PARISH  MINISTRY

St. John Parish makes every attempt to live the Gospels.  We consider ourselves to be a "community of foot washers."  This image, taken from John's Gospel of the Last Supper, shows Christ, on His knees, washing the feet of His apostles.  He told them to do for others as he had done for them.  All Christians are called to lives of service.  Each ministry in our church presents a way in which one member of the family can "wash the feet" of other members.

In the words of Father Jack, "We are truly blessed to have such terrific people doing so much for the people of God here at St. John.  We can never forget that all the work done in the parish is for the people and is meant to lead us all to better praise of God.  That's what ministry is all about and we have fine examples of this here at our parish."

Education & Enrichment  Social  Other Ministries

LITURGICAL  MINISTRIES

Lectors
Lectors serve the people of God by announcing the Good News of salvation.  Each Sunday a Lector reads to the congregation from sacred Scripture.  Training classes for Lectors are held frequently.  This three-evening course prepares people to proclaim the Word of God.

Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Ministers of the Eucharist serve God's people by sharing with them the Body and Blood of Christ.  A one-evening training class is offered for Eucharistic Ministers.

Altar Servers
The young people of our parish serve God's people by assisting the priest at the celebration of Mass.  They are eligible to serve Mass when they are in 4th grade.

"Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns and inspired songs."  Col 3:16

Cantors
The Cantor leads God's people in song.  Cantors are trained individually by our Music Director.

Choir
We have a group of dedicated men and women who serve the parish community through song.  They rehearse on Wednesday evenings.  New members are always needed and welcomed.

Children's Choir
Children learn to pray through music.  We have a children's choir that rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.

Greeters
How nice it is to have someone welcome you when you come into their home.  For us, St. John is a family and this church is our home.  We want everyone who enters our home to be made welcome.

Ushers
Ushers are signs of the hospitality of our life and worship.  From seating the people to taking up the collection to aiding the needs of the people, ushers make a difference.  For information, please call the office.

Liturgical  Social  Other Ministries

EDUCATION  AND  ENRICHMENT  MINISTRIES

Children's Religious Education
Our "Walk in Faith" program is for all school-age children through 8th grade.  Classes are held on Wednesdays.  Kindergarten through 6th grade meet form 4:30 to 5:30 and 7th and 8th grade meet form 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Registration for CCD is the first Friday and Saturday of September from 9:30 to 12:30.  Classes start the first Wednesday of October.

Catechists
CCD Teachers serve God's people by sharing their faith with our children.  These dedicated men and women plan lessons, prayers, liturgies, parties and special events for their students.  If you would like to teach, call the rectory office.  (Faith, dedication and a sense of humor are required.)

Classroom Aides
Aides for Religious Education help the Catechists and work one-on-one with students who need special attention.  High School students are welcome as CCD Aides.

Hall Guards
The Hall Guard has an important role in our Religious Education program.  They guard and guide the students to make sure that they can learn in a safe and orderly environment.

Rainbows
Children who are experiencing pain in their lives from divorce, separation, death or family members with drug and alcohol abuse, or any other cause are invited to join the Rainbows.  These confidential groups meet to offer peer support and adult guidance.  Call the office for information.

RCIA
The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a faith formation process. Intended for non-Catholics who wish to explore our religion and for Baptized people who wish to make Eucharist and Confirmation, it is an excellent ministry for anyone who wishes to grow in their faith. For information on becoming a Catholic, adult sacramental preparation or renewing your Faith commitment call the Rectory.

RCIA Catechists
RCIA Catechists do lectionary based teaching to help Catechumens, Candidates and Fully Initiated participants explore gospel values.   Any Fully Initiated Catholic can be an RCIA catechist.  If you would like to participate, please call the rectory.

RCIA Sponsors
RCIA Sponsors serve as special friends and guides for the RCIA participants.  They are there to share the faith.

Evangelization Team
This group serves as evangelizers to our community and makes an attempt to reach those people outside of regularly worshiping community.

Bible Study
St. John Bible Study uses the Little Rock Scripture Study materials.  The study process consists of reading scripture and small group sharing.  They have two sessions per year.  The sessions vary in length depending on the Book of Scripture being studied.  For information on Bible Study, contact the rectory office.

"Pray for one another."  James 25:16

Prayer Link
Members of the community forma phone chain to pray for any need that is brought to their attention.  They meet together once a month.

Right to Life
Getting information to the community about respecting life is the reason for this group.  If you are interested, please see the bulletin.

Liturgical  Education & Enrichment  Other Ministries

SOCIAL MINISTRY

"For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me… in so far as you did this for one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me."  Matt 25: 35-39

Social ministry is one way in which this community rises to the challenge of Christ that we "love one another."

Ministry of Care
The St. John ministry of Care is a group of people trained and dedicated to serving the needs of the sick, homebound and those in nursing homes.  Through visitation, Eucharist and other activities, they try to live out their Christian commitment to serve others.

Grief Ministry
Talking with the grieving is essential to Christian life.  We can help families plan meaningful funerals and we willingly provide a listening ear 

Food Distribution Programs
Each year St. John collects food for the needy members of our community.  These collections are traditionally held before Christmas, and before Easter. Volunteers are always needed to shop, sort, pack and deliver the food.

Christmas Giving Tree
We have made a tradition of Christmas generosity.  Christmas "wish" lists are collected from the needy children and their requests are hung on a tree.  Parishioners purchase these gifts and wrap them.  They are then distributed to the parents to give to their children.  If you want to make a wish come true for a child, please take one of these tags off the tree in the vestibule, buy the item you've picked out, wrap your gift and place your package under the "Giving Tree".  Be sure to reattach the tag with the child's identification on it.

Liturgical  Education & Enrichment  Social

OTHER PARISH MINISTRIES

Annulment Ministry
Divorced people are in special need of a helping hand to apply for an ECCLESIAL ANNULMENT that will permit them to marry again in the Catholic Church.  Father Sullivan has a special group trained and dedicated to helping people with this goal.  All sessions are confidential.

Meditation Group
Meditation is a lovely way to pray.  St. John offers you a chance to learn this skill.  For prayer, relaxation and good health, meditation is a real help.  The group meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel.

Domestic Violence Prevention
Through education and a helping hand, St. John DVP tries to help better the lives of people caught in a web of pain and fear.  For information call the parish office.

Parish Council
The Parish Council is a group of dedicated people who serve as advisors to the Pastor.

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee advises the Pastor in fiscal matters.  They review and approve budgets and archdiocesan reports.

Stewardship Committee
Helping all parishioners to make good use of time, talent and treasure for the good of the parish is the venue of the Stewardship Committee.

Arts and Environment
Arts and Environment is responsible for the decor of the church, vestibule and portico.  Artists, seamstresses and people with creative ideas are always welcome.

Liturgical  Education & Enrichment  Social  Other Ministries

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Page modified:  December 26, 2005.