ALTAR SERVERS
These young boys and girls are volunteers trained to assist the Priest at the celebration of the Eucharist. They are usually from fourth through elementary grades and high school. Sometimes called acolytes, they carry the processional cross and candles, hold the sacred books for the Presider, and assist with the gifts at the presentation during the Eucharist. Recruitment and training of servers take place in the fall of each year. They are assigned to Masses on a rotating basis. All children of the parish, who have already received their First Holy Communion, are encouraged to become altar servers to more fully appreciate and participate in the Eucharist.
ART AND ENVIRONMENT
This committee oversees both the seasonal decoration of the church for liturgy and the larger questions of the art and architectural surroundings, furnishings, lighting, vestments and vessels, and devotional spaces in the place where our community worships. Attention is also paid to the invitational qualities of the exterior of the church and its surroundings. Members of the committee also take care of the selection of materials and art, and their care and storage.
BIBLE STUDY
The Adult Bible Study Program has been active at St. Clare Parish since September 1997. Currently there are two sessions per year of approximately eight weeks each, one in Spring (February to March) and another in Fall (September to October). The Bible Study meetings are currently held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and are conducted as lectures with questions permitted at any time provided they are on the subject being discussed. Mel Barror has been the instructor since the program’s beginning. Participants from neighboring parishes attend these sessions.
The objective of this program is not only to acquaint the participant with the knowledge of what the Bible says, but what is its meaning and application to our daily lives. It is our feeling that a balanced spirituality requires three important elements: Eucharist, Prayer and Study of the Bible.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
A group of qualified volunteer parishioners gather children for the Liturgy of the Word at the Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Masses (except for certain feast days and during the summer months). Immediately after the opening prayer, children between the ages 6 and 10 are invited and led to a separate room for the Liturgy of the Word. There, the scriptures are proclaimed and a teaching is given in an age-appropriate manner. The children then return to the Mass for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. All children are invited and parents are welcome to accompany them.
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
A ministry dedicated to the spiritual, emotional and social needs of single people, never married, widowed, divorced or separated.
COMMUNION TO THE SHUT-INS
With special training, these Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist bring our Lord to those who are unable to celebrate Eucharist at Mass due to illness or disability. These Ministers visit, bring the Eucharist to, and share faith with the sick and homebound in senior residences, nursing homes, hospitals and parishioners’ homes.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST
The Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist are offered the opportunity of meeting people in the most intimate and sacred of Catholic encounters: the sharing of the Eucharist. Most ministers serve in this capacity as scheduled. All baptized and confirmed Catholics are welcome to serve in this ministry after training.
FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY
The Faith Formation Ministry at St. Clare Church serves the needs of families with children and teens from Kindergarten through High School. Kindergarteners and first graders attend weekly classes. Baptized children may begin preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion as early as second grade. Teens who have received First Communion may begin their Confirmation Preparation in the eighth grade. Sacrament Preparation is a two-year process. The Faith Formation Ministry also offers weekly classes, home study opportunities, and family retreats for children who have received First Communion but are not yet old enough to begin Confirmation Preparation.
The parishioners who are trained or would like to be trained as catechists or as teacher aides can contact the Faith Formation Office.
Registration for all classes is held each year during the month of August. Please contact the Faith Formation Office for more information.
FOREVER YOUNG
Forever Young Ministry is a cheerful group of seniors who like to share, be informed on important topics, and help those retiring and retired. Meetings include fellowship, lunch and guest speakers.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal benefit society founded on the principles of charity, unity and fraternity.
It was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. Knights of Columbus welcome all Catholic men 18 or older. The Knights of Columbus has grown from several members in one council to more than 14,000 councils and 1.7 million members throughout the United States, Canada, the Philippines, Mexico, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Guatemala, Guam and Saipan.
LECTORS
Lectors are a group of men and women, who have the sacred duty of proclaiming the assigned readings from the Old and the New Testaments at Mass on Sundays, holy days and during the week. Lectors are assigned by the lector coordinator on a rotating basis. A desire to read scripture at the liturgy, a willingness to be trained and practice the readings, the ability to read aloud in public, and a commitment to live what they proclaim are all necessary requirements for this ministry.
LIBRARY
The Library is run by a Committee of volunteers dedicated to establishing and maintaining a resource center where parishioners can donate or borrow books–mostly spiritual, self-help and entertaining–for children and adult. Twice a year, the Committee holds book sales that boost its resources. The library located in the Parish Office is open on Sundays from 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon, Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon and Thursdays, from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The library has two additional services: A book mobile goes to the Narthex on first and third Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon where parishioners enjoy checking out or returning books after the morning masses. On the first and third Wednesdays of the month, the library opens its doors from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to parents who are waiting for the return of their children from Faith Formation classes.
MOMS GROUP
The purpose of Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) is to give mothers a place to reflect and grow in their faith while making spiritual friends. Mothers of all ages are invited to join.
Retreat coming up for all Participants
You can pick up a brochure in the Parish Office or contact Karma Garcia (726-1134) or Anne Heredia (773-5723) for more information.
MUSIC MINISTRY
The Music Ministry both enhances and supports the singing in the assembly. A choral repertoire based on the liturgical season, in a variety of styles from classical to contemporary, is prepared and sung throughout the year. St. Clare has five choir groups: Saturday, 5 p.m., Sunday, 9:00 a.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m., Sunday 5:00 p.m., Youth Choir, and a Children’s Choir that sings at a designated Sunday mass once a month. The different choirs practice once a week. The choir is open to singers and musicians of all ages.
PARISH STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Parish Stewardship Committee works to raise awareness of the stewardship way of life at St. Clare where old and new parishioners are encouraged to share their talents, time and treasure. The Committee also coordinates the annual stewardship sign-up and works to ensure that all volunteers obtain the training, support, follow-up, and appreciation that they deserve.
nates the annual stewardship sign-up and works to ensure that all volunteers obtain the training, support, follow-up, and appreciation that they deserve.
PRAYER LINE
St. Clare Community volunteers, who pray for the individual needs and intentions of callers. Parishioners can call the Parish Office and leave a message on the Prayer Line at any time to request prayers.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION) PROGRAM
This is a weekly program for those 18 or older who are interested in the Catholic faith.
We are in need of Godparents and Sponsors who are willing to accompany the candidates on their journey of faith and help answer their questions.
If you would like to register or volunteer, please call Florence Kurttila at 725-0417.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION) as Adapted for Children
Faith Formation Ministry, in coordination with RCIA, handles the preparation for baptism of children age seven and older who have never been baptized and catechized in the Catholic faith.
RETURNING CATHOLICS
The Returning Catholic Ministry holds a six-week informal sessions three times a year to welcome home Catholics who have been away. The goal is to provide for the needs of those thinking about returning to the Church without placing any obligation on them.
SACRISTANS
A group of parishioners who are trained to set up the altar and prepare the Sacra-mentary, Lectionary and Prayers of the Faithful for the Mass. They also serve as Altar Servers, when none are available. They serve at each Mass on a rotating basis. On weekdays they open the church for the morning Mass.
SOCIAL CONCERNS
Social Concerns Ministry helps our parish to reach out to those in need. Social Concerns helps support the Gathering Inn, the Food Bank and various other charitable organizations within the Community.
USHERS/GREETERS
This ministry includes welcoming and seating people, taking up the collection, leading or assisting parishioners at Communion time, and distributing parish bulletins at the end of each weekend Mass. Each crew of 4 or more has an appointed head usher who makes sure that the doors are open or closed as necessary and ensures that the church is ready, clean and welcoming. They are also ready to assist in case of emergencies and answers questions for visitors or newcomers.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School is a summer-based faith program that takes place the last full week of June. It is open to children of all ages. Children ages 4-12 participate in Vacation Bible School while those who are older serve as guides and assistants. During the week of Vacation Bible School, children learn Bible stories, play games, make crafts, and sing music. Approximately 100 children participate in this program and another 50 volunteers donate their time and talent. We are always looking for more people to help serve in this wonderful ministry as helpers, leaders, food preparer and organizers. If you would like more information about this ministry please contact Parish Office.
WELCOMING NEW PARISHIONERS
The Welcoming Ministry provides a reception for the new parishioners quarterly, on the first or second Sunday of the month. They also provide information on activities in the parish. Four representatives from other ministries and clergy do a five minute presentation and then answer questions and concerns. Refreshments are also served. We welcome everyone who would like to participate in this ministry.
WOMEN’S GUILD
Women’s Guild is in charge of the basic upkeep of the church’s liturgical needs–maintaining priestly vestments and linen for the altar and ordering liturgical supplies. Members work on a rotating basis for one hour on Fridays to clean the altar, candlesticks, holy water fonts, cruets, bread plates and communion cups; change linens and clean the sacristies. They take home linens to wash and iron so they are ready for Mass each week. The Women’s Guild members meet every third Wednesday of the month
YOUNG ADULT READERS
Same as Lectors but are distinguished by their youth.
YOUNG ADULTS
Young Adults are single or married adults from 20-39
For more information on our events see the bulletin or
contact : Paula Staszkow at 772-4717 X-107 or scpaula@surewest.net.
See Ministry Contact page for more information
YOUTH GROUP
A Youth Group is active in our parish for teens ages 13-18. For more information see the bulletin or contact: Paula Staszkow at 772-4717 X-107 or scpaula@surewest.net.