The Lector program at St. Philip Neri is a traditional ministry, with lectors proclaiming the Good News at Sunday and weekday Masses, as well as Holy Days, Feast Days, and Liturgical celebrations. The schedule is flexible and supportive to families with members in other liturgical roles. Requirements: You must attend the Archdiocesan training class and be Mandated. You must be an active, registered member of St. Philip Neri parish.

Hospitality                                                            Fr. Craig – 455-1289

The duties of the Hospitality Ministers are varied. They consist of greeting people when they arrive for Mass, taking up the collection, bringing up the gifts of bread and wine, ushering people during Communion, and straightening up the church after Mass. This is a good ministry for families.

Liturgy Committee                                       Fr. Craig – 455-1289

This committee will help make worship at St. Philip Neri its very best. WE will work with all of the liturgical ministries. We will decorate the church for the church seasons. We will discuss music and do planning when needed.

Music Ministry                                            Colleen Asleson – 455-1289

The focus of liturgical music is to aid in the leadership of the sung prayer of the assembly. Our primary goal is to enhance the spiritual growth of each member through liturgical music and community sharing. Sight reading ability is helpful but not required. All voices are needed and welcome, teenagers and adults. Instrumentalists on a regular or part-time basis are also needed.

Sacristan                                                               Fr. Craig – 455-1289

Sacristans set up for Mass and make sure all ministers for Mass are present.

Welcoming Committee                                          Fr. Craig – 455-1289

The Welcoming Committee strives to make everyone feel at home and comfortable at St. Philip Neri Church. Members of this committee speak personally to each of our newcomers and welcome them to our parish family. We also provide useful church information that explains the many activities and opportunities available to members of the St. Philip Neri family.

Adult Faith Committee                                  Marsha Moon - 455-2190

This committee plans bible studies, spiritual enrichment through studies or speakers, and maintains the parish library, all for adult faith formation which is a life long learning process for all Catholics

Children’s Liturgy of the Word           Marsha Moon – 455-2190

During the 10:30am Mass through the school year, children from pre-school through fourth grade are invited down to the Parish Center after the Opening Prayer. The children hear the readings in simplified form, sing a responsorial psalm and alleluia, hear the simplified Gospel and homily, recite a simple Creed and pray for whatever they want in their own petitions. They then return to the Mass celebration by joining in the Offertory Procession. An adult, with the help of a Confirmation student, and a simple manual, leads the children’s session. More adults are needed to lead, so that no one has to lead but once a month or every other month. This does fulfill the adult’s Liturgy of the Word at Mass, it’s just in a simpler form. The only drawback is that you miss Father’s great sermons!

Pastoral Minister of Health Care (Parish Nurse) Sr. Susan – 451-6921

This position participates in the healing ministry of Christ. We are always in need of assistance as visitors to our homebound and hospitalized parishioners. You need not have a background in health care, but it can be helpful if you do. As a link between the Church and the parishioner, you will find yourself blest in many ways. Please contact Sister Susan at 451-6921 for further information.

RCIA                                                            Marsha Moon – 455-2190

These are classes for conversion to the Catholic Faith or for Catholics needing a sacrament that they are lacking such as Eucharist or Confirmation. This is offered for both adults and children. A team of dedicated Catholics who want to share their faith helps with the weekly adult sessions on Thursdays from 7 – 9pm from September to May. Classes for children are arranged separately with Religious Education classes.

Stewardship Committee                                        Fr. Craig – 455-1289

Stewardship is about giving thanks for all God has given us. Come help us foster an understanding of time, talent, treasure, and personal giftedness in the parish.

Vocations

Help promote Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life in our parish.

Youth Ministry                                            Marsha Moon – 455-2190

Seventh through Twelfth grade social and religious activities are offered from Fall to Spring, usually after the 10:30am Mass once a month, led by two young adults.

Parish Organizations

Altar Society                                                          Peg Ricketts 455-3377

The purpose of the Altar Society shall be to assist the pastor as he directs in matters pertaining to the parish, to promote a sense of family in the parish, and to work together on annual projects such as the Roast Beef Dinner, Bake Sale, Christmas Party and Women’s Retreat. All women of the parish are members of the Altar society. Active members work in Circles. Inactive members just pay dues. Circles rotate the presidency, each taking a turn for one year. This year Saint Francis of Assisi (Circle #7) has this responsibility.

Athletic Association                                     John Taylor – 573-7708

Organizes athletic teams for Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer for both St. Philip Neri students as well as public school students.

Board of Education                            Michele Kinghorn – 571-6423

Do you desire to help maintain the excellence of education provided to our students? The Board of Education acts as a policy making group and sounding board for the school principal and the pastor. It is an opportunity to support the administration and have direct input in regards to programs and the building which impacts both the staff and students. We also have input in regards to the parish religious education programs. The Board consists of nine members (18 years or older). The diversity of talent on the Board allows for progressive brainstorming and follow-through of action steps to consistently offer exceptional educational programs for our parish community.

Funeral Luncheons                             Maxine McFarland – 571-7841

This group of ladies prepares and serves a meal after the funeral if requested by the families. They call the parish members for salads and deserts to serve along with a meat tray and relishes. A great opportunity to help others in their time of need.

THE 500 CLUB                                    Dick & Viv Fehrman – 571-5537

The 500 CLUB is a fund raiser – but with a different twist. Do you play bingo, go to the casinos, buy lottery tickets, or bet on sporting events? With all of these pastimes you pay you money and take a chance. Same with the 500 CLUB. However, you have a total of 141 chances of receiving a payback, a free dinner in the fall, and about one-half of your contribution is given to the parish. Our year begins October 1 and ends September 30. The yearly donation is $60 that can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. To be eligible for the drawings, payment must be received by the last Sunday of the month. Each month, a drawing of 11 names is conducted by the 500 Committee and the winners receive a cash prize – which is determined by the total number of paid members each month. In addition to the monthly drawings, there is a drawing in October during the fall dinner for those in attendance and another in November for fully-paid members. Join us and help the parish while satisfying your “gambling” urge.

Home and School Association            Mark & Judy Smith – 572-7558

Parental Involvement is a vital part of the Catholic Education offered at St. Philip Neri Elementary School The purpose of the Home & School Association is to coordinate the efforts of parents and teachers in the process of Catholic Education. We sponsor activities which bring school parents together and provide them an opportunity to participate along with teachers in the education of their child. Annual Membership Dues for the Home & School Association are $10 per family. The monies we raise from dues and other fundraising are given back to the school in the form of classroom supplies, activities or field trips, band benefits for the teaching staff. The Home & School Association also funds a scholarship program. You can support the Home & School Association by attending two meetings held each school year. The meeting dates for the 2006-2007 school year are August 31 and March 8. Regular business is conducted, then the fall meeting has classroom presentations and the spring meeting includes a guest speaker. Each one is about a two hour time commitment.

Knights of Columbus                                   Tim Kiuntke – 571-8600

The St. Philip Neri Knights of Columbus provide an opportunity for men aged 18 and over to serve their parish, community and families. We support strong parish and family life through active participation in parish activities. We also provide a wide range of social activities that offer families special time of inexpensive and wholesome recreation – like Movie Knights on Saturdays, after the 5:00 Mass. There is a personal dimension of growth and development in faith, friendship and mutual help that is the lived experience of every Knight of Columbus who works at living up to the Order’s expectations. Come join us at our Pancake Breakfasts!

Meal Ministry                                             Kathy Rossitto – 455-1289

Meals provided on a short term basis to offer support to those who may be undergoing a crises in their family due to an accident, illness, or death.

Ministry of Praise                              Colleen Minturn – 451-5268

A monthly prayer request newsletter – that is prayed by many in the parish in their homes.

Neri Dollars (Scrip)                                               Joni Locher – 454-8393

Allows St. Philip Neri parishioners to benefit from gift cards and gift certificates purchased to many local retail shops, grocery stores and restaurants. A wonderful way to support the parish because the parish earns money for each card and certificate sold.

Natural Family Planning                             The Rectory – 455-1289

A contact for classes held throughout the Archdiocese. An opportunity for couples to learn about their natural body signs for the purpose of planning or postponing a pregnancy. The only method morally acceptable by the Catholic Church. The series of instruction consists of four monthly classes.

Parish Festival                                            Karen Bexten – 571-2094

The Parish Festival is a fall day filled with Games, Rides, Food and Dancing. The Parish Festival is held on a Saturday in September. The Festival is a way to bring all members of the Parish, School and Florence community together for a day of fellowship. The afternoon begins with games and rides for the kids. While the kids are busy playing the games or making sand art, the adults are enjoying some great food or strolling through the Silent Auction determining which of the hundreds of donated items to bid on. The Festival includes an evening of dancing to a local band under the stars with family and friends. The Parish Festival is also a fundraiser for the Parish. The funds raised during the one-day event are used to pay operating costs of the Parish. This event is needed each year as one of several revenue sources for the Parish.

Parish Pastoral Council                               Hugh Reilly – 571-9319

The Parish Pastoral Council members are nominated by fellow parishioners and are elected to serve a three-year term. We are an advisory board that assists the pastor in many areas of the parish, including maintenance, finance, the school and other programs and activities. Membership on the Council provides you with an insight into parish life and gives you the opportunity to help the pastor with decisions that affect the parish and school.

Pro-Life                                                       Mary Fink – 614-7677

The St. Philip Neri Pro-Life Committee strives to educate parishioners and our community with regard to the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Our mission is achieved through prayer and outreach activities. Activities we support include: Advent Baby Shower – parishioners are asked to donate baby items to the crib by St. Joseph’s altar in anticipation of our Lord’s birth. These items are then given to a local crisis pregnancy center during the Christmas season; Life Chain – an annual prayerful protest against abortion where participants hold signs which read “Abortion Kills Children’ along 72^nd and Dodge Streets; Vigil for Life – a Mass celebrated by the Archbishop, followed by exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and a living rosary walk to the abortion clinic in Bellevue; Support for Project Rachel – a healing ministry for post-abortive women and their families; as well as many other activities endorsed by the Bishop’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities. The SPN Pro-Life Committee also has access to information for parishioners wishing to know the Church’s official teaching on abortion, contraception, natural family planning, stem cell research, euthanasia and other life issues. These materials are provided by the Bishop’s Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities.

St. Vincent de Paul Society                          Milt Swartz – 571-7738

Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a worldwide Catholic lay organization, leads men and women to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Blessed Fredric Ozanam, and patron St. Vincent de Paul. Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those served, because in them, Vincentians see the face of Christ. The St. Vincent de Paul – St. Philip Neri Conference responds to calls for help within our parish boundaries by person-to-person visits providing material aid such as food, rent, and utility assistance where indicated. Members meet twice monthly on the first and third Thursdays in the Parish Center for prayer and case discussions. The District Society of St. Vincent de Paul supported by our Conference has stores for the needy throughout our area, that stock donated items including furniture, household articles, and clothing given freely or sold at minimal prices, and operates a food pantry, all largely staffed by volunteers.

Ground Committee                                      Bryan Kinghorn – 571-6423

A committee dedicated to planting flowers and maintaining weed control around the Church grounds.

Maintenance Committee                    George Moon – 455-1485

This ministry helps with the upkeep of the buildings and grounds and St. Philip Neri. Anyone with any interest in the areas of painting, carpentry, etc. is invited to volunteer for special cleanings and general maintenance.

Do you desire to begin a new ministry?

Maybe you see something lacking in our parish and feel God has given you a particular gift that you desire to share with others. Know that your gifts are welcome. Come and let’s talk!