Explore St. Rita
Contact Us
Tuesday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
5401 N. Main St.
Dayton, OH 45415
937-278-5815
St. Rita
Ministries
Councils and Committees
Combined Parish and Finance Council
As part of the Beacons of Light initiative, the St. Gaspar Family of Parishes has established a combined Pastoral Council and a combined Finance Council, with each of the six parishes contributing two representatives to each council.
A key element of Beacons of Light is the creation of unified councils for each Family of Parishes. These councils offer guidance to pastors and parish staff, shaping ministry goals and evaluating progress based on the spiritual, social, and practical needs of the community. While pastoral councils typically include 6 to 14 members, the St. Gaspar Family’s model ensures equal representation from each parish, promoting collaboration and unity across the entire Family.
Members are generally selected through nominations and a period of prayerful discernment, serving staggered three-year terms to maintain continuity. The purpose of these combined councils is to foster shared leadership and build a stronger, mission-driven parish community that is well-equipped to serve and evangelize effectively.
Unified Parish Council Members
- PRECIOUS BLOOD: Becky Chestnut, Jenn Smith
- ST. RITA: Mike Boyd, Joyce Bachmann
- ST. PAUL: Kathy Wirrig, Mark Casdorph
- EMMANUEL: Mike Stoner, Tom Scarpelli
- HOLY TRINITY: Brad Thobe, Katrekia Gambrell (TT)
- ST. JOSEPH: Jeri Mechenbier, Gary Roeckner
Unified Finance Council Members
- PRECIOUS BLOOD: Marty Blasko, John Kettler
- ST. RITA: Sherry Boyd, Bob Wagner
- ST. PAUL: Bob Chodkowski, Missy Grant
- EMMANUEL: Mike Lee, Kevin Brown
- HOLY TRINITY: Amy Wiedeman, Tim Becker
- ST. JOSEPH: Ralph McEldowney, Rita Zimmerman
Liturgical Ministries
Altar Servers
Altar servers assist the priest during the liturgies. Their roles include carrying the processional cross and sometimes incense and candles. They hold the proper liturgical book for the presider and perform other functions that enable the celebration to flow in a reverential manner. This ministry is open to all adults and youth ages fifth grade and older. Training is required and provided. If you are interested, please contact Deacon Jim Olinger.
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ to fellow Catholics at Mass. They assist with the setup of Communion vessels before Mass, assist the celebrant with the distribution of Holy Communion, and properly clean and store the vessels after Mass. This ministry is open to those who have received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Training is provided. If you are interested, please contact Matt Ruttle at 937-278-5815.
Lectors
Lectors proclaim the scripture at all Masses, Sundays and weekdays, and special liturgies such as Vespers. The ministry of the lector is of utmost importance to the life of the Church, for the lector proclaims God’s Living Word. If you are interested, please contact Matt Ruttle at 937-278-5815.
Music Ministry
In music ministry, parishioners of all ages can become involved in many ways, primarily through the singing assembly. Please see the descriptions below to find out how one can participate. If interested, please contact Marianne Pitts at 937-274-5954.
- ADULT CHOIR: This choir regularly leads the community’s sung prayer for Sunday and significant Holy Days throughout the year.
- INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MINISTRY: Parishioners who play musical instruments are invited to consider sharing their talent with the community. Instrumentalists are always welcome, especially during the Christmas and Easter seasons.
- CANTORING: The role of the cantor is to support and lead the singing assembly and to proclaim psalms. To this end, cantors must be competent as singers and prayer leaders. Persons interested in becoming a parish cantor need not be members of any choir. Cantors provide leadership in singing Sunday and Holy Day Masses and parish celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours.