Ministry Basic Training 2011 - 2012
you won't want to miss this!
Altar Servers
Being an Altar Server provides the opportunity for young boys and girls of our parish to participate actively as a member of the liturgical team. The servers assist at weekend Masses and special liturgies.
Altar Society
The St. Joseph Altar Society, along with interested parishioners, provide floral arrangements for our sanctuary. They also launder linens, provide candle care and all other necessary actions which keep the sanctuary area presentable to the community.
Catholics Returning Home
A ministry welcoming Catholics who have been away from receiving the sacraments for awhile.
Centering Prayer
Offered every Wednesday after the morning Mass. All are welcome in the Library in the Church basement.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Each Sunday the young people of our parish, ages 4 though 10, are encouraged to participate in their own special celebration of God's Word.
Choir and Cantor
The role of our cantor and the choirs is not only to animate the assembly and to lead them in their sung prayer, but also to broaden the assembly’s musical repertoire. All are welcome.
Eucharistic Adoration
Takes place first Fridays after the 8:30am Mass with Benediction at noon. All are encouraged to spend a holy hour in adoration and meditation in the Presence of the Lord and we encourage all to participate in perpetual Adoration which is offered at Our Lady of Mercy Parish.
Evangelization
Please check out the “Catholic Corner” at the back of church. Many brochures are offered as well as a DVD program. There is an ongoing program offered on the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
These are the brothers and sisters who not only assist with the distribution of Communion at Mass, but many also take Holy Communion to those who are in hospitals, nursing homes, and homebound. We are in need of more ministers. If interested contact the Rectory.
Hamper Ministry
All parishioners are encouraged to donate "new" items that are needed by newborns in our parish family. Gifts of infant clothing, baby food, and baby supplies enable young families to meet the increased expense of raising a family. Simply place items in the hamper at the back of church.
Hospitality
The Ministry of Hospitality consists of greeters and ushers who provide a friendly reception for our parish family and guests at Sunday Masses and on special occasions. The Ministry is open to all parish members. Come for a cup of coffee and a donut after Mass every fourth Sunday of the month and see how you can be involved in Hospitality.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is an organization dedicated to the ideals of Columbianism: charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Our local council covers two parishes and provides the backbone for many of the service projects of St. Joseph/St. Michael Mission, and Our Lady of Mercy parishes. Membership is open to any practicing Catholic adult man.
Liturgy Committee
The celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist and other Sacraments which are encounters with the Risen Lord are the center of the Church’s life. The Liturgy Committee helps with the environment and all the ministries and preparations for the liturgical celebrations. We meet periodically and are always in new ideas to help our liturgies become truly encounters with God and loving welcoming celebrations where all may experience the Presence and the Holiness of God and the love of the brothers and sisters. We encourage new members to volunteer to very special ministry.
Martha’s Ministry
The members of this ministry are able to assist the families of recently deceased parishioners by providing a reception after a funeral Mass or service. The Martha Ministry provides the reception for the family members and their guests who are attending the funeral of a loved one. Members of this ministry do not have to be present at the reception itself.
Ministers of the Word
The Word of God is central to our conversion and growth in holiness. That is why we need people who feel called to this important ministry of proclaiming the Word of God. If you feel called, please call the Rectory.
Novena of Perpetual Help – 8:00 AM, Wednesdays – Chapel.
Parish Finance Committee
All are invited to join us on Wednesday mornings as we pray together this novena in honor of Our Lady of Perpatual Help. This very important Committee offers their valuable expertise in managing both the financial and temporal goods of the Parish. They assist in the preparation and monitoring of the budget and in the preparation of the financial report to the parishioners and the Diocese. We are always interested in the advise and help of our parishioners with expertise in the area of finances and temporal affairs. Periodically we will rotate the membership. Anyone interested in being a member may call the Pastor.
Parish Pastoral Council
The Church asks that a Pastoral Council exist in every parish to work with the Pastor to discern the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer and through the voice of the people in meeting the spiritual needs of the parishioners. This is a very important body that listens to the Holy Spirit to try to implement ministries and create a spirit of unity in our Parish, with the Diocese, and the Universal Church. We are always looking for people interested in contributing to make our Parish a more visible sign of the Kingdom of God among us. The Council advises the pastor on the spiritual needs of the people and works with him to answer those needs. Anyone interested in joining the Council may contact the Pastor.
Prayer, the Word of God, and Catechesis
Besides the Eucharistic celebrations on Sunday, we offer two Daily Masses at 8:30am. and 12:15pm. Also, Mass is said at 7:30am on Wednesdays at St. Michael’s. We encourage all our parishioners to participate more frequently in the Eucharistic celebration in which we celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
RCIA
RCIA is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process through which adults are fully initiated into our community of faith.
Religious Education Program
A group of dedicated and faith filled parishioners volunteer every week to pass our faith to our children. We are always in need of people who are called to this great ministry. Preparation for First Communion is a two year process. Those families wishing to prepare their children for First Communion are required to enroll their child in religious education for one year prior asking for preparation. Please contact Susan, the coordinator, at the Rectory.
St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Joseph Preschool
We are very proud of our schools, the great job our teachers do of not only providing a great education to our children, but also passing on to them the faith and Gospel values. We have a great group of parents who assist the administrators through the parent guild and advisory commission in offering the education programs that parents are looking for in catholic education.
St. Joseph Cemetery Ministry
The great news of our faith is that Jesus Christ came to die for us to free us from death and give us eternal life. He is our life and Resurrection Who promised eternal life to those who believe in Him. That is why the Church from the very beginning treats with great care and holy respect the bodies of its deceased children. We do this not only because we believe that the Lord Jesus will raise them up, but also because they were the temples of the Holy Spirit. We share a common faith in the Resurrection and itt is proper that we who worship together in the Church may await together the Resurrection. We have a great committee of parishioners that assist in the ministry of the cemetery to help create an environment of hope and comfort to our families. We offer Mass every last Saturday of the month for the repose of those buried there. Everyone is welcome. Our cemetery is beautiful and has enough space available for many years.
St. Vincent De Paul Conference
This organization is composed of members who are trying to reach out to the needy in our community with the love of Christ. It also enables its members to grow in holiness through prayer, meditation, cooperation with each other and service to the poor. We encourage more parishioners to become members not only that we may reach more people with the love of Christ, but may also grow in holiness and love. Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 PM in the Church Library.
Stephens Ministry
Stephen Ministry prepares members of our Parish Community to provide loving, caring one on one ministering to other members of our Parish who are shut in, have suffered a loss of a loved one, are depressed, elderly, ill, or are in some other stressful situation. The Stephen Minister is trained to provide quality Christian care to those in need of person to person ministering.
Taize Prayer
(Pronounced teh-ZAY)
A Taize prayer service is offered on the last Wednesdays of the month from September through May. Taizé, pronounced (Teh-ZAY) is a peaceful way to pray, using easy musical chants, silent meditation, and scripture readings... a meditative, common prayer. Gathered in the presence of Christ we sing uncomplicated repetitive short songs, uncluttered by too many words, allowing the mystery of God to become tangible through the beauty of the Spirit in its simplicity. We hope that you will join us for this special time with the Lord!
Vocations
We are hoping to have members of our parish continue to build a Vocations Committee. A vocation cross is sent home from Masses, the school, as well the Religious Education Program. Please call the rectory if you would like to be more involved in this ongoing ministry.
YLI
The YLI are Catholic Women dedicated to the Christian principles of charity and love for each other. YLI members are from all parishes in the area and support various charity activities.
Youth Ministry
We offer a Mass with youth every Sunday evening followed with a great program for our young people. We encourage all young people to participate. Come be a part of the Youth Praise and Worship band, attend monthly Holy Hours, hang out at the Youth Group and/or get involved in the many exciting trips and concerts attended by our youth.
