WORSHIP & SPIRITUAL LIFE
ALTAR SERVERS
The ministry of ALTAR SERVERS is unique in that it affords our youth an opportunity to participate more fully in the liturgy by serving on the altar at our Sunday Masses. Both boys and girls, ranging in age from "post-First Communion" through high school, are encouraged to join. There are currently 40 altar servers in our parish, but we are always encouraging our many, many youth to join this ministry of service. Training is available at any time of the year. We are, also, in need of adults to help with serving on the altar for our funerals. Adults would need to be available during the morning or early afternoon hours to serve.
CELL GROUPS
CELL GROUPS are an answer to the need for people to relate to one another in a more casual and intimate setting, in addition to seeing others and worshipping with them in the church setting. Home cell groups, whether comprised of women, men, couples, families, or individuals, offer to those who belong the “personal touch” of being with people who love and care for each other. Each Cell Group takes on its own character, but all of them include the reading of Scripture, prayer, discussion, and sharing with the others in the group. We have several cell groups in our parish, and there is no limit to the number of Cell Groups that can be formed within our parish family.
Our parish FAMILY CELL GROUPS also meet at the home of parishioners and include a simple meal for all the families involved, family prayer, child care for the children, and a time to read Scripture, pray, and share for the Moms and Dads.
The “SPIRIT OF LIFE” Women’s Cell Group meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at a parishioner’s home, from 10:00 AM to Noon. The group uses “Exploring the Sunday Readings” as a guide to the Mass readings for the following weekend Masses. The format consists of praise and worship, quiet reflection, the reading of the Scriptures, and sharing, focusing especially on how the readings impact our daily lives.
CURSILLO
The Erie Diocesan Cursillo Movement is a special apostolate of the Roman Catholic Erie Diocese which provides an authentic experience of Christian community and a spiritual blueprint for living the Christian life. Their “retreats” are scheduled from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon, and a schedule of these dates can be obtained through the Erie Diocese. Many parishioners are “Cursillistas” (people who have made the retreat) and are willing to share their experiences with those interested in the program.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
A call to the Eucharistic Ministry is a call to serve God and His people through the distribution of Communion (both the Body and Blood of Christ) at Sunday liturgy, as well as to bring the Body of Christ to the sick and the homebound. St. Joseph Church -- Bread of Life Community currently has a ministry of 106 active adults who serve as Extraordinary Ministers at Sunday Mass and as Ministers to the Sick and Homebound. Those who may participate are post-Confirmation young adults and older who are (or will become) committed adorers in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel. Training for this ministry is available once each year. With Father Larry's recommendation to our Bishop Trautman, trained Extraordinary Ministers are commissioned for a three-year term.
HEALING PRAYER TEAM
PRAYER is the most important activity we can do EVERY day. In our parish, we offer many opportunities for prayer -- in our Perpetual Adoration Chapel, at our daily and Sunday Masses, and at the special services we celebrate weekly and annually. In addition, we have groups who pray for the special needs of our parishioners, their families and friends, and others in need. Our HEALING PRAYER TEAM exists to pray WITH people in need of healing. They are available after our 11:00 AM Mass each Sunday. They are most willing to listen to your specific needs and pray with you. If you feel that you have a gift of praying with people, contact the leader of the ministry.
LECTORS MINISTRY
What an awesome privilege it is to proclaim the Word of God! The LECTORS MINISTRY is made up of 38 men and women who proclaim the Good News during the Sunday Mass. Training for this ministry is available upon request. If you have the skills required to communicate God's message competently and the desire to serve God in spreading His Word, the Lectors Ministry may be right for you.
MUSIC MINISTRY
As a MUSIC MINISTRY, our mission is to follow the ideals of humble, obedient service to our Lord, our parish, and our community. It is our goal to lead the congregation and blend with their voices to send one joyous voice to God in praise for all that He has done for us. We strive to serve our fellow parishioners and community using the gift of music to bring people to know God on a more personal level, to worship Him more fully, and to spread His message through our music.
The music ministry at St. Joseph Church/Bread of Life Community is comprised of two different styles of music: traditional and contemporary.
The TRADITIONAL CHOIR sings at the 8:30 AM Mass on Sunday mornings. Accompanied by organ and singing traditional harmonies, this group sings the traditional hymns of our faith. Our 5:15 PM Mass on Saturdays is cantored by a soloist and accompanied by organ.
The CONTEMPORARY GROUP is made up of male and female vocalists, guitars, drum set, and trumpet. The group can be found at the 11:00 AM Charismatic Mass on Sunday mornings, where they sing contemporary songs by artist such Matt and Beth Redman, Chris Tomlin, and John Michael Talbot.
The ministry is made up of a group of dynamic, diverse and faith-filled people from within our parish and we are always looking to add to our family. The two groups combine for Christmas Midnight, Holy Week and the Easter Vigil, as well as other Masses throughout the church year.
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
PERPETUAL EUCHARISTIC ADORATION, begun in our parish on Ash Wednesday, 2004, is the gift of Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament in our chapel twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. At least two committed adorers are in the chapel every hour praying, reading, meditating, and reflecting. Located in the Community Center, access to the chapel is available weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. By ringing the doorbell at the Community Center. For those who would like to come outside of those hours, a call or visit to the parish office is all it takes to get a special code for weekend and off-hours entry. We are always in need of committed adorers at all hours of the day and night, since some of the time slots are vacated due to work hour changes, returning to school, etc. For more information or to become a committed adorer, contact the coordinators.
PEA PROMOTION
The PEA PROMOTION (Evangelization) Team for the Chapel is responsible for “spreading the word” about the Adoration Chapel to the “ends of the earth,” since it is the only 24-hour Perpetual Adoration Chapel in the diocese. Members of the team recently presented testimonials to the St. Joseph/Bread of Life congregation at all Masses, and their future plans include doing the same for our neighboring parishes — first of all, to let people know that we welcome them to come and see Jesus, and second, to encourage them to commit to one hour a week.
PRAYER LINE
Our parish PRAYER LINE is composed of many, many parishioners who receive special prayer needs on a daily basis and offer prayer for these specific needs. Needs range from physical healing to employment problems, from family issues to spiritual healing. And the list goes on. If you are interested in being part of this great "chain" of people who intercede for those who request prayer, OR if you are in need of prayer, call the parish office at 452-2892.
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
In the midst of physical illness or an emotional crisis, a family problem or an inner conflict, what better way to know that you are loved and held up in prayer than to be “wrapped in the arms of Jesus.” In response to this need for something “warm and tangible,” our PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY serves the needs of our parishioners and others by giving away hand-knitted and hand-crocheted prayer shawls, lap blankets, and Baptismal blankets. Some gather on Sunday afternoons, other work on their shawls during Holy Hours in the Chapel, and even others crochet at home in the evening — all the while praying for the needs of the one who receive this gift. Over 500 shawls and blankets have been given away in the short time the ministry has been active. All requests for these beautiful prayer shawls and blankets are filled, many times within hours of the call. Donations of yarn or funds to keep the drawers of yarn full are not necessary but certainly and graciously accepted.
THIRTY-ONE CLUB
The “THIRTY-ONE CLUB” is a ministry of prayer for vocations. Those who sign up select the day of the month of their choice and agree to offer Mass for the intention of fostering vocations in our parish, in our diocese and around the world on that particular day. In this way, we know that EVERY DAY in the year is "covered" with pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. If you would like to commit one day each month to prayer and the offering of Mass for this intention, call the parish office at 452-2982 to sign up..
USHERS MINISTRY
There are currently 28 men and women in the USHERS MINISTRY at St. Joseph Church -- Bread of Life Community. They are responsible for welcoming members and guests at the doors, assisting people to seats in the church, taking up the Sunday offering during the Mass, and distributing bulletins. Because of the larger numbers of people attending weekly Mass, there is always a need for more ushers! Men, women – are you being called to this form of service?