Parish Ministries, Organizations and Activities

<BODY BGCOLOR="#CCEEFF" TEXT="#000080" LINK="#008000" VLINK="#CE00CE"> <CENTER> <IMG SRC="images/Ic_worship_ctr.gif" ALT="IC Worship Center, .gif - 11.07 K" WIDTH=350 HEIGHT=137 HSPACE=4 VSPACE=4 BORDER=0> <H1>Parish Organizations, Ministries and Activities</H1> </CENTER> <H2>LITURGICAL MINISTRIES</H2> <P><B>EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS</B> - Assist the presider in the distribution of communion at Mass. They take communion to the sick, shut-ins and homebound, as well as offer support to families at the time of death of a loved one.</P> <P><B>LECTORS</B> - Proclaim the Word of God at liturgies.</P> <P><B>USHERS</B> - Welcome all who come to worship and assist in the overall flow of worship. </P> <P><B>SERVERS</B> - Help in the smooth flow of the liturgy. They assist the presider at the Eucharist and other liturgical celebrations. Anyone fourth grade or older may train to be a server.</P> <P><B>MUSIC</B> - Our music department consists of three choirs.</P> <P> <B>PARISH CHOIR</B> - Sings for Sunday liturgies as scheduled, as well as special liturgies such as Christmas Midnight Mass and the Easter Vigil. This organization also enjoys several social occasions such as the annual Christmas party and spring Bar-B-Q.</P> <P> <B>CONTEMPORARY CHOIR</B> - Sings at Saturday evening liturgy (5:30 PM). Call the Director of Music & Liturgy for information.</P> <P> <B>YOUTH CHOIR</B> - Consists of young people grades 1 through 6. They sing for some Sunday liturgies, Christmas Eve Children's liturgy and other special liturgies as requested.</P> <P> <B>TEEN CHOIR</B> - Consists of teens who are able to read music. Contact the Director of Music & Liturgy for information.</P> <H2>EDUCATION </H2> <P><B>RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS)</B> - Our RCIA is currently available to persons considering becoming full members of the Roman Catholic Church, persons interested in learning about the Catholic Church, and Catholics returning to the Church or seeking a better understanding of life in the Church today. Pre-catechumenate meets on Thursday evenings. Regular catechumenate sessions meet Sunday mornings from 9:00 - 10:30. </P> <P><B>RELIGIOUS EDUCATION</B> - Classes are offered for K through 12th grade students on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:30 AM. Call the DRE for information concerning sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist & Confirmation A Children's Catechumenate is also offered for other students who have not received the Sacraments of Initiation. Teacher training and certification are also provided.</P> <P><B>ADULT EDUCATION</B> - We have adult education seminars throughout the year. Professional people from our parish, as well as our community, have shared their talents with us. Topics of previous seminars include the PALS program, Parenting Classes, Rite to Life issues, Family Spirituality, Decree of Nullity process, and Church history. Watch the bulletin for future classes.</P> <P><B>I.C. PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN</B> - We offer a preschool program for children from age 9 months until 5 years. Emphasis on this morning only program is reinforcement of specific educational skills as well as social interaction skills through a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Also available is a state certified Catholic Kindergarten program for children who are 5 years of age by Sept. 30.</P> <H2>YOUTH ACTIVITIES</H2> <P><B>CHURCH NURSERY</B> - The nursery is open to children under the age of 5 on Saturday for 5:30 PM Mass & Sundays from 7:45 AM to 12:30 PM. Parents may leave their children in the nursery while they attend Mass, an adult class or while they are teaching Religious Education. </P> <P><B>HIGH SCHOOL CYO (HS CYO)</B> - This is an organization for students in the 9th through 12th grades who are interested in joining a Catholic youth program. It is managed by the student members who plan activities to meet the social and spiritual needs of Catholic High School Youth. HS-CYO is open to all HS students. BRING A FRIEND. </P> <P><B>MIDDLE SCHOOL CYO (MS CYO)</B> - This is an organization for students in the 6th through 8th grades who are interested in joining a Catholic youth program. This group plans activities to meet the social and spiritual needs of Catholic Middle School Youth. MS-CYO is open to all MS students. BRING A FRIEND.</P> <H2>SPIRITUAL LIFE </H2> <P><B>THE HISPANIC APOSTOLATE</B> - This Diocesan Ministry coordinates pastoral care and sacraments to the Spanish speaking community. A Spanish Mass is celebrated each Sunday at 2 PM in the I.C. Chapel.</P> <P><B>SMALL PRAYER GROUPS</B> - Renew groups, Cursillo groups, Charismatic groups as well as other small groups gather together for prayer, retreats and spiritual encouragement. These groups are not organized parish activities. They are an outgrowth of the RENEW program and the Cursillo program. </P> <P><B>SECULAR FRANCISCAN ORDER</B> - This is a canonically recognized religious order for lay people. Formed in the spirituality of St. Francis, they gather monthly for prayer. Franciscans try to represent the parish at all wakes and funerals.</P> <P><B>VISITATION COMMITTEE</B> - Members of the parish take the Eucharist to the sick, the homebound and those in nursing homes. This committee usually visits the hospital six days a week.</P> <P><B>PRAYER LINE</B> - Requests for prayers are taken by this group of parish members. A phone tree is set up where your request is passed on to participating members who pray daily for these needs.</P> <H2>FINANCE BOARD</H2> <P>The purpose of this Board is to advise the Pastor concerning the parish finances, fund raising and the annual budget. Members are appointed by the Pastor. The Finance Board is responsible for selling the advertising on the back pages of the parish bulletin.</P> <H2>STEWARDSHIP</H2> <P>Our parish <B>TITHES</B>. Tithing calls for a definite decision regarding our stewardship of the gifts we have received from God. Our Creator has given each of us, in varying amounts, gifts of time, talent and treasure. We are stewards or caretakers of these gifts & have a responsibility to use them to build up the kingdom of God, to build a better world & a better Church.</P> <P>By sharing our time & talent with our parish & service groups, we give back to God a portion of these gifts; by tithing, we give back to God a share of the treasures we have received, thereby helping to build up the Church & to aid the suffering & needy of the world. True stewardship means sharing our time, talent and treasure, not hoarding them for our personal use & pleasure. </P> <P>We ask that your Tithing include 5% of your income given to our parish, 2% to the diocese and 3% to your choice of other charitable organizations. Enclosed in this booklet you will find a chart that will assist you in determining your tithe & Commitment Card. Please drop your Commitment Card in the collection basket.</P> <H2>PASTORAL COUNCIL </H2> <P>The purpose of the Council is to develop faith, inspire hope and promote charity. Its efforts are to promote spiritual growth, proclaim the Good News, develop community, and foster family. The Council consists of the following committees:</P> <P><B>SPIRITUAL LIFE COMMITTEE </B>- Pro-Life Committee, Liturgy Committee, Homebound Visitation, Eucharistic Ministers and Marriage Preparation are areas represented by this committee.</P> <P><B>MARRIAGE PREPARATION COMMITTEE</B> - They work with engaged couples administering the Pre-Marital Inventory and acting as "coaches" for engaged couples.</P> <P><B>COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE</B> - This committee is responsible for all aspects of communication for the parish. The I.C. News is one of its major projects. It's also responsible for press releases, tickets, flyers, etc. </P> <P><B>WELCOME COMMITTEE</B> - This group contacts newcomers. They provide newly registered members with information about the parish & occasionally they sponsor newcomer coffees or dinners. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to help with this committee.</P> <P><B>YOUTH COMMITTEE</B> - This committee coordinates activities for parish youth. Some projects they oversee are: High School & Middle School Youth Groups, Scouting & Explorers.</P> <H2>ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIAL ACTION</H2> <P><B>FOOD COLLECTION</B> - We collect non-perishable food items on the 3rd Sunday of the month for the Urban Ministries' Food Pantry. </P> <P><B>NEWMAN CLUB</B> - This is the Catholic Student Organization at Austin Peay. It is an organization run by students for students. It's about having good, clean fun, making friends, and even learning a thing or two about the Catholic Church along the way! They welcome open-minded APSU students of all denominations.</P> <P><B>I.C. NEWS</B> - Published about six times a year, the I.C. News is our parish newsletter. Anyone wishing to write an article is encouraged to do so. Drop articles in the collection basket. Volunteers are needed to prepare our newsletter for mailing.</P> <P><B>SPORTS</B> - The City of Clarksville offers a wide range of activities throughout the year for both youth and adults. We are always in need of volunteers to organize and coach various sports. We have had softball and basketball teams in the past.</P> <P><B>IC COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC WOMEN (ICCCW)</B> - This group is affiliated with the NCCW, which is the largest religious denomination of women in America. Through the ICCCW, Catholic Women can speak and act on their concerns and seek solutions to current problems. All women of the parish are members of the ICCCW. </P> <P> Our local chapter is active in the fight against abortion, pornography, child abuse, domestic violence and any movement that tears down the family.</P> <P> The ICCCW sponsors family activities such as: Halloween Covered Dish Supper, Breakfast with Santa, and an Easter Egg Hunt. They also host luncheons for our senior citizens. They help with receptions, the Church Picnic, and luncheons for bereaved families after a funeral.</P> <P> Activities are funded with the proceeds from their annual <B>CRAFT FAIR</B>, which is held the first Saturday in December.</P> <P><B>I.C. LIFE GROUP</B> - This group supports the reverence and protection of life from conception to death. They focus on prayer, education and witnessing. They assist Caring Choices in locating supplies or responding to their needs when requested to do so.</P> <P><B>CARING CHOICES</B> - This group provides a caring, confidential atmosphere for a pregnant woman to come into, in order to help her to work through her crisis and come to a quality decision for her and her baby. Pregnancy testing, counseling, providing maternity and baby articles are a few of the services provided. This group is a joint venture of IC Parish and Catholic Charities.</P> <P><B>KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS (KC)</B> - A Catholic Fraternal Service Organization, the KC sponsors numerous activities for family, youth groups and community service. The proceeds of the annual "Tootsie Roll" sale are donated to the K of C Home for the Physically and Mentally Challenged Adults which located in Clarksville .</P> <P><B>BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA</B> - The Boy Scout program is for young men ages 11 through 18. The program strives to instill positive values in young people. The scouting experience will help young men discover that they can make good things happen in their lives by planning and setting goals and then reaching for them.</P> <H2>PARISH EVENTS</H2> <P><B>CRAFT FAIR</B> - This ICCCW sponsored event is held annually on the first Saturday of December. Booth space is rented to crafters. The ICCCW also sponsors a Craft Booth and a Country Kitchen. Crafts for the ICCCW booth are made at workshops held by the IC-CCW as well as by parish members who donate hand crafted items. The Country Kitchen serves homemade soup, chili, pies and cakes.</P> <P><B>BREAKFAST WITH SANTA</B> - This ICCCW sponsored event is held each December. Children 9 & younger are invited to have breakfast with Santa. Coffee and donuts are served to parents.</P> <P><B>EASTER EGG HUNT</B> - This ICCCW sponsored event is usually held the Saturday before Easter for children 9 and younger. </P> <P><B>MARDI GRAS</B> - Dixieland music and Cajun Food are the highlights of this fun evening. Costumes are optional and masks required. The evening is topped off with the election of the King & Queen of the Mardi Gras. This event was held for the first time in 1995.</P> <H2>COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES</H2> <P><B>URBAN MINISTRIES</B> - This community service organization oversees client services which include food, utilities assistance, prescription medication, and other basic needs. This group distributes the food that we collect on the 3rd Sunday of each month. We have parishioners on the Board of Directors. </P> <P> I.C. provides financial assistance, which is collected the third Sunday of the month, to the ministry listed above as well as the following organizations: Meals on Wheels,, Pastoral Counseling Center, Community Action Agency and Good Samaritan Medical Center.</P> <CENTER> <H2>PHONE NUMBERS</H2> <TABLE BORDER=1 WIDTH="70%" CELLPADDING=5 CELLSPACING=1> <TR> <TD>CHURCH OFFICE</TD> <TD>645-6275</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>FAX NUMBER</TD> <TD>552-0331</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>CARING CHOICES</TD> <TD>645-9969</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>IC PRE-SCHOOL</TD> <TD>647-9276</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>NEWMAN CLUB </TD> <TD>645-3887</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>SPANISH OFFICE</TD> <TD>906-9357</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS</TD> <TD>552-0575</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD>PRAYER LINE</TD> <TD>645-8558</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD></TD> <TD>647-1861</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD></TD> <TD>551-8306</TD> </TR> </TABLE> </CENTER> <HR> <CENTER><P><I><B>Updated by the parish on 6/3/97</B></I></P></CENTER> <HR> <H5 ALIGN=CENTER>Please, <A HREF="mailto:ggregd@liturgical.com">send us mail</A> with questions or comments about this web site.<BR> Copyright © Liturgical Publications of St. Louis, Inc.<BR> </H5> </BODY>