Main

Ministries

September 11, 2006

You are invited...

Saint Joseph Parish invites you to be a Christian Steward of your God-given gifts of time and talent. A multitude of active and vibrant parish ministries are presented in this booklet for your consideration.

Some of the ministries are not yet formed, but are necessary. We are looking for parishioners who will take over leadership of some ministries.

We ask you to prayerfully reflect on each of these opportunities to share your time and talent and then ask yourself:

"Where will my time and talents fit to serve others in God's name?"

pipes.jpg

Liturgical Ministries

Altar Servers
Altar Society
Children's Liturgy
Choir/Cantor/Instrumentalist
Detention Ministry
Eucharistic Minister
Floral Arranger
Lector/Reader
Prayer Group
Seasonal Decorator
Ushers/Greeters
Welcome Committee

Educational Ministries

Bible Study Group
Cathechist/Catechist Aide
JustFaith
RCIA Support
Stewardship Council
Young Adult Ministry
Youth Ministry

Service Ministries

Annual Diocesan Committee
Arts/Crafts/Banner
Craftsperson
Clerical Support/Typist
Computer Expert/Website
Community Outreach
Peninsula Interfaith Action
Doyle Hall Committee
Grief Support
Home Ministry
Hospitality
Special Event Organizer

Click here for a list of Contact Persons

September 12, 2006

Liturgical Ministries

Altar Servers

Boys and girls attending grades four through high school who have received their First Communion are invited to participate in the altar servers' ministry. Training classes are scheduled four times a year and provide the skills necessary to perform this ministry.

Time offering: 1-2 Masses each month


Altar Society

In coordination with the volunteer sacristan, members of the Altar Society care for altar linens, send vestments for cleaning, maintain the holy water fonts, clean and dust the church on a daily and weekly basis. Members also care and trim candles, clean and polish the brass items, glass cylinders and snuffers.

Time offering: 1- 2 hours per week


Children's Liturgy

Volunteers provide a loving program of spiritual and creative activities for children ages 5 to 12 during 8:30 a.m., and 10:00 a.m. Sunday Masses. Children are invited to attend Liturgy of the Word with their peers. Children are excused from Mass after the opening prayer and returned to their families at Mass after the Homily. Adult and teen volunteers are always needed. Parents of children who participate in this ministry are especially encouraged to volunteer. Training and supplies will be provided.

Time offering: 1 Sunday morning each month


Choir/Cantor/Instrumentalist

St. Joseph Church liturgy and prayer are parish priorities. Music
is an essential component of good liturgy. Members bring their musical
talent to lead the community in prayer. Instrumentalists and singers of all ages and abilities are welcome to join.

Time offering: - 1- 2 Masses each month and practices


Detention Ministry

This Ministry involves visiting work furlough detainees in Mountain View on Saturday evening for a communion service. Volunteers are assigned in twos. One needs to be a Eucharistic Minister to give communion, the other reads the readings for the week. The service lasts about an hour. Training is provided by the Detention Ministry Chaplain of the Diocese.

Time offering: 1-2 hours once a month


Eucharistic Minister

Eucharistic Ministers are commissioned by the pastor to feed the community of St. Joseph with the Body and Blood of Christ on Sundays and Holy Days. This Ministry is open to fully participating Catholics who have a deep love for the Eucharist. Training is held periodically with dates and times announced in the parish bulletin.

Time offering - 2 4 Masses each month


Floral Arranger

This Ministry is open to parishioners who have experience and love to arrange flowers. Once a week and during special occasions, floral arrangements are needed for the altar.

Time offering: 1-2 hours twice a month


Lectors/Readers

Lectors are commissioned by the pastor to proclaim the Word in our liturgical worship. This Ministry is open to fully participating Catholics who have a deep love for the Holy Scripture and for the listening assembly. Lectors can often volunteer for the Mass they regularly attend. Training is provided.

Time offering: 1 - 2 Masses each month


Prayer Group

Members of the faithful gather weekly on Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Doyle Hall to praise, worship and honor God, and to seek the release of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the gathered community. They intercede and pray for one another and the St. Joseph community, especially those asking for special prayers dropped in the petition box in the vestibule of the Church.

Time offering: 1 - 2 hours every week


Seasonal Decorator

This ministry is open to parishioners who love to decorate. Volunteers will decorate the Church on special occasions (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, etc.)

Time offering: 3 - 4 hours on special occasions

Ushers/Greeters

This ministry is open to men and women who want to interact with parishioners by greeting them as they come to church. They are also in charge of collecting the treasure offerings after the homily. The head usher is responsible for asking parishioners to take the offering of bread and wine to the altar. After Mass, ushers distribute the bulletins and bid good tidings. Ushers can request the Mass they usually attend to perform this ministry.

Time offering: 1 hour weekly

Welcome Committee

The Welcome Committee extends a warm and Christian welcome to new parish families and individuals. The committee serves the parish through welcome gifts, communications, and hosting of events to embrace our new or returning Catholic brothers and sisters. Members meet every month.

Time offering: 1 - 2 hours monthly

September 13, 2006

Educational Ministries

Bible Study Group

The Church teaches that the study of the Bible brings people into closer encounter with God, strengthens their faith, and encourages them to share the Word with others. Meetings are held every week. Please call for more information.

Time offering - to be determined


Catechist and Catechist Aide

St. Joseph Parish provides faith formation programs which provide instructions in the practice of our faith. It is offered to elementary through middle school students not attending Catholic schools. Programs include sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. Volunteers are needed to teach and assist in these growing and vital ministries. Classes are offered at Saint Joseph School on Sundays from September to May. Students meet from 9:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Training will be provided.

Time offering: 2 hours every Sunday from Sept. to May


JustFaith
Social Justice - JusticeFaith Study Program

JustFaith is a justice education and formation program which provides an
opportunity for parishioners to study and be formed by the justice tradition in the scriptures, the social teachings of the Catholic Church and the Church's historical witness for justice. There is a 30 week program that involves participants in a panorama of learning experiences. This includes weekly meetings that begin in prayer, assigned readings, discussions, video presentations, guest speakers, retreats, and several "hands-on" experiences.

The program is designed to empower and transform participants so they can become voices for the voiceless and agents of God's good news to the poor. The program asks for a commitment to attend the weekly two hour meetings and do the assigned readings.

This program is sponsored by the Diocese of San Jose, Catholic Charities USA, and partially funded by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

Time offering: 2 hours weekly for 30 weeks


RCIA Support
(Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

This program is used to welcome new adult members (18 years and older) into the Catholic Faith and provides an opportunity for faith-filled people to enter into a deeper relationship with God in the Roman Catholic tradition. As an active, alive Catholic community, we welcome inquiries into our faith. The adult initiation team helps these catecumens (unbaptized) and candidates (baptized) on their spiritual journey. Parishioners in good standing are invited to serve as sponsors to assist in the process. Please call for details.

Time offering - to be determined


Stewardship Council

The Stewardship Council promotes "Stewardship As Our Way of Life" within all aspects of the parish community. The council is a multilingual ministry that coordinates and communicates activites that enrich and educate our parish families in sharing their unique gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Open to all parishioners who hear the call of Stewardship.

Time offering: 5 - 10 hours each month


Young Adult Ministry

This Ministry welcomes those who are post-high school age young adults (18-40) to be involved on both a social and spiritual level in the parish community. Monthly socials ( dates and times to be announced) and a weekly prayer & scripture reading are part of this ministry. Call for more information.

Time offering - to be determined


Youth Ministry

This Youth Ministry will provide middle school youth a chance to experience a deeper spirituality and to become closer to God, the Church and other youth. Youths will take leadership roles in planning activities for the group. The Youth group will meet once a month. Schedule will be announced later.

Time offering - to be determined

September 14, 2006

Service Ministries

Annual Diocesan Appeal Committee

Yearly Diocesan appeal for support of Diocesan ministries and services starts in December and finishes in June. Members of the committee attend Diocesan meetings, review the parish assigned goal, plan the campaign for the parish, draft correspondence, organize mailing and follow-up with phone calls to parishioners as needed. The members also track pledges and follow-up progress throughout the year.

Time Offering: 2 - 3 hours per month as needed


Arts/Crafts/Banners

From time to time we need to make banners for school and church decoration. Volunteers are needed to do art work, pasting, cutting, etc.

Time offering: periodic special events


Craftsperson

Our facilities sometimes need emergency light maintenance (carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing, masonry and electronics). We also need some green thumbs to tend to our garden. This Ministry is open to anyone who has experience in the above trades and can be called when the need arises.

Time offering: As need arises


Clerical Support/Typist

The rectory needs clerical support to answer the telephone, take messages, typing, filing, etc., as directed by the office secretary or the priests. This may include use of the computer to input and maintain parishioner information, donations, etc.

Time offering: 3 hours every week


Computer Expert/Website

Calling all computer and website literate people to help with web development and database management as well.

Time offering: to be determined


Community Outreach

Parishioners representing all facets of parish life are encouraged to consider this important ministry. Members must be active, practicing Catholic members of St. Joseph Community and actively committed to "Stewardship As Our Way of Life" This Ministry performs the task of interacting with parishioners, new and old, to make the parish alive and vibrant, and will be responsible for organizing and initiating new programs.

Time offering: to be determined


Peninsula Interfaith Action - P.I.A

P.I.A. is a member of Federation of Congregations organized to assist congregations, neighborhoods, and schools as they seek to improve the quality of life for families throughout the peninsula. Rooted in shared values of our religious and democratic traditions, we work to create positive change.

Time offering: flexible


Doyle Hall Committee

As our volunteers grow, we will need volunteers to properly manage the use and maintenance of Doyle Hall. One person from each organization or ministry would be ideal to form a group to assure proper management of the hall.

Time offering: to be determined


Grief Support

Grief ministry provides support and understanding to those in the final stages of terminal illness and to those in the process of healing after the death of a loved one. We are looking for volunteers who are experienced counselors to start a support group for persons who are grieving. This Ministry also has a Memorial Mass in November for the deceased of the Parish followed by a reception in Doyle Hall. Members meet 3 to 4 times a year.

Time offering: 1 - 3 hours as needed


Home Ministry

Eucharistic Ministers bring the Body of Christ to the sick, homebound and hospitalized of our community who are unable to attend Mass.
This also involves praying with them, comforting the lonely, consoling those who are in mourning and just plain listening. Any Catholic in good standing with the Church who has compassion and patience and who feels comfortable with fellow parishioners who may be in pain, lonely, depressed, sick or dying are invited to join this ministry. Meetings and training opportunities are held as needed.

Time offering: 1 - 2 hours per week


Hospitality Sunday Group

The Lord calls us all to nourish each other. The hospitality Sunday group serves the community of St. Joseph by providing refreshments once a month on the last Sunday of the month after the Masses. This provides an opportunity for parishioners to meet each other, build and enjoy friendship and nourish community spirit. Members set up tables for refreshments (10 times a year), help with social events and meet a few times a year for planning. Come help us to nourish and connect our parish community.

Time offering: 1 - 2 hours per month


Special Event Organizers

St. Joseph Parish community comes together once a year for the
Spring Festival, a special family-friendly event. Held at the School grounds, the festival includes entertainment, carnival rides, games and food booths. The festival is a great fellowship and parish fundraising event, contributing over $30,000 every year for the past several years. A successful festival depends upon a large and willing crowd of volunteers and is a great way to meet fellow parishioners! There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

As the Church retrofit left us with a big debt to the Diocese, special event organizers can propose more fundraising ideas to reduce our obligation to the Diocese.

Time offering: to be determined

November 18, 2007

Join Voices of Praise!

Come and join the Voices of Praise choir, and help to make joyful noise unto the Lord! The Choir’s ministry is to support the worshipping community’s sung prayer, and to enhance the liturgical celebration. The only requirement is that you enjoy singing – no auditions. All voice types are welcome. Membership is open to adults and youth (ages 13 and up). We rehearse on Thursdays of each week at 7:00 PM in the church; we sing on most Sundays of the year at 10 AM Mass, and for major feast day celebrations.

If you would like any more information, phone or e-mail Rajna Ledoux: (650) 458-9806, rajna_k@yahoo.com

About Ministries

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to St. Joseph Parish in the Ministries category. They are listed from oldest to newest.

Home is the previous category.

News is the next category.

Many more can be found on the main index page or by looking through the archives.