CATHOLIC CHURCH
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
MINISTRIES & SERVICES
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Ready to Get Involved? Our parish relies on your gifts of time and talent to help our faith community continue to grow. Learn more about the ministry and service opportunities available in our parish. Once you’ve found the opportunities that seem right for you, complete the Time and Talent Form or contact the parish office for more information.
LITURGICAL MINISTRIES
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Mass Facilitator: Ensure assigned liturgical ministers are present before Mass. Locate substitutes if needed. Adults
Sacristan: Prepare worship space for Mass by lighting candles, placing sacramental objects in their respectful places, and cleaning the sacred vessels after Mass. Adults
Extraordinary Minister of Communion: Assist in the distribution of Communion at Mass. Confirmed Youth; Adults in Good Standing
Reader: Proclaim the first or second reading that precedes the Gospel at Mass. Personal preparation prior to Mass is necessary. High School Youth; Adults
Altar Server: Assist the priest during Mass. Youth Grade 4+; Adults
Usher/Greeter: Welcome and seat people, take up collection, assist with presentation of offertory gifts and communion, distribute bulletins. Lead usher serves as coordinator of the scheduled team at Mass. Youth Grade 4+; Adults
Presenter of Gifts: Individuals or families present the Offertory gifts at Mass. Those carrying the gifts must be grade 5 or older. Younger family members may accompany the family to the altar.
Choir Member: Spread God’s love through music at Mass and social celebrations. A commitment to attend practices is important. High School Youth; Adults
Musician: Provide accompaniment for music at Masses and other parish celebrations under leadership of parish music director. High School Youth; Adults
LITURGICAL SUPPORT
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Liturgical Decorating: Assist with the design of our worship and gathering spaces during the seasons of the Church year. Decorate with appropriate materials and plants Tend plants throughout the season. Coordinator: Adults; Team: Youth Grade 4+; Adults
Liturgy Committee: Assist parish clergy with maintaining adequate liturgical supplies, maintaining candles, vessels, etc. in good prepare, changing sanctuary linen colors to match seasons as appropriate and maintaining supply needs. Adults
Liturgical Laundry: Launder and press liturgical items needed for Mass. Adults
Minister of Care: Distribute Communion to parishioners and other Catholics who are homebound, in nursing homes, or in assisted living. Adults
Money Counting: Work with Finance Council to count offertory collections after Sunday Mass. Teams alternate and count about every 4 to 6 weeks. Adults
FAITH FORMATION
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Adult Faith Formation: Lead faith formation classes, book studies, or small groups for adults. Adults
Children’s Faith Formation (PSR): Lead faith formation classes for children pre-K through high school. Prepare lesson plans with curriculum provided. Classes are held after Mass on Sunday from September to May. Safe environment training required. Teacher/Substitute/Assistant: Adults
Children’s Liturgy: Lead/Assist a brief lesson for children during Sunday Mass approximately 1 time per month. Children dismiss from sanctuary to a separate room. Curriculum provided. Safe environment training required. Leader: Adults; Assistant: Youth Grade 4+; Adults
OCIA: Guide Candidates and Catechumens through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. Team: Facilitate OCIA meetings, sharing faith experiences with Candidates and Catechumens as they learn about the Catholic faith. Not required to attend all meetings. Adults; Sponsor: Share the faith journey of a Candidate (baptized adults) or Catechumen (unbaptized adults). Encouraged to attend classes, retreats, and prayer and penance services. Adults
Vocations Team: Assist with finding opportunities that foster a culture of vocation by providing resources about religious vocations, sacramental marriages, and single life. Encourage parishioners to recognize and respond to their divine callings. Adults
Youth Ministry Team: Assist the youth leader to implement age-appropriate social, spiritual and service opportunities for high school, junior high, or grades 4-6. Safe environment training required. Adults
PRAYER
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Eucharistic Adoration: Sign up for a recurring 30- to 60-minute monthly adoration commitment. Adoration is held the third Wednesday after evening Mass. High School Youth; Adults
Prayer Network: Pray for those in need. Prayer requests are emailed from the parish office. High School Youth; Adults
Rosary Leader: Lead parishioners through the Rosary before Saturday or Sunday Mass. High School Youth; Adults
COMMUNICATION
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Newsletter Team: Plan, write stories, and publish the parish newsletter. High School Youth; Adults
Photography Team: Take photos at parish events for use on the website, Facebook, and printed materials. High School Youth; Adults
Social Media Team: Create and manage content for various platforms to engage the community, share announcements, and promote the Catholic faith. High School Youth; Adults
OUTREACH
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Ave Maria Rosary Guild: Make rosaries for overseas missions. Guild coordinator mails rosaries and teaches new members. Meetings only as needed. Youth Grade 4+; Adults
Card Ministry: Send cards to parishioners who are homebound or live in nursing homes/assisted living. Adults
Community Outreach: Coordinate outreach programs and events that help our local and worldwide community. Adults
Loving Stitches Quilters: Create patchwork comforters and quilts for donating to local charities. Prior quilting or sewing knowledge not necessary. Adults
Transportation for Mass: Helping to bring parishioners to and from Church. Adults
Meal Train: Provide meals to ease the burden of meal preparation during a transitional time; such as birth, illness, or loss. Adults
HOSPITALITY & EVENTS​
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Funeral Dinners: Plan meal hosted after parishioner funerals. Coordinator works with family to determine meal, time, and size. Team sets up, serves, and cleans up. Food providers prepare food to be served at the meal. Adults
Parish Events: Plan parish-wide events that build fellowship in our parish and the Nixa community; such as Parish Anniversary, St. Francis Feast Day, Easter Egg Hunt, etc. Coordinator: Adults; Team: Grade 4+; Adults
Penance Dinners: Plan meal for visiting priests prior to parish penance service. Coordinator oversees team members who set up, serve and clean up after dinner. Food providers prepare food to be served. Adults
Receptions/Special Events: Plan receptions or special events such as First Communion, graduation, priest celebrations, etc. Coordinator oversees team members who set up, serve and clean up receptions. Grade 4+; Adults
Saturday Social: Second Saturday of each month make coffee and set out snacks. High School Youth; Adults
Sunday Coffee: Set up community room before 9:30 a.m. Mass, serve coffee and donuts to parishioners after Mass, and clean community room afterward. Adults
Sunday Donut Hero: Pick up donuts for Sunday coffee and donuts gathering. Grade 4+; Adults
Welcoming Team: Plan and lead activities that welcome new parish members. High School Youth; Adults
FACILITY SERVICES​
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Church Cleaning: Parishioners work in small teams to clean the church once every 6 to 8 weeks. Duties include vacuuming, dusting, cleaning restrooms, changing holy water, etc. Coordinator purchases supplies as needed. Youth Grade 4+; Adults
Indoor Maintenance: Maintain interior church and rectory facilities per code, conduct general repairs and ensure a safe environment. High School Youth; Adults
Medical Team: Clinicians, non-clinicians, 1st responders, doctors, nurses, EMT trained, and AED trained. Respond to medical incidents during Mass and events. Adults
Outdoor Maintenance: Maintain church, rectory exterior, and grounds to meet city codes and ensure a safe environment. Duties include weeding, mowing, trimming trees and shrubs, outside building repairs, etc. High School Youth; Adults
Technology Team: Assist with setting up technology for children’s liturgy, operating audio, lighting, video, and camera equipment for Masses, events, and other celebrations. High School Youth; Adults
COUNCILS OF THE PARISH​
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Three Advisory Councils act as consultative bodies to our pastor. Members are elected or appointed by the pastor. For more information contact the respective Council Chair or the parish office if you are interested in becoming involved in one of these Councils.
Parish Pastoral Council
Finance Council
Stewardship Council
CATHOLIC ORGANIZATIONS​
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Local Outreach organizations are available to serve our community. Contact them to get involved or if seeking assistance.