Something for Everyone!

Celebration Ministries focus on the liturgical aspects of the Mass.

Worship the Lord with gladness; Come into His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2

The choir sings weekly at the 9:00 and 10:30 am Sunday Masses from September through June. The choir also sings for Parish celebrations and holy days, including: Christmas, Easter, First Eucharist, Confirmation, etc. Rehearsals are held on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm September through June.

CONTACT: Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us

Our ministry gives students in grades 5-12 the opportunity to assist at the Table of the Lord during weekend Masses and liturgical celebrations, such as Weddings, Confirmation, First Holy Communion, Holy Week Masses, Easter and Christmas Masses and other services. Altar servers are called to have an open heart, flexibility when things change, and most importantly, commitment to fulfilling weekend assignments to serve at Mass. As servers become more experienced, all students have an opportunity to become an MC server, Master of Ceremonies, to demonstrate their responsibility and maturity.

There are training sessions for students that are interested in becoming an altar server. Training sessions are held several times throughout the year, and consist of two sessions, each about 1 ½ hours in length. Contact Helen or Fr. Rob for details on upcoming training sessions. Servers are usually scheduled about twice a month for the weekend Masses.

CONTACT: Helen Lanzarotta…..330.460.7343 or HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us

This choir is for any PSR, day school or home-schooled child in grades 3 – 8. The choir practices every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 pm and sings once or twice a month at a Sunday Mass from September through May. This choir also sings for the Cleveland Indians Catholic Day at Progressive Field (National Anthem), First Communion, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Easter.

CONTACT: Diane Hailey | Dhailey@stambrose.us  + Helen Lanzarotta | HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us

Worship the Lord with gladness; Come into His presence with singing. ~ Psalm 100:2

Art & Environment is responsible for the worship environment of our church. This includes decorating the church, narthex (entrance), and outside of the building for various seasons of the church year. Special attention and planning are given to major seasons of Lent/Easter and Advent/Christmas.  Art & Environment is for individuals who like to decorate, meet other people, and work with their hands. The committee includes painters, carpenters, decorators, floral arrangers, seamstresses, and many other talented members.  More practical elements of the ministry include: washing and ironing, watering and maintaining plants, and just being a helper wherever help is needed.  Committee members meet twice a month during regular time. During major seasons, we meet once per month.

Suggested Strengths: Arranger, Adaptability, Futuristic

CONTACT: Helen Lanzarotta…..330.460.7343 or HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us

Named after Saint Teresa of Avila, Associates of the Avilas join together in prayer for new and existing vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life.

Our Saint Ambrose Avila Prayer Partners come together the 4th Monday of each month after morning Mass. Avila Prayer books are available for your use during these times as well as a petition basket. We also have a personalized monthly prayer calendar useful for daily prayer. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed all day on Mondays.

The Avilas begin their holy hour by praying out loud for petitions; choose various prayers from the book especially for our priests and religious as well as for new vocations; followed by the rosary based on the Joyful mysteries. If you wish to join the Avilas, just show up on the 2nd Monday. No dues, no meetings — the power of prayer together! Our group continues to grow much like the mustard tree!

The Avilas are a group unique to the Cleveland Diocese, now numbering more than a thousand. For more than 30 years, the Avilas have promoted vocations in our diocese. These are people who pledge to pray for vocations, and for continued and sustained work of ordained ministers and vowed religious.

Suggested Strengths: Belief, Communication, Self-Assurance

Contact: Ann Behrend, tabehrend@aol.com

“God grants these favours, then, not because those who receive them are holier than those who do not, but in order that His greatness may be made known, as we see in the case of Saint Paul and the Magdalen, and in order that we may praise Him in His creatures.”
-From Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila

The cantors volunteer their time and lead the congregation in song. Cantors rehearse once a month, usually on a designated Tuesday of the month. Cantors are assigned to sing 2 – 3 liturgies a month. Based upon availability, cantors are also assigned to sing for all Parish Celebrations and Holy Days, including: Christmas, Easter, First Eucharist, Confirmation, etc.

CONTACT:Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us

Our group sponsors Eucharistic adoration every Monday from 9:00 am – 5:30 pm in the Chapel. Join us to spend 30-60 minutes in devotion to our Lord, who is present in the Eucharist.

CONTACT: Deacon Gary + Shari Tomazic, 330.273.2321 or GTomazic@StAmbrose.us

Ministers assist priest and deacons distribute Holy Communion during Masses, and take Holy Communion to area nursing homes.  Time involved with this ministry includes attendance at weekend Mass, as ministers are scheduled about 3 times per month for Communion distribution. Ministers who visit nursing homes attend 9:00 am Mass, then conduct a Communion Service at the nursing home, as well as make room visits. This takes approximately 2 hours, once a month.  Ministers should possess a devotion to our Lord, present in the Eucharist. For those visiting nursing homes, ministers should be friendly and compassionate, and comfortable leading the Communion Service. Diocesan and local training is required for all Eucharistic Ministers.

Suggested Strengths: Belief, Includer, Responsibility

CONTACT: Helen Lanzarotta | hlanzarotta@stambrose.us

The FIAT Band is open to all high school students in grades 9 through 12, as well as to adults interested in mentoring our youth musicians.  The band plays at scheduled 5:00pm Masses throughout the FIAT year.  This group meets on Sundays from 3:45-4:45pm to rehearse the music for that day’s Mass.  All instruments welcome!

CONTACT: Diane Hailey | dhailey@stambrose.us + Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us

The FIAT Choir is open to all students in grades 9 through 12, and for any adults interested in mentoring our youth singers who attend the 5:00pm Mass.  The choir sings at scheduled 5:00pm Masses throughout the FIAT year.  This group rehearses on Sundays from 3:30-4:45pm.  From the choir, members are encouraged to serve as cantors and lead the Assembly in song.

CONTACT: Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us + Diane Hailey | dhailey@stambrose.us

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is Your love, reaching to the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth. ~Psalm 57: 7, 9-11[

Being a greeter is for EVERYONE! This is a simple but meaningful ministry. Arrive 20-minutes before the start of the Mass of your choosing, stand by the entrance of the church, put a smile on and welcome everyone to St. Ambrose as we pass out Missals. You can greet every week or once a month.  Anyone of any age can be a greeter or be done as a family!

Suggested Strengths: Includer, Communication, WOO

CONTACT: Dyan Beder, 330.321.6386

We ring hand bells joyfully, prayerfully and for the glory of God! We play a prelude, before communion and at other times during Mass. We have two hand bell choirs, each with eleven men and women volunteers. Each hand bell choir plays at approximately two Masses a month. We also play for special services during the year. If you have some background in music, it is helpful, but not necessary. We are looking for dedicated people who will attend practices each week and to play at Masses. Feel free to stop by after Mass to speak to any of the members or contact Charlotte!

Suggested Strengths: Harmony, Self-Assurance, Significance, WOO

CONTACT: Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us + Diane Hailey dhailey@stambrose.us

Instrumentalists add great variety to our worship at Saint Ambrose and are always encouraged to offer their gifts at any weekend Mass. The instrumentalists typically rehearse with the Adult Choir on Wednesdays, from 7:30-8:30 pm, and play at a Mass time of their preference from September through June; those who play with the Adult Choir typically attend the 9:00 am or 10:30 am Mass. Other rehearsals may be scheduled throughout the year, usually on Monday evenings. Instrumentalists can also play for Holy Days and parish celebrations, including Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Passiontide. Instrumentalists include violin, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, organ, guitar, drums / percussion, etc.

CONTACT: Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us

First and foremost, a lector must have a fervent love for God’s Word. They must also have strong reading and presentation skills, with the ability to directly touch the hearts of God’s congregation through the proclamation of the Word.

Lectors normally meet as part of quarterly reflection services for liturgical ministers. Meetings last between one and two hours. Ministry leaders are involved 10 to 15 hours per month, while a typical lector is involved 3 to 5 hours per month. Every attempt is made to schedule lectors according to their personal Mass preferences and availability each month. There are quarterly training sessions for new lectors and those who wish to enhance their skills.

View Weekly Lector Readings and Schedule

“Lectors are part of a faith-based ministry rooted in the proclamation of God’s Word. Just as a priest is instrumental in nourishing the souls of God’s elect through the Liturgy of the Eucharist, lectors minister to God’s faithful through the Liturgy of the Word, which Scriptures define as “with God from the beginning, and who is Christ made flesh.” (John 1:1-14)

Suggested Strengths: Communication, Self-Assurance, Responsibility

CONTACT: Mike Mascio | mmascio668@gmail.com

With deep love and reverence for the Holy Eucharist, the Altar Linen Care Ministry cares for the sacred linens. The individuals of this ministry was and iron all of the various small linens used for Masses, such as purificators, and corporals used on the altar at Mass.

CONTACT: Cheryl Gazso, 330.225.1092 or crg1938@aol.com

Suggested Strengths: Harmony, Self-Assurance, Significance, WOO

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY: Travis Jurgens……….330.460.7337 or TJurgens@StAmbrose.us
ASSISTANT IN MUSIC MINISTRY: Helen Lanzarotta…..330.460.7343 or HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us

Music Ministry Homepage

The New Life Choir is a group that sings at funeral Masses, using their voices to console the family and friends of the deceased. Rehearsals are held in the church on Tuesday mornings from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon, from September through mid-May. We sing whenever there is a funeral held in the church. The leader and volunteers will spend approximately one hour per week rehearsing plus sing at any funeral Masses that are scheduled.While the New Life Choir members are not required to be able to read music, they must have a love of singing!

CONTACT: Travis Jurgens, Director of Music Ministry | 330.460.7337 | TJurgens@StAmbrose.us

Weekly Offertory Gifts: Volunteers Needed!

Are you being called?

God calls us to serve in many ways. Saint Ambrose invites families to “bring up the gifts” at Mass.

The presentation of the gifts marks the beginning of the second major part of the Mass: the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This preparation has been traditionally called the offertory since the priest prepares the gifts to be offered.

During the mass, the offertory involves very simple gestures. Families will pick up the bread and the wine from the table in the back by the sacristy. Then, they will bring the gifts forward to present to the priest to be brought to the altar. After giving the gifts to the priest, it is customary to bow to the altar before returning to your pew. 

Do not be afraid! In presenting the gifts, you are carrying the very bread and wine that will be changed substantially into the Body and Blood of Christ.

If your family feels called to bring up the gifts at Mass, sign up below!

On your sign up date/time, please sit in reserved sitting. There will be a reserved sitting sign 4 rows up from the offertory gift table on the right side of the main aisle.

These parishioners prepare the sacred vessels, wine, hosts and other liturgical items before and after weekend Masses, funerals and weddings.

Suggested Strengths: Belief, Arranger, Futuristic, Responsibility

CONTACT:

Jan Avery, 330.220.0203 or jma4673@yahoo.com
Anne Behrend, TaBehrend@aol.com
Helen Lanzarotta, 330.460.7343 or HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us

The Liturgy Planning Team meets once a month. This group enlivens our worship experience by helping to plan special events in the church year including: Christmas, Lent, Easter, Mother’s Day, Baptism of the Lord, etc.

Suggested Strengths:  Empathy, Ideation, Belief

CONTACT: Helen Lanzarotta, 330.460.7343 or HLanzarotta@StAmbrose.us

The Usher Ministry welcomes both men and women from teens to seniors with the gift of hospitality and caring. Ushers are the first contact in our parishioners and visitors’ Mass experience.

HOW WE SERVE: We provide a variety of services including: greeting everyone as they enter and leave our church, assisting with seating, helping with the offertory collection, assisting with communion traffic flow, distributing the bulletins, collecting donations for Catholic Works of Mercy, and looking out for the safety of the congregation.

WHEN WE MEET: Our ushers usually select the Mass that is most convenient for them and their families, and they continue to serve at the same Mass each week. Ushers will be asked to sign up in the volunteer signup sheets in the back of the church to help with additional Holy Day Masses on an as needed basis.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: We welcome everyone from teens to seniors in this ministry! If you’re able to serve as an usher or would like to learn more, contact Victor.

Suggested Strengths: Arranger, Belief, Communication

CONTACT:  Victor Urzycki | 216.408.5544 | Vic.stambrose@gmail.com