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Ministries
and
other Pastoral Groups
Greeters
Ministry
The Greeters
Ministry was organized to help make
parishioners feel welcome at Prince of Peace
Catholic Church. Greeters arrive a half-hour
before Mass begins, and they stand outside
the Church and welcome people as they
gather. They open doors, assist the
disabled, and warmly greet our Parish family
and visitors who are attending Mass.
This is a
rewarding ministry for both greeters and
recipients. This ministry does not require a
lot of training, but it does demand a caring
person who loves working with people.
Ministers
of Hospitality (Ushers)
This special
ministry of dedicated parishioners is
extremely important to the celebration of
the Mass. By meeting, greeting, and
welcoming the people to our service, they
set the tone for the happy celebration of
the Eucharist. In addition to performing
their duty at all weekend and Holy Day of
Obligation Masses, ushers are also called
upon to assist at Funerals, Memorial Masses,
and any other special functions.
We are always
in need of more parishioners who are willing
to take part in this most worthy Church
activity, thereby joining efforts with a
friendly and cooperative group for the honor
and glory of God.
Ministers of the Altar (Servers)
The Altar
Server in liturgical celebrations remains
one of prominence and distinction. The
server retains the genuine and vital role in
the liturgical assembly. The role of the
altar server through the actions he or she
performs and by the way in which they
perform them is to bring the assembly to a
fuller understanding of the liturgy and so
to a greater love for God. They have a place
of honor at Mass, because of assisting the
priest in many ways. Their behavior and
performance can be a sign of their faith and
love for God and God's people.
With parishioners returning from the North,
and more new parishioners joining our
congregation, Prince of Peace needs ALTAR
SERVERS to assist the priests during all
Masses. All men and women of the Parish are
invited to consider this ministry. For more
information, call the Parish Office at
634-2328.
Ministers of the Word (Lectors)
Lectors take
great joy and pride as they daily proclaim His Word to
the parishioners in church. They must be
familiar with the readings and deliver the
words so that the congregation becomes
informed and inspired. Lectors should have a
well modulated voice, poise, enthusiasm, and
an understanding of the readings and the
language they contain. We welcome anyone who
is interested in this wonderful ministry to
come forth and offer to join us.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (Altar)
The
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
at Prince of Peace
work as an important part of the worship
ministry team. They serve in a way that is
both a great privilege and a form of humble
service. Each Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister must be
commissioned by the pastor.
It would be a
blessing to have you on our team to help
distribute Holy Communion at scheduled
Masses.
Ministers of the Sacristy (Sacristans)
The Sacristans
are lay volunteers responsible for
supervising the order and cleanliness within
the church, as well as the care of sacred
vessels, linens, vestments, books, sacristy
supplies, liturgical art displays, floral
arrangements, and other liturgical
materials. Some of these materials are
designed and constructed by our own
parishioners.
The Sacristans
have a privileged and crucial role in
assisting the clergy and the professional
lay ministers in providing spiritually
meaningful liturgical celebrations for our
worshiping community. To accomplish these
many tasks requires several men and women
who are deeply committed to serving the
Lord.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist (Home)
Extraordinary
Ministers of Holy Communion assist our Pastor in taking Holy
Communion to our members who live in area
assisted living facilities, nursing homes,
retirement residences, private homes and
South Bay Hospital, who are unable to attend
Mass. Volunteers are guided through a
training session, so they are well prepared
to offer this service of Our Lord. Please
leave your name and phone number at the
church office if you, a relative or a
friend, would like to receive Holy communion
at home or in an assisted living facility.
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Music Ministry
led by
Mark
Winchester, Music Director
There is more information about the
church organ at the "music" button
on the home page. |
Choir
The Choir of
Prince of Peace Catholic Church exists to
enhance the liturgical celebrations and to
provide an opportunity for parishioners who
have musical ability to share their talent
with our community. The only requirement for
being a choir member is a love for singing.
Members need not know how to read music; our
music directors will assist choir members in
their preparation for the music-making
process. Being in the choir is a wonderful
time to meet new people, and experience a
camaraderie that only music can evoke.
The choir
season usually begins in October and ends
after Easter. Membership is open to
part-time residents and all who wish to
join. Rehearsals are scheduled during the
week, and the choir sings at a weekend Mass.
Schola
Prince of
Peace has two Schola groups which are
smaller ensembles of dedicated singers who
enhance various liturgies here. They
rehearse separately from the choir.
Membership in one of the schola groups may
require an audition, so please contact the
music director for more
information.
Cantors
The Prince of
Peace cantors hold an awesome responsibility
in the music ministry. They stand before the
congregation and lead them in all sung parts
of the Mass. They introduce Hymn numbers,
and sing the responsorial Psalm and Gospel
Acclamation verses as a soloist. It is
therefore imperative that the Cantor have a
dedicated and thorough approach to singing.
Experience in solo singing as well as
sight-reading is important. If you are
interested in auditioning to be a cantor,
please contact the music director for more
information.
Prison Ministry
The Prison
Ministry at Prince of Peace is a group who
serve at Mass, teach Scripture and Church
history, and relate to inmates as mentors to
bring the Good News of God�s love and
forgiveness to the prisoners in the
Hillsborough Correctional Institution, a
women's state prison in Riverview. Our
Parishioners assist Father Lorden of Our
Lady of Guadalupe at Mass twice each month.
Instruction is an important part of this
ministry. The focus is: preparation for the
sacraments; understanding our Church
history; and Bible study.
Another
important part of the ministry is forming a
friendship with the inmates. We are
available to them each Friday afternoon and
Tuesday evening. Business cards are also
left for them so that they may keep in touch
or so that their families may contact us.
(All contact is through the church, home
addresses are not given.)
Religious
literature, prayer cards, and devotional
materials are also made available. Our
parish provides Bibles for those who need
them. Our Rosary making group has also been
extremely generous in providing rosaries for
us to distribute. The Office of Prison
Ministry for the diocese provides us with
devotional materials, support and advice.
Our
parishioners also volunteer as tutors in the
Education Department. They too are a part of
this ministry because they bring Christ�s
love and the Good News of salvation in a
different format.
The Prison Ministry is looking for donations
of unused greeting cards, Christmas cards,
and postage stamps. Also, Advent materials
would be appreciated to assist in
preparations for Christmas. Items may be
dropped off at the Parish Office.
Bereavement Ministry
The
Bereavement Ministry is comprised of
concerned volunteer members of the Prince of
Peace family who reach out to parishioners
who are hurting because of the loss of a
loved one.
Liturgical Support
The ministers
in this area visit the family immediately
after the loss and offer support in planning
the Funeral/Memorial Mass (selecting
scripture readings and music, obtaining
biographical information) as well as helping
with any arrangements the family may need.
The bereavement ministers assist the family
by coordinating and participating in the
funeral Mass.
Practical Support
At the request
of the bereaved family, the volunteers in
this area provide a light buffet luncheon
and an atmosphere of loving family concern in
the Conesa Parish Center following the
Funeral/Memorial Mass. They procure, arrange
and serve the food, and clean up.
Support Groups
Ministers in
this area of care undergo training to be
facilitators of our two parish support
groups. They provide an opportunity for the
bereaved to find strength, hope, comfort,
and support through the interaction of the
group dynamics.
These
ministers also provide follow-up and
supportive connections for the bereaved
during the months following a loss.
Interfaith
Social Council
The Interfaith
Social Council is made up of all churches in
the Sun City Center area. Six lay persons
from each congregation are asked to serve
for a three year period. The purpose of this
organization is to help in the local
schools, to provide scholarships for the
local high schools, and to organize "The
Nearly New Shop" in Sun City Center. The
group meets once a month at a different
church.
Progressive Prayer Line
"Bear one
another's burdens so you will fulfill the
law of Christ" (Galatians, 6:2). We
currently have many households who have
volunteered to pray for your intentions when
you call us. Anyone may join the prayer
chain. Your name will be added to our list
and someone will notify you of a request,
and you may pray in the privacy of your own
home. We ask that you pray the day you are
called and as often afterwards as the Lord
leads you. See the Parish bulletin for
telephone numbers and contact information.
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Our Lady, Queen of Discalced
Peace,
Secular Order of
Carmelites |
Our community
is part of the Secular Order of Our Lady of
Mount Carmel and of St. Teresa of Avila. Our
members may be married, single, widowed, and
may also include diocesan priests or deacons
who are unaffiliated with another religious
order. The abbreviation for our Order, taken
from the order of words in Spanish is
O.C.D.S., or Order of Carmelites, Discalced,
Secular. We are an integral part of the
Discalced Carmelites Order, which branched
off from the Order of Carmelites in the 16th
Century when St. Teresa of Avila and St.
John of the Cross reformed the religious
houses according to the original, stricter
rule.
The purpose of
the Secular Order is to fill the needs of
those Catholics who feel called to a deep
prayer life in the church while still living
in the world. The Secular Order responds to
a special vocation given by the Holy Spirit,
who awakens the desire to commune with God
on a deeper level of faith, hope, and
charity. Our common aspiration is union with
God.
Our Community
of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Secular Order
of Discalced Carmelites is canonically
established. Our members attend
daily Mass, Daily receptions of the Holy
Eucharist, frequent confession, half hour of
mental prayer daily, saying Morning Prayers
and Evening Prayers of the Liturgy of the
Hour, fasting, abstinence on designated
days, and devotions to the Blessed Virgin
Mary. Our members attend an annual retreat
and Day of Recollection. We are very active
in our apostolate which is service to our
church in various positions as servers,
lectors, musicians, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion.
Our Community
of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Secular Order
of Discalced Carmelites of Prince of Peace
Catholic Church regularly meets on the first
Saturday of each month (except July &
August). These meetings are under the
guidance of the Spiritual Director.
Information: Henry, 633-1716 or
Nel, 634-9562
Charismatic Prayer Group
The
Charismatic Prayer Group is a group of
Christians who meet after the 8:00 a.m. Mass
every Monday morning in the Parish Center.
This meeting is about two hours long,
glorifying Jesus, our Savior. Each meeting
is opened with a prayer which is followed by
a hymn of praise, Scripture
reading, and sharing.
The Marian
Prayer Group
 The
Prince of Peace Marian Prayer Group actively
began in February of 2001. This group is
dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. As a
group, we pray many prayers for the specific
purpose of bringing souls back to God. The Marian Prayer group meets
every Wednesday after the 8:00 a.m. Mass in
room 7 of the Parish Center.
Secular Franciscans
The Third
Order of St. Francis (SFO) is comprised of
fraternities made up of men and women who
wish to follow the way of St. Francis in
their secular lives. It consists of members
in every part of the world, and their total
number is more than one million. In the
spirit of St. Francis, this group observes
the Gospels of Christ by following the
example set by St. Francis of Assisi who
made Christ his inspiration.
This group
prays alone and together. They learn about
Christ by reading the Gospels, and about
Francis. They share their journeys,
themselves, and they live with the Gospels
as their guide, reaching out to others with
love and understanding. The Secular
Franciscans meet on the first Friday of each
month at 9:00 a.m. for prayer and
fellowship.
Information: Luke Amato, 633-8468
www.SanDamianoFraternty.mysite.com
Oblates
of St. Benedict
The Oblates of
St. Benedict at Prince of Peace meet each
month to form a small faith community.
Coming from diverse backgrounds, we gather
together to build a group whose priorities
are prayer and fellowship. Following the
Rule of St. Benedict, we strive to
balance our daily activities by proclaiming
the Gospel message in word and deed so "that
in all things God may be glorified." (Rule
of Benedict, 57:9)
What is an
Oblate?
Oblates are
Christian men and women who consecrate
themselves to God and to the Order of St.
Benedict by affiliating with a monastery. By
following the wisdom of the Rule of St.
Benedict in modern times, Oblates often
find a renewed spirituality and more
balanced lives.
What is
Benedictine spirituality?
Benedictine
Spirituality is a gentle manifestation of a
loving and parenting God who wants us to be
all that we can be. It is not a set of rules
but a way of life. Benedictine Spirituality
does not ask for great feats of asceticism,
but it does require a commitment to
community and a sincere seeking of God
through prayer. The point of Benedictine
Spirituality is that we have to decide, once
and for all, what we are about and then live
in a way that makes that possible and makes
that real. (The Rule of Benedict �
Insight for the Ages, Joan Chittister,
O.S.B.)
Meetings of
the Oblates are held the first Tuesday of
each month at 9 a.m. in the Parish Center.
Join us for fellowship and prayer. All
visitors are welcome!
Sign Language: Club Mark VII
Hearing
awareness has expanded at Prince of Peace
following beginning sign language classes
and interpreted Sunday Masses. The existing
Assistive Listening System for services has
been promoted. We have few parishioners who
understand sign language, but our awareness
and appreciation has reduced isolation of
those with hearing loss in the parish. Club
Mark VII is the continuation of the sign
language classes and has expanded to the
support information and technology that is
available. Club Mark VII helps us to learn
and to share.
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