St. Vincent’s has nearly 75 ministries serving all aspects of the Parish and beyond. Learn more about each ministry below.
Children and Teens
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Assist in offering age-appropriate instruction to young children (3 to 12) at 9:00 & 10:30 AM Sunday Masses.
Contact: dre@saint-vincent-church.org
DePaul School
Promote the well-being of our Germantown Catholic elementary school staff and students through appreciation days and related fund-raising.
Inn Dwelling
Parish-allied organization offers tutoring for talented high school students who seek help reaching their goals.
Youth Ministry
Now in formation, the vision of this ministry is for middle and high school youth who have received the sacraments to continue to grow in their faith and to stay connected with the parish and with each other.
Adult Faith Formation and Prayer
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Discussion and faith sharing with adults exploring full communion with the Catholic faith, facilitated by dedicated parishioners.
Evangelization
Faith-sharing group focused on our relationship with Christ, and how we can share that with others.
Contact: Sheila Sharpe shesharpe@gmail.com
Centering Prayer
Monthly, on the 3rd Tues at 1:30 PM in the rectory chapel; contemplative prayer that supports all of our active parish ministries.
Contact: Bernadette Cronin-Geller bclgeller@comcast.net
Legion of Mary
Wed afternoon gatherings; find Jesus through prayer, works of mercy, and evangelization rooted in devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.
Contact: Sharon Fisher sharonfisher872@gmail.com
Men’s Group
Men of all ages gather on the last Fri of the month for faith-sharing & socializing.
Contact: Frank Killian detroitfrank2@gmail.com
Friday Evening Prayer Group
Format varies depending on the time of year; in Lent, centers around Stations of the Cross understood from a racial justice perspective.
Contact: Dorina Opferman dpsinger16@aol.com
Bible Study Group
Weds. evening gatherings; read and discuss scripture to strengthen our faith and ground it in Biblical wisdom.
Contact: Sheila Sharpe shesharpe@gmail.com
Spiritual Direction
Trained spiritual directors offer hour-long prayerful 1-on-1 meetings with those who request guidance in listening for the Holy Spirit moving in their lives. Sliding scale fees.
Contact: Tom Volkert trvolkert@gmail.com, Sheila Sharpe shesharpe@gmail.com, Margie Winters mwinters252@gmail.com, or Kathy Cleaver KathleenAcleaver@gmail.com www.KathyCleaver.com
Worship
Liturgy Committee
Monthly, on 1st Mon at 6:45; Liturgy means “work of the people.” An advisory committee to the Pastor, working to reach consensus on topics that affect liturgical celebrations.
Contact: Mike Weyand mweyand57@gmail.com
Joyful Spirit Guitar Group
This new music ministry is open to all those with any level of guitar experience who are interested in singing with a guitar group.
Contact: Tanya Geisler tgeisler369@gmail.com
Liturgy Coordinators
“Behind the scenes” work before weekend Masses; prepare altar (linens, bread, wine); ensure that ministers are in place for processional, reading of the Word, communion.
Contact: Mike Weyand mweyand57@gmail.com
Ushers/Greeters
Warmly welcome everyone who comes to our weekend liturgies.
Contact: Tony Gilliam battchief99@gmail.com
Gospel Choir
All types of voices welcome! No need to read music. Rehearsals Tues, 7 PM.
Contact: Jerome Lang
Contemporary Choir named changed June 2024 to Ensemble Choir
All types of voices welcome! No need to read music. Rehearsals Thursdays, 7:30 PM.
Contact: Liam Maher at Echoir@Saint-Vincent-Church.org
Spanish-Language Music Ministry
Contact: Michael Shackleford-Taylor mjast2@gmail.com or Luis Alberto Peña lsbrtp@gmail.com
Spanish-Language Liturgy
Evangelize, act as lectors and leaders of prayer
Contact: Dermis de Jesus dermis.dejesus@gmail.com
Children’s Choir
Seasonal, especially Christmas and Easter.
Contact: Dermis de Jesus dermis.dejesus@gmail.com or Heather Wright-Lee hww0921@yahoo.com
Writers of Petitions Ministry
A group that prayerfully reads the Scripture for the week, considers current events, and writes timely, inspiring petitions to be lifted up at weekend Masses.
Contact: Peg McFadden pegmcfadden@hotmail.com
Eucharistic Bread Bakers
Discontinued 2024 Contact: Amy Buchanan wearebuchanans@gmail.com
Lector Ministry
The Lector Ministry at St. Vincent de Paul Church is committed to serving our worshipping assembly Prayerfully prepare and read assigned Scripture readings with clarity and feeling, so all present can hear and receive God’s Word. Training provided.
Contact: Vi Shenkman vdancinfeet@hotmail.com
Altar Servers
An opportunity for youth to serve the parish community by assisting the presider at Mass and other services.
Intercessory Prayer
After weekend Masses, a circle of parishioners lift up shared concerns in prayer.
Contact: Sue Mangold svm@buffalo.edu
Veronica Ministry
Laundering altar linens.
Contact: Carolyn Chavis carolyn731@hotmail.com
Praise Dance
Just starting up in 2023! Come and see.
Contact: Kya Johnson kyashirley@gmail.com
Eucharistic Ministers
Assist in reverently distributing Holy Communion; visiting EMs bring Eucharist to the homebound.
Contact: Mike Weyand mweyand57@gmail.com
Lay/Intercessory Leaders of Prayer
Lead the congregation into weekend liturgies by giving a reflection on the Mass readings or other appropriate spiritual topics before Mass.
Contact: Joan McGowan joaniemc223@jmcgowan
Social Services and Outreach
Bereavement Ministry
Our ministry is to assist the bereaved family to plan and prepare the final Mass of their loved one. Support for bereaved families; assist them in planning funeral readings and music; provide greeter and usher duties during funerals.
Contact: Gloria Benton gleggettbenton@gmail.com
Connections Ministry
Launched at the start of the pandemic; make periodic calls to parishioners—especially those not able to come to church regularly—to check in with them and share parish updates.
Contact: Mary Laver mlaver14@comcast.net
Knights of Columbus
Catholic men’s organization witnessing to charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism through works of mercy locally & worldwide. Meets 1st Tues eves.
Contact: Wiley Redding wlredding@gmail.com
Catholic Daughters of America
Women’s organization promoting justice, equality and human rights through spirituality and service.
Contact: Heather Goldsmith heathersgoldsmith@gmail.com
My Place Germantown
A parish-allied program that houses formerly homeless men with disabilities near St Vincent’s. Volunteers needed to run periodic fundraisers in the parish to support this program.
Contact: Peg McFadden pegmcfadden@hotmail.com
Food Pantry
Weekly (Tues AM) distribution of food donated by parishioners and others to those in need in our area. Some volunteers also do home-deliveries to shut-ins.
Contact: Liz Bergen lizbergen@verizon.net
PAR Recycle Works
A parish-allied program that provides transitional employment in the electronics recycling industry to people who are reintegrating into society.
Contact: Wiley Redding wlredding@gmail.com
Young Adult Ministry (YAM)
Parishioners aged 20 to “40-something” gather for fellowship and faith-sharing.
Contact: stvyoungadultsministry@gmail.com for Emmett Schweiger. Click the link to see the YAM webpage.
Seniors Ministry
Fellowship, food, and fun! The Seniors Ministry Support and fellowship for senior parishioners; maintain Catholic connections through regular phone calls and other assistance.
Contact: Robin & Jerry Smith rarest16@gmail.com
Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver
Oldest and largest Black Catholic lay organization in the US, spreading faith, hope and love through friendship, unity and charity.
Contact: Frances Williams icecream72345@aol.com
Face to Face
Parish-allied program that serves meals to community members in need year-round.
Volunteers can sign up at: https://facetofacegermantown.org/
St. Vincent De Paul Society
Collections of clothing, housewares for those in need.
Contact: Liz Bergen lizbergen@verizon.net or Jean Flynn jroland631@yahoo.com
Healthcare Ministry
Before COVID, this ministry hosted annual health fairs. When COVID vaccines arrived, they facilitated shots for people without WiFi and/or transportation. What could a parish health ministry look like now? Help us vision this!
Social Justice
Peace and Justice Committee
Meets monthly to plan events for parishioners to learn about and act on social justice issues.
Contact Doug Porpora: porporad@drexel.edu
Pro-Life
The Pro-Life Union fosters a vision and strategy for a culture of life across Philadelphia. Our beliefs are incarnated in the family and through service to those making the choice for life.
Sister Parish
Meet regularly to act in solidarity with our sister community, Las Anoñas de Santa Cruz, El Salvador, advocating for economic justice and sharing across the miles our close, 30+-year relationships.
Contact: Mary Durkin joemarydelia@verizon.net
POWER Interfaith
A city-wide org connected to Faith in Action, mobilizing people of all faiths to urge politicians to support policies that lift up historically marginalized people, especially in Black and Brown communities. St Vincent’s chapter especially promotes access to voting.
Contact: Mary Laver mlaver14@comcast.net
New Sanctuary Movement
Our parish chapter of NSM (city-wide immigrants’ rights org) meets monthly to mobilize in support of individual immigrants as well as policy initiatives that lift up their human dignity. To learn more about us please see the committee web page: https://www.saint-vincent-church.org/new-sanctuary-movement-committee/
Contact: Paul Witte NSM@Saint-Vincent-Church.org
Care for Creation
The St. Vincent de Paul Church Care for Creation Ministry, guided by the Catholic Tradition, seeks to listen to and answer the cry of Creation by engaging our community in just, nature-nourishing, and sustainable practices, and environmental advocacy. We work to foster our communal “ecological conversion” through prayer, practice, and learning.
See more here: https://www.saint-vincent-church.org/ministries/care-justice-for-creation-ministry/
Parish Support
Parish Pastoral Council
Fosters participation by all parishioners in the life and mission of our parish; advises pastor on ways to support that goal. Meets monthly, 1st Thurs. Members serve 3-year terms.
Contact: Terri Peebles tlgaka@aol.com or Suzanne Garnett suzanneagarnett@hotmail.com
Office Volunteers
Help run the office on weekdays when staff are not present, answering calls and preparing periodic mailings.
Contact: (part-time admin asst in the rectory: 215-438-2925 weekdays.
New Parishioner Orientations
Just getting launched! Will host gatherings to warmly welcome new members and acquaint them with our parish mission & ministries.
Finance Committee
Assists the pastor in making financial decisions for the good of the parish. Manages tithing, budgeting, strategic planning.
Contact: Anthony Caringi rmatson5@comcast.net
Multimedia Ministry
Maintains and updates parish website and social media. Sends e-bulletins and announcements to keep parishioners informed and connected.
Contact: Lenny Thompson web@saint-vincent-church.org or Joan McGowan joaniemc223@comcast.net
Livestream Team
Tape 10:30 Mass (for website, YouTube) and 12:30 Spanish Mass (for Facebook Live).
Contact: Terrance Fulton terrancefulton101@gmail.com