Cathedral Ministries

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Adoration Chapel
Eucharistic Adoration is available for those who would like to visit and spend time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Beginning in October, the Chapel will be open every Wednesday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.. Come and see the unlimited joy you bring His Sacred Heart when you spend an hour with Him. For more information contact the church office.

Altar Servers
Liturgical functions, especially the Mass, are the heart and soul of a parish. In order for these Liturgies to be conducted in the most dignified fashion, it is essential to have a core of dedicated servers willing to make a commitment to the altar. It is extremely important for a server to be punctual. If you would like to make a commitment to this important ministry, please contact Brother Robert or Monsignor O'Neill.

Bible Study
Fr. Douglas K. Clark, STL, editor of the Southern Cross, the newspaper of the Diocese of Savannah, offers a Bible Study on Thursday mornings from 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Come and study the readings for the coming Sunday's Mass.

Fr. Douglas Clark, Executive Director of the Stella Maris Center, offers Adult Bible Study every Sunday from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. in the Cathedral Parish Center.

Elizabeth Cambridge leads a study group on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at the Cathedral Rectory. For more information, please contact the Church Office during regular hours at 233-4709.

Catholic War Veterans
The objective of the Catholic War Veterans is to make the nation aware of the struggle and needs of many veterans, their widows, and children. As survivors, we have an obligation to our fallen brothers and sisters to inform the people of this nation that many veterans and their families need assistance. Veterans have made sacrifices for their country and deserve to be treated with proper respect and support.

Cathedral Heritage Ball
The Cathedral Heritage Ball was first held in 2000 at the Wilmington Island Golf Club. Since then, this annual event has been held at various locations and has provided the majority of the revenue for the Cathedral Endowment Fund. The original goal was to raise one million dollars. Thus far, approximately $900,000 has been raised through 2007. Once the Endowment Fund is fully vested, the interest from the money will be utilized to maintain the Mother Church of the Diocese of Savannah.

Council of Catholic Women
The mission of the CCW is to provide outreach services in the church, community, nation, and the world for those in need. The council provides a sense of community and family to parishioners of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, as well as the fellowship of sisterhood for its members. For more information, contact Sarah Aliffi-Baez @ 282-7810.

Choir
The ministry of singing God's praises Sunday after Sunday is a most rewarding form of prayer. As St. Augustine said, "Those who sing, pray twice." The Cathedral choirs -- the Men's Choir at 10:00 a.m. and the Woman's Choir at 11:30 a.m. -- give endless hours rehearsing to musically enhancing our liturgies. They sing traditional and contemporary Mass, hymns, motets and psalms. The two choirs are combined several times a year to sing for important Feast Days. We welcome new members, so please sign up.

Christian Service Committee
The Mission of the CSC is to promote awareness of social and spiritual ministries in the parish and encourage the involvement and participation from all parishioners. Activities include: Annual Food Drive, Food of the Month, and Personal Hygiene Packets for Social Apostolate. We also sponsor the Ministry Fair. Contact Bill Wade @ 232-6470.

Collection Counters
In accordance with Diocesan Policy, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist has a core of Collection Counters divided into four teams to count the Offertory Collection on Monday mornings. Members of the Parish Collection Counting teams are selected by the Rector. The collection counters are responsible for counting the funds. The funds shall be counted twice by two separate individuals. The result of the counts are recorded on a "Collection Record" form, signed by the counters. A deposit slip is prepared and given to the bookkeeper.

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD)
CCD instruction of children, kindergarten through eighth grade, who do not attend Catholic School in the Catholic Faith, takes place once a week during the school year. The children are prepared to receive the sacraments of Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. The Cathedral CCD meets on Sunday mornings. To register your child, please contact John Schaaf @ 897-1954.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
The term "Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion" is used to distinguish them from "Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion" who are priests or deacons. They assist the priest and deacon with the distribution of Holy Communion during Mass, and may also conduct a Holy Communion Service in the absence of a priest or deacon. Also, they may take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. These ministers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and have received the three Sacraments of Initiation. Given the importance of this ministry and its special relationship with the Holy Eucharist, persons may be so designated only by appointment from the diocesan bishop following recommendation by their pastor.

Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is an organization of Catholic men who give unselfishly of their time and talents in service of God and their country, in union with the Holy See. They perform tasks of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism and defense of the priesthood. Membership is open to practicing Catholic men who live up to the Commandments of God, the precepts of the Church and who shall not be less than 18 years of age. Savannah Council 631, the "Mother Council of Georgia," which is located on the corner of Bull and Liberty, celebrated its 105th anniversary on March 23, 2007.

Lectors
The lectors' ministry bears the responsibility of proclaiming God's word to the people in the service of the faith. The message of salvation is read to the congregation through both the Old Testament and the New Testament at each Mass. Lectors thus acquire a deeper understanding and love for the Scripture themselves and are privileged to share this knowledge with the faithful. Lectors serve at all Masses on the weekend, as well as the 7:30 a.m. and the 12:00 noon Mass each weekday. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the Cathedral office.

Nursery
The Cathedral's nursery is open every Sunday for the 10:00 a.m. Mass and occasionally for special events. This service provides care for infants and children through age four, so that their parents and fellow parishioners may experience Mass more peacefully and without distraction. Usually between four and twelve children attend nursery each week. Nine volunteers currently participate in this ministry, and there are always two volunteers present during each Mass. We are always in need of more volunteers. For more information, call Cynthia Higgins @ 756.3496.

Parish Council
The Parish Council is a representative body, which seeks to assess the spiritual and temporal needs of the parish and to encourage participation of all members in the spiritual and apostolic life of the parish. It also exercises a vital role in the decision making process of the parish through open and free dialogue with the priests and representatives of the parish community in an effort to reach a consensus. The Council membership consists of six lay members elected by the parish, each serving two-year terms and ex-officio non-voting members.

Parish Life
Parish Life promotes a spirit of social communion among all parishioners by sponsoring group activities, including the monthly covered-dish dinners and coffee and doughnuts receptions. Additionally, a reception is hosted for the RCIA candidates welcoming them into the church, as well as an end of year party for the CCD students. If you are interested in helping out with any of these activities, please contact Sharon Wallace @ 233.4709.

Pro-Life
This group is dedicated to proclaiming the sanctity of all life, especially the protection of the rights of the unborn. Parishioners have said the rosary outside the abortion clinic on 34th street and have also carried out mail-out campaigns supporting the pro-life agenda. Anyone interested in becoming involved in this activity should contact the church office for more information.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
RCIA is the process by which an unbaptized person or persons baptized in another Christian church are catechized and received into the Roman Catholic Church. The process commences in September and culminates on Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil Mass. The Catechumens, or the unbaptized, receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist. The candidates, or those persons previously baptized in another religion, make a Profession of Faith and receive the sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist in order to complete their initiation into the Church.

Serra Club of Savannah
Serra International is the lay vocation arm of the church. The Mission of Serra is to foster and to affirm vocations to the ministerial priesthood and vowed religious life. and through this ministry further our members' Catholic faith. There are over 600 Serra Clubs in 35 countries with a membership of more than 20,000 men, women and permanent deacons. For more information, contact Suzanne Aviles @ 354.6706.

Social Apostolate
The Catholic Deanery Social Apostolate responds to the basic needs of homeless and at-risk individuals and families. We do this in the philosophy of Catholic Social Teaching. We are an accredited member of the Savannah Continuum of Care for the homeless and other collaboratives in the city. Our services include a soup kitchen, showers, thrift shop, work employability program, emergency services, health services and educational services. We serve all of Chatham County. For further information, contact Sister Pauline O'Brien at 233.1877.

Stella Maris Center
The Stella Maris Center for Faith & Culture, a nonprofit Catholic apostolate hosted by the Cathedral, has the threefold mission of evangelization, catechesis, and cultural transformation. Key services offered by the center include Scripture Study for adults, Catholic outreach to local college students, and the Stella Maris Reading Room, a library of Catholic Literature housed in the Parish Center and open to the public.

The Friends of the Georgia Martyrs
This association promotes the cause of canonization for five Spanish Franciscan missionaries who died for the Catholic faith in 1597 while serving the native people of coastal Georgia. The first phase of the canonization process has been complete. If the next phase is successful in Rome, the Church will beatify them (declare them among the Blessed). Members of the Friends receive prayer cards and other literature about the martyrs' life, ministry, and heroic death. Additionally members receive the association's occasional newsletter, The Palmetto, and regular email updates.

Twin Spires Newsletter
The objective of the newsletter is to communicate with Cathedral parishioners, to inform them of parish activities and to create a sense of community. We welcome articles from parishioners and organizations alike. For more information, please contact Peter Paolucci @ 231.1868.

Tour Guides Ministry
The tour guide ministry is a wonderful opportunity to share the beauty of our Cathedral with tourists. Thousands of tourists come through our doors every year and their appreciation for our knowledge of the Cathedral is rewarding. Morning and afternoon shifts of approximately three hours are available on a weekly or monthly basis. Training is provided. If you would like to give this ministry a try, please contact the Cathedral office.

Ushers
The Cathedral Usher Corps is composed of men and women who volunteer their time generally every other week and occasionally for special parish services. Their duties are first and foremost to act as greeters for parishioners and guests at each of the four weekend Masses. Additional responsibilities include acting as guides in the church through the various types of services, taking up collections and securing the money, and directing people during communion. At the end of the service, ushers straighten up the kneelers and booklets in the pews. The time required is usually 15 minutes prior to and 5 to 10 minutes after Mass. There are four operating teams, one for each weekend Mass, and all are in need of extra volunteers. To sign up for this ministry, please contact the Cathedral parish office at 233.4709 or call Charlie Ganem (Head Usher) at 354.7297.

For more information on any ministry please contact:
Bill Wade @ 232.6470 or mail to:
112 Cedar Point Dr.
Savannah, GA 31405