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As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
Your unique gifts and talents have a place here at St. John the Baptist! Our many ministries are divided into four categories:
- Liturgical
- Prayer / Care of Others
- Meeting, Greeting, Teaching
- Upkeep / Behind the Scenes
Scroll down to learn more about our ministries and find your place!
Liturgical Ministries
Please visit the Liturgical Ministries Page to learn more! For any questions and to get involved, please contact office@stjohns-excelsior.org or 952-474-8868.
Liturgical Ministries are within and surrounding the celebration of Mass. They include the following:
- Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
- Lector
- Altar Server
- Usher
- Greeter
- Tech Minister
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word
- Musician/Cantor
- Sacristan
- Sacristy Laundry
- Reset Church Space
- Hospitality Host
Prayer / Care of Others
Adoration
St. John the Baptist’s chapel provides a place for people to pray before the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Chapel is open to anyone at any time. Hours are available for those interested in scheduling a weekly hour of prayer and worship. You can sign up, request a sub and change your regularly scheduled adoration hour all online HERE. Contact adoration@stjohns-excelsior.org with any questions.
Befrienders
Trained lay people respond in the name of the Church to the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals by bringing a caring presence and a living reminder of God’s love. The BeFriender Ministry is not so much “doing” but rather “being” a ministry of presence and of quiet listening. They also bring the Eucharist to the homebound. Read the Befrienders Position Description here. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Knights of Columbus
Founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus has grown to the largest lay Catholic organization in the world with more than 1.7 million members. Members are engaged in service to God, Church, Community, Family, and Youth. Charitable and religious activities are conducted throughout the year. Financial security is available through their fraternal insurance. Read the Knights of Columbus Position Description here and contact Deacon Gary Hoffman to get involved at deacongary@stjohns-excelsior.org.
Prayer Chain
Those on the Prayer Chain offer daily prayers for our Pastor and parishioners. They also respond to requests for specific needs as they become known. Read the Prayer Chain Position Description here. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This ministry knits and distributes Prayer Shawls to the sick as well as baby blankets to the newly baptized in our Parish. Read the Prayer Shawl Position Description here. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Respect Life Committee, A Community Caring for Life (ACCL)
ACCL members are part of a broader network across the Archdiocese which coordinates a wide variety of efforts to promote and support respect for life, assist those facing crisis pregnancies, as well as educate parishioners and the public on respect life issues. St. John the Baptist currently does not have a Respect Life Committee Lead – if you are interested, read the Respect Life Committee Position Description here and contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Meals on Wheels
St. John’s parishioners help deliver dinners during various weeks of the month beginning at 11:00am to 12:00pm, to homebound residents of the Southshore area. Volunteer drivers pick-up prepared meals at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior. We work around a volunteer’s time and vacations to schedule drivers Monday through Friday. This is a great ministry for those at home with children, or for retirees. Read the Meals on Wheels Position Description here. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Funeral Ministry
Parish men and women prepare and serve meals for grieving families and friends of the deceased. Our funeral ministry assists families when a loved one dies by providing staff to serve and clean up the luncheon following the funeral. Commitment is approximately 10:00am – 1:00pm weekdays, approximately 11-12 times per year. Read the Funeral Lunches Position Description here and contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Meeting, Greeting, and Teaching
Faith Formation Catechist
Catechists work with our Youth in the Faith Formation program to help teach and strengthen their faith. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Faith Formation Assistant
Assistants work alongside Faith Formation Catechists with our Youth in the Faith Formation program to help teach and strengthen their faith. Contact Parish Office to get involved.
Hospitality Host
Hosts lead after-mass hospitality by starting the coffee and traying donuts before mass, setting everything out after Communion, greeting parishioners during hospitality (especially new faces!), and cleaning up afterwards. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Bible Study/Small Group Lead
Bible Studies and Small Groups are offered periodically at St. John the Baptist and are led by parishioners. Materials are provided by the church and leads guide conversation during Bible Study/Small Group gatherings. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Youth Ministry Events
Use your gifts to assist with the execution of the various Youth Ministry Events at St. John the Baptist! Involvement varies depending upon the event, but may include set up/clean up and spending time with the youth during events. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Staff the Welcome Desk
Ministers are asked to commit to a 4 hour weekly assignment at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Place. This person will receive packages, route phone calls, and answer questions for visitors to the parish. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
School Volunteers
Assist St. John the Baptist Catholic Montessori School with the many school functions, events, fundraisers and the like throughout the school year and summer. Contact the School Office.
Events
Assist with events, fundraisers and the like throughout the year. Many hands make light work! Assist behind the scenes or on the front lines during events held throughout the year at St. John the Baptist. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Upkeep / Behind the Scenes
Campus Handyman
Are you handy? Do you enjoy fix-it projects? Do you like to clean and organize? This ministry group assists with an assortment of smaller, specialty jobs as well as seasonal cleaning in the church. This is a great way to put your talents to good (God’s) use! Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Campus Grounds Upkeep
Assist in the maintenance of our beautiful grounds through projects such as mowing and trimming. Contact the Parish Office.
Snow Clearing
Assist in clearing the parking lot and/or sidewalks when it snows during the week or over the weekend as you are available. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Gardening
Gardeners maintain the beautiful summer gardens surrounding St. John’s Parish and Rectory by watering, weeding, and planting a few hours a month. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Cemetery Upkeep
Assist with the upkeep of our beautiful cemetery by weed eating, mowing, making minor repairs, and completing other projects as needed. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Church Cleaning – Altar and Rosary Society
Maintain our beautiful church by keeping it beautifully clean! Join an annually rotating group that commits two hours of their time per month to clean and pray for our parish. Read the Position Description here and contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Hospitality Laundry
Ministers launder any linens used during after-Mass hospitality. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Candle Rack Upkeep
Assist in the removal and restocking of candles in the Prayer Candles rack. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
Office/Administrative Tasks
Office and Administrative Task Ministers assist the Parish Staff with projects such as bulk mailings and other projects as they arise. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.
School Volunteers
Assist St. John the Baptist Catholic Montessori School with the many school functions, events, fundraisers and the like throughout the school year and summer. Contact the School Office to get involved.
Knights of Columbus
Founded in 1882, the Knights of Columbus has grown to the largest lay Catholic organization in the world with more than 1.7 million members. Members are engaged in service to God, Church, Community, Family, and Youth. Charitable and religious activities are conducted throughout the year. Financial security is available through their fraternal insurance. Read the Knights of Columbus Position Description here and contact Deacon Gary Hoffman to get involved at deacongary@stjohns-excelsior.org.
Events
Many hands make light work! Assist behind the scenes or on the front lines during events held throughout the year at St. John the Baptist. Contact the Parish Office to get involved.