Frequently Asked Questions

1. How will I be able to decide what to sign up for? This website contains a description of most of the ministries at Our Lady of Lourdes. If you read the descriptions of those ministries that interest you, you will gain an understanding of what the position would entail and how much time you might expect to devote to the activity. 2. Is everything at Our Lady of Lourdes a ministry? We consider all activities at Our Lady of Lourdes to be a ministry of some kind. While some roles, such as Eucharistic Minister or Lector, are traditional ministries, we believe that participating in such activities as making decisions on which charities should receive our tithes are forms of ministry also. 3. Can I sign up for more than one ministry? Be a good steward of your time. Many parishioners are already involved in more than one ministry. For example, someone could be a Lector and help with the school. The only limitations are your time, openings in the various ministries and the need to place as many parishioners as possible in ministries in which they expressed and interest. 4. How will I know that my offer to become involved has been reviewed by someone? You should receive an acknowledgement by mail or a phone call from a ministry coordinator concerning the ministry you are interested in.

5. What if I don't hear from anyone concerning commitments I make? The coordinators will make a concerted effort to reach you by phone regarding your interests. If there is no answer, they will leave a message on your answering machine, requesting you to return their call. If they don't hear from you after leaving two messages, they will assume that you have changed your mind and will not make further attempts. If you are still interested in being placed in a ministry and you have not received a phone call, pleae call the Rectory at (301) 654-1287. 6. My schedule does not permit me to attend many meetings. Is there something I could do at home? There are a number of activities that could be done in your home, such as making phone calls, desktop publishing, editing, etc. 7. What if I am not sure about what I might want to become involved in and just need some more information? The names and contact information for each ministry is listed on this website. If you give that person a call, you will be able to otain the information you need.