PARISH SCHOOL OF RELIGION
St. John Bosco Parish School of Religion presents our Catholic Faith accurately
and consistently so that our students may foster their faith and relationship
with the Lord. They are prepared to live in a community of faith committed to
the Gospel values. Many opportunities for prayer, Eucharist, Reconciliation
and study of the Scripture enhance their ongoing relationship with God. Students
are taught a respect for all persons and living things and are instructed about
social justice, peace, and concerns for the Lord's little ones. The Parish School
of Religion tries to accomplish these tasks always assisting the parents in
their role as primary educator.
Sr. Ann Martinek, O.S.F., Pastoral Associate 878-6492
LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN
This program shares the faith with our young people, grades 1 through 5. They
are dismissed following the opening prayer at Mass to the Church Hall during
9:30 A.M. Sunday Mass and return following the homily. They hear Sacred Scripture
at their level and share it.
PRE-SCHOOL OF RELIGION
This program is for 4 and 5 year olds and is held during the 9:30 A.M. Sunday
Mass in the Church Hall. Bible stories and coloring are two main features of
these classes. Parents of the pre-schoolers help out on a rotating basis.
SMALL GROUPS
Our Small Groups offer an opportunity to learn and grow in faith through the
use of the "We Believe" Archdiocesan Study and Faith Sharing Program
based on the Nicene Creed connecting Catholic beliefs to daily life. This is
a four-session program that will begin in the fall of 2002 and continue through
Lent 2004. Each season has six weekly sessions and a format combining readings,
reflections, prayer and faith sharing.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)
RCIA is the process whereby adults are initiated into the Church. The process
begins in September and continues for several weeks after reception/entrance
in the Christian Community at the Easter Vigil. The group meets every Wednesday
evening from 7:30-9:00 P.M. in the Parish Center except during Lent.
ALTAR SERVERS
The young people of our Parish assist the celebrant at the altar.
BEREAVEMENT COMMITTEE AND LUNCH COMMITTEE
The members of these groups offer support and comfort to the families of parishioners
who have died. They visit the funeral home, arrange for a Mass to be celebrated
at a later date and offer whatever assistance the family may need. They also
arrange for a lunch following the funeral if the family wishes this service.
(There is an extensive list of parishioners who very generously contribute a
dish when called.)
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Men and women of the parish who help distribute the Sacred Body and Precious
Blood at Sunday and weekday Mass. Some take Holy Communion to the homebound
on Sunday morning.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Each parish has a representative to the Archdiocesan Human Rights Office. The
Human Rights Office maintains a network of people from every parish for the
purpose of educating, advocating, and mobilizing Catholics throughout the Archdiocese
on issues of Catholic Social teaching. Each parish representative receives and
communicates information to the parish regarding social justice activities sponsored
by the Human Rights Office and in turn informs the Human Rights Office of any
activities within the parish, which focus on Social Justice.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
The Knights of Columbus is an international fraternal order of Catholic gentlemen
with an emphasis on family and service. The Cardinal Ritter Council is the local
organization that meets at St. Monica Church.
LECTORS
These are men and women of the parish who proclaim the Word of God at Sunday
and Weekday Mass.
LITURGY COMMITTEE
This committee coordinates liturgical ministries and oversees the planning and
preparation of sacramental celebrations.
MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY/USHERS
Our group offers a competitive SALARY and BENEFITS! Your salary is satisfaction
and you benefits are heavenly! These men and women greet people as they enter
and leave Church, distribute bulletins, take up the collection, straighten and
tidy up Church before and after each Mass and take care of a variety of other
tasks at the week-end liturgies. We need NEW members to join our FUN group!
To start your SALARY and BENEFITS contact:
MUSIC MINISTRY
The music ministry provides music during the Sunday liturgies as well as at
various liturgical functions at the parish during the year. The traditional
choir sings at the 9:30 A.M. Mass. The 5:00 P.M. vigil Mass on Saturday usually
has keyboard and a cantor. Cantors help by singing the psalm and leading the
assembly at most weekend and holyday Masses. A children's choir is formed for
Christmas and Easter Masses. Musicians and singers are always welcome.
LITURGICAL ENSEMBLE
The Liturgical Ensemble provides the music at the 11:30 am Mass on Sunday. It
features many and various musical instruments that accompany the inspirational
music that is sung by the choir. Anyone with the talent of playing an instrument
or of singing is invited to join this group.
PRO-LIFE
This group keeps before us, in so many different ways, the sacredness and beauty
of all human life from the first moment of conception until the moment when
we take our last breath. Be it by signing letters to our congress people asking
them to uphold the sanctity of life, or by donating to the Life Line Coalition
Collection, or by purchasing a rose on Pro-Life Sunday, the Pro-Life Committee
does the all important job of helping us to respect life.
SACRISTANS
These women give the Church a weekly light cleaning, wash and iron the linens,
clean and polish the sacred vessels, care for the plants, straighten and keep
neat the pew racks and a variety of other chores. They meet every Friday morning
at 9:00 A.M.
ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY
This organization meets the 1st Wednesday of the month in the Church Office.
The St. Vincent DePaul Society responds to people in crisis with emergency assistance
of all kinds. They sponsor the monthly Food Drive for St. Elizabeth, Mother
of St. John the Baptist Parish, Easter Drive, the Giving Tree and Back to School
Supplies, in addition to many other activities for the Lord's little ones.
CENTURY CLUB
The Century Club is one of the parish's longest standing and most rewarding
fundraisers. A $100 membership entitles you to a chance each month to win a
$100 prize. Also, there is a catered dinner/dance with open bar and entertainment.
This annual event features a drawing for a $1,000 grand prize plus several additional
cash awards. The Century Club is looking for members who would like to join
the fun and enjoy a gala event with friends and neighbors. For additional information
contact:
FINANCE COMMITTEE
This committee meets regularly to assist in the financial operations of the
parish. Each year a financial report on the status of the parish is made available
to every member of the parish.
Ron Brinkman Bill Mueller Fr. Gerard Welsch
Carol Cullinane John Shaughnessy, Jr. Gail Henry
Ron Jung
LADIES' GUILD
The Ladies' Guild meets the 4th Tuesday of the month in the Church Hall to plan
activities of a social and religious nature for the entire parish. Their Quilt
Bingo, Pancake Breakfast, Christmas Bazaar and Birthright Shower are just some
of the activities which the parish looks forward to and enjoys.
MEN'S CLUB
The Men's Club meets the 1st Tuesday of the month in the small meeting room
at the Parish Center. They have furnished the kitchen in the Parish Center,
set-up and tear down the Parish Carnival, sponsor the Lenten Fish Fries. They
sponsor a yearly retreat for all the men of the parish.
MONEY COUNTERS
Every Sunday and Monday morning various teams of men and women give an exact
counting of our offerings to the Lord.
PARISH COUNCIL
The Parish Council is a representative body that meets to establish policies
and set goals relating to St. John Bosco Parish. Its mission is to actively
reach out to all members of the parish family and welcome and encourage involvement
so that others will be drawn to Christ.
ST JOHN BOSCO QUILTERS
The Quilters of the parish make these beautiful works of art for the Parish
Carnival and the Ladies' Guild Quilt Social. They meet in the Parish Center
on Wednesday, 10:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M.
ST. JOHN BOSCO SENIORS
This group is for people 60 years and older and meets the 3rd Thursday of the
month in the Bosco Room at 2:00 P.M. to plan activities of a social and religious
nature.
ST. JOHN BOSCO YOUNG MARRIED COUPLES
This group is open to young couples and their families. We have a monthly social
activity, including a day at the St. Louis Zoo, game night, trip to the Butterfly
house / Faust Park, potlucks, progressive dinners, volleyball, and River City
Rascals games.
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
The members of the Athletic Association plan and oversee the sports of T-ball,
Softball, Baseball, Basketball and Soccer for the young people of the parish
and the community from grades K through high school. In all of their sports
the Christian virtues of fair play and sportsmanship are always primary. In
addition to the sports program of over 400 young people, many fund raising activities
are held and work details organized.
There are several on-going activities in the parish which you are invited to support:
1. On the FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH the,
St. Vincent de Paul Society collects CAN GOODS which are delivered to St. Elizabeth
Parish for distribution to the needy.
2. We have two PAPER RECYCLING bins on the parish grounds. You can drop off your used papers.
3. ALUMINUM CANS are collected for recycling. You may drop them off on the
outside of the north/west corner of the Gym.