Ministries
at St. Louis
Introduction
SACRAMENTAL
MINISTRIES
LITURGICAL
MINISTRIES
EVANGELIZATION
MINISTRY
FAITH
FORMATION – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION MINISTRIES
SOCIAL
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
COMMUNITY
LIFE
ADMINISTRATIVE
MINISTRIES
MINISTRIES
FOR YOUTH
GIFT
SHARING
An
Invitation to Serve
A Stewardship Prayer
Join
a Ministry
This booklet provides a description of the
ministries shared in the faith community of St. Louis King of France.
The biblical understanding of stewardship is that of administering and
sharing the bountiful blessings which God has given for the good of others and
for making present God’s kingdom. Over
the years, many parishioners have come forward to share the talents and gifts
that God has graciously given for the good of fellow parishioners and to touch
others with the love of God.
As part of the follow-up from the Bishop’s visitation to the parish
and our on-going participation in the diocesan process to provide for
ministerial services for God’s people with fewer priests, this booklet
presents both current and “new” ways of service to the community.
The stewardship of ministry in every parish affirms the baptismal call of
every Christian to participate actively in the life of the church and to tithe
their time and talent to make real God’s presence for others.
Please read through this booklet and, in the context of prayer, discern
what gifts and talents you have been given by God to share with others.
May that same Spirit that guided the early Christians to share their
faith through witness and service continue to inspire us with generous and
willing hearts. For information on
any of the following ministries or to become involved in our parish please call
the church office at 275-7280.
SACRAMENTAL
MINISTRIES
Confirmation
Preparation Mentor:
serving as a group facilitator for
the youth of St. Louis King of France and St. Alphonsus Ligouri Parishes as they
move through a three-year preparation process in preparation for Confirmation.
Confirmation
Preparation Coordinator:
assist with the setting up of meetings, providing refreshments, etc.
[Three to four sessions per year.]
First Eucharist/First Reconciliation Preparation Coordinator
(new):
assist the Directors of Faith Formation of St. Louis King of France and
St. Alphonsus Ligouri Parishes in organizing parent preparation meetings and
help with the celebration of the Sacraments. [Three or four times per year]
Baptism
Preparation:
conduct preparation session for parents who bring a child to the church
for baptism. This ministry is
shared with St. Alphonsus parish
[session lasts 1˝ hours – six sessions per year]
LITURGICAL
MINISTRIES
Parish
Choir:
9th grade through adult who participate in leading the
assembly in song under the direction of Parish Minister of Music and Liturgy; [1
to 1 and
1/2
hours of weekly practice, August - May; participation at Sunday Mass and special
occasions as assigned]
Church
Environment:
assist with the decoration of the Church before solemn feasts (Christmas,
Easter, etc.); care for the plants in the Church and Daily Mass Chapel; plant
care-once per week; decoration-time as needed to complete work
Sacristan:
assist in setting up for weekend Masses and cleaning the sacred
vessels
after the celebration of Mass; also set up for baptisms before liturgy as
needed. [fifteen minutes before Mass and ten minutes after Mass as assigned]
Lector:
proclamation of the weekend/weekday readings at Mass; participation in
workshop once per year; serving at Mass as assigned]
Extraordinary
Minister of Holy Communion:
assist the priest in the distribution of communion to the assembly;
[participation in workshop once per year; serving at Mass as assigned]
Extraordinary
Minister of Holy Communion to the Home-Bound: assist
the priest in the distribution of communion to the home-bound; [participation in
workshop once per year.
Usher:
assist with welcoming and seating of people; taking up the collection;
distribution of the bulletins after Mass; assisting with other aspects of
liturgy as assigned by priest or Director of Music and Liturgy; [participation
at Usher Society Meetings once per month; serving at Mass on weekends/Holy days
and special liturgical celebrations]
Greeters:
individuals, couples, families greet and welcome people as they enter
church prior to weekend liturgies; serving at Mass as assigned.
Gift Bearers: individuals,
couples, families to bring up gifts at weekend
Masses and special celebrations of Eucharist; [serving at Mass as assigned]
Altar
Servers:
youth in grades 5 through 12 who assist the presider at the celebration
of the Eucharist; [training session
required; service at Mass as assigned]
Liturgical
Movement:
youth who assist in Mass or Prayer Services with sacred movement,
incense, and preparation of the gifts; [training session required for each
liturgy]
Children’s
Church - Liturgy of the Word:
prepare and present a 15 minute
session based on Sunday readings to children from ages four through seven
Sunday 9:30am Mass as assigned; [training session once per year]
Altar
Society – Votive Candles:
replenishing the votive candles in the vestibule of the Church; collect
the donations after each weekend Mass.
Altar
Society – Altar Linens:
washing and ironing the special linens
used
for the celebration of Mass as assigned.
Altar
Society – Cleaning:
assist in general housekeeping of church on Friday mornings; [as
assigned]
EVANGELIZATION
MINISTRY
Adult
Christian Initiation [RCIA] Catechist:
prepare faith sharing session based on the Sunday readings to assist
those in the process of becoming Catholic; all materials and resources are
supplied. [preparation time and two hour session in rotation with team]
Adult
Christian Initiation [RCIA] Sponsor:
be a faith companion to a person who is in the process of becoming
Catholic; [attendance at three retreats and one hour catechetical sessions after
Mass.]
Children’s Christian Initiation [RCIA] Catechist:
prepare faith sharing session based on the Sunday readings to assist
children of catechetical age in becoming Catholic; [preparation time and one
hour session in rotation with team]
Children’s
Christian Initiation [RCIA] Sponsor:
be a faith companion to a child in the process of becoming Catholic
(middle or high school student preferred); [weekly one hour session]
Welcoming
Committee (new): welcome
newcomers to parish, provide orientation
for new families registering in the parish; [quarterly or as needed]
FAITH
FORMATION – RELIGIOUS EDUCATION MINISTRIES
Faith
Formation Catechist-Traditional Learning Groups:
present materials and lead discussions with youth following religious
education text and materials for elementary and middle school; [preparation time
and 1˝ hours for 14 weeks on Sunday mornings]
Faith
Formation Group Leader-Mini-Courses:
lead group discussions and activities with youth following presentation
of religious education materials for middle and high school ages; [preparation
and 6 hour session four times per year on designated Saturdays]
Faith
Formation Group Leader-Lectionary Based: lead group discussions
and activities with
youth following a presentation on the Sunday readings and using corresponding
materials with elementary, middle and high school youth; [preparation and 1 hour
session for 17 weeks on Tuesday
evenings]
Faith
Formation Group Leader-Summer Session:
lead group discussion and
activities
with high school youth; [6:00 – 9:00 pm for one week during the summer]
Faith
Formation-Assistant:
provide assistance and support to teachers/leaders
for
one of the above programs on the designated days and times.
Children’s
Church-Liturgy of the Word:
please refer to LITURGICAL
MINISTRIES.
SOCIAL
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Food
Bank Worker:
assist in shopping for bulk items, prepare food boxes for Thursday 1:00
pm distribution as assigned.
Cooking
for the Bishop Ott Shelter:
please contact the church office at 275-7280.
Nursing
Home Visitation:
helping residents to attend Mass or Communion Service; visitation of
parishioners in care centers outside parish boundaries;
[Mondays at Guest House at 10:00 am; rotation with others on team to
other care facilities in Baton Rouge area]
Bereavement
Committee:
rosary/prayers at wake service for deceased parishioners; provide food
for families of deceased; contact
the families after the funeral as needed; provide lectors and Eucharistic
ministers for the funeral Mass if needed.
COMMUNITY
LIFE
Good-Timers
Committee:
set time and place for monthly pot-luck suppers and other activities; set
up for activities; plan other programs for education of those over 50 in the
parish.
Prayer
Line:
pray for the intentions of parishioners and others who use this ministry
for spiritual support; [daily calls received and shared on phone
chain]
Parish
Fair Worker:
participate in planning, set-up and execution of the Parish Fair either
through organizations or through the church office.
Youth
Ministry Adult Team:
work as team with youth in preparing social activities, service projects,
and spiritual growth experiences; [monthly team meeting; monthly youth meeting
or activity]
Youth
Ministry Support:
assist Adult Team with securing materials, transportation preparing food,
setting up activities as needed for youth group activities.
Catholic
Daughters-Court St. Francis of Assisi 1915: beyond basic membership
in the
court and attendance at meetings, participation in service projects aiding
church and civic organizations, assisting the parish with hospitality, praying the rosary for deceased members or deceased loved
ones of members, helping with the Monday morning Mass at Guest House Nursing
Facility.
Knights
of Columbus-Council 9016:
beyond basic membership in the council and attendance at meetings,
participation in service projects (Tootsie Roll Campaign, Camellia House Dance,
semi-annual Blood Drive, etc.), assisting in cooking for church and school
activities, helping with special projects for the parish, praying the rosary for
deceased members or deceased loved ones of members, praying the rosary for
Respect Life on the first Sunday of each month, participation in the Parish
Fair.
KayCee
Auxiliary:
beyond basic membership in the auxiliary and attendance at meetings,
participation in service projects with Knights of Council 9016 (Camellia House
Dance, semi-annual Blood Drive, etc.), assisting with
hospitality
for church (receptions, RCIA); helping with food preparation for parish events,
praying the rosary for deceased members or deceased loved ones of members,
praying the rosary for Respect Life on the first Sunday of each month,
participation in the Parish Fair.
Altar
Society:
beyond basic membership and attendance at meetings, participation in
service projects to assist parish and school, assisting with hospitality for
church (receptions, RCIA); praying the rosary for deceased members or deceased
loved ones of members, leading the
rosary for Holy Hour and Novena at Tuesday evening Mass as needed, participation
in the Parish Fair; [see other specific activities of Altar Society under
Liturgical Ministries above]
Usher
Society:
beyond basic membership and attendance at meetings, participation in
service projects to assist parish and school, assisting with hospitality for the
church as needed, praying the rosary for deceased members or deceased loved ones
of members, participation in the Parish Fair; [see
other activities under Liturgical Ministries above]
Softball Program – Concession Worker:
work concession stand during games, clean-up concession stand after games; [weeknights for
adult and youth games during regular season; weekend help for tournaments]
Softball
Program – Cook:
griddle cook for hamburgers for Friday Night Co-ed League or for weekend
tournaments
Fathers’
Club – St. Louis School:
work with others in odd jobs and projects around the school and
playground; [as needed]
ADMINISTRATIVE
MINISTRIES
Money
Counters:
Monday morning assistance in counting and balancing Sunday and Special
Collections; [in rotation with team]
Bulletin
Workers:
folding bulletins on Friday mornings at 8:30 am in Parish Office.
MINISTRIES
FOR YOUTH
Youth
Lector:
youth in grades 5 through 12 who proclaim Scripture for Mass and prayer
services; [yearly training session; reading at Mass as assigned]
Altar
Server:
youth in grades 5 through 12 who assist presider at the celebration of
the Eucharist; [yearly training session; serving at assigned Mass.]
Youth
Usher:
taking up collection at Sunday Mass and special celebrations; [training
session; serving at assigned Mass]
Youth
Assistants at Children’s Church:
youth in grades 5 through 12 who help with youngsters in Children’s
Liturgy of the Word on Sundays at 9:30 am Mass; [as assigned]
Children’s
Christian Initiation [RCIA] Sponsor:
please refer to Faith Formation
Liturgical
Movement: refer to Liturgical Ministries
Youth
Group:
participation in youth group activities sponsored by the parish involving
spiritual formation, fellowship and service
[monthly meetings and activities for youth in 8th through 12th
grade]
Youth
Group Advisory Board:
a representative team of high school students who assist the adult team in
planning youth group activities and who serve in various leadership roles;
[active participation in youth group and application process required]
GIFT
SHARING
If you have a gift or talent that
you are willing to share for the good of our parish family, please let the
Parish Office know of your willingness to share by calling 225-275-7280.
Examples: painting,
carpentry, sewing, etc.
An
Invitation
to Serve
Recognizing your baptismal call to participate in the
ministries of our parish, please make a prayerful commitment to become or remain
involved in at least one area of ministry in our parish life.
Please complete the form on the next page and return it to the church
office.
A
Stewardship Prayer
Lord
God, you alone are the source of every good gift,
of
the vast array of our universe, and the mystery of each human life.
We
praise you and thank you for your great power and tender, faithful love.
Everything
we are and everything we have are your gifts, and after having
created
us you have given us into the keeping of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Fill
our minds with His truth and our hearts with His love, and in His spirit
may
we be bonded together into a community of faith, a parish family, a caring
people.
In
the name and spirit of Jesus, we commit ourselves to be good stewards of the
gifts entrusted to us, to share our time, our talent, and our material and
spiritual gifts
as
an outward sign of the treasure we hold in Jesus. Amen.