Ministries and Outreach

Special Liturgical Ministers:

Special Ministers of Communion: Confirmed men and women extend their love of the sacrament by assisting with the distribution of the Holy Eucharist.

Lectors: Confirmed men and women proclaim the Word of God at Mass. This ministry requires a commitment to 1 to 2 Masses per month.

Ministers of Hospitality: Men and women welcome the assembly and are responsible for collections at Mass.

Altar Servers: Boys and girls age 9 and up, as well as adults assist the priest at Liturgical celebrations.

Music Ministry: Seasonal or Special Event's Choir (Christmas or Easter Choirs), Adult Contemporary Choir, Youth Music Ministry, and Children's Choir, Liturgical Dance, Organists and Cantors, and Song Leaders who enhance the liturgical celebrations with musical instruments, signing and sacred dance.

Children’s Church Ministers: Confirmed men and women lead our children in an age-appropriate liturgy at the 9:30 Sunday Mass.

Liturgy Committees:

Liturgy Committee: This group plans and implements liturgical celebrations as well as trains and evaluates liturgical ministries. They also work with the Music Ministry and the Arts and Environment Committee.

Art/Environment Committee: This group helps establish an atmosphere for prayer and worship through the use of plants, lighting, and artistic decorations.

Christian Formation Programs:

Christian Formation programs at St. John Neumann strive to spiritually, intellectually and emotionally enrich the lives of all parishioners. The programs provide a coordinating link between Church and home.

Children from Kindergarten through Grade 6 may participate in: Traditional classroom programs offered at Thornton’s Ferry School on Thursdays from 4:15pm to 5:15pm or on Saturdays from 8:30am to 9:30am.

At-Home program offered to individual children k-5, by their parents.

Sacramental Programs: Children are prepared for and celebrate First Eucharist in Grade 2 and First Reconciliation in Grade 4 by means of a combination of parents teaching and community activities.

Junior High School: Children in Grades 6-7 participate in our discussion group program which includes community activities and service projects.

Total Youth Ministry: Youth Ministry provides youth of all ages many opportunities to further their faith development. The program is designed primarily for high school and junior high students with limited activities for families and elementary age children. Through a variety of activities and courses, youth are encouraged and supported in their faith journey. In applying the eight components of total youth ministry (advocacy, catechesis, community life, evangelization, justice and service, leadership development pastoral care, and prayer and worship), the youth not only learn about their faith but also discover how to live it. Within this program is the opportunity to prepare for and celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. The ministry also includes the CYO sports program, Cub Scouts and Youth Music.

RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children): Children of catechetical age who have never been baptized or baptized but not catechized enter into full membership with the Church through this process.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults): Adults journey through the process of becoming Christian or entering into full communion with the Church. Sessions are offered monthly for those who are interested in inquiring about Roman Catholicism.

Scripture Study: Adults combine Bible reading and prayer in order to deepen their knowledge about God's will, God's grace and the good News concerning Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Warm, accepting small groups meet for two (2) twelve-week sessions to share and discuss their faith journey with other Christians with similar values. Strong bonds of friendship develop as group members come to know one another.

Sponsor Couples: Couples engaged to be married meet with the Pastor to begin the process of marriage preparation at least 6 months prior to the wedding. Sponsor couples from the parish assist with this process by doing a pre-marital inventory with the engaged couple.

Parish Organizations/Committees:

Pastoral Council: A prayerful and discerning body that serve as advisors to the pastor. Many of the members are liaisons to the various parish committees.

Knights of Columbus: An organization of dedicated men who pledge allegiance and faithfulness to God and His church through prayer and good works.

Family Activities:

Donut and coffee servers: For the 9:30am Sunday Masses. The commitment is one Mass every three months.

Senior Luncheon: Quarterly Mass and luncheon for seniors.

Mother’s Group: A group of mothers and caregivers who meet at the church. The children have an opportunity to play with other children. The mothers have an opportunity to spend time with other mothers in sharing, supporting and doing fun activities.

Twinning Committee: In January 1998, we began the process to "twin" with the St. John the Evangelist parish community in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The intent of the twinning was to share our faith and cultures and to assist with the needs of the people of St. Vincent. To date we have had a number of visitors from St. Vincent, Bishop Rivas, Fathers Jim and Mike from the Kingstown Diocese; and Fathers Pope and Pio, Sister Augustine and members of the St. John the Evangelist youth ministry team of Mesopotamia. In the summer of 2001, seventeen (17) of our youth and adults traveled to St. Vincent for a 10-day visit. It was an outstanding opportunity for our communities to continue to share their faith and cultures. In the past we have been able to as a community to assist our twinning parish by donating school, medical and household items. We have also provided financial assistance for medical needs, building supplies and the immediate needs of the people of the St. John the Evangelist community.

Spiritual Enrichment Committee: This committee has formed through the pastoral council to promote and provide opportunities for spiritual enrichment. It is the committee's intent to continue to establish and locate existing opportunities for prayer, retreats and education, available both within and outside St. John Neumann. In past years the Spiritual Enrichment committee has assisted with an Advent parish retreat, and evening of information and instruction on the rosary, book discussions, Stations of the Cross during Lent, provided daily prayer and information booklets during Advent and Lent and has promoted area opportunities for prayer, education and retreats.

Parish Cookout: An appreciation picnic held in September for all parishioners.

Support Groups:

In response to needs expressed within our parish community, St. John Neumann offers the following support groups for those who wish to come together in "mutual help" and support of one another. The "mutual help" support is not intended to be counseling, but rather an opportunity for gentle, faith-filled support through prayer, reflection and sharing.

Bereavement Ministry: a team composed of trained volunteers who have made a commitment to be with the grieving loved ones long after the funeral. By being there, by listening, and by extending a loving hand, this team helps to ease the pain of loneliness for those who are journeying through the process of grief.

Re-Membering Church: A group of caring individuals who reach out to Roman Catholics who have left the church for a variety of reasons. Through numerous opportunities to share their hurtful experiences with people who care and are willing to listen, many of these Catholics forgive the wrongs they have encountered and return to the church community. They meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

Parish Outreach:

Outreach Office: Strive to share God's love with each other and the entire community by encouraging the outreach recipients to help themselves and by directing them to areas where help is available to their needs. The office also provides financial assistance with rent, utilities, fuel, medical, shelter and various other needs. Please call the outreach office at 603-880-4689 Ex. 20.

Food Pantry: A person/family can sign-up and receive food for three meals a day for fifteen days. The pantry is opened Friday mornings from 10am to 1pm. Volunteers are needed for serving and stocking the pantry. Special baskets are distributed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

Day Away Program: A respite care program for adults with early stages of Alzheimer's disease or other related disorders. Trained volunteers provide physical and mental stimulation designed to enhance the sense of self worth in each participant while allowing the caregivers of the participants one day a week to spend as they wish. The program is held every Thursday from 9:00am to 3:00pm. For more information call Kathy Hopkins.

Parish Nurse: The Parish Nurse Program involves volunteer nurses who participate in a nurse/church partnership promoting emotional, physical and spiritual well-being for all. This is facilitation, advocacy, personal health counseling and integration of faith and health. Church members are invited to participate in wellness programs such as Blood Pressure Clinics, Cholesterol Screenings, CRP Certification, Infant/Child Car Seat Checks and a variety of other programs to be offered throughout the year.