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SPB Ministerial & Apostolic Engagement 2024
SPB has had a long history of engagement in the works of faith. For years, a certain pride was palpable because of the engagement of parishioners in any number of pastoral initiatives. Often, you might hear parishioners tout, “We have 117 Ministries at our parish”, and comment on the enormous good that so many of them carried out. Praise God for the ways in which the Holy Spirit has been at work in our midst!
To that end, it is time for a rebirth of pastoral zeal on the part of all the disciples of Jesus who worship at SPB, regardless of age, cultural background, marital status, perceived busyness, or real/perceived sinfulness. The challenge becomes motivation: what will motivate all of us to respond to the work of the Holy Spirit within us individually and as a community?
Responding to the Holy Spirit needs to be rooted in Isaiah 6:8 - “Here I am, Lord, send me!” Too often we place so many restrictions on our response to the call of the Holy Spirit. God must meet a lengthy list of requirements before we are willing “to be sent”. I will respond as long as . . . it is something I like doing; it is something I am good at; it is convenient for my schedule; it is with people whom I like; it is not too hard; it won't cost me anything; my work will be appreciated; insert other prerequisites here. This isn’t discipleship, this isn’t relationship, this isn’t unconditional love. Rather, this is cultural consumerism at its finest that makes me the focus: “I’m not available, Lord, send somebody else!” (Fr. Mike 6:8)
All of us are called to both ministerial and apostolic work as baptized Catholics. What is the difference between these two forms of the work of our faith? Ministry is classically understood as works for the good of the Church (internal), while the apostolate is that which we do to spread the Good News (external). While this may be an oversimplification of the works of faith, and some works have a mix of both, they place a spotlight on the two-fold nature of our baptism: that we accept the responsibility for the structures of our faith community; and that we also accept responsibility for its growth as evangelizers who share the grace that has been shared with us. Since we cannot do either apart from the vine who is Christ, we need to constantly ground ourselves in an ever-deepening relationship with Christ in the Church. However, we cannot wait until some perceived future when I will be “worthy/ready” to go out and spread the Good News. Ministry and Apostolate are both the work of the Holy Spirit, and we are obligated and honored to say yes to the call. A few weeks ago, I preached a homily asking all of us if we see ourselves as “guests” or “hosts”. That reflection may be helpful as you discern. Guests think this is for someone other than me. Hosts know it is our calling.
Below are just some of the ways that we are being called to respond in Ministry and the Apostolate at SPB. We ask each and every baptized parishioner 16 years of age and older to indicate one area of Ministry plus one area of the Apostolate in which you stand ready to serve (not to volunteer). We will be asking you to fill out a commitment card next Sunday at Mass. Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance this week as we all stand together ready to be sent.
Ministry
Liturgical
- Ministers of Hospitality
Create a welcoming environment for parishioners, especially at liturgical events (Includes ushers, welcome desk, golf cart, parking, new parishioner welcome)
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Assist with the distribution of the precious Body and Blood of Jesus during Mass.
- Lectors
Proclaim the Word of God from the pulpit during Mass/Liturgies.
- Sacristans
Set up/put away the sacred vessels and other items needed before and after Mass.
- Altar Servers
Assist the priest/deacon during Mass. This is not just for young people.
- Altar Linen Launderers
Launder at home the linens used for Mass.
- Liturgical Environment/Decor
Assist in decorating the Church for special feasts and Sunday Mass flowers.
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Lead 5–10-year-old children in a presentation of the Liturgy of the Word that is fitting for their age during Sunday Mass.
- Music
Sing or play a musical instrument for SPB liturgies.
- Counters
Help count the Sunday Collection (one weekday morning)
- Tech Ministry
Assist with video and audio during Mass.
- Wedding/ Quinceañera
Assist during weddings and quinceañera celebrations.
Office Help
Offer time in the Parish Office to answer phones and assist with light clerical work.
Event Arrangements
Coordinate the furniture arrangement/setup of rooms in all Church buildings for groups meeting in those areas.
Pastoral Council & Finance Council
Serve a term on one of the two parish consultative bodies.
Grounds
Assist with the manual labor maintenance of the 8 buildings and 40 acres of our parish campus.
Archives
Assist with the maintenance, ordering, and digital conversion of our parish archives.
Spanish/English Translators
Serve as a Spanish/English translator for written materials and/or for simultaneous translation of parish meetings/events.
Apostolate
St. Vincent de Paul
Assist our local chapter of SVdP in serving the material needs of the poor in our area.
Santa Ana
Assist with the relationship and support of our sister parish in Honduras.
Catechist
Serve as a spiritual companion to families and individuals who are deepening their commitment as disciples and preparing for sacraments.
Small Group Participant/Leader
Join with others to meet weekly as spiritual companions and to discuss the coming Sunday’s Gospel.
Funeral Apostolate
Provide a post-funeral luncheon for grieving family members and friends in Founders’ Hall.
Peace Garden
Cultivate/grow fresh vegetables on parish grounds to be offered to those in need.
Prayer Partners
Commit to prayer and offering of sufferings for specific individuals/needs of the parish. This Apostolate is reserved for the shut-ins of our parish.
Visiting Sick/Shut Ins
Weekly visit and communion delivery to one or a number of parishioners in need.
