Martha's Ministry

General Information

Illnesses, hospitalizations, and funerals often significantly affect our parish faithful and create times of crisis, anxiety, and related difficulties.

Especially when a loved one dies, grieving family members and friends often are suddenly faced with a myriad of planning activities.  Historically, a meal in association with the funeral ritual, organized by a group of the community’s faithful, has been a reality in many cultural and religious settings, since the early days of the Old Testament.  Both the immediate bereaved and the larger social community often benefit from such a funeral meal, which functions as a group experience, that focuses on the needs of the living—while remembering the life and works of the dearly departed. 

Funeral meals at the Ave Maria Catholic Church, are ordinarily offered by the Marthas Ministry; as a courtesy the bereaving friends and immediate family members.  

If the parish’s Social (Dwyer) Hall is available, the parish secretary and/or liturgist will coordinate the family’s funeral meal needs with the Marthas ministry coordinator.  If there are specific requests (a table for pictures or momentos, audiovisual equipment, etc.), the family contact person must express these requests in their initial communication or meeting with the parish priest and/or liturgist.  If the family would like to bring food items, the family contact person should inform the parish secretary and/or liturgist before the service, so it can be adequately coordinated with the Marthas ministry coordinator.

Mission Statement

The Ave Maria Parish Marthas is a group of volunteers committed to helping those in need.  The group lends a hand in difficult times, such as illnesses, hospitalizations, and funerals by preparing meals, bringing or delivering food, and performing other supportive functions.

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Ave Maria Parish Martha’s Group is to ease the burden on individuals and family members, when they are sick, need care, or experience the death of a loved one.

Responsibilities

1. The representatives of the Marthas ministry will appoint a single focal point or coordinator.

2. The Marthas’ coordinator will coordinate with the:

   1. The Homebound/Hospitalized Extraordinary Minister of Holy Com-munion (EMHC) coordinator or individual minister when a parishioner who is homebound or hospitalized has requested meal assistance from the Marthas ministry.

   2. Parish office (e.g., secretary, liturgist, etc.) about pending funerals at the

   3. Church; when the immediate family has requested a funeral meal.

   4. The pastor and/or parochial vicar on unique, pastoral needs in which the Marthas ministry can be of assistance.

3. Plan, organize, and facilitate an after-Funeral liturgy meal; if/as appropriate.

4. Coordinate with the parish office concerning the need to order or replace appropriate kitchen paper supplies, disposable eating utensils, etc.

5. The Marthas will set-up and break-down the parish’s Social (Dwyer) Hall before and after all meal or related events.

Changes to and/or additions to the Marthas Group ministry responsibilities and duties will be at the sole discretion of the pastor (whether verbally or in writing) and/or parochial vicar.  Resolutions to problems regarding the Marthas Group mission, purpose, and/or responsibilities will be resolved by the Liturgist, Parochial Vicar, and/or Pastor, respectively.