Ministries

Involvement Within the Church in the World

Catechetical Ministry

This ministry cares for the Christian education of children at different levels (first grade through high school) and the on-going formation of adults (catechists and parents) according to the teachings of the Catholic Church. The main focus is the Father’s saving action in history through His Son, Jesus Christ, and continued by the Holy Spirit through the church and the sacraments. Classes are held from October through April each year. Information regarding class times and places, and other religious education news, is printed in the bulletin. Contact: Carrie Aragon, Director of Religious Education caragon@stjchurch.org 455-8720.

Catholic Engaged Encounter

A volunteer ministry that delivers retreat weekends as one way for engaged couples to fulfill the church’s requirement for marriage preparation. Meetings are quarterly at a team member’s home. Other get-together's include enrichment, picnics, dinners, etc. Weekends are held 12-13 times a year at St. Francis Retreat Center. Contact: Office, 455-2249.

Children’s Ministry

The Children’s Ministry serves our youngest parishioners and their families by providing a preschool religious education program for children ages three and four, and kindergartners. Contact: Michelle Beach, 422-4442.

Christians in Commerce

The CIC is a laymen’s ecumenical organization whose purpose is to bring Christ into the marketplace. We hold a luncheon meeting every Friday, 12:00 Noon, at St. Ansgar’s Church. Contact: Bill Moreno, 422-6575.

City of the Lord

This is a Catholic, Charismatic, Covenant, Community. Our goal is to dedicate our lives to personal holiness through daily prayer and praising God, and to proclaim the Good News of Salvation to all we encounter. We support the Church through: Christian Family Life retreats, Catholic Fraternity, Charismatic Renewal (sponsoring Life in the Spirit seminars), the fight against abortion, serving the poor, Christians in Commerce and religious vocations.

As a people called by God to be “A light to the Nations,” our mission is to strengthen family life wherever the Lord sends us, serve Jesus Christ by serving mankind, train and develop leaders for the Church and export our way of life and expand our works according to the unfolding plan of God. Contact: Suzanne Stewart, 754-2187.

Confidence Pregnancy Center

Some of the services offered by CPC are ongoing counseling and emotional support - helping women to plan for their future with hope; counseling for men and families involved; adoption referrals; maternity and baby clothes; information on pregnancy and options; free pregnancy tests; referrals to resources and agencies. Volunteers are needed to answer the hot line, for counseling (training provided) and office work, and to sort, wash, spot, and sew donated used clothing. Contact: Confidence Pregnancy Center, 757-5500.

Cursillo (Kur-see-yo)

A Cursillo is an encounter with Christ. Active in the diocese for over 34 years, it is a powerful instrument of renewal in the Church. The Cursillo Movement is a method through which one’s spirituality will be developed, lived and shared in any area of life. A Cursillo begins on Thursday evening and ends on Sunday evening. Men attend on one weekend and women attend the following weekend. Contact: Richard & Sylvia Prader, 758-3669.

Franciscan Workers

This ministry feeds lunch seven days a week at Dorothy’s Place and helps guests improve their situation. They also operate a women’s shelter (see Women Alive). Call: 757-3838.

Hospitality

The hospitality ministry provides and serves refreshments after the 9:00 am and 11:00 am liturgies each Sunday through volunteer hosts. Contacts: Elfrida Ewing, 484-9809; Leslie Russo, 655-3754.

I-HELP

This ministry provides an interfaith, homeless emergency lodging program to feed and house the homeless, and help them find work. Homeless men are screened to make sure they are drug and alcohol free. The St. Joseph’s members of this ministry meet the third Monday at St. Joseph’s Church to provide breakfast and dinner. Contact: Larry & Julie Ryan, 455-1424.

John XXIII Aids Ministry

This ministry provides help and support to those affected and infected with HIV. Volunteers are needed. Only one meeting per month. Contact: Chaplin Susan Miller, 442-3959.

Marriage Encounter

The purpose of the ministry is to celebrate, examine and explore the marital relationship. The encounter weekend teaches a communication technique that deepens and enriches the joys a couple shares together. The goal of the weekend is to revitalize Christian marriages.

Women Alive

Shelter for homeless women (at Dorothy's Place). Call: 757-3838.

The ministry has scheduled Marriage Encounter Weekends and a support community that meets monthly. The weekends are usually held at local retreat centers. The support community meets locally at churches or in private homes. For information contact: Rick or Mary Jo Castello, 663-2231.