2009 Litany of Ministries

Homily for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Isaiah 53.10-11 Psalm 33 Hebrews 4.14-16 Mark 10.42-45

A Christian is first of all a person who wants to be like Christ. And one of the main ways we can be like Christ is to serve, to go through our lives making our decisions and spending our time not just for ourselves, but for others. It’s counter-cultural, to be sure; it requires us to step away from the selfishness and individualism that dominate our society. To serve others is to recognize Christ in them and also to recognize Christ in yourself; to live for others while allowing others to live for you. As a parish community, we strive to be a place where that service can happen. On the one side, our staff and our parish leadership work to provide opportunities for those who are in need – in need of education, prayer, comfort in times of grief, food in times of hunger, gospel inspiration in times of despair, social connections in times of loneliness. On the other hand, these same ministries are opportunities for our members to become like Christ in serving others, in being the voice, the hands, the arms, the feet, the heart of Christ to those around them. And there are many ways we help to facilitate this service.

Continuing a parish tradition, today I will read out a litany of the ministries and organization of our parish. As I do so, I invite anyone involved in that ministry either as a leader or as a participant to stand and to remain standing until I ask you to be seated.

We begin with the leadership groups of our parish:
Parish Staff
Pastoral Council
Finance Council

Christian Service Commission
Soup Kitchen
Ministry to the Sick
Health Ministry
Pro-Life Ministry
Catholics in Action
St. Vincent de Paul
Bereavement Team
Funeral Lunches
Resurrection Choir

Faith Formation Commission
Commission
Parish Mission
Parish Retreat
Adult Faith Formation
Faith First/Faith Formation for Children
SPRED
Vacation Bible School
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
RCIA
RCIA for Children
Baptism Preparation

Family and Parish Life Commission
Family Connections
Welcome Committee
Parish Feast Day/Summer Picnic
Divorce Recovery
Marriage Preparation Sponsor Couples
Prime Timers
Young Adult Ministry
Child Care
Prayer Line
Catholics Returning Home

School Commission
Commission for Education
School Faculty and Staff
PTO
Technology Committee
Marketing and Development Committee
Students

Liturgical Commission
Liturgy Committee
Eucharistic Adoration/First Fridays
Lectors
Ushers
Greeters
Altar Servers
Eucharistic Ministers
Art and Environment
Traditional Choir
Contemporary Choir
Youth Choir
Children’s Choir
Cantors
Musicians

Stewardship Commission
Called to Serve Stewardship Committee
Tent Event Committee and Volunteers
Building and Grounds
Parish Newsletter
Capital Campaign

Youth Commission
Youth Ministry Commission
Our Lady’s Activity Team
High School Youth Group
Confirmation Preparation
Youth Ministry Volunteers
Youth Ministry Athletic Committee
Youth Ministry Athletic Volunteers
Scouts

Now that we have seen and heard the opportunities for service in our parish, only one question remains: how is God calling you to be his servant? And remember, it’s not about me; it’s not about you; it’s about God, seeing and serving God in other people.