Guide for Parish Ministry

Ministry Directory

Serving Christ’s Mission

Created by the Office of Renewal and Evangelisation for Mary Immaculate Parish Eagle Vale – May 2019.

Contents

• Introduction
• Ministries Listed by Area
  • Administration, Technical Support & Maintenance
  • Celebration of the Mass
  • Faith, Justice & Spiritual Formation
  • Publicity & Communication
  • Welcome, Inclusion & Social Concern
• Getting Involved

Introduction

Do you want to be part of a more active Church?

Our Call to Ministry

A ministry is service that reflects our particular calling in the Church, because each of us has been given in Baptism and Confirmation our own spiritual gifts or charisms. Ministry is done on behalf of the community.

At Mary Immaculate Parish we are inviting you to discern a 24 month commitment to serve in our parish.

Our Spiritual Gifts

Each one of us has been gifted by the Holy Spirit, especially with the gifts of faith, hope and love. Along with these gifts arise gifts for the building up of the Church. Examples of these gifts include teaching, helping, artistry and administration, to name a few. These gifts are used out of love for one another, and in service to one another.

Co-Responsibility and Accountability

Through Baptism, each of us shares a responsibility for the Church’s mission. Together with the priests, deacons and religious, all of us are co-responsible for the Church’s being and acting in the world.
Therefore, we are all accountable to one another for the ministries and services that we undertake. That’s why it is important that the community, through its leaders, discerns with each person their unique gifts and areas of ministry in which they might take part.

Ministries Listed by Area

The following pages outline the broad ministry areas and individual ministries that may potentially exist within our parish.

This list is not exhaustive. It gives an indication of the variety of ministries that may exist. This listing is provided as a starting point for our community in developing and supporting new and renewed models of ministry. If you feel God is calling you to a ministry not listed below then we encourage you to speak with one of the Parish Leadership Team members.

Administration, Technical Support & Maintenance

Buildings Maintenance Grounds Maintenance

Role: Provides routine maintenance for the parish buildings and grounds including semi-skilled carpentry, plumbing, electrical and other minor repair work. This person may maintain an inventory of supplies.
Ministry Commitment: When required
Spiritual Gifts: Service, Skilled Craftsmanship.

Church Cleaner

Role: To ensure that the Church and its amenities are kept in a good state of cleanliness. Normally done on Saturday morning before / after mass or on Friday night.
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per rostered occasion.
Spiritual Gifts: Service.

Counter

Role: To ensure that the money from the first and second collection at Mass is accurately counted. Normally done on Sunday evening.
Ministry Commitment: 1-1/2 hours per roster occasion.
Spiritual Gifts: Service

Financial Giver

Role: To provide significant financial support to the parish community. This person feels especially called to give money towards the mission of the parish.
Ministry Commitment: Ongoing financial support
Spiritual Gifts: Generosity.

Grounds Maintenance

Role: To provide routine maintenance of the parish grounds. This may include mowing and pruning with grounds equipment. This person may maintain a list of supplies.
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per rostered occasion – seasonally dependant
Spiritual Gifts: Service, Skilled Craftsmanship.

Celebration of the Mass

Altar Linen

Role: To ensure that all linen used in the celebration of the mass is washed and ironed and folded up.
Ministry Commitment: 1hr per roster.
Spiritual Gifts: Service

Altar Server – Adult

Role: To serve at the altar and assist the priest as commissioned ministers. They set up the altar and may distribute Holy Communion if commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
Ministry Commitment: 1½ hours per Mass. Rostered weekly,
fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality.

Altar Server – Junior

Role: To minister at the altar under the direction of an Adult altar server. They carry the cross and candles, ring the bells and gong and carry out other liturgical duties.
Ministry Commitment: 1½ hours per Mass. Rostered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Role: This person leads the children in the liturgy of the word during the first half of the mass.
Ministry Commitment: 30 min per Mass plus preparation time. Rostered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality, Intercession, Knowledge, Leadership, Music – Vocal, Teaching.

Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion

Role: To assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion at mass. The ministers must be suitably trained and commissioned by the Bishop.
Ministry Commitment: At Mass. Rostered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality.

Floral arranger

Role: The role of the floral arranger is to collaborate with the sacristan to ensure that the sanctuary has appropriate floral decorations in accordance with the liturgical season, feast or solemnity
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per roster usually monthly. Ongoing ministry training.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality, Skilled Craftsmanship.

Musicians and Singers

Role: To provide, as part of a new or existing music ministry group, quality musical and vocal support for worship at mass.
Ministry Commitment: At Mass. Rostered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality

Reader and Commentator

Role: A reader proclaims the 1^st and 2^nd reading at mass. A commentator provides a welcome announcement, proclaims the psalm and leads the Prayer of the Faithful.
Ministry Commitment: Preparation at home and 1hr at Mass. Rostered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry. (Skills: Good English and Diction)

Sacristan

Role: The sacristan ensures that everything is prepared before the liturgy begins. This includes opening, closing and locking the Church; turning on the lighting and audio systems; cleaning the sacred vessels etc;
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per Mass as rostered. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Artistry, Hospitality, Skilled Craftsmanship.

Wardens

Role: To take up the two collections at mass.
Ministry Commitment: 1 hour per mass
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Hospitality, Service.

Faith, Justice & Spiritual Formation

Baptism Preparation Team Member

Role: To meet and lead a group of people wishing to have their infant children baptised. This role includes leading one or two group sessions, utilising provided resources, and being a friendly support throughout the process.
Ministry Commitment: 1 hour monthly or fortnightly per group session.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Compassion, Evangelisation, Hospitality, Knowledge, Teaching.

Bible Study Group Leader

Role: To lead a Bible study group within the parish utilising the provided Bible study programs.
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per week for the duration of the program, usually 4-6 weeks.
Spiritual Gifts: Compassion, Discernment, Knowledge, Leadership, Teaching,

Catechist – Adults

Role: To provide adults with an understanding of the Catholic faith, teaching and tradition. This role is most often undertaken within the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults process of initiating adults into the Catholic Church. They are responsible for presenting these materials in a manner appropriate with adult education.
Ministry Commitment: Up to 2hrs per fortnight as required. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Discernment, Evangelisation, Knowledge, Teaching.

Catechist – Children

Role: The Catechist teaches Special Religious Education within State Government schools according to the approved diocesan curriculum.
Ministry Commitment: 30 min per lesson plus preparation time. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Discernment, Evangelisation, Knowledge, Teaching.

Prayer Group Leader

Role: Responsible for leading parish prayer ministry within a small group environment. This ministry is usually connected with one or other particular prayer style or charism found within the Church and parish. Examples include Marian prayer groups, Charismatic prayer groups etc.
Ministry Commitment: 1 hour per week.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Compassion, Discernment, Intercession, Leadership.

Prayer Ministry

Role: To commit to regular personal or small group prayer for specific needs in the parish. (Eg: 1 rosary per week; 1 Prayer group per week)
Ministry Commitment: 1 hour per week.
Spiritual Gifts: Intercession, Discernment, Compassion

Sacramental Team Member

Role: To facilitate the parish sacramental preparation groups within the parish. This role involves being prepared for the sessions, ensuring participants feel welcome and able to share in a safe environment and facilitating discussion as suggested within the program.
Ministry Commitment: 4 one-hour sessions per sacrament plus some preparation time. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Compassion, Discernment, Evangelisation, Knowledge, Teaching.

Social Justice Group Member

Role: Members of the social justice group attend meetings and work practically to assist the parish in addressing social justice issues, and in the task of spreading the Gospel message of justice in the local Church and wider community. This may include liaison with various diocesan agencies and external organisations, facilitating group meetings and parish workshops and promoting Social Justice Sunday.
Ministry Commitment: Regular gatherings as determined by group. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Compassion, Discernment, Knowledge, Teaching.

Youth Ministry Team Member

Role: To facilitate opportunities for young people to nurture their personal relationship with God and be supported and enabled to participate in parish life
Ministry Commitment: Regular gatherings as determined by group. Ongoing training and formation
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Compassion, Discernment, Evangelisation, Generosity, Hospitality, Leadership

Publicity & Communication

Fundraising Coordinator

Role: The Fundraising Coordinator works with the Parish Finance Council and Communications Coordinator in coordinating and communicating various fundraising projects and appeals within the parish.
Ministry Commitment: 1 hour per week and 3 hours per week during appeals.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Knowledge, Leadership, Writing.

Website and Social Media Support Team

Role: Offers a range of IT support skills to assist the Website and Social Media Coordinator for the parish.
Ministry Commitment: At Mass. Rostered weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Artistry, Hospitality.

Welcome, Inclusion and Social Concern

Child Care Coordinator & Team

Role: The role of the Child Care Coordinator and Team is to ensure the safe provision of child minding facilities within the parish environment.
Ministry Commitment: Dependant on events, but around 2-3hrs per event.
Spiritual Gifts: Administration, Hospitality, Leadership

Home Group Host

Role: These people provide a hospitable and welcoming place within their home for the hosting of various group meetings such as sacramental preparation, bible study, advent/Lenten groups.
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per session for the duration of the program, usually 4-6 weeks.
Spiritual Gifts: Generosity, Hospitality, Service (Helps).

Hospitality and Events Team Member

Role: To provide hospitality for parish events and liturgies throughout the year.
Ministry Commitment: As needed or rostered, but usually 1 hour per week.
Spiritual Gifts: Hospitality, Service (Helps).

New Parishioner Welcome & Visitation Team Member

Role: To provide opportunities within parish life to welcome new parishioners. The role includes the development and maintenance of a welcome package for new parishioners. Team members might also visit new parishioners in order to welcome them to the parish.
Ministry Commitment: 2 hours per month or as needed. Ongoing training and formation.
Spiritual Gifts: Compassion, Hospitality.

Pastoral Care Team Member

Role: To provide ongoing pastoral care and support to those members of the parish community who are recently bereaved, those who are frail, aged and ill. This support could be through offering pastoral care support and/or provision of Holy Communion to those in their home, nursing home or hospital.
Ministry Commitment: 1 hour per week. Ongoing training and formation  about 2 hours per month
Spiritual Gifts: Compassion, Discernment, Intercession, Pastoral Care.

 

Getting Involved

Now that you have identified some of your spiritual gifts and the possible ministries in which you might like to take part, it is time to begin exploring and becoming involved in those ministries. This will include learning about the ministries, seeking confirmation from the community, and asking for God’s guidance in using your gifts for building up the Church and undertaking some training and formation in that area.

1. Becoming Involved

Once you have identified a ministry in which you would like to take part, fill in the ministry sign-up sheets or approach one of the parish leadership team members or parish office and offer to become involved. A ministry leader will then discuss with you further about your gifts and the particular tasks and responsibilities of that particular ministry area. This is an important step in consultation and discernment.

2. Initial Training and Formation

Whenever we begin a new task, it is essential to gain some training and formation so that we can undertake the task to the best of our ability. Parishes, supported by diocesan staff, regularly provide initial training and formation for new ministers.

3. Ongoing Formation

As you continue to use your spiritual gifts for ministry, pay close attention to the results produced through your efforts. You can expect to experience positive results and a sense of fulfillment from the use of your gifts. Listen for affirmation from other members of the community. They will recognise and confirm your spiritual gifts, through genuine expressions of approval and thankfulness for a job well done!

Take up opportunities to undertake ongoing formation and training. We can always improve our skills and understanding of roles that we are undertaking and such formation can assist us in this process.

4. New Beginnings

All of us, at some stage need to move on and discover new expressions of our gifts and abilities. Many parishes have regular ‘sign-up’ Sundays where people can both move on from ministries in which they have been involved as well as discern and take up new opportunities.