The Christian Community at The Shrine of St. Joseph

The Christian Community
[ An Intentional Eucharistic Community ]
at
The Shrine of St. Joseph

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Community Spiritual Ministries

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Our spiritual ministries form the core of our common togetherness as a worshipping community, as they provide the nourishment we need in order to better hear and break open God's word. Community members volunteering for these ministries provide all members with opportunities to enrich their spirituality on many different levels through liturgy, the sacraments, and adult education. (Click HERE for more information on our Faith Formation program for children.)

Community Retreat
Community members come together once a year, usually in January or February (prior to Lent), for spiritual renewal. The retreat begins on Friday evening and culminates on Saturday evening with Liturgy, followed by dinner. Community members volunteer their time to select a theme for the retreat and to organize and plan retreat activities around the theme. Meetings are held as needed in the weeks leading up to the retreat. The retreat is typically held on a Friday evening and all day the following Saturday. Meals, refreshments and Mass are included. The retreat is scheduled for Friday evening and all day Saturday, but these are not separate retreats. Friday and Saturday are planned as one retreat, and to get the most out of the retreat requires attendance on both Friday and Saturday.

Eucharistic Ministry
The Eucharistic Ministers help gather the Community to Eucharist. They assist in making the Eucharist a personal commitment, as well as a Community commitment. The Ministers distribute the Body and Blood of Christ, prepare the altar for Liturgy and put the sacred vessels away afterwards. They also provide the Eucharist for the sick. Training workshops for Eucharistic Ministers are held in early March each year.

Administrator: TBD
Ministry-related documents for download are available for this ministry,
but are restricted to access by Community members only.
Click HERE to LOG IN

Lectio Divina Ministry
A small group of Community members meet before liturgy on Sunday morning to study the Gospel reading that will be read at that week’s liturgy. The individuals read the Gospel reading multiple times to break open the Scripture in a more meaningful way. After multiple readings, the group then has a short discussion about what touched each participant in the reading. Group members find that the practice of Lectio Divina is a meaningful way to gain a more intimate understanding of the Scriptures.

Liturgy Ministry
Recognizing that liturgy is the one experience of Community we all share, the Liturgy Ministry strives to make this time a meaningful spiritual expression. Members plan Sunday, seasonal, and special liturgies by choice of theme, optional prayers, environment of the sacred place, and coordination with the Music Ministry. It is the intent to involve members within the Community as writers, readers, prayer leaders, and Offertory-gift bearers.

Believing that liturgy is "the work of the people", members of the ministry plan ways to give as many Community members, who are interested, an experience not only of participating in the liturgy but also of shepherding it. When this is the case, ministry members act as mentors and provide help as needed.

Meetings are held once a month at 8:00 P.M. in the residence. Participation and commitment by Community members is most welcomed.

Music Ministry
Mission Statement - Music is a way for people to enhance their sense of community by expressing together their thoughts and feelings. Music has its place in the sacraments (Sunday liturgy, Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Weddings and Funerals) as well as in informal moments (pot-luck dinners, picnics, and fund-raisers). Where there is sound, people share joy, grief, sympathy.

Some in Community choose to become involved in music more formally through participation in the Music Ministry, showing and receiving God's Spirit of love as they practice music and song in a variety of forms. Areas of interest within the Music Ministry include the folk group, the Caritas a capella group, and individual instrumentalists and vocalists of all levels of skill, training, experience, and musical tastes. For instance, a primary focus for the Folk Group is to lead the Community in prayerful worship through song.

Practice sessions are held on a regular or irregular basis, depending upon the group or occasion. The folk group practices on a regular weekly basis--check with anyone in the group for the date and time. Community members with the time, interest and enthusiasm to participate more formally are encouraged to approach anyone in any group within the Music Ministry for more information. Knowledge or education in music is not required. New members are always welcome!

Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is a way for members of the Christian Community to show their prayerful support for those who are seriously ill or grieving the loss of a loved one. A small group of knitters and crocheters meet monthly to knit and crochet as they share conversation and prayer. Each shawl is prayed over at each monthly gathering, then, when completed, prayed over and blessed by the entire Community before being bestowed upon a recipient chosen by the ministry and the Community to receive the shawl.

Admin Login: Eucharistic Min.

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