Altar Servers
All boys and girls in the parish who are in fourth grade or above are eligible. These enthusiastic young people serve during the weekend Masses. Men and women of the parish who wish to participate, serve during weekday masses and/or at weddings, funerals, and special services.

Bereavment
The Bereavement Minsitry of Sacred Heart Church conducts an eight-week support group workshop for anyone who has lost a loved one in death and is willing to share their pain and growth with other caring people. The workshop gives the bereaved an opportunity to understand their reaction to death and the process of grieving and healing. It is a process in which the bereaved begin to find the means of rebuilding within themselves. The facilitators for the workshop are not professional counselors but are trained in workshop techniques and have personally experienced the death of a spouse or child. Topics covered include what to expect during the grieving process, learning how to cope, communications, emotions, healing, decisions and hints for the holidays. Monthly follow-up meetings are offered, if desired by the group members. Workshops are offered twice a year, or more frequently if needed. For more information please call John Pelton at 215-0592.
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Eucharistic Ministers
Ministers provide assistance with distribution of Eucharist during the liturgy; special ministers take communion to private homes, hospitals and nursing homes as well.
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Food and Clothing to the Poor
This service is provided by volunteers from Sacred Heart as well as other area churches via the Sandhills Coalition. It now has 35 member churches. Contributions for the Coalition at Sacred Heart may be made through the use of Special Envelopes located in the pews; they then may be included with the general collection. In addition, canned goods and dry foods are brought to the altar by the children of the parish each Sunday. This is later brought to the Coalition.
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Gift Bearers
Gift Bearers are selected from the person requesting the Mass. If it is a weekend Mass someone will call you in advance to ask you to present the gifts. For daily Mass the Lector will ask the person requesting the Mass or a family member to present the gifts.
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Greeters
The ministry of greeters extends a warm welcome and greeting to all weekend Masses. This group will be reaching out to our newest parishioners as well. If you are a new parishioner or know of a new family in the parish, please contact the parish registry as soon as possible.
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Lectors
Lectors proclaim the scriptures at Sunday Masses, weekday Masses and at other liturgical functions.
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Music
The choir meets weekly and performs throughout the year (September - May) at religious and special events. If you play an instrument or like to sing, please contribute your talent to the worship of God.
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Parish Finance Council
The Parish Finance Council works with the Parish Business Manager and Pastor to plan for and implement Internal Control Procedures and Reviews to insure that Parish funds are properly secured and accounted for at all times. The Parish Finance Council prepares the parish budget with the assistance of the Business Manager and following the guidance provided by the Pastor. Guidelines provided by the Diocese of Raleigh form the basis of the responsibilities of the Finance Committee.

The Chairman of the Parish Finance Committee also serves on the Pastrol Advisory Committee by appointment of the Pastor.
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Pastoral Advisory Council
The Pastoral Advisory Council is that leadership group chosen on the parish level and/or appointed by the Pastor to advise and assist him in achieving his pastoral mission. Members of the Pastoral Advisory Council are chosen by the parish community to help the Pastor develop and sustain the many various ministries that are required to bring the Lord's work to fruition in the community. The council assists the Pastor in expanding and enhancing the decision making process of:

- Pastoral planning and goal setting
- Developing and implementing pastoral programs
- Improving pastoral services
- Providing reports on scheduled or implemented programs
- Evaluating pastoral effectiveness

Three fourths (9) of the voting members of the Council are chosen by the parish community. The remaining (3) are appointed by the Pastor. Non-voting members include representatives of all major parish organizations.

The council is organized into the following standing committees: Finance, Public Relations, Social Action, Building and Grounds, Religious Education, Liturgy, Ministry of Greeters, Deanery, Legal, Poor Box/Coalition, Social Activities and website, representatives of; the Knights of Columbus, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, and the Women of Sacred Heart also attend.
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Prayer Group
The Prayer Group meets on Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. The Group prepares for the liturgy of the following Sunday by meditating on and discussing the scriptural reading for that day. With a better understanding of God's word, it is hoped it will lead to a deepening of love for Him as well as have the ability to apply His teachings to daily life. The Group urges you to join them. For more information please call Rosemarie Allen at 235-0908.
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Respect For Life
The Respect For Life Program at Sacred Heart Church is focused on the goal of respecting the sanctity of life from birth to natural death. The program involves attending Mass, praying the Rosary for the end of abortion, and reciting prayers for life issues. The Committee follows directives of The Priests For Life (Father Pavone) and NC Right to Life. Printed materials from the Bishop's Committee are circulated in the Parish along with pamphlets and brochures that are morally correct and approved by The Bishop's Committee.

The internet has up to date information on laws and bills that are discussed in committees, and results, that parishioners can comment or vote upon. The internet also lists the current materials on Stem Cell Research. Searching "Do Not Harm" yields excellent scientific research, much written by renowned Christian ethicists.

There is increased interest in public events such as prayer rallies, local and national, that Respect For Life has participated. The presence and support of young people of high school and college age has increased and is most encouraging.

The Respect For Life Program meets on the third Thursday of the month in the Parish Center. All are welcome.
Watch for ways you can assist the group in the Church Bulletin.
Mary Byrne (910) 235-0163
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Rosary Makers of Sacred Heart
The Rosary Makers is a group of parishioners that was established for the purpose of making rosaries and scapulars and providing support to our military personnel. The rosaries are designated for the missions, military, and our own parish. We support the military by sending religious articles and buddy boxes. Funds are provided through our annual October bake sale, the sale of roses for Mother's Day and through the kind donations of our parishioners. The Rosary Makers meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays in room 3 of the Education Building. Please Join us!
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Social Action
The Social Action Committee monitors our community and culture with an eye toward promoting Catholic morals and justice. We can be proud of the many ways that our parishioners are involved in church activities and in the community at large. For more information please call Jim Harroun at 295-5243.
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Ushers
Our ushers arrange for orderly seating, collect offerings, distribute weekly bulletins and other assistance as needed.
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Widow and Widowers Social Group
This fun loving group meets once a month from September through June. Day trips are organized on alternate months and are opened to the entire parish. If interested, please call Anne Prunty at 295-0922.
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The Women of Sacred Heart
The Women of Sacred Heart accomodate the broadening interests of the women of our growing parish by offering a combination of both spiritual and social activities. These Catholic daughters work toward personal sanctification and aim to fill the needs of others through charitable works, while also providing fun-filled social activities on a non-profit basis.

Various venues of interest include social action activites, and such social activities as card parties, luncheons, potluck dinners, golf outings and more. In addition, the spiritual activites include a January Day of Recollection, Annual Mass and May Breakfast, a monthly Mass celebrated for members living and deceased, and a Mass upon the death of a member or her spouse. The Sacred Heart Altar Society is a group of women within the organization who serve the parish by preparing the church for Mass. Members also serve the parish in many other ways including Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, and many other volunteer activities

Our yearly dues are $10.00. Meetings are on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. If you might be interested in joining, please feel free to come to one of our Thursday meetings. They are held in Sacred Heart's Founders Hall.
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