 

Bishop’s Committee
Visitors Program -These volunteers welcome the newly baptized baby into the Parish Family with a home visit.  The visitor presents a blessed medal from the Pastor and a booklet from the Bishop.  The booklet contains guidelines for the parents’ use in the religious and moral training of their child.

Discussion Program -This group of mothers meets monthly (October - May) under the guidance of trained leaders, to share experiences and discuss topics pertinent to personal growth and self-awareness. Through this program, parents are helped to continue their personal development of Christian attitudes, which they hope to pass on to their children.

Pro-Life Committee
The primary concern of this group is to encourage parishioners to reaffirm their Christian commitment to human life. Under the direction of the Diocese of Buffalo Pro-Life Activities Office, the committee’s focus is respect for all human life at all stages of existence.

Youth Group
This group brings high-school students together for social and spiritual activities.  Sports, service projects, retreats, trips, faith sharing and teen liturgies are all part of the program. Weekly meetings are held on Friday evenings. Occasional activities are held for 7th and 8th graders as posted in the church bulletin. For more information contact the Youth Director.

Parish Service 

Health Resource Ministry
The mission of the Health Resource Ministry is to assist parishioners is their efforts to live full, abundant and healthy lives.  These volunteers may be registered professional nurses or licensed practical nurses. They may not provide “hands-on” care but they are available to:

• Talk with parishioners regarding their health care concerns.
• Assist individuals to understand and comply with their physician’s advice.
• Identify the availability of needed health services and resources.
• Offer support and resource information to caregivers.

New Parishioners Welcome Committee
This committee is responsible for registering and welcoming new members to our church. An evening of hospitality is offered once per month, by the committee and one of the priests, in which the history, mission and vision of the parish is explained. New parishioners also learn about and are invited to join various committees, ministry groups and organizations that enhance the spiritual growth of our parish community.

Parish Council
The Parish Council is a representative body of the greater parish.  It is composed of 12 elected representatives and 10 non-elected representatives who are heads of various parish organizations.  The parish council functions through various committees including Buildings & Grounds, Education, Finance, Worship and Youth.  The Council is a forum, where parish related ideas, suggestions and concerns are discussed and acted upon.  It serves in an advisory capacity to the pastor and takes a leadership role in the on-going development of the parish.Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month (September-June) at 7:30 PM in the Rectory conference room.  Parishioners are welcome to attend meetings and are encouraged to voice their concerns to parish council members.  A list of members and the minutes of meetings are published in the church bulletin.

Parish Outreach
Parish Outreach aims to develop a community of people who care for, support, encourage, challenge and affirm one another as concerned and caring neighbors.  It is hoped that the image of the parish as “servant church” will be enhanced by its giving witness to Christ and his compassionate concern for others. Areas of ministry include: Visiting the homebound, the elderly, those in hospitals and nursing homes.

• Bringing Holy Communion to the sick and homebound.
• Being an Eucharistic Minister at Lakewood Health Center.
• Providing assistance to those in need of transportation.
• Helping parishioners when a family member dies (see Bereavement Committee)

To help its senior members continue living at home as long as possible, the Outreach office offers the service of linking people who need help with household chores or personal care with people looking for that type of employment. A food pantry is available to anyone in the Hamburg area who is in need. Clothing is available on Thursday mornings from 9:30 until 11:30.We are grateful to anyone willing to donate furnishings or household items in good condition. Our office is often called upon for these items by other parishes or agencies, not only for Hamburg residents, but for people Lackawanna, Buffalo and all of the Southtowns. The outreach office has reference materials on hand for various human services available to individuals or families.  If you have a problem and don’t know where to turn for help, call us at 648-1725. Visit us Monday through Friday at our Parish Outreach Center, 36 Pine Street between the hours of 9am and 4pm.

Social Ministry  
The primary concern of this committee is to help those dealing with issues of poverty and social injustice, in and beyond the confines of our own community.  With the help of many parishioners, some of their projects are: Providing a meal on a monthly basis to Night People, Inc. in Buffalo.

• Sponsoring an annual dinner and one or two other fund-raisers in order to help the poor and underprivileged.
• Helping Buffalo Central-City parishes.
• Providing household supplies, clothing, toiletries and other items to those in Buffalo who are helping refugees, troubled teens, AIDS victims, etc.
• Working in conjunction with Parish Outreach on various Christmas projects.

 

Prayer Ministries

Ministry of Praise
This is a spiritual ministry in which the members promise to pray each day for the world and in particular, for parish members and parish needs. New members receive a cross, a book of prayers and a certificate at a formal commissioning service. Each month the members receive a letter from the parish, which outlines several parish intentions. This ministry is open to all parishioners, including those who are sick, disabled or homebound.

Mission
The object of this eight-night experience is to help renew the Christian life in individuals and to help build community life within the parish. Those who have made Mission hold reunions on a regular basis throughout the year. They also plan and help carry out future parish Missions.SS. Peter & Paul Prayer Group conducts year-round prayer meetings every Wednesday at 7:30 PM in the Adult Enrichment Center – with the exception of the first Wednesday of each month when a Communion Service is held in the church. They also hold Life in the Spirit seminars twice per year, in the spring and fall.

Prayer Group
SS. Peter & Paul Prayer Group conducts year-round prayer meetings every Wednesday at 7:30 PM in the Adult Enrichment Center – with the exception of the first Wednesday of each month when a Communion Service is held in the church. They also hold Life in the Spirit seminars twice per year, in the spring and fall.

Religious Organizations & Societies

Catholic Daughters (non-parish)
Catholic Daughters of the Americas is a national organization with a motto of “Unity and Charity". Court St. Agnes #817 has been active in the Southtowns for over 70 years. They meet the third Tuesday of each month at the Knight of Columbus Hall for a combined business and social evening. The organization is open to Catholic ladies and older. http://www.catholicdaughters.org/

Knight of Columbus (non-parish)
A fraternal organization for Catholic men based on the principals of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The Hamburg Council #2220 had its’ roots in our parish when it was organized in 1920 and now includes approximately 20 neighboring parishes. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Membership is open to Catholic men, ages 18 and up. http://www.kofc.org/

St. Vincent De Paul Society
This group is the compassionate hand of the parish. Their work is made possible by donations, special collections and the congregation’s generosity in the Poor Boxes. The goal of the Society is to assist parishioners and needy transients to successfully cope with emergency situations. Their aid is in the form of food, clothing and shelter on a short-term basis. If more assistance is needed, contact is made with established social agencies. Holiday time is the most challenging for Vincentians, as they work with Parish Outreach to provide holiday food baskets, including turkeys or hams, for less fortunate families.
Other works of the Vincentians include regular visits to Lakewood Health Care and serving as acolytes at all parish funeral masses. They assist families with parish school tuition and offer young girls and boys summer camping experiences at their St. Vincent De Paul Camp in Angola. They also help in the support of the Diocese dining room for the poor in Buffalo and help in emergencies such as floods and hurricanes.

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