Coordinator(s): Marianne Kirby | 757.472.7551 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To set the table for the Lord’s feast.

Responsibilities: To keep all the linens, vessels and candles in good order, and to have everything ready for the celebration of each Mass.

Helpful Attributes: A willingness to give a little extra time on some weekends to set up for Mass. (No ironing required)

Commitment: When scheduled, approximately 15 minutes prior to each Mass, plus some initial training. Periodic meetings are announced in the bulletin.

Coordinator(s): Father Rob Cole | 757.426.2180 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: Assist at Mass, benediction, funerals, weddings, Stations of the Cross and other liturgical functions.

Responsibilities: Serve at the altar in order to add dignity to the Mass. Assist the priest and deacon in their service to God on behalf of the people. Inspire the congregation to worship by your actions. Serve attentively and responsibly, with joy, love, dignity, and respect for God and others.

Open to males only (who have received First Holy Communion) in grades 4 through 12.

Coordinator(s): Emily Desouza | 757.619.9026 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To teach the Gospel to children ages 4 to 7 years during Mass.

Responsibilities: The leader follows a lesson plan that focuses on the Gospel and then leads a craft or activity. Before the scheduled Sunday, the leader is provided with a lesson plan. It is the leader’s responsibility to review the lesson, make copies of the activity, or bring in supplies for a craft. The helper provides supervision, redirects children with positive behavior interventions and assists the leader with any activities.

Helpful attributes: Love working with children; friendly, patient, and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Commitment: Once or twice a month during the 9:15am Mass. Leader must arrive early to set up the room. Lesson plan preparation is also required.

Training requirement: Yes

Coordinator(s): Deacon Gary McClelland | 757.426.2180 |[email protected]

Goals & Purpose: CRHP is both a personal and a St. John the Apostle (SJA) Parish spiritual renewal process. As Catholics, we are called to witness to one another the amazing things God has done for us. The CRHP process allows us to do just that—take a break from our busy lives, share our faith with others, and get to know God through his works.

Commitment: Attend a two-day, one-overnight renewal weekend at SJA to focus on where you are in your spiritual journey. Music, faith sharing, Mass, and individual and group activities help you reflect on your current relationship with God and inspire you to be open to the way God is working in your life. (Men and women attend different weekends.)

Coordinator(s): Rosemary Smith | 757.375.1908 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To honor our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration. Responsibilities: To spend one hour or more in silent Adoration with Jesus and to ensure that He is not alone. (The church must never be empty when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed.)

Commitment: The Blessed Sacrament is exposed on Thursdays from 8:00am to 6:45pm. All are welcome to come any time of the day and stay for any length of time. Parishioners are encouraged to sign up for a specific hour of adoration in order to ensure that there is always someone present.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Coordinator(s): Mary Humphrey | 757.239.4247 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To distribute the Body and Blood of the Lord to the faithful.

Responsibilities: With Communion being given under both species, it is necessary to have a relatively large number of ministers available at every Mass.

Commitment: The ministry is open to all over the age of eighteen who have a special love and reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. Special training is required and ministers are expected to be present prior to be beginning of their scheduled Mass.

Funeral Ministry (Liturgical)
 

Funeral Ministry (Liturgical) Coordinator(s): Mike Walsh | [email protected]| 757.544.1678

Goals & Purpose: To assist Fr. Rob at funeral Masses.

Responsibilities: To set up for a funeral Mass. To work with the funeral home and family to prepare the Commons area as needed.

Helpful Attributes: Commitment to the time required to help the team.

Commitment: Generally, three hours per funeral is required, as is specialized training. Meetings as announced.

Bereavement Hospitality Team

Bereavement Hospitality Team Coordinator(s): Jamie Ridgway | 757-573-8871 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To provide help for bereaved families by giving a reception following the funeral Mass.

Responsibilities: Four teams take care of the receptions, taking turns. Other members provide side dishes, desserts.

Helpful Attributes: “We work with our hearts and hands.” Having a caring attitude.

Commitment: When scheduled, receptions require from 2 to 5½ hours from each participating volunteer. No training required. Any meetings are announced in the bulletin.

Coordinator(s): Liz Newby | 757.430.8229 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To bring the power of the Word of God and love of scripture to others.

Responsibilities: To read, practice, and prepare for your oral reading at the ambo. Be able to practice and pronounce difficult words. At the ambo, read in a deliberate, slow, and clear voice so that the words on the page come alive for those listening.

Helpful Attributes: Enjoy public speaking. Have a willingness to take time to prepare to meet responsibilities. Must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic.

Commitment: Approximately one Sunday per month, plus preparation time, plus some initial training. Periodic meetings are announced.

Legion of Mary Coordinator(s): Suzanne Shick | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: Dedicated to the sanctification of its members and society through prayer, the sacraments and the spiritual works of mercy. Open to all practicing Catholics, 18+ years old.

Responsibilities: Attend weekly meetings; read and study the Legion handbook; perform daily prayer; perform a work each week with another member.

Helpful Attributes: A desire to grow in holiness.

Commitment: Three to four hours per week (meeting & works). Meetings are every Monday, 7:00 - 8:30pm in the parish activity room.

Little Company of Mary Coordinator(s): Joyce Leotta | 757.427.1604 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To visit the sick and dying of the parish, and to bring Communion to these members when asked.

Helpful Attributes: Committed to a life of prayer, in addition to service to those in need.

Commitment: Attend meetings on the second Tuesday each month, 6:45 - 8:30pm in the parish activity room. Be available to visit the sick during the day. Ministry training is required, plus membership as an associate of the Little Company of Mary religious community.

Prayer Chain Coordinator(s): Mary Ellen Roemer | 732.299.4165 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To pray for the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish.

Responsibilities: Receive the prayer request. Transmit to prayer chain members the requests and needs of the respective parishioners.

Helpful Attributes: Time to answer your phone and pass on requests in a timely manner.

Commitment: Every day, 5-15 minutes per call, between 9am and 8pm. No calls before or after these times. Social meeting once a year.

Prayer Shawl Coordinator(s): Office|757.426.2180 | [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: To provide parishioners an opportunity to share their knitting and crocheting skills with the needy of our parish and the greater community by gifting them with prayer shawls, lap robes and blankets.

Responsibilities: Combine the love of fiber arts with a ministry of love and compassion by donating our time and materials in the form of completed prayer shawls, lap robes and blankets.

Helpful Attributes: A desire to share your gift of knitting or crocheting -- or even your desire to learn to knit or crochet.

Commitment: Two hours on Tuesday mornings (when able), or devote personal time working on your own at home. No training required. Meet Tuesday mornings from 10am to 12noon in the parish activity room.

Regina Pacis Rosary Group Coordinator(s): Mike Flanagan | 757.430.1713| [email protected]

Goals & Purpose: Daily recitation of the rosary, in a group, to honor Mary and to pray for our intentions.
     Monday: The Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, and our Pastor.
     Tuesday: Christian Unity.
     Wednesday: The conversion of sinners and all non-believers.
     Thursday: Reparation of the offenses against the Blessed Sacrament.
     Friday: Reparation of the offenses against the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Responsibilities: The Rosary is recited aloud after daily Mass and different people take turns reciting each decade. Must be able to pray with an audible voice.

Helpful Attributes: To love to pray and to love Our Lady by recitation of the rosary.

Commitment: Approx. 15-20 min. after daily Mass at church. Meetings announced when needed.