Ministries
, GREETERS
As first impressions of our parish are made upon entering, these individuals have the important role of welcoming newcomers and parishioners before Mass by offering a friendly smile and warm greeting to each person. Contact: Parish Office ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT “Come to me, all you who labor and have been burdened, and I will refresh you” (Mt 11:28). Spend some time in prayer, meditation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Let our Lord refresh your soul and transform your life. Adoration times are offered on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Contact: Parish Office DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET Divine Mercy Chaplets are prayed at 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The message of this chaplet is that God’s love and mercy is greater than sin. He desires us to receive His mercy and share it with others. Join us in this prayer of mercy! “The Lord said to me, ‘The loss of each soul plunges Me into mortal sadness. You always console Me when you pray for sinners. The prayer most pleasing to Me is prayer for the conversion of sinners. Know, My daughter, that this prayer is always heard and answered” (St. Faustina, 1397). Contact: Pat Chaffin PRAYER CHAIN The Prayer Chain Ministry prays for the needs of the parish, all the sick in the parish, and for special needs that arise. Join us in praying for our fellow parishioners. To get involved or to add prayers to the chain, contact us. Contact: Mary Burdick YOUTH MASS This is a special Mass offered the fourth Sunday of the month at the 10 a.m. Mass specifically inviting the youth to participate. During the school year, one Wednesday/month, an additional youth Mass takes place in the early evening, followed by fellowship. Youth are needed to help with the parts of the Mass as readers, servers, ushers, gift bearers, greeters and choir participants. Contact: Angela Long ADULT BIBLE STUDY We invite everyone to open your mind and further your faith formation through our Adult Bible Study. We have two different times for the classes — Monday night at 6:30 p.m., Thursday Mornings at 10 a.m. and Thursday Evenings at 6:30 p.m. For class, we open in prayer, study Scripture and offer time for discussion. Our study helps members strengthen their relationship with God by deepening their understanding of His Word. Classes vary in number of weeks and new topics are offered in the spring and fall. Monday Evenings: “Optional” Potluck 6-6:30 p.m.; Classes 6:30-8 p.m. Contact: Mary Burdick Thursday Mornings: The first session started on Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. to around 11:45 a.m. (no potluck). Same schedule as Monday evenings. Contact: Carole Huff PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (PRE) The catechetical program at St. Michael Church seeks to provide the youth and children with the knowledge, experiences and skills necessary to become faithful and fruitful disciples of Jesus. The children will also receive the appropriate religious preparation needed to receive the sacraments. There are often opportunities to assist in a variety of ways — help teach during the school year, participate during a specific week/event or participate as a substitute. September-May, Wednesday evenings, 6:30-7:00 p.m. Contact: Angela Long ORDER OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (OCIA) OCIA is the process which helps guide interested adults on the journey of becoming a full member of the Catholic faith. A team of dedicated and knowledgeable Catholics are needed to assist adults and children (7 years old and up) who are interested in becoming Catholic by providing education, hospitality, support and facilitation of the meetings. We meet in a lounge on the second floor of the St. Michael parish offices located next to the church. Meetings are held year around every Saturday, 8:45 a.m. and Sunday, 11:15 a.m., with the exception of holiday weekends and Easter (Spring) break. Contact: Raina Marciano, [email protected] VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) This fun faith formation class is offered once a summer for the youth of the parish and community. Vacation Bible School is a time for the youth to discover their faith in a fun and interactive way. Much work is put into planning this week. If you would like to volunteer to help prepare, assist or teach VBS, please contact us for more information! Contact: Parish Office ALTAR SERVERS Altar servers assist the priest and deacon in preparing for and celebrating the Mass and other liturgies. The altar servers participate in the procession and presentation of the gifts, as well as holding the prayer books. This is open to boys and girls who have made their First Communion. Periodic training sessions are held throughout the year as needed. Contact: Don Chaffin ALTAR SOCIETY Altar Society is open to all women interested in helping to provide altar bread, wine, linens and decorations for the church. They also minister to grieving families by providing bereavement dinners. Through selfless service for others and the church, these women exhibit stewardship through hospitality and service, and they invite any ladies interested to join them. Contact: Shane Weinsinger BEREAVEMENT DINNERS Bereavement dinners is a ministry that prepares meals for those who have just lost loved ones or are in a difficult situation. This simple act of providing a meal for those who are going through a difficult period can show the love of Christ to others. Contact: Diane Boeckman & Annette Knitting |
DoBLESSING BOX
This ministry is an outreach to the neighboring community. Each day necessities are stocked in two boxes, offering food and personal care products to those needing help during challenging times. “For I was hungry and you gave me food” (Mt 25:35). Contact: Anna Booth CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PAGEANT Each December, St. Michael’s youth put on a simple Christmas pageant helping to tell the story of Jesus’ birth. If you would like to volunteer for the preparation and/or production of the pageant, please contact us! Contact: Angela Long EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION EMHCs assist in distributing the Body and Blood of our Lord at Mass and, as such, recognize the profound significance that the Eucharist holds in the life of the Church. A spirit of reverent service to Christ, present in the Eucharist, is at the very heart of this ministry. By serving as an EMHC, you will be witnessing Christ’s own loving service to the members of the parish. Contact: Don Chaffin or Parish Office FINANCE COMMITTEE Members monitor the overall health of the parish’s finances and financial controls, and recommend improvements. They review and approve the yearly budget that is prepared and proposed by the parish administrator. The pastor appoints members. Contact: Fr. Rick Hobbs HOMEBOUND This is a ministry that serves homebound parishioners due to age, injury, or illness. As a support to the pastor and the deacons, ministers carry the Holy Eucharist to patients in the hospital, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. This ministry extends God’s love to those who are unable to directly come in contact with Him in the church by bringing them Communion, praying with them and showing them support. Contact: Mary Frauenhoff KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION -- THIRD AND FOURTH DEGREE) The Knights of Columbus help men to better live their Christian call through prayer, service and fellowship. Their mission focuses on five main areas — church, community, family, youth and council. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportunities in service to the Catholic Church, the community, families and young people. The Knights of Columbus is a worldwide organization of Catholic men striving to become better men of Christ. Those interested in learning more, please call! Contact: Tommy Togo, Grand Night LECTORS Lectors proclaim the Word of God within liturgical celebrations in an inspiring and meaningful way. The proclamation of Sacred Scripture is a very important ministry. Lectors adequately prepare through prayer and practice. They also engage with the congregation by sharing the week’s announcements, inviting and informing members of upcoming opportunities to grow in prayer, faith and service. This ministry is for Spanish and English Masses. Contact: Kevin Andersen (English Lectors) & (Spanish Lectors) the parish office MUSIC MINISTRY The Music Ministry provides music for parish liturgical celebrations, as well as singers and instrumentalists for other parish events. Members engage the assembly in songs and acclamations to worship and pray together during Mass. We offer Hispanic choir and English choir. If you are interested in joining our Music Ministry, please feel free to contact our music director for more information. Contact: T.C. Long PARISH VETERANS NETWORK St. Michael Parish Veterans Network exists primarily to assist veterans and their families during times of bereavement. We feel it is important to honor and support our parish veterans and their families by having a strong veterans’ presence at Rosary services, at Masses of Christian burial, and most especially at the interment site. Other services for our veterans may include assisting with rides to Mass, medical appointments and VA facilities. Home, hospital, rehabilitation center and nursing home visits are also made as appropriate. Assistance for families of the parish’s active duty personnel are also available. All veterans are appreciated and welcomed. There are no regularly scheduled meetings, dues or responsibilities other than to participate based upon whatever time each member has available. Contact: Walter Boyd PASTORAL COUNCIL Pastoral Council is an advisory group for the pastor. The council works diligently to serve the parish in the following ways — foster unity, assess needs, develop programs, coordinate activities, encourage participation in spiritual and apostolic life, and provide a forum for parish dialogue. Members are appointed by the pastor. Contact: Fr. Rick Hobbs COMMUNITY OUTREACH We at St. Michael Parish are working on getting involved with our community, by providing a meal for the Adult Education Center Program. We will be serving a meal to about 40 students. We are the first Catholic Parish helping with this program. Contact: Deysi Sandoval GOLDEN CLUB The Golden Club is a group for seniors in the parish who gather monthly throughout the year. This group helps to build and maintain relationships between seniors in the parish by providing an opportunity to worship together the first Thursday of the month beginning at the noon Mass and followed with a luncheon and fellowship. Contact: Rosemary Sellars PARISH EVENTS Everyone in the parish is invited and encouraged to participate in our different events throughout the year starting with Fire & Brimstone (March), Parish Picnic (in May), VBS (June), St. Michael Day Community Festival (September), Trunk-or- Treat (October), and our Parish Christmas Luncheon (December). Contact: Fire & Brimstone, Parish Picnic, St. Michael Day Community Festival: Pastoral Committee VBS, Trunk-or-Treat, Christmas Luncheon:Church Office Contact the Parish office at 479-471-1211 for more information on Ministry Leaders. |
St. Michael Catholic Church
1025 East Pointer Trail Van Buren, AR 72956 Phone: (479) 471-1211 Fax: (479) 471-1219 Office Hours/Horario de Oficina: Monday/Lunes: - Thursday/Jueves: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch Time/ Comida: 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Friday/Viernes: 8 a.m. - Noon/Mediodia Weekend masses / Misas de Sábado y Domingo Saturday (Sábado) *8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Sunday (Domingo): 8:00 a.m. (Español) 10:00 a.m. (English), and 11:45 a.m. (Español) |