Adult and Family Ministry

Butch and Linda Moses, Co-Directors

“The well-being of the individual person in the human and Christian society is intimately linked with the healthy condition produced by marriage and family.”
Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes, para.12

OUR MISSION:
The family is the fundamental unit of Church and society and the primary place of Christian development. “Family” includes: single, divorced, widowed, married, with or without children, young or elderly, two-parent families, single-parent families, step-families, families with special needs and families in the various life cycles of development. The Adult and Family Ministry Office strives to affirm, support, and strengthen all facets of family within the parish community by providing holistic services, programs and opportunities for enrichment, healing and spiritual renewal.

Volunteers and professionals provide outreach in the following ministry areas:

Welcoming Committee - this committee welcomes new parishioners and sponsors coffee and donuts after Sunday morning masses.

Singles Ministry- Provides opportunities for single people to share the joys and challenges of single life through fellowship as well as educational and community activities while promoting faith formation and individual growth. Watch for upcoming Singles Conference information.

Marriage Ministry - Provides regular opportunities for ongoing growth and development of marital relationships through, marriage preparation, enrichment, fellowship, support and spiritual formation for married couples of all ages and stages.

www.susanvogt.net - Marriage Moments by Susan Vogt. A weekly note of enrichment emailed to you upon request.

www.foryourmarriage.org. - What have you done for your marriage

Unitas - Preparing for Sacramental Marriage - A process that focuses on skills for married life and also emphasizes faith formation as an essential ingredient for the journey. The process includes eight sessions held in a group setting at the parish and three Rites celebrated during liturgy on Sundays.

In Faithful Love - Engaged Sponsor couple Program - marriage preparation sessions with a married couple trained in marriage ministry addressing the needs and issues of the engaged.

Wedding Committee - meets with the bride and groom to plan the marriage ceremony, assists at the rehearsal and the wedding.

Wedding Guidelines - For a detailed list of Wedding Guidelines.

Marriage Enrichment Opportunities for ongoing growth, spiritual and couple enrichment, fellowship and support for married couples of all ages and stages.

Counseling Services Resources - confidential response to referral requests for counseling.

Parenting Ministry - Provides education, formation, catechesis, enrichment, and renewal programs for parents of all ages and stages of family life. Collaborates with the parish Office of Religious Education and Christian Initiation concerning Sacramental Preparation for parents of infants and older children preparing for Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, and Reconciliation. Sponsors the celebration of the National Observance of Children's Sabbath in October.

www.susanvogt.net - Parenting Pointers by Susan Vogt. A weekly note to parents upon request.

Women of Grace - A Catholic Study to nurture women spiritually, mentally and emotionally. In a group study format the following topics are discussed and reflected upon: prayer, scripture, Church documents and teachings, the Catechism, lives of the saints and the Blessed Mother. Morning and evenings sessions are held.

Elizabeth Ministry - Outreach to women in childbearing years.

Strengthening Stepfamilies

Respect Life Committee - works in collaboration with other parishes, agencies, and the Diocese to promote the sacredness of all life.

Bereavement Ministry - the Grief Support Group meets on the first Monday of each month to offer healing through support, prayer, understanding and education. Please click here for monthly topics. Provides resources for individuals, families and groups to process grief in a healthy and holistic manner. Sponsors the annual Memorial Mass for the deceased on All Souls' Day, November 2. Assists families with funeral liturgy planning.

New Beginnings for Separated, Divorced and Widowed - Ministers through education, enrichment, social activities, and community service programs to those who wish to experience growth and conversion while change is occurring in their lives.

Family Addictions Ministry - Provides educational programs, confidential referrals, and resources for persons who are struggling themselves with addiction or for family members affected by alcoholism and other addictions. Confidentiality is paramount in this ministry. Acts as liaison with social service and community agencies.

Prison Ministry - Brings hope and the Word of God to whose in prison through Eucharistic Services and Bible Studies.

Second Wind - Senior Citizen's Ministry meets frequently for social events.

Refugee Resettlement Ministry - As the Holy Family fled into Egypt to avoid Herod's persecution, refugee families flee their homes and their countries to avoid persecution and war. We are called to welcome these strangers among us and to help them begin a new life here. We meet the refugee family at the airport, furnish their apartment, orient them to the community, help them learn English, help them find jobs, and offer our friendship.

Vocations Committee - Encourages and supports the four vocational ways of life - single, married, consecrated and ordained. We increase awareness of the universal call to holiness, encourage each person to answer the call to their own vocation, and support those who have been called to ordained or religious life. We meet once a month and sponsor several parish events a year.

Networking, Education, and Special Services - Referral and resources for families affected by loss of job, abuse, broken relationships, and other special needs.

Links to other places....

www.ipj-ppj.org The Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) is an independent, interfaith, not-for-profit organization that creates resources, provides learning experiences, and advocates publicly for alternatives to violence and injustice at the individual, family, community, institutional and global levels.

www.usccb.org "The USCCB is an assembly of the Catholic Church hierarchy who work together to unify, coordinate, promote, and carry on Catholic activities in the United States; to organize and conduct religious, charitable, and social welfare work at home and abroad; to aid in education; and to care for immigrants. The bishops themselves constitute the membership of the Conference are are served by a staff of over 350 lay people, priests, deacons, and religious."