Altar Servers
Ministry Chair: Dcn Gary Schrieber garyschrieber@yahoo.com
The role of Altar Server is integral to the celebration of the Mass. They assist the celebrants throughout the ceremony. Some duties include carrying the cross and processional candles, holding the book for the celebrant when he is not at the altar, presenting the bread, wine, and water during the preparation of the gifts, washing the hands of the priest. When appropriate, a server may also ring the bells as a signal to the faithful.
Boys and girls are eligible to become servers once they have received First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. They should be mature enough to understand their responsibilities and carry them out with appropriate reverence.
American Heritage Girls ruebenandkatiemoore@gmail.com
Ministry Chair- Katherine Moore
American Heritage Girls is the premier national character development organization for young women ages 5-18 that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement.
Mission
“Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country”
Inclusion Policy
All girls of any color, creed, race, national origin and socioeconomic status who agree to live according to the standards of the AHG Oath and the AHG Creed are invited to be a member of American Heritage Girls.
Anniversary Mass
Ministry Chair- Cathy Schoen cathyofnc@aol.com
Each quarter of the year, at the Saturday Vigil Mass, Fr. John blesses those couples celebrating an Anniversary. A small reception is held in the gathering area. Help is needed with the receptions.
Annulments
Please make an appointment with Fr. John through the main office
A Church tribunal (a Catholic Church court) declares that a marriage thought to be valid according to Church law actually fell short of at least one of the essential elements required for a binding union.
Youth Sports
Ministry Chair- Lorraine Simka lsimka@yahoo.com
Each Spring, SJN offers a t-ball, baseball, softball league for youths ages 5-17. The goal is to provide a FUN activity while developing healthy skills and good sportsmanship in a Christian environment. Coaches and assistant coaches are always needed.
Bereavement
Ministry Chair- Marilyn Schrieber Bereavement@4sjnc.org
The Bereavement community/volunteers offer an important and unique spiritual and emotional support to our parish. We minister to our parish families, at their request, with a variety of services: Support through our Homebound Eucharistic ministers, funeral service,
prayer and family reception; as well as assisting our clergy with on-call needs..
To volunteer, contact the parish office orMarilyn.
Bowling League
Ministry Chair- Mary Blinn (704) 545-0420
Do you like to bowl? Consider the SJN Bowling team and compete in a local league. The season runs from September through April and meets every other Sunday evening.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Ministry Chair: Meg Stasko meg@4sjnc.org
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 9:30 am Sunday Mass. Volunteers are needed to lead the little ones to God by explaining the Mass readings to them at a level they can understand. All supplies and training are provided.
Communication
Ministry Chair- Glenda Lliguicota pr@4sjnc.org
Good communication is essential to keeping our parishioners informed about what is happening in our very active parish. We use every communication tool available to us. As communication formats evolve we are always looking for new and better ways to let our members reach out to us and us to them.
Counting Team
Ministry Chair- Carolyn Coutu officemanager@4sjnc.org
Counting teams meet once a month to count the weekend’s offertory. No accounting experience is needed and there are always experienced counters willing to help guide new volunteers.
Cursillo
Ministry Chair- Mike Horeth (Men’s) horethm@bellsouth.net
Manon Reiher (Women’s) Manon@4sjnc.org
The Cursillo Movement is an encounter with Christ, emphasizing the importance of a balanced life of piety, continued spiritual study, and action to keep Christ in the center of our lives. The Cursillo Movement is introduced over a 3-day weekend retreat which includes Mass, daily prayer and reflection, and opportunities for reconciliation and spiritual direction. A series of talks is presented, then discussed in small groups which allow for sharing insights. A variety of schedules is available for both the men and women post-weekend group meetings.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
Ministry Chair -Dcn Gary Schrieber garyschrieber@yahoo.com
We are all called to be saints! This ministry encourages the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, as revealed to St. Faustina. It also sponsors retreats leading to a spirituality that can effectively help us become saints.
Eucharistic Adoration
Ministry Chair- Cathy Schoen 704-962-0073
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is available from Friday after the 6:30 a.m. mass to the start of the 9:00 a.m. Saturday mass. While the sanctuary is open to all who wish to spend time with Jesus, adorers are needed for each hour time slot to assure a presence at all times. Anyone who would like to commit to a particular hour is encouraged to contact the Ministry Chair.
Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
Ministry Chair – Jeff Philips Eucharisticminister@4sjnc.org
Eucharistic Ministers are humbled to assist the celebrant in offering the Body and Blood of Christ to those attending Mass. This ministry is open to practicing, confirmed Catholics and training is provided. Ministers are scheduled to serve at the Mass of their choice.
Facilities
Ministry Chair- John Stasko facilities@4sjnc.org
Facilities Committee members help to keep the campus looking and functioning its best.. They often hold Fellowship Workdays where everyone is invited to help with some bigger projects.
50+ Club
Ministry Chair – Kim Anderson kimberlyanderson998@gmail.com
The purpose of the 50+ Club is to promote friendship, give aid to fellow members when needed, provide social contacts and promote good will. Some of our projects include being prayer partners with our First Communicants, collecting food for the food pantry, and praying for and visiting the sick. The club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 12:00 pm Noon. in the Parish Hall. The meeting includes a program followed by a luncheon.
Food Pantry
Ministry Chair – Chris Schneider mjschneider@bellsouth.net
The Food Pantry at St. John Neumann provides nourishing food items for parishioners in need. It is open for distribution every Tuesday morning from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 am and Mondays from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. and is manned by a group of dedicated volunteers. Commercially packaged, non-perishable foods, donated by the parish family can be placed in the designated bins at any time.
Glenmary Mission
Ministry Chair – John and Marion Casasanta marioncasasanta@aol.com
Glenmary Mission serves our sister parish, St. Luke’s Parish, in Cuthbert, Ga. Several times a year we provide for specific needs through a collection from our parish family.
Giving Manger
Ministry Chair- Janice Pietrowski sjn.stewards@yahoo.com
Each Christmas parishioners have the opportunity to respond to gift requests from families in need. The donations are then wrapped and distributed through Catholic Charities and other community organizations. Also, the Mitten Tree is a long standing parish tradition. Hats, scarves and mittens, homemade or purchased, are collected and donated.
Greeters
Ministry Chair – Jennifer Doll jeromedoll@yahoo.com
As we strive to be a welcoming parish, greeters are stationed at the front doors of our church before each weekend mass warmly receiving all who enter. Also, there is an information desk in the hall manned by additional volunteers to greet and answer questions, especially for visitors and new parish members.
Information Table
Ministry Chair – Janet Button nana99@carolina.rr.com
Visitors new to the parish are encouraged to visit the information desk in the hall. Volunteers man the desk before and after weekend masses, ready to give directions, answer questions and assist with parish registration.
Hispanic
Ministry Chairs- Carlos Fuentes & Adrienne Martinez adriennemartinez01@yahoo.com
History of SJN
Ministry Chair – Katherine Luna klunasoprano@yahoo.com
Homebound Parishioner Visits
Ministry Chair- Nancy Fields and Legion of Mary Please call the Parish Office when requesting a homebound visit.
Volunteer Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist visit and take Communion to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass due to physical limitations. They may be homebound, in the hospital or in an extended care facility.
Knights of Columbus
Ministry Chair – John Silvestri 704-756-8790
The St. John Neumann Knights of Columbus Council #7343 is open to practicing Catholic men age 18+. The Council works closely with the parish and community, providing volunteers, fundraising and charitable donations for various projects. Some of the programs and events supported include: Weekly Adoration Security, the Men’s Shelter prep/ serving, Aid & Support After Pregnancy (ASAP program), American Red Cross blood drives, Coats for kids, Brother Can You Help Metal Recycling, Charlotte Diocese March For Life, Keeping Christ in Christmas, Prison Ministries, Roof Above, Special Olympics, SonFest, Camp SOAR, LAMB Drive, Mira Via, Charlotte’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and RSVP (support for Seminarians). Visit www.kofc7343.com for more information or contact our Grand Knight. God Bless!
Lector
Ministry Chair – Chris Schneider mjschneider@bellsouth.net
Lectors, or Ministers of the Word, provide an essential element of the liturgy by proclaiming scripture. Lectors must possess a pleasant speaking voice and be able to gain and maintain the attention of the assembly, putting life into the written word. Training is provided. Scheduling is by mass preference for weekend masses.
Legion of Mary
Ministry Chair – Katherine Luna klunasoprano@yahoo.com
The Legion of Mary is a nearly 100-year-old international lay apostolate leading people to Christ through His Blessed Virgin Mother, through prayer and service. It is open to all Catholics. SJN members do the work of Jesus by assisting at funerals, visiting those in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living and home bound.
Liturgy and Worship Committee
Ministry Chair – Christie Silvestri cars2x2@gmail.com
This committee, comprised of the chairs of the individual liturgy committees, is focused on enhancing the public and private worship of our faith community. Monthly meetings are held to ensure all details of weekly and special liturgical events are handled.
Marriage Encounter
Ministry Chairs- Fred & Rosemarie Belcher rosemariebelcher@gmail.com
Worldwide Marriage Encounter provides an opportunity for married couples to make a good marriage great! The weekend experience, given by three team couples and a priest, is an opportunity to explore the relationship together in a Christian environment away from common distractions. Follow-up meetings are held to reinforce the learnings of the weekend and keep the flame glowing.
Marriage Preparation
Fr. John Starczewski 704-536-6520
All couples planning to enter into the sacrament of Holy Matrimony must schedule a meeting with Fr. John before dates can be reserved. Preparation classes will then be scheduled.
Men’s Homeless Shelter
Ministry Chairs – Mike & Karen Horeth horethm@bellsouth.net
As Jesus calls on us to feed the poor and hungry, SJN Shelter teams take on the task of preparing and serving a fresh cooked meal on the first Saturday of every month at the Men’s Shelter in uptown Charlotte. Each team participates once a month.
Music
Ministry Chair – Soo-Jin Ridgell Ridgell@4sjnc.org
The SJN Music Ministry proclaims the goodness of the Lord through liturgical music during weekly worship services and special events. All voices are encouraged to participate by attending weekly rehearsals and the designated weekend mass. The various choirs include Youth Choir, Adult Choir and Contemporary Choir.
Piney Grove Ministry
Ministry Chair -Maryanne Stasko Mestasko@me.com
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt 25:40. SJN has adopted Piney Grove Elementary School. Drives are held for school supplies, Christmas presents, food and other needs.
Prayer Group and Prayer Chain
Ministry Chair – Linda Johnson ljj3506@aol.com
SJN is big on PRAYER. Any prayer intention, for oneself, a loved one or a friend, can be included in the SJN Prayer Chain by sending the information via email to Linda Johnson. The daily list of intentions is sent out, again via email, to all who wish to receive it. The request can be attributed to the sender or done anonymously. Also a weekly prayer group meets at SJN and is open to everyone
Respect Life
Ministry Chair – Dave DeBrosse dtdebro@gmail.com
SJN’s Respect Life Ministry works in conjunction firstwith the Culture of Life Director of the SJN Knights of Columbus Council 7343. We coordinate the annual Life-Chain on Respect Life Sunday (the Sunday in October), attend the annual Charlotte March for Life, advocate for the respect of all life from conception to natural death and provide free pro-life bumper stickers.
Rosary Makers
Ministry Chair – Terri Wilhelms terriw054@gmail.com
The SJN Rosary Makers provide rosaries that are sent in many directions, such as confirmation classes and missions around the world. They are also left at the Blessed Mother statue in our sanctuary for anyone who needs one. Supplies are provided and training is available to learn how to make them. Makers work at home at their own pace.
SACRISTY
Sacristan
Ministry Chair – Nancy Fields This unzssisting the pastor in preparation for Mass and helping maintain the Sanctuary. This is a ministry for those with attention todetail and a sacrificial commitment of time. A Sacristan should have knowledge of the Liturgical Calendar. Training is provided.
Stewardship
Ministry Chair – Marilyn Schrieber stewardship@4sjnc.org
Stewardship is a way of life, giving thanks to God for the blessings we’ve been given by returning a portion of our time, talent and financial resources. It is based on the individual’s need to give, not on the Church’s need to receive. By practicing stewardship we deepen our relationship with the Lord. Stewardship involves intentional, planned and proportionate giving of time, talent and treasure.
Traveling Chalice
Ministry Chair – Barbara Coleman brenwycke15@carolina.rr.com
The purpose of The Traveling Vocation Chalice Program is to encourage families, single persons and couples to pray and promote vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Praying for vocations is the most powerful way for us to support vocations. Those who wish to participate will receive the chalice during Sunday Mass to place it in a place of honor in their home. The family is encouraged to offer daily prayers for an increase in vocations and a deepening of the consecrated life. The chalice is then returned at the end of the week.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Ministry Chair – Chris Schnieder foodpantry@4sjnc.org
Each Thanksgiving parishioners donate food for Thanksgiving dinners. Volunteers pack the boxes to be distributed to families that otherwise would not be able to celebrate this wonderful holiday.
Ushers
Ministry Chair – Jim & Scarlett Stanley Ushers@4sjnc.org
Ushers enhance the liturgy by assuring the safe flow of the Mass. They assist with seating, collections, Communion and security. Confirmed parishioners are invited to be a part of this ministry and will be assigned to their Mass of choice.