The Altar Society has served Mater Dolorosa Church and its pastors for many years. The Altar Society is a social and service oriented entity of the church parish, providing an opportunity for all parishioners to participate in the ministry of the church with particular focus on assisting the pastor in the care and upkeep of the Sanctuary and all its sacred elements.
The Altar Society has two parts: The Altar Society and the Sacristans.
The Sacristans are primarily responsible for the direct care of the Altar. They are scheduled on certain days of the week to setup and takedown for weekday and Sunday masses, to ensure the correct liturgical colors and sacred vessel are in place, to wash the linens used during the masses as needed throughout the month they are scheduled.
The Altar Society provides an opportunity for all parishioners to come together and offer their talents in service to the needs of the Pastor and Sacristans regarding the care and upkeep of the Sanctuary in some of the following ways: fundraising for the purchase of Altar supplies (candles, sacred vessels, linens, altar wine, etc.), purchasing necessary supplies, care and upkeep of the Priest's vestments, purchasing/creating decorations for the altar that are appropriate for liturgical worship (flowers, banners, etc.), decorating for various seasonal events (Christmas, Easter, etc.), and occasionally donate to the church.
Fundraising includes but not limited to: cake sales, raffles, selling of candles for Mother's and Father's Day, and flower envelope donations.
Both parts, while under the umbrella of the Altar Society, remain separate. One can be a member of the Altar Society without being a sacristan.
Ultimately, the purpose of the Altar Society is to assist the Pastor. Therefore, the society operates under his guidance and direction and that of the Church.
Meetings are held every second Sunday of the month, September through May, at 3:00pm in the church. There are no meetings during the summer months. Dues are $10/year. Members who are 80 years of age or in a Nursing Facility are considered honorary members and are not required to pay dues.
President: Kateri Lemoine
Vice President: Betty Lemoine
Secretary: Karen Gremillion
Treassurer: Jo Ann Carter