Parish
Worship
The various ministries in this area of parish life
serve to train, develop and coordinate the services of worship in our parish in
full communion with and obedience to the Magesterium of the Church. The Head
of Parish Worship serves on the Pastoral Leadership Council and shepherds
the exercise and development of the various ministries that support the worship
of our faith community.
The Music Ministry provides the appropriate musical leadership, which supports all parish worship. This includes the parish choir, the service of the cantors and the various instrumental music ministries.
The sacristan provides for the preparation and
maintenance of the Church, especially its vestments, decoration, sacramental
books, sacred linens, and liturgical supplies.
Included in this ministry is the Decorations
Ministry, which attends to the sanctuary adornment, such as flowers,
banners, drapes, etc.
Lectors serve the parish in the Ministry of the Word. This Ministry recruits, trains and schedules the lectors for the various liturgical events in the life of the parish.
This ministry recruits, trains and schedules servers to assist the clergy at the various worship services of the parish. This ministry is not necessarily limited to youth, but can be as well a ministry of adults.
This Ministry provides for the recruitment, training
and scheduling of the brothers and sisters of the parish, who assist at the
Eucharistic Liturgy by helping the clergy in the distribution of the Sacred
Body and Blood of our Lord to the communicants.
These Extraordinary Ministers may also be commissioned to take the
Blessed Sacrament to the home bound and the sick of our parish.
This is a Ministry which serves to provide direction
and order at the public worship services of the parish. Ushers interact with the worshipers to assure
that all roles of the worshipers are adequately fulfilled during the conduct of
worship. The Ministry recruits, trains
and schedules the ushers for the various services of the parish.
This Ministry provides the coordination and
scheduling of worshipers to insure that the prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
during the times of adoration is continuous and reverent. It also assists the clergy at those special
events during the liturgical year in which Eucharistic Adoration is specially
emphasized (e.g. the Feast of Corpus Christi).
This Ministry provides for the organization and
worship of those parishioners seeking small group prayer and Bible study. The Ministry assures that the scheduling and
coordination of these groups is made known to the parish at large.
This Ministry provides practical direction and
guidance for the successful administration of the sacraments of Baptism,
Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. It assures that the resources of the parish
are committed to support these celebrations.
This Ministry works closely with the Parish Religious Education
Ministry, scheduling, distributing information and holding appropriate meetings
to aid in making the celebration of sacraments a meaningful and worshipful
experience.
Parish
Administration
The ministries within this area of parish life serve
to train, develop and coordinate brothers and sisters in the parish to serve
the organizational and administrative needs of parish life. The Head
of Parish Administration serves on the Pastoral Leadership Council and
guides the exercise and development of the various ministries that support the
ongoing life and daily activities of parish administration.
The Development Ministry serves the parish by coordinating the development and implementation of parish planning for those resources needed for expanding parish life. This Ministry serves, in effect, all the other ministries in the parish by enabling parish efforts and resources to be directed toward providing for the unfolding requirements of these other ministries.
The Finance Ministry advises THE Parish
Administration regarding the monies and investments of the parish, so that all
financial requirements and needs of the parish are adequately met. This Ministry serves the brothers and sisters
by recommending spending allocations and accurately maintaining records of
income and spending within the parish.
It serves other ministries by assisting them in planning and
implementing spending in support of their service within the parish. The Ministry also provides reports and
documents that are required by the Diocese and various governmental
bodies. It prepares a yearly parish budget
and oversees its implementation, giving regular updates to the parish
community.
This Ministry provides for the ongoing maintenance,
care and improvement of all our parish buildings and grounds, and of the
requisite equipment. Those serving in
this area advise the maintenance employees, hired by the parish. They recommend the purchase of equipment and
materials, as well as the use of contracted services. They serve to assure that building and
grounds are maintained as a worthy expression of our communal life.
This Ministry consults and advises in the area of
human resources within the parish. It
establishes job descriptions for staff positions and consults with the parish
administration regarding salaries, making such recommendations as necessary to
the parish Finance Ministry.
Parish
Religious Education
The teaching of the Faith is wholly different than
the teaching of any other subject. For
it is not only the knowledge of the
Faith that is taught; it must also be taught in a way that facilitates the
personal response (conversion) of the student to the Faith. The goal of
all Religious Education is the personal sanctity of the student, which the
teaching is designed to facilitate. The
ministries in this area of parish life serve to train, develop and coordinate
those brothers and sisters, who are willing to teach others the “Good News” of
Jesus Christ. All education done within
the boundaries of the Parish falls under the scope of this Ministry. The Head
of Parish Religious Education (Director of Religious Education) serves on
the Pastoral Leadership Council and guides the exercise and development of the
various ministries that support the ongoing instruction of brothers and sisters
of all ages in the parish.
This area of ministry includes both
Elementary/Middle School students as well as High School students. It serves to educate the youth in the
understanding of their Catholic Faith and lead them to a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ. The goal of Catechism
Instruction is the sanctity of the student being taught.
Recognizing that God has willed that the parents are
the primary educators of their children, this Ministry teaches the parents
their Catholic Faith, so they, in turn, can teach their children. This Ministry guides and teaches family
members in passing on the Faith from generation to generation
Realizing that education facilitates conversion and
that all Christians are called to continuous conversion, Adult Education is
designed to help adults grow in their love of God and neighbor through a better
understanding of their Faith and its implications for everyday life. The meaning of Scripture, the teachings of
Holy Mother Church, and many other topics are addressed to provide additional
tools for brothers and sisters to grow in personal holiness.
Exercising their right to be the primary educators
of their children, this Ministry helps the home school families in their
responsibility of teaching their children the beauty of their Faith. The Home School Liaison has a two-fold
mission: first, to help the Director of
Religious Education to better serve the home school families in their mission
of raising their children to be saints; second, to help the home school
families understand and meet the parish requirements for the reception of the
sacraments.
Right of
Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The initiation of catechumens is a gradual process that takes place within the community of the faithful. By joining the catechumens in reflecting on the value of the paschal mystery and by renewing their own conversion, the faithful provide an example that will help the catechumens to obey the Holy Spirit more generously. The people of God, as represented by the local parish, should understand and show by their concern that the initiation of adults is the responsibility of all the baptized. Therefore, the community must be fully prepared in the pursuit of its apostolic vocation to give help to those who are searching for Christ. In the various circumstances of daily life, the followers of Christ have the obligation of spreading the Faith according to their abilities. Hence the entire community must help the candidates (the already baptized) and the catechumens (those still unbaptized) throughout the process of initiation. The opportunities to participate in this Ministry are numerous: sponsors, godparents, catechists, hospitality, baby sitters, evangelization).
The study of the Word of God is one of the most
sublime forms of Religious Education.
The Scriptures, having the Holy Spirit as their primary author (i.e.
their inspiration), offer a very real encounter with God. The brothers and sisters who serve in this
Ministry teach and lead the discussions, which have as their goal the discovery
of the meaning of the Scriptures. The
student of Holy Scriptures should hear God’s call to holiness addressed to all
His children.
The role of this Ministry is the preparation of
brothers and sisters in the parish to receive the various sacraments of the
Church. The Ministry instructs the
parents of the children as well as those adults preparing to receive
sacraments, so that the reception of the sacrament is as meaningful and
fulfilling as God intends. This Ministry
works closely with the Worship Ministry, providing the necessary instruction,
while the Worship Ministry provides for all the arrangements and logistics
necessary. As with all the other types
of Religious Education, the goal of Sacramental Preparation is the sanctity of
all those involved.
Youth
Ministry
Grades 1 to 5
This Ministry is designed to help children share in
the joy that Jesus gives to each of them in the Church through prayer, arts and
crafts, music and social activities. It
will help them to know their Catholic Faith and encourage them to build
Christian friendships with others their age within the parish.
This aspect of Youth Ministry is designed to help
the youth in our parish in very practical and concrete ways to love God and
their neighbor by studying the Catholic Faith, through prayer, discussions,
community involvement in the parish, and social activities. This will also lead to building Christian
friendships and support from others their age within the parish.
High School Youth Ministry is designed to help the
youth build and strengthen a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to
encourage them on their walk of holiness, while following the teaching of our
Catholic Faith, through prayer, discussions, social activities, community
involvement in the Diocese and in the parish.
They will begin to spread the joy and peace given to them from our Lord
into the parish and among peers. They
will build friendships and find support in their Catholic Faith.
Parish
Service
The ministries in this area of parish life are
designed to train, develop and coordinate the brothers and sisters, who contribute
to the various services offered in our parish.
The Head of Parish Services
serves on the Pastoral Leadership Council and guides the exercise and
development of various ministries that support the ongoing commitment of parish
members to serve others as Christ has called us to do.
The Historian records the life of the parish for
future generations, seeking to capture and record the decisions and
developments in parish life, so that others will be able to understand the
background and realities of our community.
This Ministry sponsors and informs parish members of
special events, which challenge and promote our walk with Christ. It organizes and conducts the annual Holy
Spirit Conference, held here on the parish grounds each summer, as well as
other events, which bring vibrant Catholic life to our parish community.
This Ministry of Catholic women serves the parish by
meeting various needs, which require the particular gifts of women. It also serves to provide a means of Catholic
fellowship for the women of the parish.
The Bookstore and Tape Library Ministry provides the
training, development and scheduling necessary to sustain the active operation
of the bookstore and tape lending library.
It is here that written, visual, and audio references are made available
that assist brothers and sisters of the parish to grow and mature as Catholic
Christians.
This
Ministry maintains, operates and oversees the electronic and computer resources
of the parish, recommending and implementing changes that support the needs of
the various ministries of the parish, especially the parish offices.
Retreats
This Ministry sponsors Catholic retreats and informs
brothers and sisters of the parish concerning other such opportunities for
concentrated times of prayer and reflection, both within the parish as well as
those offered by ministries outside of the parish.
The International Ministry both plans and makes
known service opportunities for members of the parish in the various countries
of the world. Group and individual
coordination is provided. This Ministry
also maintains and promotes relationships between our parish and Catholic
parishes and organizations in other countries.
This Ministry plans and conducts an annual Parish Festival, which is designed to be an expression of parish life and community. The members of this Ministry in coordination with the Pastoral Leadership Council develop a family festival to which the community at large is invited.
While not truly a ministry of the parish, the
Knights of Columbus do serve the parish by meeting various needs identified
within parish life, especially those which require the particular gifts of
men. The Knights also serve to provide a
means of Catholic fellowship among the men of the parish.
Parish
Stewardship
This area of ministry serves the parish by promoting
and following up the various commitments of parish members to the parish as a
whole. It serves new members of the
parish by providing sponsors, who help them understand the responsibility of
parish membership and assists them in selecting their initial commitments of
time, talent and treasure. The Head of Parish Stewardship serves on
the Pastoral Leadership Council and guides the exercise and development of the
various ministries that support the ongoing commitments of individual brothers
and sisters to the parish.
This Ministry provides the first contact with
potential members of the parish. It
serves the parish by overseeing and coordinating the various stewardship commitments
made by parish members. It serves the
new members of the parish by providing them with sponsors, who assist them in
their integration into parish life, especially in making their commitments of
time, talent and treasure. The Parish Manual is presented to each new
family in the parish. The Ministry
publishes and revises this Manual as needed.
The Manual is intended to be a summary of the life and practices of Holy
Spirit Roman Catholic Parish.
This Ministry oversees the records of service and
committed giving of all members of the parish, insuring the integrity and
security of all records, and encouraging brothers and sisters in their
commitments and responsibilities to the community of faith.
This Ministry administers the Holy Spirit
Foundation; a fund especially set aside to receive grants, gifts, etc. on
behalf of the parish.
Parish
Outreach
This area of service contains the largest number of
individual ministries, and rightfully so, for Jesus’ command to us is to go and
make disciples of all nations. The
ministries in this area of service seek to spread the Good News of the healing
ministry of Christ to our community. The
Head of Parish Outreach serves on
the Pastoral Leadership Council and guides the exercise and development of the
ministries that support the proclamation of Jesus’ message to all.
The Respect Life Ministry provides direction for
those involved - and for the parish at large - to support and serve the call to
preserve the sanctity of all life. The
ministry also provides various activities and means for members of the parish
to live out their commitment in this area.
This Diocesan Ministry offers support and
encouragement to those struggling with the affliction of alcohol and drug
dependency. Work in this area is done in
coordination with the Diocese of Lansing.
The Ministry of Evangelization serves to carry the Word
of God to those who have not yet heard or responded to the Gospel message. Activities and events are scheduled to reach
out to all men and women, wherever God may open a door of opportunity.
This Ministry provides immediate aid and assistance
to families in need. It also trains,
develops and schedules brothers and sisters to serve efficiently and lovingly
in the area of social service. This ministry
coordinates its efforts with other groups in the parish involved in the corporal
works of mercy.
This Ministry seeks to reach out and serve those women who have experienced abortion and are caught in the trauma of post abortion syndrome.
Gabriel-Marie
Program
The Gabriel-Marie Program is designed to reach out and serve those families who have experienced the tragedy of miscarriage.
Maxey Boys’ Training School
This very special Ministry of evangelization provides catechetical instruction in the Catholic Faith to the residents of Maxey Boys’ School, which is located in our parish. The brothers and sisters ministering here also seek to provide faith-filled examples of Christian living for the boys.
Society of St.
Vincent DePaul
This Ministry serves our community by collecting and redistributing those material articles that are required by the less fortunate to live in dignity. The Society of St. Vincent DePaul emphasizes personal contact with those in need, whatever their situation in life. The Society works together with other councils of the Society in the region and in the Diocese, as well as with other groups in the parish engaged in spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
Feeding the
Homeless
This Ministry provides meals on a regularly scheduled basis to the homeless in our area. The meals are prepared at Holy Spirit Parish and distributed at a central location in the community.
Courage/Encourage
Courage is the Ministry that seeks to provide support and healing for those men and women seeking to live a chaste Christ-Centered life in accordance with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church while facing same-sex attraction. Encourage is the Catholic support Ministry for pastors, parents and family members who desire to reach out in truth and compassion to loved ones who are struggling with homosexuality.
Communications
The Ministry of Communications provides for the effective and efficient sharing and distribution of information pertaining to parish life. This includes publications, digital media and other means of “advertising” the ministry and activities of the parish. It serves all ministries of the parish by providing information to those requiring it - within or outside of the parish. This area includes the Parish Bulletin, intra-parish communications, and the publication of information for those who are not members of the parish.