As it says in Romans 12:6-8…..
“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.”
As grateful people, we must thank our Lord God for all the blessings and gifts He has bestowed upon us. We must show our gratitude to our Lord, by listening and using these beautiful gifts, to help do His work on this earth. We hope you will embrace your gifts and help use them each and everyday. As you read the list of our parish ministries available at our parish, we hope you can keep an open heart and mind, to allow our Lord to guide you to your ministry. If you should have any questions regarding any of our ministries, please don’t hesitate to contact our parish office. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Parish Life
Our parish life ministry is a group of gracious volunteers who organize and put on our dinners and events in our parish. They organize from creating and selling tickets, to putting on the dinner and cleaning up. They help make our parish alive with the love and guidance of the Holy Spirit, welcoming all and helping to make sure our parish stays alive.
Fundraising
The fundraising group gets to together to find ways to raise money for our parish. They work together throughout the year to manage these activities and continue to come up with great ideas to not only to raise money, but to also bring our parish family together!
Bazaar Group
The Bazaar group is a group of volunteers, who use their time and talent of sewing, quilt making, craft making etc. to help raise money for our parish. Every year in November our group, along with the Parish Life committee, puts on a Mini-Bazaar full of crafts, baked goods, homemade soups etc. If you love to sew, crochet, create different crafts etc. this is the group for you!
Prayer Chain
Our prayer chain ministry has two different groups, that consists of those across our parish, in Lyons and Clyde. This is a beautiful prayer ministry, praying for those who ask for special intentions. This is an anonymous list given to those who are praying. Parishioners attending St. Johns or St. Patrick’s church who want prayers said privately and confidentially by the members of the parish’s prayer chain, may call Marianne Weaver at: 315-923-7153. St. Michael parishioners can call Judy Tuck at: 315-946-4011.
Martha Ministry
This is a wonderful group of gracious and giving volunteers who serve luncheons in each one of our parish halls after a funeral Mass that is held in it’s designated church. These groups put together a menu and provide a great buffet of food and drink for all those attending. Families are also encouraged to donate their own food if they would like. This ministry brings so much peace and calmness to a very stressful and sad time for families.
Caring Notes Team
This team sends cards on behalf of the parish. The notes of encouragement let our parishioners know that we are thinking of them in a special way and have not forgotten them. Occasions for cards include:
- Get Well
- Thinking of You
- Sympathy
- Special Birthday
- Special Anniversaries
- Home bound/Nursing Home
- Baptisms
- First Communion
- Birth of a baby
- Wedding
- Welcoming Newcomers
- Graduations
- Hands of Christ Award Recipients
Members of the team can choose which occasion(s) they would like to be responsible for, and the parish can provide notes, labels and stamps.
Caring Calls Team
This team contacts parishioners by phone to let them know that the parish is thinking of them and are keeping them in our prayers. The recipients of the calls are typically home bound and sick, and the goal of the team members is to call them about once a month.
The Caring Notes and Caring Calls team meet with the Pastor usually every two months to discuss any concerns and to add or delete names from the list. Team members choose who they would like to contact based on their time availability and familiarity with the parishioners in need.