Catholic Community Ministries

Liturgy

The Eucharist is the very heart of our lives as Catholics. There are approximately 205 parishioners who serve as Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Ministers of Hospitality, Altar Servers and care for the church beauty, cleanliness and environment. Your financial commitment enables us to provide good music, candles, books, flowers, bread and wine and other liturgical needs.

 Children and youth

This past year 204 students, Kindergarten through high school, were registered for our Parish School of Religion (PSR). Under the leadership of Sister Patricia Doody and Sandra Klutz, our excellent volunteer teachers are helping parents in the awesome responsibility of passing on our Catholic faith to their children.

Under the direction of our Youth Director, Mr. Edgar Hernandez, and his wife, Cheltsey, our Junior and Senior High School Youth programs continue to grow.

New Catholics

Seventeen new Catholics received into our church at Easter 2008 continues to enrich us. This year we also received six prisoners into our church and celebrated Mass for the first time at East MS Correctional Facility in Lost Gap. A large amount of Sister Pat's time is devoted to RCIA.

Sacraments and prayer

Celebrating the Sacraments is an important part of our lives as Catholics. When it is time to prepare for marriage, baptize your children, anoint the sick or celebrate your funeral, we are here to assist you. Lay ministers now assist the priests in visiting the hospitals and nursing homes and those confined to their homes, as well as the county jail and East MS Correctional Facility.

The Parish Pastoral Council and Finance Councils at St. Joseph and St. Patrick provide vision, guidance and stewardship for the needs of our Catholic Community.

In addition, the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Peter Claver, ACES, Hospitality Committee, Servants of Mary, Legion of Mary and Our Lady of Fatima Sodality, and Bereavement Ministries provide outreach to the larger community.

Outreach

The downtown churches, including St. Patrick and St. Joseph, co-ordinate much of our outreach ministry through Wesley House. Our quarterly St. Vincent de Paul collections are making this possible.

KC members and Ladies of St. Patrick visit East MS State Hospital and nursing homes regularly and provide entertainment and refreshments to the patients. St. Joseph's “Project Charity” brings gifts to over 600 homebound persons, nursing home residents and hospitals. Both parishes help with this outreach project.

Through second collections, we reach beyond our immediate area to needs in Saltillo, the mission parishes of our Diocese, propagation of the faith and many others. A healthy church reaches out beyond its own needs.