In addition to our spirituality and worship life, our concerns for our \u201cSacred Space\u201d and\u00a0campus and our community and social life, Saint Joan of Arc is most strongly defined by\u00a0our commitment to our ministries, to the many ways that we try to be \u201cServant\u00a0Community\u201d in imitation of Jesus. With some fifty different ministry opportunities, we are\u00a0a\u00a0parish with ministry opportunities for everyone. The word \u2018Ministry\u201d itself describes a\u00a0faith\u00a0community that regards active service of others as constitutive of our approach to the\u00a0living\u00a0out of our faith. It is fair to say that the Parable of the Good Samaritan is one that we\u00a0have\u00a0taken to heart and put into practice.<\/p>\n
Our Family Ministry activities reach a large percentage of our families with activities like\u00a0Mommy and Me, and a Food Packing Day for teens (over 260 teens and 80,000 meals\u00a0packed) family friendly fun times for our children (Breakfast\u00a0with Santa, Pumpkin Carving, Easter Egg Hunt). There are many supportive ministries\u00a0for families undergoing divorce, grief and loss bereavement,\u00a0or financial difficulties (SJA Care Ministry). Other organizations like the Knights of\u00a0Columbus, Columbiettes, Council of Catholic Women have a direct\u00a0and helpful impact on families. Two that particularly stand out are the volunteers from\u00a0our Hispanic community that each year visit and provide food,\u00a0clothing and toys to migrant worker families in La Belle and the C.C.W. sponsored\u00a0presentation on the evils of Human Trafficking.<\/p>\n
Probably most identified with the Good Samaritan is the care and concern shown to\u00a0those in need through our SJA Care Ministry. Practically\u00a0everyday volunteer parishioners listen, sort-out a response and take care of others in\u00a0need. Through direct financial assistance to (landlords, utilities,\u00a0food stores) etc., Saint Joan of Arc makes a big difference in the lives of many. \u00a0The SJA\u00a0Care Ministry also collaborates with other area charities to\u00a0stretch our charitable dollars. Each client is treated with respect and confidentiality that\u00a0is appropriate for a Christian ministry.<\/p>\n
Many other ministries serve both to help the recipient and the volunteer. Our liturgical\u00a0ministries (Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Ushers, Altar\u00a0Servers, Choir and Musicians) serve and also benefit spiritually. Our homebound and\u00a0hospital visitation ministries are also equally valuable to both the\u00a0minister and the one ministered to. Another interesting ministry here is our Marriage\u00a0Preparation Ministry that assists about to be married couples in\u00a0understanding the spiritual meaning of their marriage and also provides many practical\u00a0helps to ensure their success in their vocation. Our Respect Life<\/p>\n
Ministry in one of its activities knits beautiful infant \u201clayettes\u201d and coordinates an annual\u00a0Baby Shower to benefit Birthline\/Lifeline. Countless other\u00a0volunteers organize and staff our International Festival, Our Annual Spaghetti Dinner for\u00a0the missions, Our Nativity Scene in Sanborn Park, Festivals in\u00a0honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Cobre. Finally, our Music Ministry\u00a0provides the opportunity for our vocally gifted parishioners to \u201cpray\u00a0twice\u201d as they lead us in worship hymns. \u00a0Many of our Ministry opportunities are \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d such as our Liturgy\u00a0Committee, Mission and Finance Council, Parish Development\u00a0Advisory Committee, Church appointments\/decoration Committee, and our Marian\u00a0Garden Club. Without their quiet serving our parish would be much\u00a0less wise and beautiful than we are.<\/p>\n
Suffice it to say that no parishioner has to look very far to find an opportunity to get\u00a0involved in a ministry and to experience the joy of selfless\u00a0giving. The Bible often teaches us that: \u201cby their fruits you will know them\u201d. The \u201cfruits\u201d\u00a0that make so much difference for the good are the ministries\u00a0of our parishioners. These good works attract others to our faith community and to a\u00a0deep experience of being united with Jesus Christ and continuing\u00a0His mission.<\/p>\n
If you would like to find out more about how to join a ministry, please stop by the parish<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In addition to our spirituality and worship life, our concerns for our \u201cSacred Space\u201d and\u00a0campus and our community and social life, Saint Joan of Arc is most strongly defined by\u00a0our commitment to our ministries, to the many ways that we try to be \u201cServant\u00a0Community\u201d in imitation of Jesus. With some fifty different ministry opportunities, we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n