+ Church of the Annunciation +

Opportunities to Share Your Time and Talents

Finance and Administration (Back)

Archbishop's Annual Appeal
Annual collection and accounting of monies given to Archdiocese.
Building Maintenance
Ensure that the four parish buildings are properly maintained inside and out. Help when need arises in areas of plumbing, electrical, painting, carpentry, etc.
Finance Council
To work with and advise Pastor on financial matters.
Parish Pastoral Council
To work with the Parish Staff to form a vision for the parish and guide its direction.
Stewardship Core Team
Oversee the presentation of stewardship in the parish. This is done by hosting an annual ministry expo, preparing ministry explanation sheets, updating the ministry booklet, evaluating stewardship awareness, etc.

Catechesis and Spiritual Development (Back)

Baptismal Preparation Team
Meet with new parents to prepare for child's Baptism.
Chaperones For Youth Group
Adults to aid in weekly meetings, and supervise youths on trips and retreats.
Cursillo
Retreat experience for men and women sponsored by the Archdiocesan Cursillo movement.
Family Catechesis Days
Prepare for the season of Advent, etc. by being together and working as a family.
Family Retreat
A day of family enrichment and fun through affirmation
Holy Name Society
Monthly gathering of men working together to address parish needs through service.
Knights of Columbus
A group of Catholic men, spiritually motivated to perform acts of charity.
Men's Cornerstone Retreat
An opportunity for spiritual renewal and personal growth with God.
Parents of Children with Special Needs
Parents of children with special needs is a newly-formed group which meets monthly at the Annunciation Parish Center. The group is run by mothers and fathers of children with special needs. This includes children with physical impairments, developmental delays and disorders, and children with serious illnesses. Their purpose is for parents to come together to pray for their children and their needs and get support and strength from other parents in similar situations.
Prayer Chain
To pray privately for persons in need of prayer within the community.
Prayer Group
Individuals who gather and pray for the needs of the parish and others.
Pre-Cana Team
Helping engaged couples prepare for the sacrament of marriage.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults/Children (RCIA)
The RCIA team assists in the preparation of individuals who have expressed an interest in becoming members of the Catholic Church. The needs of both adults and children are met in the formation of these two groups. Children must be seven years of age or older and have the permission of their parents.
Religious Education
- Advisory Board. To set policy and support the catechetical ministry.
- Catechist K-9. Share your faith with our young people in a classroom setting.
- Classroom Aide. To assist the catechist with classroom procedures and assist students when necessary
- Hall Monitor. To keep order and ensure good supervision at class times.
- Substitute Catechist. Volunteer to substitute for regular catechist when necessary.
Scripture Sharing
Group of individuals who gather and discuss, in-depth, various scriptures from the Bible.
Vacation Bible School
Help to conduct a fun, one-week summer program for 4 to 9-year-old children.
Women's Cornerstone Retreat
An opportunity for spiritual renewal and personal growth with God.

Worship (Back)

Altar Servers - Adult
To assist at weekend and/or funeral liturgies. Special training is provided.
Art & Environment Team
Help plan the interior/exterior beautification of our Church for special liturgical seasons and celebrations.
Baptismal Hospitality Team
Assist in the communal celebration of Baptism at parish liturgies.
Cantors
Individuals who enjoy singing and lifting their voices in songs at liturgies.
Choir - Adult
Support the song of the assembly weekly at 10:30 am Mass and various liturgies throughout the year.
Eucharistic Ministry
Assist in distributing Eucharist at Mass. Bring Communion to the sick and homebound parishioners as needed; assist with First Friday Communion Mass distribution.
Instrumentalists
Support the song of the assembly at various special liturgies throughout the year.
Liturgical Committee
Help in planning and coordinating liturgical life of the parish.
Liturgy of the Word for Children
To prepare and preside at special liturgies with children during Sunday Mass.
Ministers of Hospitality
To greet and assist people as they arrive for worship. Help with Offertory collection.
Readers
To proclaim God's Word at Mass and at other liturgical celebrations.

Social Concerns (Back)

Food/Clothing Collection
Aid in collecting, organizing, and distributing of donations.
Giving Tree
Help prepare a giving tree for the needy. Collect, reoganize, deliver gift items.
Harrison House
Help provide meals for individuals with HIV/Aids one Friday a month. Food can be prepared in your own home.
Hot Line
24-hour service provided to anyone who needs emergency help or someone to talk to.
Hunger - World & Local
Join a committee that explores how to deal practically with hunger here in Bergen County. We also look at ways we can advocate for the world's poor and educate our parishioners and governmental leaders on the scandal of hunger in the third millennium.
Ill & Homebound Outreach
To be compassionate visitors to those who are hospitalized, ill or homebound.
Inter-Religious Felowship for the Homeless of Bergen County (IRF)
- Bike Bergen. Monies raised by this bike-a-thon benefit the IRF. Raffle tickets are sold for homemade chocolates after weekend liturgies. Anyone wishing to help sell tickets or make chocolates are welcome.
- Emergency Family Shelter. Assist families in their time of need by joining fellow parishioners to help cook a meal and/or stay overnight.
- Overflow Shelter. A one-day-a-week commitment for the parish for a two-month period. We feed and provide overnight shelter in Providence Hall to ten single people during February and March. We extend our hospitality and kindness and show we care to people who have lost everything in their lives.
- Peter's Place. Volunteer to assist in overnight sheltering program in Hackensack. This is a no-questions asked, overnight shelter for street people.
- Walk-in-Dinner Program. Annunciation has agreed to host this program four (4) times a year at a Hackensack facility. This involves preparing, delivering and serving dinner to approximately 110 people.
- Youth Council for the Homeless. A dynamic group of students from Bergen County public and private high schools who volunteer for non-profit organizations serving the homeless and needy. The students serve as recreational aides for the children in the Emergency Family Shelter and institute their own fundraisers to support an after-school program and two-week summer day camp for the homeless children. Meetings are necessary prior to the scheduled week to coordinate overnight hosts and cooks for the week.
- Meals in Time of Need. Preparing meals in times of unforeseen family emergencies.
- Out-Tithing Committee. Meets once a month to discuss situations in need of monetary assistance.
- Parish Vegetable Garden. Develop and maintain vegetable garden on parish grounds for local food pantries and soup kitchens.
- Spring House. Reach out to help women recovering from drugs and substance abuse.
- Third World Connections. Support Third World artisans and farmers by selling their wares and products here at our parish (e.g. our monthly coffee sale).

For the Young Members of the Parish (Back)

Altar Server - Youth
All Grade 4 children and older are invited to assist at liturgies. Special training provided.
Boy's Basketball
Grades 5/6, 7/8 to play in the Deanery League. Practice one a week. Season December to March.
Choir - Youth
Supports song at various special liturgies throughout the year (e.g. Christmas, Easter, etc.) Ages 7-14. Rehearsals needed.
Girls' Basketball
Grades 5/6, 7/8 to play in the Deanery League. Practice one a week. Season December to March.
High School Youth Ministry
Provides fellowship for teens to have a better appreciation for God and each other.
Kids with a Kause
At various times throughout the year, children get involved in special projects/activities to either bake, help sell tickets, etc. for the needs of the community.

Service (Back)

Bake Sales
Individuals who enjoy baking and donating their baked goods for parish functions as well as fundraisers.
Collection Counters
Various teams scheduled to sort and total Offertory collection on Sundays, Holidays and Holy Days.
New Parishioner Welcome
To welcome new parishioners and organize socials for new parishioners.
Newsletter
To keep parishioners updated on various parish activities, events, etc.
Parish Mailings
Individuals needed to prepare, collate, fold, and seal information going to parishioners. This is generally done during the day at the Parish Center.
Raffles
To help coordinate the various activities involved in conducting raffles during the year.
Video Recording/Photography
Must possess the ability and willingness to take pictures and /or videos at special events and social gatherings.
Volunteer Drivers
Provide transportation to parishioners in need of a ride to medical appointments, church, etc.

Health (Back)

Bereavement Ministry
To give support to all those who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
Emergency Preparedness
To develop and implement parish-wide procedures for emergency situations.
Health Cabinet
An outreach team meeting about eight times a year to plan seminars, arrange home visits, etc.
Health Screening
Assist with registration and hospitality for various health screenings and health events.
Registered Nurse (RN) Volunteers
Assist with monthly blood pressure screening and various health screenings. RN license needed.

Social Functions (Back)

Coffee And ...
Held once a month. Lend a hand after Sunday masses. Alternating shifts.
Fund Raising Team
This group works together to generate ideas and plan various events throughout the year to raise funds to meet the needs of the parish as well as provide fun and fellowship for the parish community.
Golf Outing
A golf outing is sponsored by the Holy Name annually. Volunteers needed to solicit monies and donations, and help with arrangements.
Lunch with Santa
Coordinate entertainment, children's activities, and make food arrangements.
Special Events
Help plan, coordinate and initiate various social activities throughout the year (e.g. parish picnic, communion breakfast, etc.)
Seniors' Group
Age 55+. Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 am. Come make new friends, plan various trips, parties and other activities.