My Brothers and Sisters of St. Patrick:
After Jesus’ death on the cross, even his closest friends felt dejected and confused. Even when Jesus appeared to them, their confusion only grew. What were they to think or do? Choosing to return to the familiar and the comfortable, they went fishing. After a few unsuccessful tries, Jesus told them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” Their catch yielded abundance.
I invite all of you to cast your net into the many ministry opportunities available here at St. Patrick. Perhaps you’ve been involved in a ministry for a long time and want to continue because it’s comfortable and familiar. If so, that’s fine. Perhaps you feel God calling you to take a step of faith, cast your net to the right side of the boat and try something totally new. If so, go for it! We have several new ministries this year that you may want to consider in place of or in addition to the ways in which you currently serve.
We are all called to model the abundant love of God by sharing our time and talent in service to our church and the greater community. I ask each and every one of you to prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to help you discern where you are being called to use your talents and abilities.
If you are unsure of the role of a particular ministry, call the Ministry Contact Person for more information. You will see that all of the ministries here at St. Patrick are divided into six commissions. For a description of each ministry, click on one of the commissions below. Can you imagine the abundance of talents and abilities serving St. Patrick Church if each one of us followed the command of Jesus and cast our net! I’m praying that we realize that abundance here real soon.
Yours in Christ,
Father Michael Miceli
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve on another with whatever gift each of you has received.- 1 Peter 4:10
Offertory Tabulators: Volunteers sort, count, and prepare deposits. Involves about two hours, during office hours, at an assigned time on a rotating basis.
Office Volunteers : Provide office assistance to the parish staff, such as answering the phone, doing data entry, stuffing envelopes, etc.
Parish Library Committee: Volunteers assist with planning, organizing and maintaining the St. Patrick Library.
St. Patrick Preschool - Classroom or office volunteers work hands-on with the preschool children or in the office as needed.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:12
Coffee and Donuts: Host monthly gatherings after 9:30 a.m. Mass. Volunteers are responsible for picking up and setting out donuts along with orange juice and coffee and cleaning up afterwards.
Golden Shamrocks: Adults 55 years and older gather for fun and fellowship. Volunteers help organize and plan events.
K. C. Council 8601: A national, Catholic, fraternal organization dedicated to promoting the virtues of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. Monthly activities include business meetings, dinners, social gatherins, and service projects. Open to practicing Catholic men ages l8 and older.
Ladies Auxiliary: Assists K.C. Council 8601 in promoting fellowship through religious and social activities. Meetings are held once a month and membership is open to all females, 18 or older.
Receptions and Socials: Prepares for parish-wide social events and other functions. Volunteers help with food preparation, serving, and cleaning.
Scouts: Youth in 5th grade through high school learn about leadership skills and are recognized for their growth through rank advancement. The troop provides fun, adventure, learning, challenge, and responsibility to help them become their best selves.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. - Matthew 28:19-20
FAITH FORMATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH - CONTACT: Melissa Harshbarger, 753-5750
Parish School of Religion: Catechists and volunteers willing to teach and share their faith as catechists for grades 1-10 for our two-week summer Parish School of Religion program.
Vacation Bible School Leaders/Helpers: Provides children the opportunity to learn more about God while enjoying fun, faith-filled activities. Volunteers needed to plan and lead the various VBS stations of snacks, faith, games, music and crafts.
Youth Ministry: Sixth through 12th grade students are invited to youth nights on most Sunday evenings, for fun, faith, fellowship and food! Students in grades 2-5 are invited to monthly youth gatherings!
Youth Ministry Adult Team: Adults assist the Youth Minister in the development and growth of the youth ministry program.
Confirmation Team: Facilitates sessions to prepare 11th grade students for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Sessions are held from September through January.
ADULT FORMATION
“That Man Is You!” — Men: Adult formation program that seeks to form men who will be capable of transforming homes and society.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)- Catechists, sponsors, and hospitality volunteers prepare and accompany those coming into the church with meetings, weekly sessions and special liturgies.
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. - Psalm 103
Altar Servers: Assist the priest at Sunday and Holy Day Masses. Assigned once or twice per month depending on server’s preference.
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Distribute Holy Communion at Sunday and Holy Day Masses. Must be Confirmed and able to fully participate in the sacramental life of the Church. Diocesan online training required.
Readers: Read the Word of God to the assembly at Mass according to a rotating schedule. Must be Confirmed or preparing for Confirmation.
Sacristans: Adults prepare the church for daily, weekend and funeral Masses by turning on lights and microphone, setting the credence table, lighting candles, putting the books in place and then returning these to their proper places after Mass.
Choirs
Mass Choir: Sings weekly at the 4:00 pm Vigil Mass on Saturday, and on Sunday at 7:30, 9:30 and 11:30 am.
Children’s Choir: *Children in 3rd through 9th grades sing at the 9:30 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of the month during the school year, the Christmas Concert, Christmas Eve and First Eucharist.
Resurrection Choir: Sings at parish funeral Masses. Rehearsals are held 30 minutes prior to funeral time. Notifications through email or phone calls.
Ushers: Serve as ministers of hospitality at Mass while seating parishioners, receiving offerings and aid in the communion procession.
Altar Society: Assists in caring for the church, priest vestments, altar server robes, altar cloths and communion vessels. Provides hosts, sacramental wine and candles. Membership open to all. Meets on the third Tuesday of most months at 6 p.m.
Weekly Church Cleaning: Routine dusting and cleaning of the church to prepare for weekend or special Liturgies. Takes approximately one to two hours each week (usually Mondays). Volunteers usually rotate every six weeks and work in teams of two or three.
Homebound: Ministers take Holy Communion each Sunday (on a rotating schedule) after the 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. Masses to sick and homebound parishioners. A brief orientation prepares ministers to participate. Involves about one hour a month.
He has told you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8
Respect Life Committee: Coordinates pro-life parish activities. Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
Prepare Food for Funerals/Sick: Serve on rotating teams, volunteers prepare and deliver food to parishioners who are ill and in temporary need of food. The teams also meet the immediate needs of bereaved family by preparing and delivering food, usually following the funeral.
Blood Drive Coordination Team: A blood drive is held three times a year through Our Lady of the Lake Blood Bank. Volunteers assist parishioners as they fill out forms, offer directions and refreshments. Commitment time is about two hours three times a year on a rotating basis.
Stitching Ministry: Meets every other Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. in the Celtic Shannon Room of the Family Center to work on various charitable or church projects. All skill levels welcome.
Outreach Ministries
St. Vincent de Paul Society Home Visits: Members go in pairs to visit needy individuals or families within our parish boundaries to provide food and other humanitarian aid such as rent or utility payments. Group meets every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Center.
St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room: A team of volunteers serves lunch at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room two Saturdays per month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Advent Giving Tree Team: * Coordinates efforts to provide Christmas presents for the disadvantaged of our community. A variety of tasks is involved: organizing what’s needed, making and/or writing ornaments for the tree, hanging the ornaments each week, sorting and delivering the presents, preparing a flyer, etc. Involves varying amounts of time, depending on the task selected, from October through December.
Habitat for Humanity: * Provides workers to join eight other Catholic parishes to build one house per year for the working poor. Involves one to two Saturdays in the spring. Participating youth should be at least 16.
Prison Ministry at Hunt: Persons needed to assist the Catholic Chaplain at Hunt Correctional prison for men in St. Gabriel. Volunteers help weekly or monthly with faith sharing sessions, RCIA, Mass, and distribution of Holy Communion in cell blocks.
Outreach—Nursing Homes
Jefferson Manor Nursing Home: Volunteers assist Catholic residents of Jefferson Manor Nursing Home to the chapel at 9:45 a.m. each Friday morning. Mass or a Communion Service is celebrated at 10 a.m. The rosary is recited while Holy Communion is taken to those who are unable to go to the chapel. Involves about two hours each Friday morning.
White Oak Post Acute Care Facility: Volunteers assist wheelchair bound Catholic residents to the chapel at 9:45 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Mass or a Communion Service is celebrated at 10 a.m. Holy Communion is offered to those who are unable to attend. Involves about two hours once a month.
And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him. - 1 John 5:14-15
Eucharistic Adoration: Volunteers give one hour each week in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays & Thursdays).
Prayer Line: This is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to be involved in parish ministry but cannot attend meetings or activities. Prayer requests are made to the office, which in turn contacts volunteers. These volunteers call the next person on the chain. Each prayer minister spends time each day praying in his/ her own way for the intentions received.
Monday Scripture Study: Meets on Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Family Center Library and focuses on a variety of themes. No meetings during summer.
Tuesday Scripture Study: Meets on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Center to read, reflect, and share on a variety of scriptural themes. (No meetings in summer.)
Small Christian Communities: Several parish small groups meet in private homes on a regular basis for faith sharing and Scripture discussion.
Blue Army: A worldwide organization whose purpose is to spread the message of Fatima and increase devotion to the Blessed Mother. Meets weekly on Wednesday following the 8 a.m. Mass to pray.
Legion of Mary Active Members, Auxiliary Members: A worldwide association of men and women who work toward the purpose of increasing personal holiness, fostering devotion to the Blessed Mother, and participating in charitable and apostolic works. Active members meet on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. in the Family Center. Auxiliary members offer prayer support for the active members but are not required to attend any meetings. Both groups are welcome to attend all Legion functions throughout the year. All members share in the many graces received.
Vocations Prayer Team: Fosters increased vocations to the priesthood and religious life through prayer and special activities. During Sunday Masses of Lent, an individual or family accepts a statue of the Holy Family to take to their homes for the week to pray daily for vocations.
Apostolate of Prayer for Priests: Coordinates opportunities to offer prayer for priests and seminarians.
* Indicates a ministry in which children and/or youth can participate.