You and me: everyday saints

Photo credit: Liturgies.net

Today is All Saints' Day, a day instituted to honor all saints, known and unknown. Let us continue to pray for the grace to become the saints we've all been called to become!

This is a beautiful prayer for today by a Benedictine monastery.



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Ministries 101: Boy Scout Troop 990

MINISTRY 3: BOY SCOUT TROOP 990

Mission / purpose: The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and develops personal fitness.

Length of existence in parish: 20 years, founded in September 1990

Gifts, talents or interests that parishioners in your ministry possess: You name it we use it! Main gift is the desire to mentor boys in their journey to adulthood.

Current needs: Adult leaders to mentor boys in character building and leadership skills as they journey toward manhood

Upcoming events: There is a public calendar at www.troop990.org.

Most people don’t know our ministry (unknown fact): One hundred eight scouts from Troop 990 have made the rank of Eagle.



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Ministries 101: Religious education volunteers

Ministry Expo 2009

MINISTRY 2: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS


Mission: Religious education helps form the faith of ages 3 to 10 by using a variety of learning tools.

Length of existence in parish: Since 1984 / 1985


Gifts, talents or interests that parishioners in your ministry possess: Creativity 

Current needs: Always in need of an outgoing person who is willing to help teach preschool and elementary students.


Upcoming events: Religious education is offered every Sunday!


Most people don’t know our ministry (unknown fact): This is no secret, but we have fabulous gifted teachers!



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Ministries 101: A series featuring the ministries of SJN

We are blessed in this parish to have around 60 ministries doing the ministry of Christ in our community and beyond.  This series, Ministries 101, will feature a different ministry each post to help you learn about the different opportunities we offer in hopes of leading you to your apostolate.  Keep checking back for new ideas!

Photo courtesy of sainthelens.org

MINISTRY 1: EUCHARISTIC ADORATION (ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT)

Mission:  To adore Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament

Length of existence in parish: Consistently in the past two to three years

Gifts, talents or interests that parishioners in your ministry possess: Special prayer requests are welcome, continued prayer before the Holy Eucharist brings peace, graces adn mercy to those who participate and those who are prayed for during their holy hour.

Current needs: Adorers of all ages at all hours (currently 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

Upcoming events:  Weekly Adoration (Wednesdays)

Most people don’t know our ministry (unknown fact): is a GIFT from God that each member of our parish should cherish and participate in.

"We should be the change that we want to see"

I'm loving this song, "If You're Out There" by John Legend.  The song itself is beautiful, and the message is even more powerful.

If you hear this message, wherever you stand

I'm calling every woman, calling every man

We're the generation

We can't afford to wait

The future started yesterday and we're already late

We've been looking for a song to sing

Searched for a melody

Searched for someone to lead

We've been looking for the world to change

If you feel the same

Then go on and say

If you're out there

Sing along with me

If you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud

If you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

Now, now

No more broken promises

No more call to war

Unless it's love and peace that we're really fighting for

We can destroy hunger

We can conquer hate

Put down the arms and raise your voice

We're joining hands today

Oh I was looking for a song to sing

I searched for a leader

But the leader was me

We were looking for the world to change

We can be heroes

Just go on and say

If you're out there

Sing along with me

If you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud

If you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

Now, now

Oh now, now

If you're ready we can shake the world

Believe again

It starts within

We don't have to wait for destiny

We should be the change that we want to see

If you're out there

Ooooh

If you're out there

And you're ready now

Say it loud

Scream it out

If you're out there

Sing along with me

If you're out there

I'm dying to believe that you're out there

Stand up and say it loud

If you're out there

Tomorrow's starting now

If you're out there

If you're out there

If you're out there

If you hear this message, wherever you stand

I'm calling every woman, calling every man

We're the generation

We can't afford to wait

The future started yesterday and we're already late

Margaret Ann

An hour with our Lord….
From an anonymous SJN adorer

On many occasions, I have been honored and blessed to observe and learn from a very special adorer who comes to honor and worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament at SJN Eucharistic Adoration.

As I sat in prayer with eyes closed, I could only hear the faint sound of something slowly scooting along the floor at the back of the church.  I did not turn around to look, only continued in restful prayer.

Now I recognize this sound immediately upon hearing it and wait in anticipation and awe to see the smile of the face that belongs to this soft, scooting noise – the sound of walker wheels, two of which are covered with tennis balls, but the sound now is easily recognizable as soon as those wheels hit the floor as this special adorer enters the church.

She slowly but deliberately ascends from the back of the church after carefully dipping into the holy water and making the sign of the cross before heading up the aisle.  She sometimes is so intent on her ascent that she does not look up, but on the days she looks up and smiles at all who are there, it truly is a sight to see as her face glows with the love and peace of Christ.

Many times I have watched in silent awe as this small framed person ascends up the aisle, moving slowly, yet with no hesitation, her curved back showing signs of osteoporosis and her beautiful pure white hair.  She concentrates on moving her frail limbs as she slowly, but deliberately, makes her ascent to a chair close to the front to sit close to and adore Our Lord.

I observe as she very slowly goes down on one knee, holding carefully onto her walker and bowing as low as she can and pausing before rising again with quivering arms to her chair.  Many times this simple act of reverence for Our Lord brings me to tears.  It takes all of her strength to bow and rise again, but that does not deter her from her task.  Sometimes the ladies who bring her to church help her back up from her kneeling position so she can take a place in her chair before the Lord.

I’ve have since learned her name from our adoration coordinator.  It is Margaret Ann and I look forward to hearing, seeing and observing as she so intently heads to her objective – a simple hour with the Lord.

On one occasion I had the privilege of having my sister join me for adoration, and I had told her briefly about Margaret Ann.  So as soon as the familiar sound of her walker’s tennis balls and wheels hit the floor, we both smiled at one another in anticipation of observing this beautiful person on her walk up the center aisle to adore Jesus.

I have not seen Margaret Ann for some time now but can only pray that she is well and in God’s loving care.  What a special blessing it has been to simply be able watch one of God’s loving children seek his heart through adoration each week.

-------

Eucharistic Adoration is available every Wednesday at SJN from 9:15 a.m. to 7 p.m.  To sign up for a weekly shift to be with our Lord in this special way, contact Ann at (512) 517-5479 or e-mail her.

Young adult ministry survey

Parishioners aged 18 to 35 are invited to take this short survey to help us develop effective young adult programming!

SJN Young Adult Ministry Survey Please complete the below form to help us build the young adult ministry program at SJN.
First and last names*
Age*
Email*
Phone Number*	### - ### - ####
Address*	Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code Antigua and BarbudaAruba,BahamasBarbadosBelizeCanadaCook IslandsCosta RicaCubaDominicaDominican RepublicEl SalvadorGrenadaGuatemalaHaitiHondurasJamaicaMexicoNetherlands AntillesNicaraguaPanama Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesTrinidad and TobagoUnited StatesArgentinaBoliviaBrazilChileColombiaEcuadorGuyanaParaguayPeruSurinameUruguayVenezuelaAlbaniaAndorraArmeniaAustriaAzerbaijanBelarusBelgiumBosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFaroe IslandsFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacedoniaMaltaMoldovaMonacoMontenegroNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaSan MarinoSerbiaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited KingdomVatican CityAfghanistanBahrainBangladeshBhutanBrunei DarussalamMyanmarCambodiaChinaEast TimorHong KongIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIsraelJapanJordanKazakhstanNorth KoreaSouth KoreaKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLebanonMalaysiaMaldivesMongoliaNepalOmanPakistanPalestinePhilippinesQatarRussiaSaudi ArabiaSingaporeSri LankaSyriaTaiwanTajikistanThailandTurkeyTurkmenistanUnited Arab EmiratesUzbekistanVietnamYemenAustraliaFijiKiribatiMarshall IslandsMicronesiaNauruNew ZealandPalauPapua New GuineaSamoaSolomon IslandsTongaTuvaluVanuatuAlgeriaAngolaBeninBotswanaBurkina FasoBurundiCameroonCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadComorosDemocratic Republic of the CongoRepublic of the CongoDjiboutiEgyptEquatorial GuineaEritreaEthiopiaGabonGambiaGhanaGibraltarGuineaGuinea-BissauCote d'IvoireKenyaLesothoLiberiaLibyaMadagascarMalawiMaliMauritaniaMauritiusMoroccoMozambiqueNamibiaNigerNigeriaRwandaSao Tome and PrincipeSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSomaliaSouth AfricaSudanSwazilandUnited Republic of TanzaniaTogoTunisiaUgandaZambiaZimbabwe Country
Marital status*	Single   Married   Married with children   Single again
Occupation
How often do you participate in liturgy?	NeverWeeklyMonthlyOther
What do you think are the most important concerns of young adults today?*
What are young adults looking for in a church today?*
How can SJN be more responsive in its ministry with young adults?*
What activities are you involved in, both in the parish and in the larger community?
What gifts, talents and energy do you feel young adults have to offer the Church?
What does being Catholic mean to you?*
Please indicate which times work best for you to attend events (check all that apply):*	Sunday daytime   Sunday evenings   Monday daytime   Monday evenings   Tuesday daytime   Tuesday evenings   Wednesday daytime   Wednesday evenings   Thursday daytime   Thursday evenings   Friday daytime   Friday evenings   Saturday daytime   Saturday evenings
Please select the reasons you would participate in young adult ministry (check all that apply):*	To learn more about the Church   To learn more about liturgy   To become more spiritual or grow in my faith   To learn more about theology   To feel a bigger part of the parish community   To meet new friends   To meet people of the opposite sex who are Catholic   To do service / charity work
How likely are you to attend the following events (check all that apply):*	Bible study   Young adult annual gathering   Educational sessions (i.e. Theology on Tap)   Mass at different parishes   Eucharistic Adoration   Praise and Worship   Prayer Group   Faith sharing   Advent / Lenten daily prayer   Mission trips   Visit hospitals or nursing homes   Make sandwiches for homeless / soup kitchen   Habitat for Humanity   One-day retreat   Overnight retreat (multiple days)   Happy hour   Picnic / potluck dinners   Movie at theater   Movie night at home   Game night   Pool (billiards) night   Dance / social event   Hikes, nature walks   Camping (overnight trip)   Recreational sports team
Are you interested in serving on a Young Adult Ministry Team / helping plan events?*	Yes   No
Who else do you know who may be interested in young adult activities? Please list any contact information you may have for them.
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Ambassadors for Growth leadership seminar

The 'Ambassadors for Growth' leadership seminar Saturday was great!  We've received so many compliments about our feature presenter, Thom Singer, from the many ministry leaders who attended.  He's such a dynamic speaker, and SJN is blessed to have him as our own parishioner!

Read Thom's reaction to the seminar on his own blog here.

Thom Singer, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

Ministry leaders, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

Thom Singer, Ambassadors for Growth seminar, Sept. 18, 2010

As you'll read on Thom's blog, the key idea that was taken from the seminar was the idea of our current ministry leaders going up to someone new at Mass, or any church event, every week and meeting someone they'd never before met.  With the 35 leaders who attended the seminar, if they did that every Sunday and then encouraged everyone in their ministries to do the same, our parish community would be so engaged and connected!  The leaders were all so enthusiastic about the idea, how simple it is to do.  The seminar had such great energy!

Thanks to everyone who came and, most especially, to Thom for putting on the workshop.  We hope to feature more similar workshops for our leaders in the future!  

Go forth and 'build the Kingdom!'

Link time!

Raye Cekuta with the Mary and Martha Guild inviting people who had recently entered the Church to learn more about her ministry at an RCIA Recruitment Evening, April 2010

• 10 spiritual lessons for leaders -- Women Reaching Women
• 10 leadership practices for altar servers -- Today's Parish
• What is limiting young adults? -- Young Adult Ministries
• Faithful stewards of God's gifts and mysteries -- Zenit
• Forming and informing catechists -- Preparing for the Revised Roman Missal

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Ambassadors for Growth: A Workshop on Servant Leadership

Ambassadors for Growth is a workshop on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon designed for the leaders of the 60 St. John Neumann Church ministries and partner ministries as well as those who have been identified as future leaders.  This interactive program and facilitated discussion at SJN will inspire the various ministries in working together to serve the community as "ambassadors," welcoming the new families that are beginning to join our parish as a result of the positive buzz being created by the construction of our new church.

The workshop will be facilitated by Thom Singer, local author and international professional speaker (and member of our St. John Neumann Church family).  His message of "All Opportunities Come From People" and the power of relationships will entertain, inspire and motivate the ministries to cultivate relationships with new and existing members of the parish.

We have all been called to be servant leaders in our parish, and establishing stronger relationships across the community will allow St. John Neumann Church to prosper as we continue to grow in size and in the Holy Spirit.

Please plan on having the leaders of your ministry participate in this half day program.  Additionally, each ministry is encouraged to identify one or more future leader to participate in the program.

We will begin the day with Mass at 9 a.m. in the Worship Space then head over to the St. Timothy Room afterward for breakfast and our program.  The event will end at noon.

For more information or to RSVP, contact me.

How will you respond?

Would you like to make a difference in your community, the country or the world?  Do you want to serve those in need and work for social justice?  With nearly 200 programs and thousands of opportunities, RESPONSE 2011, the most comprehensive guide of faith-based service opportunities is now available -- and it's free.  Volunteers serve full-time for periods of one week to one year or more across the United States and in more than 100 countries worldwide.  Summer and school break opportunities are also available.  Volunteers are from all walks of life -- from high school to senior citizens and every stage in between.  Positions are available for both single and married volunteers, including those with children.  Contact Catholic Volunteer Network to receive your free copy of RESPONSE 2011.  Call toll-free at 800-543-5046 or e-mail info@catholicvolunteernetwork.org.  You can also search RESPONSE 2011 at www.CatholicVolunteerNetwork.org.

Annual Report Shows Knights Are "Strong and Vibrant"

Knights of Columbus in Texas were among those who gave the most in charitable giving in 2009! SJN is blessed to have a strong and vibrant Knights of Columbus chapter.

ZENIT - Annual Report Shows Knights Are "Strong and Vibrant"

Ministry leaders reveal what keeps them coming back for more

I recently asked the parish ministry leaders the top reason for being involved at SJN that keeps them coming back for more, and their responses have been beautiful!  What a blessed parish to have such humble, loving servant leaders.

• I have never felt so loved as I do in the St. John Neumann community. I thought my world had ended in 1997 when my husband died suddenly; however, this faith community of St. John Neumann has given me life by loving and accepting me in my time of need. The Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program was just the beginning, followed by many and varied spiritual walks, which ultimately led me to the Lay Missionaries of Charity. Thank you, God, for this St. John Neumann Faith Community.  Jo Creath, Lay Missionaries of Charity
• Two things come to mind for me -- First, the wonderful community that my family is now a part of at St. John Neumann, largely because of the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program.  It is always wonderful to be at Mass and recognize a dozen or more CRHP brothers!  Also, my whole family loves the music at 5:30 p.m. Sunday mass, and there's no better way to worship than sitting in the front and singing loudly!  Steve Zika, Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program
• I am so thankful to be part of the loving and faithful community here.  There is a great opportunity for me to grow personally, and I feel privileged to be part of the formation of our youth!  Barbie Schaefer, Challenge
• It's very encouraging to see how many individuals, families, young people step up (with enthusiasm) to help the less fortunate in Austin and other parts of the world. This willingness to help pulls us closer together to make a true community.  Anna Marie Phelps, SVDP
• When I walk into daily Mass at 8:45 in the morning and see a dozen high school teenagers at Mass, rather than sleeping in, I can't help but to come back for more! Who wouldn't when God is moving so powerfully in this community?  Andrew Schuelke, Youth Ministry
• I am amazed at our youth. How they are always eager to learn, and take what they have learned home. That's what has made me love SJN so much.  Rachel Vaughn, Religious Education and Godly Play
• I am greatly inspired by the generosity and caring of our SJN parishioners and their willingness to support schoolchildren of a different culture on the other side of the world in the communities that we serve. I am deeply inspired also by the open hearts, love and caring of the children and teens of our community. For several years, SJN children and youth have worked with us to collect school supplies and to create beautiful messages of peace and friendship through art to send to the students at the schools we support. We are continuously awed by the enthusiasm, love and creativity that our SJN youth pour into their artwork and cards and by the genuine caring that they express for children they will never meet on the other side of the world. Witnessing this loving and peaceful connection between our children and the children we serve has been a joy to the volunteers of our ministry.  Chris Hamilton, ASP
• From the first mass at Valley View with Fr. Vaughn to today with Fr. Bud, I have made SJN my family, my home.  Diane Gele, Christian Medical Missions
• I once saw a bumper sticker that said "Social Justice begins in the Womb." When Anna Steinbauer one Sunday asked for SJN parishioners to "get out of the pews" and join the SJN Culture of Life Committee and support Life issues -- This bumper sticker came to mind. We must all support and pray for greater respect and justice for ALL human life from conception till natural death, especially for those who have no voice.  Mary Saniuk, Culture of Life
• Always the warm, loving community spirit and wonderful friends that I share my faith with at SJN keep me coming back for more and this has been true for more than 25 years! I consider SJN a second home.  Pat Flathouse, Bereavement Committee, Older Women’s Legacy
• I am continually awed at our parishioners. So many good role models involved in different ministries at our church and in our community. Sandra Farrell, Flower Guild
• SJN is the first church where I have been a member and have felt a true sense of community.  Being involved helps me foster that sense of community and feel even more connected to my parish.  Cirenia Terrazas, Gift Shop Committee

The Care Communities ministers to AIDS, cancer patients

The Care Communities, a Partner Ministry of SJN, provides practical and compassionate support, through volunteer Care Teams, for people living with serious illnesses, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. Listen to Outreach Coordinator Roger Temme as he introduces the organization's ministry to you and invites you to learn more! If you find you do want more information after the video, please contact me.

Tips for volunteering as a family

Since family is our most important ministry, we don't want you to leave them at home while you spend time volunteering at church.  Why not involve them from time to time and volunteer as a family?  Spend quality time together while you all help to build God's Kingdom!

Here is a compilation of tips from different sources.  Feel free to add any of your own in the comments section!

• Planning fun and successful family activities shouldn't be a chore for busy parents.  Most just require a little fore thought and a little planning to be successful.  So don't get bogged down in the details or overwhelmed with the planning.  The first thing to spoil family activities is a stressed parent, so go slow and ease into your routine. Families With Purpose, LLC
• Be flexible.  Sometimes family activities don't go as planned.  The baby is tired, the car had a flat tire or it rained when it was supposed to be sunny and hot. Families With Purpose, LLC
• Make sure the family activity is something everyone will enjoy or at least tolerate.  Talk over the family activities ahead of time and get everyone's input.  This will help prevent resistance later on.
• Schedule your family activities on the family calendar.  Plan out for a month when the family will be together and schedule the family activities accordingly. Families With Purpose, LLC
• Make them a priority.  Kids know when parents don't follow through with their promises and are often more hurt than they are willing to let us know.  Take the time for the family activities.  Your kids will thank you for those little things later. Families With Purpose, LLC
• Choose hands-on projects that offer children an opportunity to feel ownership in the giving process.  If Mom buys a toy and Joey drops it in the box at school, the giving ownership is mostly Mom's. But if Joey chooses the gift, wraps it and perhaps even makes a card to go with it, the giving ownership is mostly Joey's.  FamilyCares
• Ensure success by using projects that are simple and short-term.  Complicated projects that require long-term commitment often run short on enthusiasm with children. Choose projects that require skills your child is capable of managing and that can be accomplished in a short period of time.  FamilyCares
• Maximize teachable moments by following your child's charitable interests. The most successful family projects respond to an interest on the part of the child. Listen for clues about issues that concern your child. Watch the news together and ask for his/her opinion on current events. Find easy-to-read stories on social issues such as homelessness, hunger and aging to share during family meals.  FamilyCares
• Build self-esteem by creating caring memories to last a lifetime.  Use a scrapbook to keep photos of your caring projects, thank you notes, cute quotes from your children and your own responses to each project. This memory book will become a wonderful source of esteem development as your child grows older.  FamilyCares
• Keep the tone fun and rewarding.  Doing charity projects should be an experience your child remembers as uplifting and fun. Tell jokes, give compliments, and laugh often as you work together to help others. Children will remember the “mood” more than the labor.  FamilyCares
• Join forces with other families who want to volunteer together.  The more the merrier! Charity projects are even more fulfilling when you work on them with your family friends. FamilyCares
• Be a good example of caring behaviors.  Let your children see you volunteering. Talk about ways to help others with adults and in your children's presence. Avoid complaining about your volunteer work. Tell your kids how good it feels to care.  FamilyCares
• Remember caring is a process, not a product.  It is the thought that counts. Highlight your child's intentions and efforts in charity activities. Try to ignore those times when the final product is less than perfect. If necessary, you can repair the product secretly before delivering it.  FamilyCares
• Reinforce your child's compassion after each project.  Have an informal family meeting, perhaps over ice cream, to discuss the project, what you learned, what you felt, and what you will do next. Talking about the project will put words to the feelings and give the experience more power.  FamilyCares

Mays Family, Ministry Appreciation Party, April 2010

How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation in 6 Steps | Frommers.com

Ever thought about going on a vacation focused on volunteering? Whether you're looking to volunteer for an afternoon or for several weeks while on the road, organizations around the world are eager for your help. Don't know where to start? You can plan a successful volunteer vacation by following these six steps.

How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation in 6 Steps | Frommers.com

Vote now: How many SJN ministries are you a part of?

 How many SJN ministries are you involved in?

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Building the SJN community

Many of you are familiar with the Strategic Planning process that's been going on in the parish for the last year -- almost a year and a half now.  Well, we've begun to roll out what we plan to do to better our parish over the next five years and I've been put in charge of overseeing the community-building part!

The goals are:

• Events Committee: Plan events that strengthen the sense of community at SJN.
• Communications / Technology Committee: The committee will evaluate current efforts and identify the most effective ways to maintain communications with all parishioners and make use of existing and new technologies.
• Welcome / Hospitality Committee: This committee will welcome newcomers, build community among current members, reach out to disaffected members and ensure the sick and elderly feel welcome and connected at SJN.

If you have any ideas about these goals or want to participate on one of the committees, please let me know! I look forward to strengthening our community relationships and continuing to work together to build God's Kingdom here in Westlake.

April 17, 2010, SJN Ministry Appreciation "White Party" Committee

9 things to do at SJN this month

1. Follow A Willing Witness on Facebook
   
   If you're not already following A Willing Witness on Facebook, visit our Facebook page and "like" us!
   
   
2. Fill out the Application for Ministry in eAppsDB
   
    Step one of the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Training, required by many of our ministry opportunities, is to complete the Application for Ministry in eAppsDB.  There aren't currently any July workshops in English for part two of the EIM Training, but you can fill this application out in the meantime.  Keep checking the Diocese of Austin's Web site for upcoming trainings.
   
   
3. Complete a Gifts and Talents Survey
   
   This is so we are well aware of the many gifts and talents of our parishioners and can inform you when there may be a special opportunity for ministry involvement.  We do invite certain people to participate in ministry from time to time, and having your survey will allow us to see which of those opportunities might be of interest to you.
   
   
4. Introduce yourself to Director of Young Adults, Communications and Ministries Jen Crowley
   
   Establishing a relationship with me will help me to be more intentional when advertising the various ministry opportunities of our parish.  If I know you personally and where your interests lie, I will be able to better my matching gifts and opportunities skills.  Plus, it helps to further solidify our parish community by building relationships.
   
   
5. Check out and support one of our newest ministries, the parish Gift Shop
   
   Open Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, this ministry exists to provide easily accessible and affordable religious items to our visitors and parishioners.
   
   
6. Spend time before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer
   
   The Eucharistic Adoration Ministry enables us to worship the Lord in adoration on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.  While you're welcome to sign up to worship regularly on Wednesdays, feel free to drop in and say a mid-week hello to the Lord in our sanctuary!
   
   
7. Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood
   
   Better yet, check out another new ministry, the Vocations Committee!  Their next meeting is July 15 at 7 p.m. in the church offices.  Their mission is to provide stimulus, resources and contacts for those interested in vocations to the priesthood.  If you can't join the committee at this time, please pray to St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, for the Holy Spirit to guide them in their mission.
   
   
8. Pick up a home-cooked meal offered by the Mary and Martha Guild
   
   
9. If it’s too hot to cook, stop by the Morris Hall kitchen and select your evening’s meal -- home cooked without you having to cook!  Current offerings are King Ranch Chicken for $10, frozen cranberry salad for $6, tortilla soup for $6 and frozen apricot salad for $6   It’s easy as pie – make your selection and take it to the office and pay by check or cash between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.  
10. Your purchase will help support the 
11. Guild’s ministries!
    
    
12. Meet new Associate Pastor Fr. Adrian
    
    While it's not necessarily ministry-related, meeting our new associate pastor is an excellent thing to do in July!