Ministries
WELCOMEOn behalf of the Parish of St. John of the Cross, welcome to the Ministry Page of our Parish Website. Listed. below, are all of our Parish Ministries, followed by a synopsis of what they are all about. Our Ministries range from those involved in Prayer, Learning of our Faith, Evangelizing, Saving Lives, to actively participating in Parish Events. Whatever your talents, we are sure you will be able to find something to actively involve yourself in, to assist us in building the Kingdom of God. If you have an idea for a New Ministry, once you have received approval from one of the priests, please gather the name of your Ministry, a brief description of what your Ministry is about, its purpose, the times that it meets as well as who to contact for further information. Please do not list the Church Office as the Contact. Each Ministry shouldhave their own Contact Person who can speak to folks interested in your Ministry. Once you have gathered this information, please send it to Deacon Dennis at; beau1717@bellsouth.net so it can be added to this page. |
ALTAR SERVERS What better way for a youth of our parish to serve than as an Altar Server? This position is open to boys and girls! First Holy Communion is required. Altar Servers must be at least 7 years of age and must have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion. For those who are a bit older, serving as an Altar Server, fulfills your “Service Requirements” in preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is also a plus when applying for scholarships for college. For further information, please contact Deacon Dennis at 772-563-0057. ALTAR SOCIETYWe meet on Saturdays following the 8:30 Mass. People are scheduled once a month. The glass-ware on the altar in the main church and in the Chapel are cleaned, candles and linens are changed. Linens are also washed and ironed. This too, is assigned on a once a month schedule. Call Ann McCabe 772-538-3158 for further information. CATHOLICS RETURNING HOME PROGRAMThe Catholics Returning Home program helps inactive Catholics to decide if theywant to become more active. Catholics Returning Home is one of twelve model programs listed in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) directory “A Time to Listen…A Time to Heal.” The program is used throughout the US and other countries. The six Catholics Returning Home sessions provide information. mainly via DVDs, on the basics of Catholicism in an informal atmosphere. Sessions are conducted at the convenience of participants and some parishioners attend the sessions to help them acclimate back to Catholicism and parish activities. For further information contact Pat Kester at 772 299 7351. DAILY ROSARYThe rosary ministry handles the recitation of the rosary before all daily and weekend Masses. If you are gifted with a good voice, are able to project your words well and are comfortable praying the rosary, consider this ministry! For a 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass assignment, please call Janice Freeman at 569-7179. DIVINE WILL CENACLEDivine Will Cenacle meets on Monday following morning Mass in Cry Room. The Divine Will is a fulfillment of the “Our Father Prayer” - Thy Will Be Done On Earth As In Heaven. Please join us and come and learn about this new and Divine Holiness of the third Fiat of God and the sanctification of the world.For more information, please call the Office, 563-0057.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS OFHOLY COMMUNION at MASSEucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priests in the distribution of Holy Communion at Mass. Some also take the Eucharist to shut-ins in homes and nursing homes and sometimes to those in the hospital. Volunteers for this ministry receive basic training by the diocese and specific training by Deacon Dennis, the Coordinator of this ministry. If you have an interest in becoming an Eucharistic Minister, please contact Deacon Dennis, Coordinator at 563-0057. EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS OFHOLY COMMUNIONfor the SICK & HOMEBOUND
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N.O.E.L. - NOTICE OF ETERNAL LIFESo often, when someone passes away, we find that on the day of the Mass of Christian Burial, very few are present to offer support to those left behind. By being part of this Ministry, when our Office receives the final arrangements of someone’s services, we send out an email to those on the N.O.E.L. List, so they can: Attend the Wake Service (if there is one) All of these options are extremely important to a family who had lost someone, either after their Loved One had been sick for quite some time or passes away very suddenly. How often do we say; “If only I had known, I would have been there”. This is a great way of achieving that goal. When we email those on the N.O.E.L. List, the information is sent as a Blind Copy, so your personal email information is not shared with anyone else. Your contact information is kept confidential. We invite you to join this Wonderful Ministry in an effort to support those in their time of need. To join the N.O.E.L. Family, send your email information to Deacon Dennis at; beau1717@bellsouth.net. Simply request that you be added to the list. PARISH COUNCILThe parish council assists the pastor in the coordination of all parish activities as well as other functions as described in the Parish Council Constitution. Council membership is comprised of Ex Officio Members (the leaders of the ministries), Extraordinary Members, and At-Large Elected Members (18 years of age or older and not to exceed 4 persons). If you would like to serve on the Parish Council as an At-Large Elected Member, please contact our Parish Office at 772-563-0057, to get your name on the list for the next election cycle. PERMANENT DEACONSIs God calling you to serve Him as a Permanent Deacon? The thought has crossed your mind, or perhaps others have suggested that you consider looking into the possibility of becoming a “Permanent Deacon”. Just what does this entail? Well for starters, the Second Vatican Council, as the Council of Trent before it. called for the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate as one among three permanent and independent orders within the sacrament of Holy Orders. The words “Deacon” and “Diaconate” come from the Greek word Diakonia which means “Service” or “Ministry”. A Deacon then, is ordained by the Church for what the Second Vatican Council synthesized as service to the word, service to the altar, and service to charity. The process of becoming a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Palm Beach begins with your discernment or God’s call through prayer and reflection. The next step is to discuss your interest and questions with your Spiritual Director and then your Pastor. If your Pastor approves, you may download the application from the Deacon Formation Web Page or call the Office of Permanent Diaconate Formation". For more information concerning the Permanent Diaconate, you may contact the Office of Diaconate of Formation at 561-775-9540. If you have questions, you may also speak with Deacon Dennis Beauregard, Administrator of Deacons. Currently the process entails five years of study, prayer, human and pastoral preparation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach. Men applying for the Permanent Deacon Program should be aware of the
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRYA Prayer Shawl is a soft, warm, shawl. It is knitted or crocheted, and is given to persons who are celebrating a blessing or needing special support. Prayer Shawl Ministry meetings begin and end with prayers for ourselves, for our work and for those who receive the Prayer Shawls. The Prayer Shawls are blessed by a priest or deacon, spend time at Mass, and then are distributed. We also make other items: christening blankets for Baptism, baby blankets and hats for the Women’s Care Center, chemo hats, warm hats for the military, and hats, mittens, and scarves for mission churches. Prayer Shawl Meetings are a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. If you knit or crochet, or want to learn, bring your needles and hooks and yarn and join us. We welcome any and all newcomers. Typically the Prayer Shawl Ministry meets on the 3rd Monday of the month in the Cry Room at 9:30am. See Parish Bulletin for confirmed times. This Ministry does not meet during the months of July and August. For more information, please contact: Elaine Reeners - Elaine4prayershawl@gmail.com PROJECT RACHELProject Rachel is a program, provided through Catholic Charities, serving men and woman, who have experienced any emotional, spiritual and/or psychological impact by an abortion. Project Rachel incorporates an integrated approach to healing, which means the program utilizes different ways and means to help the individual acknowledge what they are feeling and help begin to heal post abortion/s. The program offers services in English and Spanish: support groups, therapy groups, individual/ couples counseling, day retreats and additional activities. Through Project Rachel, we share that there is hope, there is healing and there is forgiveness. The cost for services vary. For further information/ details or if you have questions, Susan Polo can be reached at: 561-360-3325. You can email her at:(Spolo@ccdpb.org) PROTECTION OF GOD’S CHILDREN, (VIRTUS)As stated by the Office of Safe EnviornmentsEducation & Training of Adults, Children & Youth: Personal safety for our students is our highest priority, especially when it comes to protecting children from sexual misconduct and violence. Every member of Diocese of Palm Beach faculty and staff – including teachers, priests, deacons, and even volunteers, must undergo rigorous background investigation and complete Safe Environment Training sessions if they are in contact with children. These measures ensure everyone working with children at schools and parishes can uphold the moral standards set by our Pastoral Code of Conduct. As part of its effort to protect all children from harm as well as to create safe environments in which children can learn and grow in faith, the Diocese of Palm Beach will provide annual safe environment training to all children enrolled in diocesan Catholic schools and parish religious education programs. In age appropriate lessons, the children will learn about God’s love for them; personal space; treating ourselves and others with respect and care; safe and unsafe touches; and how to get help from a trusted adult if needed. The lessons will be taught every year. Parents may request that their child(ren) NOT participate in the Children and Youth training by using an "opt out" form which may be obtained by contacting the church or school in which their child is enrolled. VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children for Adults Compliance Officer for the Parish: Josie Holtzclaw If you have questions regarding training programs contact the Administrator of Education and Training of the Office of Safe Environments by calling 561-775-9593 or via email. For further information, you may also contact the Parish Office at 772-563-0057 RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONEach year, the Parish of St. John of the Cross offers to our families – Faith Study Classes for the purpose of our younger parishioners – ages 6 – 17, learning about their Faith and preparing for the Sacraments of Penance, First Communion, Confirmation and in some cases, even Baptism. Classes typically begin at the end of September and run thru the first week in May. Classes meet in the Church on Monday evenings beginning at 5:30pm and run thru 6:45pm. In order for those attending classes, parents must Register their children prior to the children attending classes. Registration for the Religious Education Program begins on August 1st and ends on Aug. 31st, of any given year. Sacramental Preparation for both First Communion and Confirmation is a two year process, as required by the Diocese. We encourage Students to have attended 5-6 Years of Faith Study Classes, prior to Confirmation Prep., which is a two year process, once the student is enrolled in the Confirmation Prep. Program. Now, we can accomplish this in a variety of different ways, the main issue is keeping your child plugged into the Religious Education program. Students must be at least 13 years of age when they enter Confirmation Prep. 1. If we are truly to live the Gospel - in putting God and our Faith first and foremost in our lives, it is vital that we teach our children, during these formative years, what their Faith is all about and the true meaning of being a disciple. For more information concerning the Faith Study Program or the various ways to keep your children "Connected in Learning Their Faith" or if you would like to teach Religious Education, please contact Jessica Geary at the Parish Office at 772-563-0057. What better way to Evangelize than to teach the young of our Parish about their Faith. Jessica Geary, PCL, (Parish Catechetical Leader) RESPECT LIFEThe Respect Life Program mission is to assist in the education of parishioners on a broad range of Catholic moral teaching and principles, especially that of the respect for life from the moment of conception to natural death. The program coordinator brings focus to these moral issues by increasing awareness among the faithful so that they are led to function as good stewards of Church teaching as they function within our society. If you are, or want to be, a champion of respect life issues, please contact Ginny Frederick, at 567-6131. RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATIONFOR ADULTS – (R.C.I.A.)This ministry calls us to share our faith with those interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith or considering becoming a member of the Catholic Faith. There are approximately 25 sessions covering the basics of the Catholic Faith. Each participant receives a Bible, the Catholic Catechism and a text book covering all the subjects and additional information. Jessica Geary - (772)-563-0057. SACRAMENTAL PRAYER GROUPThe Sacramental Rosary is a group which meets on Thursday evening at 7PM in the cry room at St John Of the Cross. We begin by asking the intentions of the participants. Why are we saying the Rosary?. What are their hopes and their petitions to our Blessed Mother ? The power of the Rosary is multiplied by the participation of the many who do honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary. We focus on the Mystery in keeping with the season. A meditation is read before each decade to help us reflect on the meaning of the Mystery. Then using the book Scriptural Rosary ,we reflect on an explanation before each Hail Mary. Our Goals For more inform ation on this wonderful Ministry, please contact: Annette Gekle @ 772-299-3603. SECULAR ORDER OF DISCALCED CARMELITESTo be a member of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, once answers a “calling” to a form of Consecrated Life in the Church. Considered, in every way, a Vocation, members are comprised of Friars, Nuns and Seculars. Those who make up the Secular Branch of the Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Teresa of Jesus are practicing members of the Catholic Church, who, under the protection of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and inspired by St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, make a commitment to the Order – to seek the face of God – for the sake of the Church and the world. Because a Secular Carmelite is considered a Vocation, there is a discernment process as well as a period of formation of 6 years, that eventually culminates with the person making a solemn promise and in some cases a vow. Seculars are referred to OCDS. At present, there are 16 OCDS communities in the state of Florida. A community is designated by the City in which they meet. Each community has a Religious title that is usually named after a Carmelite Saint. The name of our Province is “The Washington Province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” In our Province, we have over 146 OCDS communities. The Discalced Carmelite Order is all over the world. We have Constitutions and Statutes that we live by. The Community that has been meeting at the Saint John of the Cross Parish is recognized by Rome and is Canonical. We are designated as the Vero Beach Florida OCDS Community. Although the foundation and essence of our vocation is prayer, we are not considered a “prayer group”. According to our Provincial Statutes: A Secular Carmelite is to:
If you feel a “Call” to the vocation of the OCDS, Please contact Amy Powers for further information. While the Parish center is being built at SJOTC Church, we are meeting at St. Helen Catholic Church. We meet one Saturday per month. Amy Powers, President USHERSUshers assist in the seating of parishioners, handle the collections during Offertory, offer Parish Bulletins to exiting parishioners, and other duties as called upon. New volunteers for Ushering are always welcomed. Please call the Parish Office at 563-0057 if you have an interest in becoming an Usher or see Deacon Dennis WELLNESS PROGRAMThe goal of the Wellness Ministry is to reach out to all those who are in need of spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental healing. Volunteers seek to serve those most vulnerable in our communities such as the frail, elderly and those without access to quality healthcare due to financial or cultural barriers. Services are provided primarily to our own parishioners. This free service is for all in the community regardless of sex, race, religion or any other factor. If you are a nurse or someone who can sit and give comfort to a person, please call Pat Dimesa at 563-0057. Do not be afraid to say YES to helping out those in need in our community! Start living a “Beatitude” today! WOMEN’S CARE CENTER PRAYER GROUPBe a part in making miracles happen. Step into Holy Ground by coming to the WCC to pray the Pro-Life Rosary for the Center. It’s employees, our Director, the Board of Directors, our benefactors large and small and above all, our clients who come to us seeking help for their pregnancy. We meet every Thursday, starting promptly at 9:30am and end about 10:05am. Only about 35 minutes weekly to be a part of miracles! We are located at the corner of Rt. 60 eastbound lanes and 31st Avenue, where there is a large PINK sign as marker. Park in front or at the rear of the building. Just enter through the first PINK DOOR on your left. All are welcome. Contact Tom Frederick at 772-567-6131, if you have any questions. WOMEN’S GUILDThis ministry is involved in fund raisers in support of the Building Fund, the Soup Bowl and Publix Gift Certificates to be used in the Wellness Ministry. The Women's Guild is always there to step in where the Parish or other Ministries need them. We also Host many Guest Speakers in an effort to Evangelize and educate members concerning our Faith, in line with Catholic Teaching. For further information, please contact: Terri Spytek, President at 772-559-3100
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Adopt A Soul
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A.L.E.R.T. - SPECIAL NOTICE MINISTRY
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Altar Servers
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Altar Society
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Catholics Returning Home
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Daily Rosary
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Divine Will Cenacle
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Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Communion - Mass
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Extra-Ordinary Ministers of Communion - Homebound
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Fatima Pilgrim Statue
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Food Pantry
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Hospital Ministry
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Joy of the Family
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Knights of Columbus
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Lectors
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Legion of Mary
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Library Ministry
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Liturgical Music
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Liturgy of the Hours
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Magdalene's Joy
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Men’s Bible Study
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Ministry of Sacristan
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Ministry of Social Media
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New Evangelization Ministry
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N.O.E.L. - Notice Of Eternal Life
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Parish Council
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Permanent Deacons
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Prayer Shawl Ministry
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Project Rachel
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Protection of God's Children (Virtus)
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Religious Education
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Religious Gifts , Etc., Etc., Etc.
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Respect Life
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Rite of Christian
Initiation for Adults (RCIA)
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Sacramental Prayer Group
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Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
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Ushers
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Wellness Program
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Women's Care Center
Prayer Group
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Women's Guild