WORSHIP CLUSTER

Liturgical Ministry

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes that since liturgy is the “primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian Spirit … the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active and full participation of the faithful both in body and mind”. Since the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is the “source and summit”  of Christian life, the Liturgical Ministry is actively and directly connected and concerned with all of the aspects of the liturgical and sacramental life at St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Liturgical Ministry is to offer the people of St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel worship experiences that foster a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. We strive for our parish’s liturgical prayer life to be reverent, beautiful, and joyful in the Lord. 

Liturgical Environment

These ministers work behind the scenes to create the mood for each of our liturgical seasons. 
They work with flowers, plants, and other items to create an environment that supports the theme of the liturgy.
The members of the Liturgical Environment ministry decorate and create a church environment conducive to worship.

Music Ministry

St. Mary's-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Music Ministry is always welcoming people who want to praise the Lord through song!  We are always looking to add voices to our choir (especially men!), and would welcome instrumentalists as well (especially guitar, bass, flute and violin).  Our repertoire for the 11:30 Charismatic Mass is very spirit-filled and contributes greatly to our congregation's worship experience. The Music Ministry also leads the congregation in song at special and during holiday times in the church. We invite you to come up to the loft to introduce yourself anytime!
 

Lector

 The Lector Ministry makes a meaningful contribution to Eucharistic celebrations at St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel as the lector proclaims the Word to the people of God. When one answers the call to be a minister of the word, one enters a deeper relationship with the word of God as revealed in sacred scriptures.  The lector takes upon themselves the duty and privilege of bringing the printed word to life—making it flesh.  The ministry as a lector gives voice to God’s healing and challenging words as it goes forth irrevocably to the ends of the earth, achieving the purpose for which God sent it.  In a very real sense, the lector becomes a prophet—one who speaks for God.
 

Ministers of Holy Communion

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion have been called to serve God’s people in a very special way.  In accepting this responsibility, Ministers of Holy Communion demonstrate their love and understanding of the Eucharist and are committed to grow in faith by experiencing Eucharist in our daily lives.  Extraordinary Ministers minister to the assembly at Mass by assisting in the distribution of Communion as well as to those unable to attend Mass because of illness or infirmity. Ministers of the Eucharist strive to reawaken in each communicant the fullest meaning of Eucharist. As Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion we answer the Lord Jesus’ call to serve.  Our service to St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Community is our way of sharing in our relationship with God while developing an ever deepening commitment to strengthen the spirit of the Body of Christ within the community.
 

Altar Servers

Altar Serving is a liturgical function in which young people and adults assist the priest and deacon at the altar helping to make each liturgical celebration more reverent and flow smoothly to facilitate prayer and worship. An Altar Server at St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel is offered the opportunity to grow in their faith and become more active in the Mass and other liturgical celebrations.

 
Leaders of Praise

Learders of Praise help to enhance and draw the congregation into the worship of God at the 11:30 Mass by leading the assembly in Charismatic praise and worship.

 
Greeters
 

The purpose of the Greeters Ministry is to extend a Christ-like welcome to everyone who enters our church for worship at the 11:30 Mass.  St. Benedict told his monks to “greet every visitor as you would greet Christ.”  This is what a Saint Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel greeter  should be thinking as he or she looks at each arriving person in the eye and, with a smile, welcomes them to St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The presumption in all of this is that one never knows what’s going on in someone’s heart or spirit as they enter church.  They could look great on the “outside, but be falling apart in the inside!”  A friendly greeting may be all they need at that time to calm their spirit and encourage their soul.
Our goal is to fill each person who enters the church with a feeling of friendliness and warmth.  What we say through our greeting is: “Before God (and us!), you are a beautiful person and we are most pleased you decided to join us this Sunday!”  What we are saying is that the greeter gets a worshipper off to a good start!  After that, it should be all up hill!
 We hope everyone who comes on Sunday will leave with a “sweet taste” on their lips… a joy and peace they might not have had before they entered our little church. Greeters should have peace, joy and love in their own heart at all times…and know that they are Christ’s representatives to everyone who enters. 
 

Ushers

The Ushers Ministry at St. Mary-Our lady of Mount Carmel is to assist all people in receiving the Lord.  Ushers are the visible ministers who provide personal service and courtesies to parishioners before, during, and after Mass.  This includes seating, helping to make people with special needs comfortable, offering any assistance needed by parishioners and collecting the offering. Ushers also answer questions, seat late arrivals, point out restrooms, and help with emergencies.  As the custodians of the church, Ushers straighten, organize, and secure the church insuring that everything is in order upon leaving the facility.  

WORD CLUSTER

Parish School of Religion

Welcome to St. Mary-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel  Parish School of Religion. Religious formation is a lifelong process of maturing in faith and an ongoing growth in understanding and living out the beliefs and values of the Catholic faith. The Parish School of religion provides catechetical instruction to children in grades 1 – 8, so that they can grow in intimacy with Jesus, be knowledgeable about their faith, and integrate the teachings of the Gospel into their lives.
Our philosophy is that parents are the primary educators of their children in the ways fo faith. St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish School of Religion is designed to support parents in their mission of bringing their children up in faithfulness to Christ and His Church.
Therefore,  we require all families who attend the Parish School of Religion to be registered parishioners of St. Mary-Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and attend Sunday Mass together as a family in our parish church each week. The Eucharist is central to our Catholic faith and weekly participation in the Mass is critical to our faith formation. Faith must be practiced to be meaningful and Mass attendance as a family is one of the most important aspects of faith formation.

The Parish School of Religion classes are held from September to May each year. Classes meet on Thursday afternoons for grades 1 -6 from 4:00 to 5:15 and on Thursday evenings for grades 7- 8 from 5:30 – 7:30 twice a month.
CATECHETICAL MINISTRY
The Parish School of Religion offers parishioners the opportunity to serve as Catechists as well as assistants and substitutes for grades 1 through 8.
Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to pass on your faith to the youth of St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish.

 

 

RCIA

 

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) is a restoration of the ancient practice of initiation into the Church, which is a process of discerning and ritualizing stages of conversion leading to sacramental initiation. Over a period of time those interested in learning what it means to be a Catholic Christian take part in weekly sessions where scripture, doctrine and tradition are explored and shared. Conversion and formation are celebrated with special rites, ceremonies and prayers. We keep in mind that it is God who invites and nourishes those who are seeking. This journey of faith will hopefully lead to the celebration of the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Liturgy. It is the parish community through its witness, worship, service and catechesis that offers the invitation and support necessary for men and women to be initiated into our Catholic faith.
Who is R.C.I.A. for?
1. Persons in need of Baptism.
2. Persons baptized in another Christian tradition
    who desire to become Catholic 
3. Persons baptized Catholic in need of
    First Communion and/or  Confirmation  

 

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Liturgy of the Word for Children offers the children (Pre-K – 3^rd Grade) of our community to listen to and share God's word and discuss its meaning and how to apply it to their everyday lives in a format more relevant to their age group. As stated in the Directory for Masses with Children: "great care" needs to be taken so that "children do not feel neglected because of their inability to participate or to understand what happens and what is proclaimed in the celebration." Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the school year on Sunday during the 11:30 Mass.
 

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is a summer program for children, grades pre-k through 6, designed to joyfully spread the love of God and listen to His word through creative, enjoyable, hands-on activities.  Held in the month of August, VBS is a week-long, half-day program run and  supervised by dedicated and experienced adult volunteers from St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish and facilitated by our talented young people.  The curriculum is theme-based, with activities centered around a particular theme each summer.  Activities include arts and crafts, performance of songs and skits, scripture  readings for children, and outdoor play.  Come and share in the fun! 
 

Christmas Pageant

 

The Christmas Pageant gives the children of St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel an opportunity to clebrate the meaning of Christmas by re-creating and re-enacting the Nativity story in scripture and song.The symbolism of the different elements of the pageant helps the children and all of those in the assembly focus on the real reason of the season - Jesus coming into the world.
 

Bible Study

The Bible is our source of  how we come to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. Bible Study helps us come to know Christ through the Word of God, which is "the mind of Christ." Teachings, discussions, and meditations on the books of the Bible help us to grow as persons - spiritually and personally - as we delve into the inspired Word of God.

 

Baptism Team

 

St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel Baptism Team welcomes into the spiritual community not only the child being baptized but also the parents and godparents. The members of the team help parents find answers to their questions about Baptism and usher them into the St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel family and the Roman Catholic Church.
The Baptism Team instructs parents and godparents on the Church's rich traditions in the Sacrament of Baptism. Through the encouragement of the team the guardians of these little ones can look forward confidently to the support, love and caring of the St. Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel community.
 

Marriage Team

 

St Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel marriage preparation program is designed to encourage and assist couples in their preparation for the sacrament of marriage, and to be there for couples after their marriage.
The process starts with an initial meeting with the priest or deacon. The process then continues with three meetings, with three different married couples in their homes, at mutually convenient times. The meetings are informal, and designed to promote dialogue among the engaged couple and the married couple.
Topics of the meetings are:

• Witness – the married couple discusses their married life, the highs and lows experienced, and the presence of God in their marriage.
• Spirituality – the sacrament of marriage and the church’s teachings on marriage related issues are discussed in the context of actual experience.
• Wisdom – a long married couple discuss what they have learned, their wonderful moments and their mistakes, and their continuing growth through many years of marriage.

The Marriage Preparation team is comprised of married couples from Saint Mary-Our Lady of Mount Carmel. If you have decided to marry, we congratulate you and look forward to meeting you.

 

 

 
 

Fellowship

 

Food Pantry

 

 

Homebound Ministries

 

Secular Franciscans