ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF NELSON
HOLY CHILD PARISH
Box 369, 14010 Rosedale Avenue, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0
summerland@nelsondiocese.org 250-494-3110
MINISTRIES
Catechetical Ministries at Holy Child include our Children's Catechism, Adult Faith Formation and Youth Ministry.
Liturgical Ministries comprise Lectors, Sacristans, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers, Music Ministry, Altar Servers, Greeters and Ushers.
Other ministries at Holy Child encompass Prayer Ministry, Homebound Ministry and ministries from organisations such as the Catholic Women's League, Knights of Columbus and Development and Peace.
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is a consultative body, pastoral in nature, because it strives to discern the movement of the Holy Spirit among God's people in the parish. A Parish Pastoral Council gives its help to the pastor in fostering pastoral activity; it investigates, under the authority of the pastor, all those things which pertain to pastoral works to ponder them, and to propose practical conclusions about them.
Children's Cathechism
Holy Child Parish runs a Catechetical Education Program for grades 1-7. Its goal is for our children to be equipped with the necessary knowledge about the catholic faith while they are still young. They will experience the beauty of knowing the faith in their own community. The catechism program also prepares the children who are going to receive the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.
Youth
Ministry
Our Youth Group meet on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month in the youth room from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Youth, age 13 years and above, are welcome to come and check it out!
Youth Ministry is an important ministry precisely because the youth are an integral part of parish life. St. John Paull II said that the youth are the backbone of our Church.
Adult Faith Formation
Holy Child Parish runs an adult faith formation program for all parishioners.
This is to help everyone to learn more, understand well and practice our rich and glorious faith.
We meet weekly on Thursday evenings at 6 pm in the hall. Please join us!
Lectors
Ministry
Lectors are laypersons commissioned to proclaim the Word of God. They undergo adequate preparation and become suited to perform the responsibility so that the lay faithful, by listening to the sacred readings, may develop a warm and active love for Sacred Scriptures (See GIRM, no. 101).
Sacristans
Ministry
The sacristan is responsible for preparing the sacred vessels for the Mass celebration. They also set the sacred books (Missal, Lectionary) and set the altar cloth according to the liturgical season and feasts. They oversee the opening and offertory procession. The sacristan is attentive to the needs of the celebrant and provides assistance as required.
Extraordinary Ministers
St. John Paul II in “Redemptionis Sacramentum,” chapter VII, instructed; The ordinary ministers of Holy Communion are the Bishops, Priests and Deacons in virtue of their ordination. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are laypersons who have been instituted and delegated by the Ordinary Ministers to help in distributing Holy Communion to the faithful.
Music
Ministry
Music is an integral part of Liturgical celebrations. It is also a form of prayer. The primary minister of music is the assembly itself. Ministers of music lead the assembly in singing to give praise to God. The Choir must encourage the faithful to actively participate in the celebration through music.
Music is an important part of community worship.
Altar Server Ministry
Altar Servers’ model Jesus who came to serve and not to be served. The responsibilities include carrying the thurible, cross, and candles in procession, assisting at the chair (especially with the Missal) and assisting at the altar by bringing the bread, wine and water to the celebrant during offertory.
Greeter & Usher Ministry
It is always good to feel welcomed into a community with a smile and warm hospitality. Greeters and ushers are builders of community. They are ambassadors of the parish by welcoming everyone , opening doors, etc. Share in this joyful ministry of greeting people!
Homebound
Ministry
Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers bring the Eucharist to the catholic faithful who are sick and can no longer get to the church.
This task is usually carried out on the first Fridays of the month.
Other Service Opportunities
There are also services requiring no training, such as serving cvoffee after Sunday mass or presenting the gifts at the offertory procession.