Pastoral
Council
The Pastoral Council seeks to recognize the spiritual, social
and human needs of the parish family and to advise the pastor
in addressing these needs. The Council encourages parishioners
to offer their prayer, time and talent to nurture the life of
our faith community. It convenes from September through June.
Finance Council
The Finance Council advises the pastor in matters of parish
administration and finance. The council makes proposals for
the development of a fiscal policy that realistically supports
the goals and programs which will nurture the parish's spiritual
growth.
Worship Committee
The Worship Committee nurtures the spiritual growth of the parish
by preparing liturgies and prayer services. The Committee supports
the various liturgical ministries. Special events include: The
Lenten Parish Mission, services of Reconciliation, assistance
with the Mass of Anointing and the Mass of Remembrance, special
seasonal rituals for Thanksgiving, Advent, and the parish patronal
feast.
Cathedral Music Ministry
- Web Page
The Cathedral Music Ministry contributes to the prayer life
of the parish community by providing music for liturgical services
of the parish and the Archdiocese of Hartford. There are two
musical groups: the Cathedral Choir and the Archdiocesan Choir.
The great Austin organ is one of the largest and finest pipe
organs in the state and is widely known through recordings.
The Cathedral Choir sings at the 11 a.m. Mass every Sunday,
September through mid-June, and for special occasions and services
during Christmas and Easter. It maintains a high standard of
musical excellence. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 7:15-9:00
p.m. For information about sharing your musical talents, please
contact the Director, Ezequiel Menéndez.
Education Committee
The Education Committee seeks to guide the parish in responding
to the call of the Lord to share our Catholic faith and deepen
our commitment to the service of our brothers and sisters. Areas
of focus are: Sacramental preparation of young people, enrichment
of the faith lives of parishioners, and implementation of the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
Evangelization Committee
The Evangelization Committee was formed in 1997 in response
to priorities identified by the Pastoral Council. The Committee
seeks to promote the Cathedral parish through the spreading
of the Cathedral story within and beyond our parish boundaries
through education and publicity. They encourage greater participation
by inviting more people to worship with us. The Evangelization
Committee undertook a campaign to distribute invitations to
join our parish family within the West End and Asylum Hill areas.
Members were instrumental in reorganizing the religious education
program to encourage families with young children to prepare
their children to grow in the practice of the Catholic faith.
Social Action Committee
The Social Action Committee seeks to promote activities to meet
various human needs in our community, and to involve parishioners
in this task. The committee coordinates monthly coffee hours
after Sunday Eucharist, monthly preparation and service of meals
at the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen , supports the St. Vincent
de Paul food pantry and the sandwich distribution at the Cathedral
Rectory, and maintains the food pantry. Special events include:
the Christmas Giving Tree, the Parish Supper, the Ecumenical
Thanksgiving Service, the Walk Against Hunger and the HomeFront
Project.
Home
Front
A group of Cathedral parishioners and friends joins the Americares
Homefront Project helping to make a low income home owner occupied
home safe, warm and dry each year on the first saturday in May
Pro-Life Committee
The Pro-Life Committee promotes greater respect for the sanctity
of human life from conception to natural death through parish
education. Activities focus on parish education for "Respect
for Life Month" in October, parish awareness of pro-life
legislation, and a "phone-tree" for legislative issues.
The committee participates at state and national levels for
pro-life marches and meetings.
Funeral Ministry
The Funeral Ministry Committee is present to families of deceased
parishioners at the time of the funeral by participating in
the funeral liturgy. They represent the parish family in prayer
and respectful recognition of the passing of one of its members,
and offer the support of their prayer to those present. They
are "on call" bi-monthly.
Senior Outreach Committee
The Senior Outreach Committee provides spiritual support and
the greatest possible participation of parishioners who are
ill, homebound, or living in extended care facilities. It does
so by communication, assistance with transportation, Sacramental
ministry and liturgical celebrations. This committee plans the
Mass of Remembrance and the Mass of Anointing, distributes ashes
and sponsors special seasonal gatherings for seniors. The committee
meets monthly.
St. Vincent De Paul Society
The St. Vincent de Paul Society, in the spirit of justice and
charity, involves its members in helping those in our parish
who are suffering. Ongoing activities include assistance to
the weekly parish food pantry, assistance to parishioners in
need (food, furniture, and financial assistance in an emergency)
and financial assistance to its "sister" Society in
Jamaica.
Support Ministries
Offertory Collection Counters, Rosary Leaders, Baptism Committee,
Bookstation, Cathedral Docents (Tour Guides)
The Cathedral Docents provide guided tours of the Cathedral.
Those wishing tours call the rectory ahead of time to schedule
one. The guides are a hospitable and knowledgeable group of
parishioners who seek to make the Cathedral and its outstanding
works of art better known to all.
Cathedral Council Knights of
Columbus
The Cathedral Council of the Knights of Columbus is an organization
of Catholic men who uphold the ideals of Charity, Unity, Fraternity
and Patriotism. They serve the parish and the Church universal
by supporting and giving of their time and talent for God and
country. They meet on the first Thursday of Month and attend
the 11 a.m. Mass as a group on the fourth Sunday of the month.