Ministries at Saint Hedwig

Serve God and our parish by getting involved in one of our many ministries and non-profit organizations that we support. Saint Hedwig School families will also earn service hours.

To receive information and get in touch with the Ministry Lead: complete a
  
 
Contact: Alexander Quan
Email: aquan@sainthedwig.org,
Phone: (562) 296-9020

Altar Serving

A youth in the fourth grade or above who desires to be an Altar Server must have received their first communion and be receiving communion on a regular basis. In addition, the youth must be able to commit to the following:


  • Serving weekend Mass as scheduled, normally; once every 2-3 weeks
  • Serving Mass on weekdays and Holy Days of Obligation on a rotation basis school, schedule permitting
  • Serving at Holy Day Masses, weddings, funerals as needed and when available.
  • Obtaining a substitute when unable to fulfill a Mass assignment
  • Attending scheduled Altar Server meetings and training classes.

Contact: Terry Goddard
Phone: (562) 858-1067

Baptism Ministry

The Baptism Ministry currently consists of two married couples. The coordinators serve the parish community by facilitating preparation classes for the parents of children to be baptized. These classes are held once a month and they prepare the parents with knowledge of the sacrament to enable them to foster growth in their own faith and that of their children.

   On the day of the infant baptism, the coordinators serve as host/hostess for the baptism. They prepare the church for the celebration with the necessary items required for the baptism. They greet the families and friends as they arrive, seat them in their assigned place in the church and answer any questions or concerns they might have regarding the ceremony. The coordinators are also there to assist the priest or deacon as needed during the ceremony.

Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all men, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.".


Email:   faithformation@sainthedwig.org

Bereavement Ministry

This ministry comforts the bereaved survivors and offers assistance at the time of death in coordination with a priest. This ministry also assists the family in planning the funeral liturgy with music, readings, and other requests of the family. 


St. Hedwig wishes to accompany those who are grieving and to show the Light of Jesus Christ Risen to those whose hearts are broken. The parish embraces those who are mourning and gives direction for ceremonies to thank God for the deceased’s life and to hold family and friends close in prayer. 


Please feel free to contact Parish Office for any questions on funerals or preparations.


Contact:

Parish Office

Phone: (562) 296-9010

Email: info@sainthedwig.org

Bible Study


Sessions are Thursdays: 

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM and

7:00 PM -  9:00 PM

Bible study is held In the Church.  All are welcome. Class is free.


Requirements:

Bring your Catholic Bible! Use either New American Bible (NAB) or Revised Standard Version/Catholic Edition (RSVCE) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Registration is required. Workbook (Emmaus Road, Come and See - Isaiah) . (The Workbook is only required if one wants to join the Bible Study and participate in a sharing group).


No prior Bible Study experience necessary. 


St. Hedwig Bible Study Begins the 46th year on September 28th, 2023 with the Emmaus Road Publishing: Come and See” program: Isaiah.  This series unpacks the truth about God’s mercy and His method for calling sinners back to fidelity. Isaiah, often considered the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, reveals the depth of mystery in God’s love and his message remains relevant today.


The workbook we are using covers all 22 weeks with the student reading the designated chapters and verses of Isaiah and answering questions specific to these chapters/verses.  The chapter commentaries are composed with clarity and helps to prepare us for the questions listed. There are  20 questions per lesson focusing in on each of the chapters in Isaiah and verses. Along with the Biblical questions dealing with designated verse[s] we also read specific Catechism references.


The Come and See videos present material that expands upon the text of Isaiah and provides important background information. Each presentation contains artwork, maps, and photographs that are not available in the workbooks. These images bring the commentary to life and enhance the students’ understanding and appreciation for the lesson. In addition to these features, the authors themselves give valuable commentary and insights.




Contact:

Carol Meckler

Phone: (562) 430-3266

Email: ca.co.meck@verizon.net

or

Wayne Comeau

Phone: (714) 260-6965

Email: wcomeau@aol.com

Children's Liturgy of the Word


Children’s Liturgy of the Word provides children with an age-appropriate proclamation of God’s Word. It is offered during the 10 AM Sunday Mass. Before Mass readings the children are invited up to be blessed and dismissed to the prayer room for their own Liturgy of the Word. They rejoin their families in Mass for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. 


Contact:

Carol Meckler

Phone:  (562) 430-3266

Email: ca.co.meck@verizon.net

Contemplative Prayer Group

The Contemplative Prayer Group meets on the third Saturday of each month, after the 8:30 Mass in the Church Prayer Room.  We begin with a brief reflection on a passage of Scripture or spiritual reading, then spend 20 minutes in quiet prayer together.  This is followed by a time of sharing, when participants are invited to share any insights given during the prayer time.


Contact:

Joanne Walsh

Phone: (562) 443- 8605

Email: jomil3@aol.com

Day of Service


Day of Service is a ministry that organizes parishioners into the communal action of serving those in need. Various activities are planned throughout the year. We encourage parishioners and families to participate. Activities are listed in the bulletin as they are organized.  


If you would like to assist with the planning of events or have ideas for the parish to participate in, please contact Alice Baldwin.



Contact: Alice Baldwin

Phone: (562) 936-1480

Email: ambaldwin96@gmail.com

 

Ubi caritas, et amor Deus ibi est. 

Where true charity is, God is there.


Click Here FOR MORE INFORMATION

Eucharistic Adoration


"I adore You, Lord and Creator, hidden in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I adore You for all the works of Your hands, that reveal to me so much wisdom, goodness and mercy, O Lord. You have spread so much beauty over the earth and it tells me about Your beauty, even though these beautiful things are but a faint reflection of You, incomprehensible Beauty. And although You have hidden Yourself and concealed your beauty, my eye, enlightened by faith, reaches You and my soul recognizes its Creator, its Highest Good, and my heart is completely immersed in prayer of adoration." St. Faustina.


Adoration at St. Hedwig:

Monday, Friday, Saturdays - 6 PM-9 PM

Wednesday - All Night Adoration after 5:30 PM Mass until 8:30 AM next day.

Every 16th of the month - 24 hour adoration


Sign up for Adoration Here

For Adoration after 9 PM, please sign up on link above and request the code.


Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion


It is a great privilege to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to the members of the congregation. These ministers are lay persons authorized by the Church to assist priests and deacons in distributing the Body and Blood of Christ at weekend Masses and other times Mass is celebrated. They may also serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound, share the Sacrament with members of the community unable to come to church due to infirmity or illness. 


We invite you to experience the joy that develops from bringing Sunday Communion to the home-bound members of our parish. The routine includes a short Communion service, the distribution of the Eucharist and the closing thanksgiving prayer.


The Eucharistic Minister could be the only visitor the sick may receive. This is a very challenging and rewarding ministry!


Contacts:

EMHC (Mass) - Connie Jarvis (562-743-9706

EMHC (Alamitos West, Katella Manor and Sunrise Senior Living) - Helene Calvet

EMHC (Brookdale & Garden Grove) - Robert Safreed

EMHC (Homebound) - Donna Smith

EMHC (Los Alamitos Hospital) - Donna Eagar

Rosalia Mattern (714) 337-2270

Hospitality (Ushers & Greeters)


Ushers and greeters are people chosen to reflect the warmth and welcome of Christ himself.

Always conscious of Christ’s words "For I was…a stranger and you welcomed me," (Matthew 25:35) the usher/greeter serves not only as a Minister of Hospitality, but also as a Liturgical

Minister and a Minister of Evangelism.


We are looking for Ushers & Greeters, please contact us if you are interested.


Contact: Pat Murach

Email: blackberryrep@yahoo.com

Lectors


Lectors proclaim the Word of God to the parish assembly during the Liturgy of the Mass. Lectors are responsible for the 1st and 2nd readings from Scripture and on occasion, the Responsorial Psalm prior to the Gospel.


Contact Co-Leads:

Cathy Hoover

Email: cathy.hoover2@gmail.com

OR

Kathy Hoenisch

Email: dk.hoenisch@gmail.com

Legion of Mary

A new Legion of Mary has been formed at St. Hedwig and you are welcome to join.


The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church. It has been active in the United States since 1931. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members.

    Do you want to learn more about your Catholic Faith, enrich your prayer life, grow closer to Jesus and His Mother, and answer Our Lord's call to share our Faith?

     Then come to the Legion of Mary meeting and see. We meet every Sunday at 11:30 AM in the Parish Lounge, located between Quinn Hall and the Church.


Contact: 

Monica Mariano (President)

Phone: (617) 803-7882

Ann Butterbaugh (Secretary)

Phone: (562) 252-2829

Diane Gilkenson (Treasurer)

Phone: (562) 481-1091

Life in the Spirit

Charismatic Prayer Group


The Life in the Spirit Charismatic Prayer Group meets in the Prayer Room adjacent to the Sanctuary every Tuesday morning 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM. You are cordially invited. Come and experience the Holy Spirit with His healing and peace. 


Contact:

Margi Dua Munoz

Phone:  562-279-3342

Music Ministry


St. Hedwig Adult Choir – Confirmed Teens and Adults

Director Audra Meyerhofer

Rehearsals: Tuesday, 7:30-9 PM in Sanctuary

Performs weekly at 10  AM Mass, Sept – June

St. Hedwig Youth Band – High-School Aged Teens

Director Chelsea Rabanal

Set-up and Rehearsals: 3:00 PM day of performance

Performs once a month on Sunday, 5 PM Youth Band Mass


St. Hedwig Children’s Choir - Ages 7-14

Rehearsals:  Wednesday, 3 PM - 4 PM in Sanctuary. 

Performs once a month on Sunday, 12 PM Mass


We are blessed with a mixture of professional and volunteer Music Ministers! If you have a musical gift and would like to serve at Mass please contact our Music Director.


Contact:

Audra Meyerhofer

Email: ameyerhofer@sainthedwig.org

Respect Life

"We proclaim that human life is a precious gift from God; that each person who receives this gift has responsibilities toward God, self and others; and that society, through its laws and social institutions, must protect and nurture human life at every stage of its existence." U.S. Catholic Bishops, November 2001

 

Respect Life Ministry promotes community awareness of pro-life issues (such as the death penalty, euthanasia, assisted suicide, abortion, adoption and Natural Family Planning) through prayer, peaceful demonstration, education, and fundraising.


After reading what we have available to members, we would love to have you join our mailing list! Please respond to Lori DeLellis your name and types of information you are interested in receiving.


Respect Life Information


Respect Life Schedule


Blessings of Parents after a Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Contact:

Lori DeLellis, Chair

Phone: (562) 774-5080

Email: lkdelellis@hotmail.com

Sacristan

The work of the sacristan is important, for without their preparations, the Mass cannot begin. Sacristans work behind the scenes to help ensure proper celebration of the liturgy, diligently arranging the liturgical books, the vestments, the vessels, the bread, and the wine that are necessary for the celebration of Mass. 


Contact: Alice Baldwin
Phone: (562) 936-1480

That Man is You

That Man Is You! is an interactive men's program focused on the development of men in the modern world. It combines the best research from science with the teachings of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of authentic men capable of transforming themselves, their families, and greater society.


Registration Fee: $30


Every Friday  6:00 AM - 7:15 AM in Quinn Hall (Doors open at 5:45 AM)

Coffee, breakfast food and fellowship.


Contact:

Deacon Henry Eagar

Phone: (562) 262-9028

Email: heagar@sainthedwig.org


Spiritual Book Club

Objectives:

  1. Use Books to define spiritual themes and apply them to our faith journey
  2. Learn to identify God's voice in what we read and hear
  3. Grow in spiritual relationships by listening attentively to others.


The group meets in the Parish Lounge on the second Wednesday of the month (unless noted in the schedule) January - July, September - December. Each person is responsible for purchasing their own book.


You are welcome!



2023 Book List and Meeting Schedule


Contact: Cathy Hoover

Phone: 562 688-1922

Email: cathy.hooover2@gmail.com

St. Francis Guild

Mission Statement:  We, the members of Saint Francis Guild, are committed to provide spiritual, charitable, and social support to our members, our parish, our community, and others in need of our support.


The St. Francis Guild Ladies group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from September through May.  Each month our meetings are  held at a different members home.  Social/meetings are held either at 1:00 PM or 6:00 PM each month. Our meeting consists of speakers, charity projects, and a mini retreat during the lent season.  Information as to date and location of each meeting is in the Sunday Church bulletin.  Membership is open to all women who are parishioners of St. Hedwig's Catholic Church.


Contacts: Sue Goldberg

Phone: (562) 243-7199

Email:  ssgoldberg4@gmail.com

 

Contact:  Yolanda Vargas

Phone:  (562) 882-0358

Email:  vargasyoly1@gmail.com

 

Parish Groups

Serve our Lord with others by joining one or more of the groups that meet here at Saint Hedwig's. Visit our

  Group Directory