To assist the pastor in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in our parish and in celebrating Christ’s presence in the Sacraments, several ministries are critical: Pastoral Associate, Director of Music and Liturgical Ministries, Religious Education Program Coordinator, and Youth and Young Adult Minister. The descriptions that follow will be of assistance in seeing the larger scope of their ministries and responsibilities here in our parish and how they come together in service to all of God’s people at St. Albert the Great. All of these individuals also participate monthly Pastoral Staff meetings and Pastoral Council meetings. We are grateful for the blessings of their gifts and talents!

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE - Sister Jean Rene Seiler, CDP
The Pastoral Associate’s responsibilities include the area of Parish Social Ministry. Sr. Jean Rene empowers leaders and volunteers to provide care for particular needs and offers guidance. She serves as a resource person for the Ladies of Charity, St. Vincent de Paul, Theos, Family Life Committee and the Senior Citizens group. Sister takes communion to the homebound, training Eucharistic ministers to do the same, and visits those in hospitals.
Her responsibilities in Religious Education and the Initiation process for our parish include directing the RCIA and RCIC programs, overseeing the CCD program’s curriculum and assisting its catechists, conducting the parent sacramental preparation classes for first reconciliation, first Eucharist and baptism, as well as providing for general adult enrichment and education. In addition to being a part of parish celebrations and functions Sister also attends various diocesan meetings and trainings as a part of her continuing formation and education.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND LITURGICAL MINISTRIES - Kenneth Danchik
The Director of Music and Liturgical Ministries is responsible for all music associated with worship in our parish and the supervision of all liturgical ministries. As Director of Music, Ken is principal organist with responsibilities to recruit, train and direct the adult choir, children’s choir, school bell choir, teen bell choir, cantors and other musicians who assist at our liturgies. He serves as organist for three of our four weekend liturgies, major feast days/Holy Days, Sunday afternoon baptisms, confirmation, civil holidays, funerals and weddings. Additionally, he assists in the planning of, and is present for, Bishop McDowell school liturgies. Planning and scheduling the music used for our parish liturgies, writing the general intercessions and coordinating the ritual prayers are other significant dimensions of his ministry as well as programming the tower bells with the music which is heard daily at 2:30 and 6:30 PM.
As Director of Liturgical Ministries Ken supervises those who train and schedule the ushers, servers, Eucharistic ministers, wedding coordinators, gift bearer finders, art and environment committee, worship committee and the Gardening Angels. Additionally, he keeps an eye on the general condition of the worship space for necessary cleaning and maintenance.
Since Ken’s personal, professional associations directly benefit our parish, he is a member of the National Pastoral Musicians and The American Guild of Organists. Hours spent in his practicing the organ, composing, performing recitals, and as an author are also a part of enhancing his ministry skills and gifts to the parish: this ministry is more than meets the eye.

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTER - Angela Gaughan
The Youth and Young Adult Minster is responsible for a variety of ministries that affect the youth and young adults in our parish. The programming begins with our middle school population. At this age the programming includes catechesis, service and social activities in an age-appropriate environment. Widening the experiences of youth at this age and helping them become active members of the parish community are some of the objectives of middle school programming. Angela is also responsible for providing confirmation preparation for the 8th grade school and CCD students and their parents.
The high school youth program has a strong catechetical component that is geared toward the changes and questions/questioning that occurs during those years. This program will expand on the service experiences and social gatherings of middle school students and continue to challenge the youth to find ways to be active participants in our Church. Angela will also coordinate and oversee all inter-diocesan sports programs involving our youth on this level.
Supporting the middle school and high school programs are teams of adults. Angela is responsible for recruiting, training and empowering parish adults to work with youth in all areas of youth ministry such as chaperoning events, coaching sports and facilitating discussions.
In working with young adults Angela will facilitate deepening their relationship with the parish community and offer connections for them to the greater Catholic community in the diocese of Pittsburgh. This is done through a variety of casual social meetings, prayer gatherings and educational opportunities.

CCD PROGRAM COORDINATOR - Rosina Zilionis
As CCD Program Coordinator Rosina continues with the same responsibilities as last year, managing the parish Religious Education Program for children in grades K through 8 under the oversight of Sister Jean Rene. Her responsibilities include recruiting catechists and providing registration for their training in the Basic Catechist Certification/Enrichment Program of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. She purchases reading materials to keep catechists updated with new ideas and information, maintains the Religious Education Office library materials, records sacramental information and class attendance, maintaining the records of students, families and catechists.
Rosina prepares the CCD class schedule for the year and handles the registration process from mailing the initial form to processing the returns. For each CCD session, Rosina prepares and offers the common prayer. Regular mailings are also sent to parents to update and inform them of the program’s progress, policies and other important information. For the catechists she completes requests for materials, orders supplies, compiles a monthly memo to keep them informed of the program’s progress and meets with them throughout the year to share ideas and make improvements where needed. Finally, Rosina also aides with the preparation details of the sacraments of reconciliation, first Eucharist and confirmation.