Ministries

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PARISH MINISTRY GROUPS

The word “minister” means to serve or to give. Within the context of the Christian community “ministry” means to give generously for love for God. . Ministry is the way we proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. Our actions and behavior tell others they are truly loved. In experiencing this love people know that Jesus is present among us, and that He loves them deeply and personally.

At Our Lady of Refuge, there are numerous ministries, ways in which we give service. Some members of our parish family share their time and talents to help others within the church community. Others reach out to the larger world. Many people within our parish family are involved in multiple ministries and give to both the local community and the larger world beyond it.

Each ministry group within our parish provides varied kinds of services. Yet each has a central focus or purpose, as is described below.

Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical Ministries focus on participation in the Eucharist and other liturgical services of the parish. The Liturgical ministry groups include Altar Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Altar Society members, the Adult Choir, Greeters, the Contemporary Music Group, members of the Environmental Committee, Children's Liturgy of the Word and Infant Baptism Committees and Ministers who bring the Eucharist to the Sick and Elderly.

Education Ministries

The Education Ministries focus on the Parish School and on Faith Formation Ministries - the School of Religious Education, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and Children's Baptismal Process (CBP). Members of these ministries include students, teachers and teachers’ aids, parents’ group and organizations to bring financial support to the education programs (SCRIP and Bingo).

Youth Ministries

Youth Ministries focus on helping young people from our parish grow in faith, strength of character, friendship and love. The Youth Ministry groups include the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Youth Ensemble, the Junior High School and the High School Youth Groups.

Outreach Ministries

The Outreach Ministries focus on service to the broader community outside the parish. They include the Justice and Social Action Committee, Foreign Mission Outreach, Prison Ministry, Ministry to Convalescent Homes, the Blood Drive, Ministry to the Homeless and Respect for Life.

Spiritual Growth Ministries

The Spiritual Growth Ministries focus on the spiritual growth of members and the entire parish through prayer, reading, study, participation in workshops and liturgical services. The principal Spiritual Growth Ministries within the parish are Small Church Communities, Bible Study Groups, Catholic Men's Fellowship, the Prayer Group, Vocations and Retreats and Committee for Visitation to Local Cemeteries.

Community Building Ministries

The Community Building Ministries focus on forming and deepening bonds of love and friendship within the parish family. The Community Building groups include Joy with Others (Senior Citizens), Young Ladies’ Institute (YLI), Servants to the Sorrowing, Young Adults, Marriage Encounter, the Hospitality Committee, and the Council of Catholic Women and the "Yarn Barn".

Links

If you wish to learn more about Catholic lay ministry and apostolic works, click on the links below

National Association for Lay Ministry

Co-Workers in the Vineyard - US Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Future Church - Women in Catholic Lay Ministry

Lay Ministry and the Shortage of Priests in the United States

Lay Ministry - Called to Holiness and Service

Today's Parish Minister
Newsletter for pastors, associate pastors and lay ministers - ideas for making parish life vibrant and alive in today's world.