Good Shepherd ministries

Good Shepherd Ministries

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Good Shepherd Catholic Church Ministries

Pastoral Council
Chairperson: Father Marreddy
A Parish Pastoral Council is:
Defined in canon law

Can. 536: 1. If, after consulting the council of priests, the diocesan Bishop considers it opportune; a pastoral council is to be established in each parish. In this council, which is presided over by the parish priest, Christ’s faithful, together with those who by virtue of their office are engaged in pastoral care in the parish, give their help in fostering pastoral action. 2. The pastoral council has only a consultative vote, and it is regulated by the norms laid down by the diocesan Bishop.

A consultative body
A discerning body
A visioning and planning body

The Stewardship Committee is being integrated into the Pastoral Council and Capital Campaign Committee.

Members are chosen by Father Marreddy.

Finance Ministry
Chairperson: Rod Wurst
Members are chosen by Father Marreddy

The Parish Finance Council assists the pastor, who is accountable to the Diocesan Bishop and parish for the administration and stewardship of the temporal goods of the parish.

Prayer and Worship Ministry
Chairperson: John Kuech
Includes the Hospitality Committee, Assistance Committee, and Music Ministry
Prayer and Worship are the foundation of our faith life and must be continually nurtured and enhanced.
We, the members of the Good Shepherd Catholic Community:

Will gather on Sunday and Holy Days for worship
Will establish liturgy of the hours with Communion
Will sponsor events and devotions appropriate to the liturgical season
Will expand participation in Eucharistic Ministry, Lectoring, Hospitality, Music, and enhancement of Worship Space
Will provide appropriate music with selections reflective of the liturgy
Will sponsor missions and retreats open to all people

There is no set meeting schedule.

Beautification and Grounds Ministry
Chairperson: Lee Stickdorn
Our purpose is to improve the grounds of the Good Shepherd Church campus in order to enhance and beautify its appearance. Our responsibility is to maintain an excellent look in the eyes of all parishioners and the Administrator.

Evangelization Ministry
Chairperson: Ed Zeaser
All the baptized and confirmed in Christ have received the mission to tell the good news that God’s love is for everyone. The fulfillment of this mission demands ongoing preparation, education in faith for people of all ages, and a spirit of prayer that the message of Christ may be proclaimed by words and deeds.
We, the members of the Good Shepherd Catholic Community:

Will develop and employ a variety of activities to attract non-attending Catholics, attending Catholics, and non-affiliated persons
Will publicize church activities
Will provide visitor welcome cards
Will respond to visitor welcome cards

There is no set meeting schedule.

Social Outreach Ministry
Chairperson: Kathy Aube
The sacred dignity of the human person is the basis for the Church’s social teachings. Its social mission is characterized by a preferential love for the poor and vulnerable, thus ensuring the basic human necessities of life. Social action is an essential part of the proclamation of the Gospel. Faith must be lived out in action.
We, the members of the Good Shepherd Catholic Community:

Will tutor
Will mentor
Will participate and volunteer in service to the community giving special preference to the sick, the poor, the vulnerable, and the home bound
Will donate materials

There is no set meeting schedule.

Building and Facilities Ministry
Chairperson: Terry O’Reilly
The Building Committee consists of 7-10 members and is responsible for all new construction activities. These activities may include renovation of old structures as well as building new ones. A "Master Plan" will be maintained and approved by the Pastor which includes descriptions of current church facilities, planned building projects and supporting data such as demographic projections and estimated costs/revenues.

The Facilities Manager is responsible for the usage and general upkeep of the parish buildings (i.e. Church, Life Center, Storage Building, roads and sidewalks). These duties include: a) Preventative Maintenance Schedules for the buildings and properties, b) Approval for usage of the Life Center and church by the parishioners and general public, c) Cleanup procedures used after use of the facilities.

Respect Life Ministry
Chairperson: Donna Smith
"Good Shepherd Church promotes a Culture of Life"

Purpose:

To inform our faith community members of Respect Life activities offered by our diocese, along with those offered on the local, state and national levels.
To implement Respect Life activities within our Good Shepherd parish.
To invite and encourage all parishioners to be witnesses for Life through participation and prayer.

Prison Ministry
Chairperson: Dick Obermeyer

Mission:
Provide weekly Catholic worship and fellowship at the prison and follow Jesus' words to,"Visit the imprisoned".

Purpose:

Visit the McCormick Correctional Institution on a weekly basis
Discuss religious subjects and current events
Every other week Father celebrates Mass
The other weeks distribute Communion
Read and discuss the Readings for Sunday Mass

Prison Ministry
The Good Shepherd Prison Ministry meets at the McCormick Correctional Institution every Wednesday afternoon. This is a level 3 SC state maximum security facility. Every other week, Father Marreddy hears confessions and celebrates Mass for the prisoners. On the alternate weeks, Dick Obermeyer celebrates a Eucharistic Prayer Service. These services are accompanied by choir members Esther Milliron, Rita Bies and when she is in town, Arlene Fitzmaurice. Following the services, Dick conducts a Bible Study for an hour. …'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.' Mt. 25:40

Ministry of Lector & Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist
Chairperson: Dick Obermeyer

Mission:
To implement the changes from the Second Vatican Council and have the laity actively participate in the Mass.

Purpose:
Extraordinary Ministers:  Reduce Father's preparation time before Mass and distribute the Blood of Christ during Mass.

Lectors: Allow Father more time to concentrate on the Gospel. Read the first and second readings and the petitions.

Disaster Response Ministry
Chairperson: Barbara Zust
The Diocesan Disaster Response project is intended to assist Diocesan staff, parishes and the Catholic community to be well prepared for a disaster and to guide collaborative relief efforts in response to whatever calamity may occur in conjunction with the American Red Cross and other government agencies and church groups.

The goal of the planning project is to reduce human suffering. It is being developed to allow us to more effectively meet the spiritual, emotional and human needs of the diocesan community should disaster strike.

Good Shepherd and Sacred Heart Parishes have been paired with The Church of the Resurrection Mission in Loris, SC.
In case of a natural disaster Good Shepherd volunteers would be asked to open their homes to those displaced by the natural disaster.

Music Ministry
Jim Giles – Choir Director

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Patricia Demeter
The purpose of this ministry is to make prayer shawls for people who are suffering illness, grief, loneliness or other difficulties. Our hope is to reach out to those in need with a mantle of prayers to comfort, console and strengthen them.
Each shawl is a blend of prayers and talent, a gift made by nimble hands and loving hearts. It is a way to share God's love that surrounds us.

The making of a prayer shawl is a spiritual practice for the crafter. A prayer is said as the shawl is begun and then many prayers are added throughout the making of the shawl. When the shawl is complete it is blessed by the priest before it is presented to its recipient.

It is hoped that the person who receives the shawl will be comforted by the warmth of the shawl itself and the prayers and love that were woven into it by its crafter.

Many giving hands and hearts throughout the year enjoy their leisure time knitting and crocheting shawls. These unselfish works of giving are distributed to the sick and the shut-ins in the community. These shawls are all blessed by Father Marreddy before being distributed. Pat Demeter is the facilitator and driving force of this ministry. If any crafty individuals would like to present their works to this ministry, please call Pat at 391-2808.

Ministering to the Sick & Homebound
    When you cannot attend Sunday Mass due to being sick or homebound, we have Eucharistic Ministers who will bring you Communion at home, nursing home or in a local hospital. You only need to notify the office at 852-4722 or Dae Probst at 391-2042. We do ask that you please call us by the Thursday before the Sunday Mass to help us to schedule the Ministers to the Sick.

Caritas Ministry
     We have a ministry that will aid our parishioners in a period of grief and mourning after the death of a loved one. It is named “Caritas”. This bereavement ministry will help a family prepare the liturgy including readings, psalms, gospel and hymns to be used during the funeral mass or memorial service.
      The Caritas Ministry has prayer team members who pray for the deceased and their families for a year following the death.
     We’d like to encourage parishioners to pre-plan their funeral liturgy when they are healthy to relieve the family from having to do this task during the very stressful time after a death.
     To pre-plan a funeral or for further information on the Caritas Ministry, call the office or the ministry facilitator, Maureen Lorenzatti, at 391-4339.

STAR Ministry
STAR (Service, Transport And Respite), this supporting corporal service ministry of Good Shepherd comprises parishioners who aid others in need.   They transport parishioners in need to doctor or hospital appointments, run errands, carry out grocery shopping and offer other needed respite services. Anyone who has the need or knows of someone with such, please call the office or Donna Cone at 391-3188. Also, if you think you might want to serve in this ministry, please call office or Donna.

RCIA Ministry

Every year the Catholic Church welcomes thousands of new members through this process known as RCIA. The letters stand for Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and through the RCIA, interested men, women and children come to know the presence of God in their lives.

At our RCIA process here at Good Shepherd we put an emphasis on the liturgy of the Mass, Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church and commit considerable time explaining what all represents in our lives

If you or someone you know would like to become a Catholic, or if you were baptized Catholic but have never celebrated the Eucharist or Confirmation and wish to know about the Church’s teachings contact the Parish Office 852-4722. We also serve Catholics returning to the Church after a long period of absence, especially since Vatican II and would be pleased to have you as part of our RCIA process.