Serving

Knights of Divine Mercy Website

 

There will also be periodic youth ministry activities at St. Ignatius on Sunday nights.

Christian Formation Mission Statement

The Christian Formation Commission seeks to ensure that all children, youth and adults of St. Mary of Pine Bluff Parish have the opportunity to hear

the "Good News" of Jesus Christ proclaimed and to experience on-going faith formation which will empower all to live out their Catholic Christian faith.

Adult Faith Formation Opportunities (2009-2010)

Weekly Bulletin Handouts (September – May)

In the Fall of 2008 we began a series of weekly bulletin handouts to help parishioners to grow in their knowledge of the faith in just a few minutes a week.  The handouts are already 3-hole punched so you can save them and add them to your binder for future reference. The handouts for 2008-2009 related to Prayer and the Creed.  In 2009-2010 we will focus on the Sacraments and the Moral Life.  If you missed a weekly handout, extra copies are available in binders in the entrance of church at each parish.

Lighthouse Catholic Media

You can have access to the best teachers and preachers from around the world explaining the Catholic faith in your car, your workplace, your home, or anywhere you have a CD player.  CDs are available in the displays in the entryway of each parish – pick one up and listen today.

How to Find Your Way Around the Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great resource to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and His Church but its size can be intimidating.  Many people have a copy on their shelf gathering dust instead of changing their lives.  Take a few hours this year to learn more about the Catechism.  We’ll learn about its structure and organization and take you into the Catechism to learn your way around and discover the treasures of this wonderful gift of the Catholic Church.   FREE.  Catechisms will be available for purchase. Sunday, January 24 after the 8:30am Mass.

Bible Study – Mary Mother of God

We will begin another four-week Bible study in January.  This second DVD in the the Footprints of God series follows Mary on her extraordinary journey on location in Turkey, Israel and Greece with popular Catholic author and speaker Stephen Ray as guide. Down-to-earth teaching on subjects like Mary’s Immaculate Conception, Assumption into Heaven, and her role of intercessor, and more are offered in an energized, high-impact style that combines the best elements of a travel documentary, biography, Bible study, apologetics course, and church history review.   The study will have a 20-30 minute video portion followed by questions and discussion.  Meets after the 8:30am Sunday Mass on January 31, February 7, 14 and 21.

EPIC Church History Study

The epic story of the Catholic Church spans thousands of years. With an unlikely beginning in a remote outpost of the Roman empire, the Catholic Church now claims over a billion living members.  The persecutions, martyrdoms, conquests, and triumphs all came together to shape Western civilization as we know it today.  Our identity as Catholics means that we are the inheritors of the deeds of holy men and women who for 2,000 years have built a great civilization and spread the Gospel throughout the world.  Church history is not just the recitation of popes, people, places, and events; it is a story of adventure, intrigue, rebellion, reform, and devotion.  Come and join the adventure of Church History.  This study meets Tuesday mornings at 10am, January 5, 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 16, and 23 or Thursday evenings at 6:30pm, January 7, 14, 21, 28 and February 4, 11, 18 and 25.

ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) (8-week studies for Women)

The ENDOW program is designed for today's "women in the pew', women who are neither theologians nor philosophers, but are faithful wives, mothers and career women.  We will begin with Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Women: It is addressed to "all of the women of the world" and in it, Pope John Paul II gives thanks to all women, reinforces the special gifts of women, and calls to mind all of the contributions women have made throughout history. To accommodate a woman's busy schedule, there is no homework involved in the ENDOW program.  All of the material is read aloud and discussed when the group meets.  The cost for the materials is $60*  Scholarships are available.  Will begin January 24, Register Now.

Knights of Divine Mercy (For Catholic Men)

Centered in Christ, the Knights of Divine Mercy is an apostolate of Catholic faith formation for men, ages 18 or older.  Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s millennial call to develop the art of prayer through communities focused as training grounds in holiness and schools of prayer, the Knights of Divine Mercy seek to assist men in discovering a masculine spirituality as we explore the great spiritual treasures of our Catholic faith.  Every first Friday evening, September through May.

Basic Catholic Catechism Course (16-Lesson Course)

The Basic Catechism Course was written for the training of teachers preparing students; parents providing the spiritual needs of their children; people helping friends and family to develop and expand their knowledge of the Faith.  The course is a self-study correspondence course – you study the lessons and take the tests before coming to study group.  The study group for this 16-lesson course will be held 8 weeks in the Fall 2009 and 8 weeks in the Spring of 2010.  The study group will have a lecture to further explain the main points of each lesson and then go through the answers to the questions.  The cost for materials is $50*.  ($70 for couples taking the course together.)

Advanced Catholic Catechism Course (36-Lesson Course)

The Advanced Catechism Course develops the four main topics of the Faith as introduced in the Basic Course: Faith (The Apostles Creed), Grace (The Sacraments), Christian Morality (The Ten Commandments) and Prayer (The Our Father). (Participants must have completed the Basic Catholic Catechism Course)  Cost for materials $70*.

And there’s more!: Praying Morning or Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours after daily Mass, prayerful reading of Scripture known as Lectio Divina, bus trips to Men of Christ and Women of Christ Conferences, evenings of reflection, Fr. Rick’s teaching blogs, parish libraries, and much more.

To register for any adult faith formation opportunities or for any questions please contact Marie Lins at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or cell (608)469-3982 or at the St. Ignatius Parish Office on Wednesday mornings from 8-10am at (608)437-5348.

*No one will be turned away for an inability to pay in these challenging economic times.   Just let me know that finances are an obstacle so we can find a way to make it work.

Human Concerns Committee Projects and Programs

• Sharing Sunday - Every Third Sunday of the Month.
• Drop box prominiently positioned with envelopes for contributions by parishioners.
• Annual Collection for the Poor and Needy
• Envelopes placed in pews the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
• Hospitality Weekends in Conjunction with New Member Recognition
• Family and Individual Assistsance for Anyone Suffering Misfortune
• Food Drive to Local Food Pantries for Distribution
• Clothing and Blanket Drive to Help the Less Fortunate
• LAMP - Latin America Mission Project:
• A drive to help families of Latin America
• Directory of Parish History, Committees and Functions
• Christmas Sharing Tree
• Gifts to help make someone's Christmas happy.
• Santa's Sleigh
• Santa's sleigh to be filled by parish children and families for poor and needy children.
• Religious Education Kick-Off
• Assistance with a parish potluck dinner.
• Anniversary, Farewell and Welcome parties for our Parish Priests
• Pocket Calendars
• Wallet and purse calendars free to all.
• Newsletter Inserts and Posters for Parish Events and News
• Get-Well, Congratulation and Sympathy Cards for Parish Members and Families
• Mother's Day Roses Support for Pro-Life Campaign.
• Prayer Chain - Spiritual support for fellow parishioners, family and friends.

Liturgy - We are challenged by the example of Jesus to reach out in loving service to others. The committee works with the volunteers to make the liturgies more meaningful.

• Lector – Assisting with Liturgy by proclaiming God’s Word at weekly mass, the opening description of celebration, and expressing the prayers of our community.
• Servers – Assists our Priest in the celebration of mass.
• Greeters – The welcoming host of our celebration. To greet and assist the community with seating, collection, gifts, bulletins, and preparation of our celebrations.
• Cup and Bread Minister – Distributes either form of our Eucharistic celebration (Precious Blood & Body) and assists with pre and post mass preparation.
• Choir and Music – Living the celebration with song and music. For Choir, usually one mass (8:30 A.M.) on a weekend and for Music, one to three celebrations per weekend.
• Environment & Decorations – Adds life and beauty to the daily and seasonal celebrations.

Religious Education/Christian Formation - Provides for a comprehensive approach to Catholic education/formation following the structure of the Church’s mission. Programs include youth and child ministry (preschool, middle school, and high school), adult and family ministry, and sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage/FOCCUS).

Parish Organizations/Committees
• Buildings and Grounds – Identifies, evaluates, prepares, and recommends current and future physical needs of the parish property, its maintenance and upkeep.
• Christian Formation – Seeks to ensure that all children, youth, and adults have the opportunity to hear the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. To experience on going faith formation which will empower all to live out their Catholic Christian Faith.
• Finance – Carries out the work of the parish budget and the financial operations of the parish.
• Human Concerns – Concern for our environment of stewardship of all God’s earth, respect for life, parish relationships and the conduit to new members into our parish life.
• Liturgy – Nourishes and gives direction to the liturgical aspect of parish life. This mandated standing committee ensures that the parishioners are provided with opportunities to deepen their faith.
• Stewardship – To promote the concept of Christian Stewardship by a live an active role to time, talent, and treasure. Emphasizing the individual parishioner’s relationship with God.

Church Picnic and Poultry Party Committees
• Church Picnic – A planning committee with the responsibility to continue the annual parish fundraising event that brings everyone together to share and celebrate our blessing’s from God.
• Poultry Party – An annual mid winter family fun event to share with one another. Enjoy bingo, spin the wheel, the sharing of food, and good Catholic fellowship. The prizes presented are chickens, turkeys, and other fowl/poultry. Hence, Poultry Party.

As in every family, our life and vitality depend on the involvement and participation of all of us, praying and working together. Our Father will find a way to use our talents. He simply asks for your willingness to share your time.

 

 

 

The St. Mary of Pine Bluff Pastoral Council has a PASTORAL role on behalf of the parish and in relationship to the Diocesan and Universal Church. All Pastoral decisions will be considered for the benefit of the faith community. In addition to our responsibility to the community, we are responsible to our membership. We respect their individual contributions, suggestions and concerns. We will make a deep commitment to teach the Word of God, to share the treasures of time and to provide support by this example, "To Love One Another" Through our Baptism into the life of Jesus Christ, we are called to live lives of growing faith, of joyful trust and deep compassion of others. The Parish Pastoral Council seeks to foster this life in themselves and in witnesses to the Gospel in daily living.

The Pastoral Council is an advisory body to the Pastor. It consists of 9 lay members who are baptized Catholics and in good standing with the Catholic Church and it's teachings. Three new council members are elected each year as three members go off the Council. The Council is presided over by the Pastor. Two elected Trustees serve as ex-officio members. One Trustee is voted on each year as one Trustee goes off. Each year after the annual election, officers of the Council are elected: Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary. All Committees report to the Council which meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except for a break during the summer months and over the Christmas Holiday. Members of the Council also act as liason to the Committees.

The Council in the past few years has started a Strategic Plan and has been responsible for instituting a Stewardship Committee.