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Spirituality & Worship Commission
Spirituality and Worship Purpose
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The Spirituality and Worship Commission is mindful of the needs of its larger
faith community and uses its visioning talent to develop celebrations that will
call the entire community to full, conscious and active participation in the heart
of the liturgy, the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. The Spirituality and Worship
Commission looks to the vision of the Church through her Liturgical Documents
to bring that universal vision into our St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish Family.
The vision of the Church will become part of the vision of the parish and thus
support the spiritual life of the parish through prayer, study and visioning for
the celebrations of the entire parish.
Areas of support for the Spirituality and Worship Commission include but are
not limited to the following areas of important spiritual rites and areas of activity: |
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Sunday Eucharist
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Liturgy of the Hours
- Sacramental Rites
- Spiritual Growth Opportunities (retreats, missions, small faith sharing groups,
etc.)
Specific Responsibilities include:
- Working knowledge of the church's Liturgical Documents
- An understanding of the parish's historical and current practices of worship
- Ongoing evaluation of parish worship and spiritual practices
- Provide ongoing catechesis for the parish
- Foster vocations to priesthood, religious life, permanent diaconate and lay ministry
Collaborate with other parish an Diocesan groups as needed
Spirituality and Worship Key Parish Contacts
| Altar Ministers |
Father Gary Scherer |
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| Environment |
Martin Dybel |
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| Care Center Coordinator |
Joseph Kruczek |
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| Eucharistic Ministers |
Eve Duray |
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| Lectors |
Nancy Gomez |
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| Liturgy Committee |
Margaret Saliga |
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| Marriage Coordinators |
Anne Marie Gyure, Mary Tolin |
| Parish Music Director |
Geraldine Hildreth |
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| Prayer Group |
Marilou Tonkovich |
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| Sacristan |
Margaret Matuska |
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Spirituality and Worship Ministry Areas:
Adult Choir: Men and women of high school age and older are always welcome. The Adult Choir
sings from September through June, and alternates their Mass times. The goal is
to enhance the liturgy through prayerful reflection in song. Anyone wishing to
share their talent of singing or playing the organ or an instrument is welcome
to join.
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Our Rose Window as seen in the Choir Loft. |
Alleluia Community Choir is a citywide choir formed in 1995. It began as the Alleluia Choir in 1987 to
enhance funeral liturgies at St. John Church. Recognizing the need other parishes
have for this ministry, the choir was expanded in scope and membership to offer
its musical resources to all catholic parishes in the Whiting-Robertsdale area.
All are welcome to join and to so minister to the bereaved.
School Choir was formed to lead the worshipping assembly at school liturgies and within the
larger parish liturgical gatherings. Membership consists of children who attend
St. John School. Choir members make a commitment to participate in school rehearsals
held each Wednesday during the school year from 2:35 to 4:00 p.m.
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Prayer Group: The Group meets at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday. Participants are Christians who
follow the example of Jesus' way of praying, with lively and persevering faith.
They strive to know the Lord in a deeper and more personal way by being baptized
in the Holy Spirit, receiving and using Charismatic gifts and welcoming others
to do the same through "Life in the Spirit" seminars, teachings, witnessing and
daily reading of Scripture. The Prayer Group serves the parish by participating
in parish services, ministries, and other parish organizations. They have an
intercessory prayer phone line and wake services for their members and their families.
New members are always welcome.
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Liturgy Committee: Meets monthly to plan the parish liturgies. This Committee is also responsible
for the Church's art/environment.
Eucharistic Ministers: After specialized training, Eucharistic ministers are commissioned to provide
the Eucharist for the liturgies and take the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and
shut-ins on a weekly basis.
Lectors: After specialized training, lectors are commissioned to proclaim the Scriptures
at liturgical celebrations on Sundays, weekdays and other special prayer services.
Cantors lead the congregation in song at Masses on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and on Sundays
at the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Masses.
At left, Father Kalicky during the Celebration of the Eucharist. |
Ushers assist at all parish Masses. All parishioners, 18 years and older, are welcome
to volunteer.
Ministers of Welcome: Families and individuals who welcome people at the Liturgies and other prayer
services. Their purpose is make people welcome by handing out hymnals, bulletins
and other services.
Ministers of the Altar: Any boy or girl who is at the fifth grade through college level is invited
to serve at Mass. Duties including assisting at weekday and Sunday Masses, funerals
and wedding celebrations. Adults are invited to serve at our school Masses when
the younger children are present for worship.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a faith formation program offered to those who wish to become members
of the Catholic faith. Formation begins in September and culminates at the Holy
Saturday Easter Vigil.
Care Center: Parishioner volunteers provide communion services and other prayer services
to residents of the Whiting-Robertsdale Care Center.
Sacristans provide a valuable ministry by taking special care of the Sanctuary and Sacristy.
Work is done on a weekly basis: laundry (altar cloths, etc.) on Monday/Tuesday
mornings; ironing Wednesday/Thursday mornings; cleaning the Sacristy and Sanctuary
on Friday. Additional volunteers are most welcome.
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