SHARED MINISTRY SIGNUP- DESCRIPTIONS

Scroll to the end of each ministry to click on the sign up form

*indicates those ministries that require a Background Check and VIRTUS training
Pastoral Ministry
Community
Faith Formation
Social Justice
Worship


PASTORAL MINISTRY
Contact: Bonnie Steele, Director of Pastoral Ministry
763-425-6505, ext. 228 e-mail: bsteele@sjtw.net

Our conviction is that all parishioners are pastoral ministers whenever we care for others’ physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological needs in the way that Jesus did. We also strive to recognize gifts in others and encourage their use for growing the Body of Christ.

WELCOME TEAM FOR NEW PARISHIONERS
This team provides Orientation every third Sunday, 9:30-10:30 am, as well as the Welcome Event in October and April, 3:15-5:15 pm.

*CHILD CARE FOR WELCOME EVENT
Care for children in our nursery from 3:15 – 4:30 pm during our Welcome Event.

PRAYER TEAM
Parishioners pray for needs listed in our Book of Intercessions. This may be done at home or among Faith Sharing Groups. The list can be e-mailed or snail-mailed to you.

WEEKEND SOCIAL HOUR HOST/HOSTESS
Work with other parishioners to serve beverages and goodies from our kitchen. Families, groups, singles, and other individuals are encouraged to serve here. Each week we need: 2 for 5:00 pm Saturdays, 4 for 8:30 am Sundays, 4 for 10:30 am Sundays, and 4 for 5:30 pm Sundays

FUNERAL MINISTRY
For each funeral we need help to prepare and serve funeral luncheons and to donate salads/desserts. The day of the funeral an early morning crew does the set up and preparation for the luncheon, an afternoon crew cleans up after the luncheon.

STEPHEN MINISTER
These persons are trained to listen, care, encourage, pray, and walk alongside an individual who needs caring during difficult times. If interested, the next training will start in January of 2011. You may be called during summer or fall of 2010.

PASTORAL MINISTRY BOARD
This Board is concerned with physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, and welcoming needs of parishioners. We are looking for four new members to start a three-year term in the 2008-2009 season. Meetings are held monthly except July and December.

ANGEL QUILTERS
People of any age meet every other Tuesday at the home of Deacon Don and Dorothy to make quilts for the homeless. More than 1,800 quilts have been made and delivered.

GADABOUTS
We gather once a month to socialize over meals or a sightseeing trip, to pray and reflect, to hear presentations of interest to Seniors, and to enjoy each other’s friendship. Anyone 55 years or older is welcome to join us.

MINISTRY TO THE HOMEBOUND AND HOSPITALIZED
Visit and take Communion to persons who are homebound or hospitalized

SEASONS OF HOPE BEREAVEMENT GROUP
Seasons of Hope is a Christ-centered faith sharing group for those who have lost a loved one to death. Meeting time includes prayer, scripture, faith sharing, and fellowship.

DBSA: DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE
Peer-led, confidential self-help support group meetings for those struggling with depression and bipolar disorder.

SCRIPTURAL ROSARY
Praying the rosary is a beloved Catholic custom that links the gospel and contemplative prayer. Mindful worship and reflection every Monday from 10:30-10:55 am.

*indicates those ministries that require a Background Check and VIRTUS training

PASTORAL MINISTRY SIGN UP FORM LINK


COMMUNITY
Contact: Mary Jo Dickinson, Parish Business Administrator
763-425-6505, ext. 225 e-mail: mjdickinson@sjtw.net

Below find a brief description listing the major tasks and responsibilities of each ministry. Each minister should be willing to devote preparation time, be able to work in a team setting, be open to learning and trying new things and be dependable.

PASTORAL COUNCIL The primary responsibility of the Pastoral Council is to provide consultation to the Pastor. It is the Pastoral Council’s responsibility to identify the needs of the parishioners. It is responsible for effective implementation of the Parish Mission Statement. The Council oversees the allocation of financial and human resources. The Pastoral Council can be comprised of nine (9) parishioners serving three (3) year terms. The Pastor is a permanent member.

FINANCE COUNCIL
Requires knowledge of financial statements and budget process. Reviews all parish financial transactions. Recommends financial goals and objectives. Recommends annual parish budget. Accountable to the Pastor and the Administrative Group. Meets 10 times per year.

GARDEN MINISTRY

The Garden Ministry enhances our community awareness of God’s gift of nature through beautifying the landscape of our church. Physical activities, planting, weeding, watering, etc. are from April through October, with planning beginning in January. Approximately five hours per month.

OFFICE VOLUNTEER HELP
Throughout the year with various office tasks including: stuffing bulletins, preparing bulk mailings, folding newsletters, answering the phone, making calls, etc.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #13359
All Catholic men are invited and encouraged to join the local council of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s fraternal benefit society. St. Joseph the Worker Council 13359 promotes social and intellectual fellowship among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, and social welfare works. The local council meets on the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 pm at St. Joseph and on an as needed basis for fund-raising pancake breakfasts and dinners, church maintenance activities, and programs to support groups such as Special Olympics, Boy Scouts, Venture Crew, and special needs of the parish. Attendance is not mandatory at meetings or functions. Join us today and attend when you have the time.

*CHILD CARE MINISTRY                  Cassie Merhar e-mail: nursery@sjtw.net
Essential for any effective ministry to families is quality care for their babies and toddlers while they are at programs or Liturgies at St. Joseph’s. We are always in need of dedicated individuals who love children and have the patience and skills to make their time here enjoyable and safe. Contact us for further information.
*Childcare (adults or teens) during Adult and Family events.
*8:30 am Nursery Helper during Sunday Eucharist.
*10:30 am Nursery Helper during Sunday Eucharist
*Nursery Helper at any Eucharist time.

*indicates those ministries that require a Background Check and VIRTUS training

COMMUNITY SIGN UP FORM LINK


FAITH FORMATION
Contact: Ruth Fleming, Director of Faith Formation
763-425-9801, ext. 230 e-mail: ruth@sjtw.net

One of the highest priorities of St Joseph the Worker Parish is to provide quality Faith Formation for all of its’ members. ȁIt is the task of catechesis to show who Jesus Christ is, His life and ministry, and to present the Christian faith as the following of His person." - #41 from the General Catechetical Directory. SJTW strives to teach the gospel values of Jesus Christ and encourage response to the Holy Spirit through the development of a vital, ongoing relationship with God, our Creator. We emphasize the development of adult and family spirituality, as it is in the adult Christian community that faith is modeled and shared leading to the formation of youth and children. Church documents have affirmed that adult faith formation should not be an afterthought in parish priorities, but should be at the center of our faith formation efforts. A spiritually alive and updated adult Catholic community requires that we take advantage of learning opportunities and constantly seek to grow in our own faith.

We have been blessed to have many adults in our community answer the call to serve in our parish’s Faith Formation ministry! It takes over 150 volunteers to provide for the needs of our parish’s 1150+ children and youth, not including the number of adults that we seek to serve. We hope you will take the time to read what some of our parish’s needs are and prayerfully consider your involvement this year. We invite you to visit with any of the Faith Formation team or call the Faith Formation Office for information regarding position descriptions, training, etc. 763- 425-9801

FAITH FORMATION ADVISORY COMMITTEES Faith Formation 763-425-9801
Members serve at will on various committees and sub-committees, meeting approximately once a month. The Advisory Committees provide an essential service to the parish by developing and reviewing policies, evaluating programs, needs and the overall direction of our Faith Formation programs. Currently there are three committees: Adult, Youth and Children’ Advisory Committees open to any interested parishioners.

FAITH FORMATION OFFICE             Joan Burnett 763-425-9801, ext.232 e-mail: faithform@sjtw.net
Help is always welcome! Volunteers are needed to assist with bulk mailings, copying, materials preparation, phone calls, etc. It takes many hands to tend to a village of Faith.

ADULT AND FAMILY ENRICHMENT         Ruth Fleming, 763-425-9801, ext. 230 e-mail: ruth@sjtw.net
There are many activities and events offered in this area and opportunities to volunteer are just as varied. Some are one-time events and short term for volunteers and others are ongoing events. We need your help to make them possible. Enrichment includes, but is not limited to, speaker series, Bible studies, and special events such as mini-retreats, plays, Parish Mission, etc.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION             Ruth Fleming, 763- 425-9801, ext. 230 e-mail: ruth@sjtw.net Assistance is needed to help both children and adults prepare for sacraments (RCIA, OCIC, Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Marriage).

RCIA Sponsors or RCIA Team – Adults needed to journey with other adults who are preparing to complete their initiation into the Catholic Church. As a sponsor you would attend the Rites and the RCIA sessions on Tuesday evenings.

*OCIC Sponsors – Individuals and families are needed to support families whose children are preparing for reception of the sacraments of initiation. As a sponsor you would attend the Rites and OCIC sessions on Tuesday evenings.

Companion Couples for Marriage Preparation. – Couples who have been married for at least four years are needed to minister to couples that are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Training is provided.

Sacramental Preparation Program Help – Assist with planning, setup and facilitation of Parent & Child Workshops or Parent Sessions.

Small Group Leaders – Adults who are willing to assist with sacramental prep for high school students are needed; Meetings are once a month for a total of six sessions.

Baptism Hosts/Hostesses – Individuals or couples with children (or grown children) willing to assist with Baptism preparation by providing welcome and hospitality for those preparing for the sacrament.

*SENIOR HIGH                            Barry Shay 763-425-9801, ext. 235 e-mail: bshay@sjtw.net
*Senior High Small Group Leaders - facilitate small group faith sharing and prayer, and model the ethic of Christian love and service to God and each other. Senior High small group leaders work with a group of ten to fifteen teens ranging from grades 9 through 12. Meetings occur at the Parish in conjunction with the program LifeTeen on Sunday nights twice a month.

*LifeTeen Core Team is a group of adult volunteers who help plan and implement catechetical lessons and activities for LifeNights that follows the 5:30 pm Liturgy on nearly all Sunday evenings, September through April. Core team members with interest in music, drama, games, speaking and witnessing to the Faith are needed to work with youth from grades 9-12.

*Youth Ministry Adult Volunteers are people who offer their time to work with teens on a periodic, as needed basis. Volunteers are needed to help with things such as chaperoning retreats, supervising recreation nights, helping with special events, and supervising youth ministry outings.

*Teen Retreat and Summer Stretch Leader positions are for those teens in grades 9 through 12 who are willing to minister to younger SJTW students through retreats, prayer, social activities, service projects, and faith sharing. Teen retreat leaders are needed for retreats throughout the year for grades six, seven, and eight. Summer Stretch Leaders are needed for one day of the week through six weeks of the summer.

*JUNIOR HIGH                      Barry Shay 763-425-9801, ext. 235 e-mail: bshay@sjtw.net
Always an energetic group, Junior High is one of the most exciting areas to share your Faith. Grades seven and eight meet Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:15 pm at the Parish. (Grade Nine Groups will meet on Sundays for LifeNights with the Senior High group. The Grader 9 will begin with 5:30 pm Sunday Liturgy and end with small group sessions from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.)

*Junior High Catechist receives training, schedules, materials and support to assist them. Individuals interested in sharing their time with some dynamic teens are asked to call for information. Catechists work with a small group of 10-12 teens from October through April and assist with large group experiences, speakers and social justice projects.

* Junior High Aide – Hall monitor, classroom or large group assistant.

* Junior High Youth Ministry – Assist with retreats, Summer Stretch, social or service activities. Chaperone events. Help with various drama or music events. Youth Room volunteers for social evening and District 279 days off.

* Teen Vacation Bible School Leader positions are for teens entering seventh through ninth grade who are willing to minister to younger SJTW students during our parish’s weeklong Vacation Bible School, usually held the third week in June.

*ELEMENTARY              Lisa Maliszewski, 763-425-9801, ext. 236 e-mail: lisam@sjtw.net
This program for Grades one through six has the largest enrollment and, therefore, the greatest need for ministry from catechists and aides. Sessions for Faith Formation are at 4:45 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and at 6:30 pm on Tuesdays. Sessions for FEAST and OCIC (Faith Communities for families) are on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm.

*Elementary Catechist Team Teaching/Co-Catechist Catechists are asked to commit for eight months, October through April. Team Teaching is a possibility (catechists take turns preparing for lessons on alternate weeks). 2nd Grade Catechists assist with preparation for First Eucharist and fourth Grade Catechists work with Reconciliation preparation.

*Classroom Aides are also needed, especially in our younger grades. Aides do not have to prepare lessons but assist with classroom activities that the Catechist designs; aides can be youth who are Senior High age.

*Hall Monitors, Office Helpers, Child Care providers are also needed. This can be a short term or long term commitment depending on the volunteer’s needs.

*Vacation Bible School – Co-Chair, Station Leader, Crew Leader VBS is a one week program, usually held the third week of June, and many different volunteer positions are available ranging from Co-Chairs, Station Leaders, Crew Leaders, Musicians, etc.

*PRESCHOOL                 Lisa Maliszewski, 763-425-9801, ext. 236 e-mail: lisam@sjtw.net
Without a doubt, one of the most satisfying faith sharing areas is our Preschool Program.
*Catechists and substitute catechists are needed to take a group of 8 to 12 children during weekend Liturgies. This is an eight-month commitment of roughly three weekends a month. Team teaching is a preferred option. The program includes weekly group music time, seasonal projects, social justice projects, and a Christmas program.
*Group aides are needed to assist catechists and children.
*A costume coordinator(s) is also needed to assist with mending and laundering of costumes for the Christmas Program. Catechists may be adult, or youth who have been confirmed; aides may be youth who are Junior or Senior High age.

*indicates those ministries that require a Background Check and VIRTUS training

FAITH FORMATION SIGN UP FORM LINK


SOCIAL JUSTICE
Contact: Roxanne Smith, Director of Social Justice
763-425-6505, ext. 226 e-mail: rsstjoes@yahoo.com

Our mission is to build a community which welcomes and cares for all people, which reaches out to the deprived and oppressed and works for justice on their behalf. Our outreach includes offering a hand up to our fellow brothers and sisters who are struggling on their journey and working to change systems that oppress them. Our vision for this faith community is that Social Justice be the shared work of every parishioner.

Caring for Creation Action Team
In an effort to be good stewards of God’s creation, we have formed an action team to address issues of global climate change and living simpler lives.

Housing for All
St. Joe’s parish in collaboration with other Maple Grove faith communities is working to promote and advocate for more life cycle housing for people in all stages of life in our Northwest communities. The group meets monthly the first Thursday of each month at 9 am.

ISAIAH Core Teams
St. Joe’s is part of a collective of over 90 churches who have committed themselves to each other in order to build power for a worldview that includes racial and economic justice for all God’s children. We have issue teams that you are invited to be part of:

JustFaith
The program is designed to empower and transform participants so that they can become voices for the voiceless and agents of God’s good news to the poor. The program will run from September to May for 30 weeks. Limited to the first 15 to sign up.

St. Joe’s A Community Caring for Life (ACCL)
This is our parish’s response to any woman in a crisis pregnancy. There is a need for:

Angel Network
This ministry is available to assist our fellow parishioners in times of crisis with:

Loaves and Fishes
We serve an evening meal to our fellow brothers and sisters at Holy Rosary Church in south Minneapolis, on the third Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September and November.

Mother’s Day Corsages
Help is needed to:

ALTAR SERVER
This ministry is open to anyone in 5th grade or older. Parents’ help in mentoring this ministry is invaluable. We have a need for 15 ministers for each Mass time. In order to meet this need we need an additional four ministers for 5:00 pm; eight for 8:30 am; and one for 5:30 pm.

SACRISTAN
Sacristans are responsible for the care of the altar linens, sacred vessels, vestments, and other items used at our liturgies. These people will be trained and scheduled for Masses, funerals and other celebrations so that bread, wine, chalices, etc. are set out ahead of time and preparations are completed before each liturgy.

PROJECTION SYSTEM MINISTRY
This ministry is crucial to the flow of our ritual, song and prayer. Responsibilities will include setting up the projection system for scheduled liturgy, changing the projection as needed throughout the liturgy and maintaining the operating system. Appropriate training will be given. We have a need for five ministers for each Mass time. In order to meet this need we need an additional two ministers for 5:30 pm.

*CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD (CLOW)
Catechists/Aides are needed so we can provide this opportunity for all children in grades 1-4. Catechists are needed for all Masses. CLOW will take place year-round.

BREAD MINISTRY
This ministry requires a physical ability to knead the bread dough as prepared. The bread is baked every Saturday in the church kitchen.

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND ART
This ministry provides a warm and inviting environment for our liturgies. You are invited to share your creativity with the community by being a part of this ministry.


WORSHIP - MUSIC MINISTRY
Contact: Aaron Carpenter, Director of Worship, 763-425-6505, ext. 224 e-mail: acarpenter@sjtw.net
Tarri Nelson, Associate Director of Worship, 763-425-6505, ext. 231 e-mail: tnelson@sjtw.net

Music Ministry enriches the assembly’s worship and calls the community to sung prayer. The ministry programs are open to all who wish to use their gift of song, as well as anyone trained in the use of an instrument. We welcome anyone with a love of music to join our Music Ministry.

HAND BELL CHOIR
This group will rehearse every Wednesday evening from 5:15 – 6:15 pm. No musical experience is necessary. This choir is open to anyone ages 13 and older. We are looking for one ringer.

FESTIVAL COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA (FCO)
A community orchestra based here at SJTW. Looking for all instruments – woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings and keyboard. Five years experience needed.

INSTRUMENTALIST
A variety of instruments are used with all our groups. We have a strong need for instrumentalists to continue strengthening our programs.

CHOIRS
Choir 5:00 pm Saturday – rehearses Saturdays prior to Masses at which they minister (twice per month)
Choir 8:30 am Sunday – rehearses Tuesdays from 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Choir 10:30 am Sunday – rehearses Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Choir 5:30 pm Sunday – rehearses every other Thursday from 7:30 –9:00 pm

MUSIC IN THE GROVE VOLUNTEERS Volunteers serve as ticket takers, ushers, greeters, set-up, reception servers and more.

*indicates those ministries that require a Background Check and VIRTUS training

WORSHIP SIGN UP FORM LINK