The Commissions are guided by the vision, mission
and goals set by the council leadership of the parish. Each Commission
would include members of each ministry to be represented and staff persons.
The following areas, projects and activities will be coordinated under
their respective commissions with “Master Ministers” representing each
of the major undertakings.
Through the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation,
and Eucharist, every Christian is called to participate actively and
co-responsibly in the Church's mission of salvation in the world. Moreover,
in those same sacraments, the Holy Spirit pours out gifts which make
it possible for every Christian man and woman to assume different ministries
and forms of service that complement one another and are for the good
of all (cf. Christifideles Laici, no. 20).
Everyone has a responsibility to answer the call
to mission and to develop the gifts she or he has been given by sharing
them in the family, the workplace, the civic community, and the parish
or diocese.
The four Commissions are:
- Faith Formation
Faith First Program,
Good Shepherd Catechesis, RCIA, Sacramental Preparation for First
Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation, Infant Baptism Preparation,
Marriage Preparation, Youth Ministry, Interfaith and Ecumenical
Relations, and Adult Formation.
- Worship & Music
Lectors, Cantors, Choir, Servers, Extordinary Ministers of
Holy Communion, Ushers, Sacristans, Music Series, and Art and Environment
- Social & Care Ministries
Bethlehem Project, Magi Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul Society,
Coat Project, Paper Drives, Civic Welfare Projects, Homebound and
Convalescent Ministry, Health Awareness Ministry, Hospital Ministry
and Bereavement Ministry
- Community Life
Social Activities, Senior Group, Trips and Pilgrimages, Fund
Raisers, Facilities and Finances, Stewardship and Vocations
"The purpose
of life is a life of purpose."
I received a paper-weight with this saying this past
Christmas. I keep it near my television set in my room so that
I see it often, and it gives me pause to reflect on what I am doing
each day. Ministry is about living with purpose, a purpose that
reaches beyond ourselves, and even beyond the human works we do to help
each other, to the source of life and its destiny in God. Ministry
is living with a divine purpose and using ones gifts and talents to
advance that purpose in what we say and do each day in the various venues
our lives are lived. We are building the Kingdom of God.
The four commissions of our parish are a way for
us to organize a part of this ministry we do here at the Cathedral.
Music and Worship, Faith Formation, Care and Social Ministry, and Community
Life are dimensions of our life as a faith community, and the various
works that occur in each of these areas are needed aspects of those
ways of building the Kingdom. Of course, the Kingdom happens in
other places as well - in the home and family, in the workplace and
professional associations, in civic and political arenas, in our recreation
and social life -- the Kingdom is the ultimate purpose of all our living.
What can you do to advance the Kingdom in your daily
and weekly world? Can you become a part of any of the activities
here? No one is asked to do it all. Only God can assume
that kind of responsibility. We must do our part with the blessings
we have been given. Think about what you have to offer and where
best your gifts can be given. Pray about these matters.
Talk them over with your spouse, your family and friends. Take
the time to make some decisions about how you will live your life in
the months ahead. Who knows, you may find a new purpose in life
that enriches everyone with whom you live. God is calling you
to serve. Look, listen, reflect, pray andact on this call.
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