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

More from St. John Neumann Catholic Church:

Get this delivered to your inbox.

Follow us on Twitter.

Like us on Facebook.

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.